LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Company has tapped BP’s Geoff Morrell to succeed retiring comms head Zenia Mucha.

Morrell, one of PRovoke Media’s Influence 100, will formally join Disney in the newly created role of chief corporate affairs officer. He will oversee the entertainment giant’s corporate communications, global public policy, covernment relations, CSR and ESG teams.

Morrell will report to CEO Bob Chapek.

In announcing the hire, Disney said it will name a new corporate communications head after Morrell assumes his new role on January 24. Mucha, Disney’s formidable CCO and corporate comms leader, will be departing the storied company at the end of the year after nearly 20 years.

“In this unique time of industry disruption and social change, it is more important than ever that our consumers, communities, employees, and shareholders understand who we are and what we stand for,” Chapek said. “At the same time, the spheres of communications, corporate governance, social responsibility, government relations and public policy are increasingly interconnected and require a focused, coordinated approach. Geoff is a seasoned, insightful and accomplished public affairs officer, and I am delighted to appoint him to this new role, where he will build on Disney’s already strong reputation.”

Morrell will be joining Disney after 10 years with BP, where he oversees the company’s global communications, government relations and advocacy. Before being named communications and advocacy lead in 2020, Morrell served as group head of communications & external affairs and senior VP, US communications & external affairs.

From 2007 to 2011, Morrell served as Pentagon press secretary and deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, serving as the chief spokesman for defense secretary Robert M. Gates and the US military.