Disney Promotes Two Programming Executives

Disney Channel Monday announced the promotions of original programming executives Jonas Agin and Lauren Kisilevsky to vice president positions.

Agin has been promoted to Disney Channel and Disney XD vice president of original series. Agin, who joined Disney in 2010 and was most recently executive director of original series for Disney XD, will oversee the creative development of live-action television series for Disney Channel and Disney XD reporting to Adam Bonnett, executive vice president, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide.

Kisilevsky has been promoted to vice president of original movies for Disney Channel, reporting to Naketha Mattocks, vice president of Original Movies for Disney Channels Worldwide.

In her new role, Kisilevsky – who has been working on Disney Channel’s Original Movie franchise since 2010 -- will continue overseeing creative development for some of Disney Channel's upcoming movies, including the highly anticipated High School Musical 4, said network executives.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.