Disney/ABC Names VP, Digital Media Studios

Disney/ABC Television Group today hired Chris Thomes as vice president, Digital Media Studios for the ABC Television Network. Thomes will report to Albert Cheng, executive vice president and chief product officer, Digital Media, Disney/ABC Television Group.

In his position Thomes is responsible for general management and oversight of branded digital programming. He also oversees creative development for content created by external producers, including derivative webisodes, original series and special event live programming for the Disney/ABC Television Group’s portfolio of broadcast and cable networks, including ABC Entertainment, ABC Daytime, ABC Family, SOAPnet and Disney Channel.

Prior to joining the Disney/ABC Television Group, Thomes oversaw digital production and programming for Saban Brands, where he managed the digital assets of Power Rangers and Paul Frank, among others.

Before joining Saban, Thomes oversaw ABC.com’s Digital Oscar Experience, which just won the 2011 Emmy for Creative Achievement in Interactive Media. Prior to ABC.com, he was executive producer at Disney’s Interactive Media Group, where he oversaw video production and integrated ad sales production and earned four Disney Inventor Awards for his work on Disney Xtreme Digital.

Thomes is an active member of the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences and serves as new media chair for the Producers Guild of America. He also sits on the PGA’s National Board of Directors. Thomes holds a BA in film and television from University of California, San Diego.