Exclusive Announcement: Michelle Sewell, EVP of Global Publicity at Walt Disney Studios, to Retire After 33 Years
In a significant development for the entertainment industry, Michelle Sewell, the Executive Vice President of Global Publicity for Walt Disney Studios, has announced her retirement, set for April next year. After dedicating 33 remarkable years to Disney, Sewell has informed her team of her decision through a heartfelt message, emphasizing her intention to ensure a smooth transition. She will collaborate closely with Asad Ayaz, Chief Brand Officer of The Walt Disney Company and President of Disney Entertainment Marketing, along with the PR team, in the months leading up to her departure.
While the timeline for appointing her successor remains undisclosed, Sewell, a highly respected figure in the industry, expressed her desire to provide ample notice due to her longstanding commitment to Disney. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the global PR strategy for an array of beloved franchises, including Disney Live Action, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar, and 20th Century Studios.
Sewell is renowned for pioneering the first-ever global publicity team in the entertainment sector, creating innovative, fully integrated campaigns that span domestic and international markets. Under her leadership, Disney has successfully executed theatrical and streaming awards campaigns, with Sewell remaining at the helm to oversee the current awards season and Oscar campaigns before her retirement.
During her illustrious career, Sewell has spearheaded strategic campaigns for 11 of the top 20 highest-grossing films globally, such as Marvel’s Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), and Disney’s Frozen (2013) and The Lion King (2019). Her expertise has also translated into impressive accolades, with her campaigns earning over 85 Oscar nominations, 80 Emmy nominations, and numerous Golden Globe nominations, resulting in over 15 Emmy wins for Disney+ and 28 Academy Awards.
Reflecting on her journey, Sewell humorously noted the challenge of counting the numerous awards campaigns she has directed, ultimately deeming it "too epic." Among her proudest achievements are the Best Picture nominations for animated features like Up and Toy Story 3, as well as Black Panther, which made history as the only superhero film to receive such recognition.
As she prepares for her retirement, Sewell and her team are gearing up for several highly anticipated theatrical releases in 2025, including 20th Century Studios’ Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (October 24, 2025) and Predator: Badlands (November 7, 2025), alongside Avatar: Fire & Ash (December 19, 2025) and Zootopia 2 (November 26, 2025).
Having joined Disney in 1992, Sewell previously led the studio’s European and International publicity efforts before ascending to the role of Global PR head in 2007. She is a respected member of BAFTA, AMPAS, and the Television Academy, and has been recognized as a PRWeek Women of Distinction.
In her farewell message, Sewell expressed gratitude to her team, stating, "I’m truly astonished when I look back at my time here. It’s been ‘the ride of a lifetime,’ and that’s due to the exceptionally talented team I’ve had the privilege to lead." While she acknowledged the difficulty of her decision, she is looking forward to the next chapter in her life after wrapping up the current awards season.
As Sewell prepares to transition out of her role, she reassured her team, "It’s not goodbye yet, as we have several more significant films to promote this year, along with their global press tours and the exciting awards season ahead."
Stay tuned for updates on the future of Disney’s global publicity team as we celebrate the incredible legacy of Michelle Sewell.
Read the full email Sewell sent to her team below for more insights.
