In a significant move that underscores its commitment to innovative public relations strategies, Walt Disney Studios has appointed Melissa Stone as its new Senior Vice President of Publicity. Stone, a seasoned veteran in the industry, will spearhead the publicity team and develop PR strategies across a diverse array of theatrical releases, including Disney Live Action, Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios, as well as Disney+ streaming series.
Leadership Role and Vision
Stone will report directly to Martha Morrison, the President of Marketing at the studio. In her new role, Stone is poised to leverage her extensive background, which spans over two decades, to shape Disney’s publicity narrative. “I’m thrilled to have Melissa step into this role. She brings more than two decades of exceptional publicity experience, a deep network of talent and media relationships, and a proven ability to lead campaigns that drive both audience engagement and cultural impact,” said Morrison in a statement. “I look forward to seeing her lead publicity across our incredible Studios portfolio.”
A Proven Track Record
With 14 years spent at both Fox and Disney, Stone has built a formidable reputation as a publicist. Most recently, she served as the Vice President of Global Publicity at Disney, following her role as a Senior Publicist at 20th Century Fox. Throughout her career, she has orchestrated major global publicity campaigns for high-profile titles such as “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “The Little Mermaid,” the “Planet of the Apes” franchise, “The Martian,” “West Side Story,” and “Andor.”
Looking Ahead to Exciting Releases
As she steps into her role, Stone will focus on a robust upcoming theatrical slate that includes Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars,” featuring Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley, the animated film “Hexed,” and Marvel’s “Avengers: Doomsday.” Beyond 2026, her portfolio will expand to encompass exciting titles like “Ice Age 5,” “Star Wars: Starfighter,” directed by Ryan Gosling and Shawn Levy, “The Simpsons Movie 2,” “Frozen III,” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
