As Chief Brand Officer, Ayaz develops and executes holistic brand marketing campaigns leveraging the company’s full suite of content and consumer experiences, activating the brand internally and externally through partnerships, and providing guidance and alignment for the company’s digital and social media strategy and presence. He sets corporate synergy and franchise priorities and leads a global consumer research and analytics function focused on Disney’s brands and franchises informing actionable cross-platform initiatives.
Among other cross-company brand initiatives, Ayaz has overseen the Disney100 campaign as the company celebrates its 100th year. He led the development and creation of the Disney100 Special Look spot that debuted in this year’s Super Bowl, as well as the Studios’ new 100-year logo refresh now appearing on all Disney-branded films.
As President of Marketing for The Walt Disney Studios, Ayaz oversees all aspects of marketing for films and series from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios, including strategy, creative advertising, media, digital, research, special events, promotions, international marketing, publicity, and synergy. He also leads marketing for Disney+ globally.
An 18-year Disney veteran, Ayaz has developed and led marketing campaigns for some of the most successful film releases in history, including Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” and the global phenomenon “Avatar: The Way of Water.” Additional campaigns Ayaz has spearheaded include Disney’s live-action hits “Aladdin” and “The Lion King,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” and “Encanto”; Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” and “Turning Red”; 20th Century Studios’ “Free Guy” and “Prey,” along with Disney+ hit series including “The Mandalorian,” “WandaVision,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and “Loki,” among many others. In all, Ayaz has led the campaigns for the most watched films on Disney+ and Hulu, and 13 of the top 15 box office debuts of all time, including six opening weekends over $200 million, as well as the biggest worldwide debut of all time for “Avengers: Endgame,” which earned over $1.2 billion in five days.
An award-winning marketing leader, Ayaz has been the recipient of multiple industry honors, including Variety’s Marketing Visionaries Award and The Clio Marketing Mastermind Award. He was recently named one of Forbes Most Influential CMOs, and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business.