Kids
J&J’s Cheung appointed Walt Disney (China) managing director
MUMBAI: Walt Disney International president Andy Bird today announced the appointment of Stanley Cheung as the managing director of The Walt Disney Company (China).
In this capacity, Cheung will be responsible for driving the company’s strategy, coordinating all of Disney’s business efforts in China, including overseeing Disney’s global brands in the market, expanding existing businesses and seeking out new business opportunities.
Cheung joins Disney from Johnson & Johnson (China) Limited, the consumer arm of J&J businesses in China, where he was in the capacity of managing director. While there, Cheung led J&J’s business growth through product line extensions, new product introductions and distribution expansion.
With Cheung’s appointment, Disney will now have its existing businesses in China managed locally, with all business segments reporting into Cheung, as well as their respective business units. Cheung will be based in Shanghai and will assume his new post on 1 January, 2005.
“We are thrilled to bring Stanley’s expertise in introducing and growing consumer brands and products in China to Disney as we increase our presence throughout the country,” said Bird. “China is of great strategic importance to Disney and Stanley’s experience will be invaluable as the opportunities for our businesses in this market continue to expand and contribute to Disney’s long-term growth.”
From 1996-2001, Cheung worked for The Pillsbury Company out of Shanghai, serving in a series of positions of increasing responsibilities, culminating in the position of managing director, North Asia.
Prior to that, Cheung worked for the China Division of Pepsi-Cola International (PCI) in various positions. He began his career with Proctor & Gamble, gaining experience in both the finance and brand management arenas. He spent a total of more than nine years in Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and China covering various positions.
Cheung holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University in USA. He is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
