Disney Entertainment TV Comms Chief Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul Departing

Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, the head of communications for Disney Entertainment Television, is leaving the company. Bulochnikov-Paul announced her exit in a memo to staff on Wednesday, saying she’s leaving Disney for a new job opportunity. “Disney is where I was raised professionally, and I will be forever grateful to the many colleagues who helped shape me along the way, and have become not only trusted collaborators, but also close friends,” the memo reads in part (see the full text below). “Thank you for your partnership, your friendship, your humor and your heart. I leave immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together and completely confident in everything you will continue to create.” Bulochnikov-Paul came to Disney in 2017 as vp communications for Freeform and later moved to ABC, serving as senior vp publicity for the broadcast network. She was elevated to executive vp communications for Disney General Entertainment (later renamed Disney Entertainment TV) in 2023. Her departure is not related to a round of layoffs that hit Disney this week; those cuts came primarily in the company’s tech and human resources departments. The structure of Disney’s wider comms operation changed some earlier this year with the appointment of Paul Roeder as chief communications officer. Bulochnikov-Paul reported to him and DET chairman Debra OConnell. “Naomi has been a wonderful partner for me, Paul and Dana [Walden] as well as so many others across the company over the years, and she’s a thoughtful leader who has cultivated an awesome comms team that we’ve come to rely on and trust — and we all know that’s something that’s earned,” OConnell wrote in her own note (also copied in full below). “Naomi’s expertise as a communications strategist has been vital to us as we’ve navigated so much together over the past few years.” Prior to joining Disney, Bulochnikov-Paul worked at Netflix and Sony Pictures TV. In June, she received the Medal of Hope honor at the Race to Erase MS gala in Los Angeles. Deadline first reported the news. Bulochnikov-Paul’s memo is below, followed by OConnell’s. Team,I want to share with you all that after eight extraordinary years, I will be leaving Disney to pursue a new opportunity.There is so much I will carry with me from my time here, but nothing more meaningful than the privilege of leading this incredible, powerhouse team. Together, we’ve navigated defining moments for our company, championed our talented leaders and creators, and helped our shows and stories break through and become part of the culture. We’ve also weathered our share of challenges and met every single one of them with sound judgment, creativity, resilience and most importantly, a real commitment to one another. And somehow – through it all – we always managed to make the impossible look entirely planned.You are all exceptional communicators, but even more importantly, exceptional people. I have been inspired daily by your talent, your integrity and the genuine care you bring to the work, and to each other.I’m deeply grateful to Dana, whose trust and mentorship have shaped my career in countless ways; to Paul, for his leadership and friendship; and to Debra, whose support and generosity of spirit I’ve valued and benefited from greatly over many years and many roles.Disney is where I was raised professionally, and I will be forever grateful to the many colleagues who helped shape me along the way, and have become not only trusted collaborators, but also close friends.Thank you for your partnership, your friendship, your humor and your heart. I leave immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together and completely confident in everything you will continue to create.I will always be in your corner.Naomi ***** Team,It is with a heavy heart I share Naomi’s note with you about her departure from Disney Entertainment Television. Naomi has been a wonderful partner for me, Paul and Dana as well as so many others across the company over the years, and she’s a thoughtful leader who has cultivated an awesome comms team that we’ve come to rely on and trust — and we all know that’s something that’s earned. Naomi’s expertise as a communications strategist has been vital to us as we’ve navigated so much together over the past few years.While we will certainly miss Naomi, I’m excited for what’s ahead for her and know she will bring the same combination of talent, integrity and heart to whatever comes next.Thank you, Naomi, for your partnership, your leadership and, most of all, for who you are. We are better for having had you here, and I hope you know how deeply appreciated you are.Wishing you every success in this next chapter. You’ll always have many people here cheering you on.With gratitude,Debra THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up