Disney to retire after 20 years at News Corp

Disney joined News Corp in 1989 after a career that included working in London as a newspaper reporter and later, in New York, where she became a magazine editor and TV producer. 

She oversaw News Corp's magazine division and was the original head of content for the company's first digital venture. Disney then went on to serve as president and chief executive of HarperCollins Publishers and, later, as chairman and chief executive of News America Publishing Group.

Disney plans to counsel young female entrepreneurs through a non-profit orgnaisation she recently co-founded in the US. It will bring together female corporate executives and aspiring young women, to help fund new business ideas.

Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive of News Corporation, said: "Anthea's keen creative instincts are equal to her business acumen, a combination which is hard to find in an executive and one that has made her a dynamic leader at our company for many years."

He added: "She has impeccable judgment and taste and I have relied on her counsel across just about all of our content businesses. I will miss her immensely, but understand her desire to shift gears at this point in her life."

This article was first published on mediaweek.co.uk