In recognition of her enormous success building Disney Junior into a powerhouse kids & families entertainment platform, Nancy Kanter has been promoted to the newly expanded role of Executive Vice President, Content and Creative Strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide, while maintaining her position as General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide. The announcement was made by Gary Marsh, President & CCO of Disney Channels Worldwide, to whom Kanter will continue to report.
“Nancy is a formidable leader with exceptional creative instincts and a personal passion for great storytelling. Her track record in launching and steering Disney Junior into becoming the #1 preschooler-dedicated network is a testament to her relentless focus on excellence,” said Marsh. “I look forward to her daily partnership in aligning and guiding the creative strategy and content for our animation and live-action storytelling teams.”
Kanter’s broadened responsibilities will now include the content creation strategy that guides development of original programming for kids ages 6-14 on Disney Channel and Disney XD, in addition to all creative content for kids ages 2-7 on Disney Junior. She will also oversee the channels’ acquisition strategy, supporting the overarching creative vision and, in partnership with the live-action and animation development/programming teams, will maintain and pursue attracting, developing and retaining top creative talent for Disney’s portfolio of entertainment platforms for kids and families.
“The Disney Channels Worldwide creative teams have consistently set the bar at the highest level when it comes to offering stories and characters that resonate with audiences worldwide and also become cultural icons that endure,” said Kanter. “I am excited to work with our multi-talented development and production teams and hope to be able to contribute meaningfully to this legacy of extraordinary storytelling.”
Kanter has been EVP, Original Programming and GM of Disney Junior Worldwide since 2013. She lead the 2011/2012 launch of Disney Junior and has nurtured its TV properties into successful franchises across multiple Disney businesses, from Parks attractions through consumer products, publishing, digital and physical media.
Since launch, Disney Junior has reigned as the No. 1 preschool network in the US in Total Viewers, Kids 2-5, Girls 2-5, Boys 2-5 and Women 18-49. The channel presented the Top 8 series for Kids 2-5 in 2016, including The Lion Guard, Elena of Avalor and Miles from Tomorrowland. Kanter also brought in Peabody Award winner Doc McStuffins, Emmy winner Sofia the First, Emmy nominee Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the new Mickey and the Roadster Racers.
Kanter joined Disney Channel in 2001. Previously, she was President of children’s entertainment site Bluecow.com, and an executive producer for Sesame Workshop (formerly Children’s Television Workshop), where she supervised the development and production of more than 30 Sesame Street specials and direct-to-video projects, including the Emmy Award-winning Elmo Saves Christmas. Kanter’s experience also includes producing ABC Afterschool Specials, as well as film editing (for which she won an Emmy) and several award-winning documentary films for public television. Additionally, she served as an Adjunct Professor of Film at Hunter College, City University of New York.
A New York native, Kanter graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hunter College with a BA in Film and Theatre. She is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and served on the Board of Governors. She is currently a member of the board of the Hollywood Health & Society at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication. Kanter is based in Burbank, California, at the headquarters of Disney Channels Worldwide.
