Irene Chan appointed Vice President of Public Affairs Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Irene Chan has been appointed to the position of Vice President, Public Affairs for the Hong Kong Disneyland® Resort.

Formerly the Regional Director, Corporate Communications for the Asia Pacific region of The Walt Disney Company, Chan will now act as the spokesperson for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which is set to open in 2005/06 on Lantau Island.

"Irene's incredible depth of experience and know-how working on issues, public affairs, and projects related to the Greater China and Hong Kong regions will be a wonderful asset as we open our first flagship theme park and resort in China," said Don Robinson, Group Managing Director, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. "Irene is a dedicated, well-experienced and talented professional and we are thrilled that she will take on this new role."

Chan's areas of responsibilities will include governmental affairs, community relations, environmental affairs, media relations and publicity. Chan will have a dual reporting responsibility to both Robinson and Leslie Goodman, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Goodman oversees the communications and strategic direction for the global Disney theme park and resort segment.

"Irene's role will not only be crucial for the successful opening of our first theme park in China," said Goodman, "but as a part of the global communications team, she will be instrumental in our efforts to reach out to the media and the community to share the story of our incredible guest service, the unique quality family entertainment and unparalleled storytelling to new audiences."

Since joining Disney in 2001, Chan has been based in Hong Kong acting as the spokesperson for The Walt Disney Company in the Asia Pacific region, which represents all business units including Walt Disney International, Buena Vista International, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Internet Group and Consumer Products. She was the key driver behind the overall corporate communications strategy and initiatives related to the company's business operations and development in the region, which included key markets such as China, India, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and Hong Kong.

Prior to joining Disney, Chan was with the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies where she worked in the areas of Human Resources, Project Negotiation, Oil Supplies & Trading, General Affairs and Public Affairs on a Greater China and regional basis.

Chan received a Masters of Philosophy in International Relations from Cambridge University, United Kingdom; Masters of Business Administration from The City University Business School, United Kingdom; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Policy-making and Administration from Essex University, United Kingdom. Irene is a native speaker of Cantonese, and is also fluent in written and spoken English and Mandarin.

Chan is also an active member in the local community and serves on a number of public committees including the Environmental Campaign Committee (Publicity Working Group), The Community Chest of Hong Kong (Public Relations Committee), The International Association of Business Communicators HK Chapter (vice-chairman), and the Zonta Club of New Territories (committee member). She was an active member in the Kwai Tsing District for more than 4 years in areas such as environment and planning, local interest groups, development fund, District Fight Crime Committee and Junior Police Force Committee.

Chan is married with two children.

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The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in November 1999 as a venture between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government. Disney began construction in January 2003 after the Hong Kong Government completed the land reclamation, and the resort is scheduled to open in 2005 or 2006.

The opening day program for Hong Kong Disneyland will include a Disneyland-style theme park and two hotels. The project is estimated to create 18,000 new jobs at opening (both Disney and other employment) growing to 36,000 once the first park reaches Phase 1 build-out. The Hong Kong Government has estimated that the first phase of the project will generate a present economic value of HK$148 billion (US $19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period.