Kids
Paul Yanover appointed MD and EVP of Disney Online
MUMBAI: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO) head Paul Yanover has been named executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online (DOL).
DOL is the business unit of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) that produces the top entertainment destination for kids and families on the internet. The appointment was announced today by WDIG president Steve Wadsworth and is effective immediately.
He will be succeeded at WDPRO by Edward Kummer, who previously served as vice president of creative development and production for that business.
“Paul has been a driving force in digital media within our company for more than a decade, most recently with our Parks and Resorts group, building its website portfolio into a substantial e-commerce business. I‘ve worked closely with him for the past three years and know he brings a strong vision that will take our business to the next level during this time of great opportunity for Disney Online, when more and more consumers are turning to the Internet as a key source of entertainment,” said Wadsworth.
In his new capacity, Yanover will assume responsibility for all of DOL‘s strategic, creative, technical and marketing initiatives surrounding the presence of the Disney brand on the internet, including flagship site www.disney.com, which will undergo a major redesign and strategic development initiative over the next several years; DOL‘s acclaimed suite of premium broadband products including online games; a large portfolio of divisional Web sites for The Walt Disney Company (TWDC); and Web sites www.familyfun.com, www.go.com and www.movies.com.
Yanover will succeed Ken Goldstein, who is leaving Disney to pursue another opportunity. “Ken has made great contributions to WDIG over the past eight years. We wish him well in his next venture,” said Wadsworth.
Yanover was responsible for developing and launching Virtual Magic Kingdom, Disney‘s online multi-player adventure game that allows Disney fans to experience the magic of Disney Theme Parks from their own home.
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.
