James P. Jimirro

James P. Jimirro, creator and founding president of The Disney Channel and Walt Disney Home Video, is chairman of the board of National Lampoon. The comedy franchise is active in all areas of entertainment, including motion pictures, television, video, and publishing.

As founding president of The Disney Channel, he was responsible for the conception, development and launching of the fastest-growing pay service in history. Under his guidance, The Disney Channel introduced many innovations, such as interactive programming and The Disney Channel Magazine.

From 1979 to 1985, Jimirro was president of Walt Disney Home Video and introduced a number of innovations in the marketing of home video, among them the world's first home video direct marketing campaigns. A voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars), he is listed in Who's Who in America. He is active in a number of enterprises involving the Great American Songbook, the music of such composers as Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Irving Berlin. These include serving as chairman of the selection committee in the Traditional Pop category at The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys). He conducts a popular lecture series on this music at the Beverly Hills Public Library and at other venues worldwide.

Jimirro earned a bachelor’s degree in radio/television from Penn State University, and a master’s degree in mass communications from Syracuse University. He took the time to respond to the following questions:

What do you remember most about SU?

My classmates.

Who was your favorite professor while at SU?

Jim Fellows.

Why did you move to LA?

I was recruited by Disney.