The Walt Disney Co. has hired Benjamin Swinburne to lead investor relations and corporate strategy for the entertainment giant.

Swinburne is one of the most established research analysts on Wall Street, most recently serving as managing director and mead of U.S. media research at Morgan Stanley. He will report to Disney senior executive VP and CFO Hugh Johnston.

In his new role at Disney, Swinburne will have a dual role: As head of investor relations he is tasked with communicating the companys financial performance and longterm strategic vision to institutional investors and retail shareholders, sell-side analysts and other key stakeholders. Disney has more retail investors than many other legacy public companies, as the recent proxy fight with Nelson Peltz underscored.

And as head of corporate strategy, he will be responsible for identifying growth opportunities based on industry trends and evolving entertainment consumption. In other words, potential MA activity.

Ben has been one of the industrys most respected media analysts and brings deep insight into the evolving global entertainment landscape, said Johnston in a statement. His analytical rigor, strategic perspective, and long-standing knowledge of our business and broader industry make him an exceptional addition to our team as we continue to execute against our longterm vision and deliver sustained value for our shareholders.

Having spent much of my career analyzing Disneys performance and longterm opportunities, I have a deep appreciation for the companys creative strengths, operational discipline, and consistent focus on delivering value for shareholders, added Swinburne. It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the company, and I look forward to working with the team to continue the incredible progress they have made to position Disney for future growth.

Swinburne joins Disney as the company is planning to roll out a succession plan for CEO Bob Iger. Almost all of Igers direct reports have inked new deals to remain with the company, ensuring stability for years to come.