Netflix has hired Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, a longtime Disney TV communications chief, as its new vice president of series communications. She starts Oct. 18, reporting to Netflix chief communications officer Dani Dudeck.
Bulochnikov-Paul was head of communications for Disney TV brands including ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Kids & Family, Disney Television Studios, FX, Hulu Originals and National Geographic Content. Her role covered platform distribution and Disney Global Advertising.
From Disney to Netflix
Bulochnikov-Paul joined Disney eight years ago as VP of communications at Freeform. She later moved to ABC Entertainment as senior vice president of publicity and communications. She expanded her responsibilities across Disney Entertainment Television and handled executive communications for Dana Walden during her time as Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Her exit from Disney comes amid a larger corporate reorganization. Insiders stressed that Bulochnikov-Paul was departing on her own accord and that it was unrelated to the restructuring.
Bulochnikov-Paul began her career at MTV Networks. She has also held communications roles at Netflix, Sony Pictures Television and Current TV.
“Naomi brings 20 years of experience at the intersection of media and culture, and a sharp instinct for storytelling that captures the fandom and zeitgeist of the world’s most valuable entertainment brands,” Dudeck said.
What Bulochnikov-Paul Will Run
In her new role, Bulochnikov-Paul will oversee communications for Netflix’s entire television portfolio. That includes scripted and unscripted series, documentary series, consumer products and experiences, including Netflix House.
She will also handle emerging content, including live events, sports, games and creators, including podcasts.
The Netflix Communications Office
Dudeck is Netflix’s chief communications officer. Bulochnikov-Paul will sit directly beneath her, managing the team that handles series-level messaging.
The hire adds a seasoned broadcast executive to a streaming company that operates at scale. Netflix has spent recent years building out its corporate communications infrastructure, and Bulochnikov-Paul arrives with deep experience in broadcast TV, where she ran communications for multiple Disney brands.
Why Bulochnikov-Paul Left Disney
Insiders said Bulochnikov-Paul’s departure was voluntary and unrelated to the ongoing restructuring. That framing matters — it suggests the move was personal rather than strategic.
Bulochnikov-Paul’s career at Disney spanned eight years. She worked her way from Freeform to ABC Entertainment to her final role leading communications across multiple Disney brands.
A Career Built on Broadcast Experience
Bulochnikov-Paul’s resume reads like a tour of the American broadcast landscape. She started at MTV Networks, then moved through Sony Pictures Television and Current TV before landing at Disney.
At Disney, she built a reputation as a communications chief who could manage multiple brands simultaneously. Her role required coordinating ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Kids & Family, Disney Television Studios, FX, Hulu Originals and National Geographic Content — a sprawling portfolio that few executives ever touch.
Her experience handling executive communications for Dana Walden during her time as Disney Entertainment co-chairman shows the senior level of her work.
What This Means for Netflix
Netflix’s communications operation has grown significantly in recent years. The company has leaned heavily on its slate of original series to define its identity, and Bulochnikov-Paul’s role is designed to elevate that narrative.
Her background in broadcast TV gives her a different perspective than many of her peers at streaming companies. She understands how networks pitch shows, manage talent and navigate awards seasons — skills that translate directly to Netflix’s slate of original programming.
Her appointment also signals a shift in how Netflix talks about itself. The company has positioned itself as a competitor to traditional broadcasters, and Bulochnikov-Paul’s background makes her a natural fit for that role.
The hire is a vote of confidence in Bulochnikov-Paul’s ability to manage communications at scale. Netflix is betting that her broadcast background will serve it well as it expands its slate of original series and live events.
For now, the move is a quiet win for Netflix. It gets a proven leader in a critical role, and Bulochnikov-Paul gets a fresh challenge at a company that is reshaping the entertainment industry.
Key Facts Box
– New role: Vice president of series communications, Netflix
– Start date: Oct. 18
– Reports to: Dani Dudeck, Netflix chief communications officer
– Previous role: Head of Disney TV comms since 2023
– Disney tenure: Eight years
– Career start: MTV Networks
– Other roles: Netflix, Sony Pictures Television, Current TV
Source material: “Netflix Hires Former Disney Exec Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul as Head of TV Series Communications,” Variety.
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