BENTONVILLE, AR—Former Disney public affairs executive Brian Besanceney will join Walmart as senior vice president and chief communications officer, effective April 1. He will report to Dan Bartlett, executive vice president of corporate affairs.  

Besanceney joins Walmart from The Walt Disney Company, where he served for five years as senior vice president, Walt Disney world public affairs and worldwide government and industry relations, leading media relations, internal communications and community relations for Walt Disney World Resort, as well as all government and industry relations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts worldwide.

Prior to Disney, he served as deputy chief of staff to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the US Department of State. He also served as assistant secretary for public affairs at the US Department of Homeland Security, deputy communications director at the White House, and communications director for former US Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

Reporting to Besanceney in his new role are Tracy Harlow, vice president of global internal communications; Mark Henneberger, vice president of shows and events; Greg Hitt, vice president of global corporate communications; and Nathan Barr, senior director, executive communications.