SAN JOSE — Brian Nelson, most recently a Disney comms exec, has joined eBay as its new VP of communications for the Americas.

Nelson has spent the last three years at Disney, where, as a Silicon Valley-based VP of communications, he led PR for Disney Interactive, Marvel and Lucasfilm-branded games and apps. He also led communications for Disney’s mobile, emerging technology and innovation initiatives, including the Disney Accelerator program.

Nelson replaces Claire Dixon, who left last July to join VMware as that company’s senior VP and CCO.

In his new role, Nelson will be responsible for leading communications across the Americas, which is eBay’s largest and most robust region.

CCO Dan Tarman said Nelson’s hiring is part of a larger overarching effort to build a communications team that drives creativity in addition to operating as top-tier communicators.

“Creating best in class communications in my view is not just about structuring the organization and bringing in people or developing people. It’s about the ways of working within the group and creating an environment that both enables and unleashes inventiveness,” Tarman said. “Brian’s hire is an important part of that.”