ELENA OF AVALOR Creator Expands to Overall Development Deal for Kids Programming at Disney Channels Worldwide

Emmy Award winner Craig Gerber, whose talent and leadership steered two Disney Junior series - "Sofia the First" and "Elena of Avalor" - to become critically acclaimed worldwide hits, has entered into an overall development deal at Disney Channels Worldwide. Under a new agreement, he'll expand his work to create and produce animated and live-action series and movies for both Disney Channel and Disney Junior platforms around the world.

Over the past seven years, Gerber brought a modern perspective to the time-tested tradition of fairy tales. He's been lauded for depicting a relatable and diverse world, including representation of Latin culture and blended families, and for his stories that break gender stereotypes and communicate positive lessons about leadership, resilience, diversity, compassion and the importance of family and family traditions.

Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, Content and Creative Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide, and general manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, said, "As a storyteller, Craig has the magic touch when it comes to creating unique, heartfelt characters for our audience. His instincts for comedy, adventure and emotionally resonant stories are what's fueled his success and helped define ours at Disney Junior and Disney Channel. I couldn't be more excited to know that we will have Craig working alongside us in making sure we continue to tell the kinds of stories that will matter to kids and families in the way Disney's content always has."

With Gerber as executive producer in 2012, Disney debuted its first little girl princess character in Disney Junior's "Sofia the First." Today, Princess Sofia is an icon among preschool-age viewers. In 2016, Gerber created and executive produced its spinoff series that introduced Elena of Avalor, a princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore. It too launched an iconic princess character. Each series created opportunities for other Disney businesses including Disney Parks & Resorts, which features both Sofia and Elena characters as part of the popular "Disney Junior Live on Stage!" attraction at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort and Disney's Hollywood Studios at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort. Disney Consumer Products has robust product lines inspired by each of the series including award-winning toys, apparel, room décor and party supplies. The series has hundreds of book titles, including the New York Times best-seller "Sofia the First." "Sofia the First" and "Elena of Avalor" are included in the national stage show "Disney Junior Dance PARTY ON Tour."

Among many accolades, Gerber won an Emmy Award for the "Sofia the First" theme song (with composer/lyricist John Kavanaugh) and, under his tutelage, the series won an Annie Award, an Emmy Award and a Humanitas Prize. "Elena of Avalor" won an Emmy Award and an Imagen Award, and was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award. Gerber co-authored many of the "Sofia the First" storybooks including "Sofia the First: The Curse of Princess Ivy," "Sofia the First: The Floating Palace," and "Sofia the First: The Enchanted Feast." He has also co-authored a book based on "Elena of Avalor" called "Elena and the Secret of Avalor."

Previously, he wrote for the Disney Fairies film franchise and screenplays for Rogue Pictures, Radar Pictures and Intrepid Films.

A graduate of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, Gerber is also an award-winning film director. His comedic short "Hang Time" won Best Narrative Short at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival and Best Digital Short at the Sedona Film Festival in 2003.

Born in New York, Gerber currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons.

Gerber is represented by APA talent agency and by the law firm Bloom Hergott.

Photo Credit: Disney Channel/Craig Sjodin*

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