Disney Taps Publicist for Its Networks

Walt Disney Co. tapped longtime entertainment publicist Susan E. Binford to head corporate communications for the ABC television and radio networks.

Binford, most recently public relations chief for AOL Time Warner Inc.’s CNN News Group, will step into a position that has been vacant for more than a year. She will report to ABC Television Network President Alex Wallau.

Binford spent nearly eight years with the Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting System, overseeing publicity for TBS Superstation, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network and the Goodwill Games. Before that, she was the spokeswoman for NBC entertainment, the MTV networks and CBS Records in Nashville.

-- Meg James

* Walt Disney Co. said it was laying off about 140 employees, or some 20% of its Disney Stores headquarters staff, and expected to select an investment bank in the next few weeks to help sell the money-losing unit.