Rich Ross named Disney boss

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Rich Ross has been promoted and will replace ousted Dick Cook as chairman of Hollywood's Walt Disney Studios, sources told Variety.

Ross, who previously served as chief of Disney Channels Worldwide, will oversee all production, distribution and marketing for the company's live-action and animated feature labels -- Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone, Miramax and Disney/Pixar -- the report said.

The entertainment industry trade newspaper said the move suggests Disney wants to concentrate largely, though not exclusively, on franchises that perform well at the box office, as well as generate business for the company's television, licensing, merchandising, home video and online divisions.