Disney’s top technology officer, Aaron LaBerge, is leaving the company in June due to personal reasons. He will be joining Penn Entertainment, a gambling giant that operates ESPN Bet, Disney’s sports wagering service. In his new role as chief technology officer at Penn, LaBerge will lead a team of technologists and serve as the key business leader for the company’s interactive division.
During his 20-year tenure at Disney, LaBerge played a crucial role in merging Disney and Hulu after Disney acquired Comcast’s stake in the streamer for over $8 billion last year. He also incorporated advertising into Disney’s streaming offerings. This move comes at a time when Disney is focusing more on its streaming services and expanding its reach in the digital entertainment space.