Apple hires Disney executive to head Apple TV+ marketing

Apple isn’t wasting any time this year showing how it views the importance of Apple TV+ to business as the company has poached a top Disney executive to run the marketing efforts of its streaming TV service.

Apple has named Danny Strauss as its new head of Apple TV+ marketing, and his appointment could signal the direction Apple (AAPL) wants to take in the streaming TV market.

According to a report from the trade publication Variety, Strauss had been with Disney (DIS) for nine years, and most recently served as president of content and marketing for Disney+. Strauss played a key role in the launch of Disney+, and also served as president of programming for both Disney+ and Hulu.

Strauss had also served as president of marketing at the Walt Disney Studios, and headed up the marketing campaigns for numerous Disney (DIS) and Marvel films, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Unlike other streaming TV services, which offer outside content in addition to their own original programming, Apple TV+ has focused exclusively on its own shows and movies. The company’s hit series Ted Lasso has won back-to-back Best Comedy Series Emmy Awards, and last year, its film CODA became the first movie from a streaming service to with the Best Picture Oscar. Seeking Alpha