Disney Junior has promoted Alyssa Sapire (pictured) to SVP of series and strategy development, the division’s top content position.

Sapire will be responsible for overseeing the development of current and acquired programming for both linear TV and streaming. Her remit also includes working with Disney Media Entertainment and Distribution (DMED) to map out and foster franchise opportunities for the Disney Junior brand.

Sapire succeeds Joe D’Ambrosia and was permanently established in her new role today, after serving as Disney Junior’s acting head since March 2022. She has been with the House of Mouse for six years, but spent a decade at Nickelodeon (2000 to 2010) before that in positions including executive director of TeenNick and executive producer for Noggin and The N.  She also worked for five years at Fremantle in the UK (2011 to 2015) as VP of development and programming.

On the Disney Junior team, Sapire reports to Ayo Davis (president of Disney Branded Television) and oversees a team that includes Kim Berglund, Diane Ikemiyashiro and Lori Mozilo. Current Series VPs Ikemiyashiro and Mozilo will head up that department together with expanded oversight. And VP of development Berglund takes on responsibility for all series, specials and shorts in development, in addition to a remit for identifying new creative talent.

Sapire joined Disney Junior in 2016 as a VP of original programming, and was promoted to SVP in February 2020. She has helped develop and oversee a slate of popular preschool series such as Mickey Mouse Funhouse and Firebuds. She also worked on upcoming series including Kindergarten: The Musical produced by LA-based Oddbot Entertainment and Young Jedi Adventures, an animated Star Wars series from Lucasfilm.