Rochelle Knock.
Image: LinkedIn
When Rochelle Knock joins The Walt Disney Company this December as Vice President, Disney+ & Networks and Country Head for Sub-Saharan Africa, it will mark a defining moment, both for her career and for Disney’s next chapter on the continent.
Knock’s appointment signals Disney’s intent to deepen its local engagement and expand its footprint across Africa’s rapidly evolving media and streaming landscape.
With more than 15 years of experience spanning media, telecommunications, and fintech, Knock brings a rare blend of consumer insight and digital innovation to one of the world’s most beloved entertainment brands.
Before Disney, Knock led Customer Value Management at Yoco Technologies, one of South Africa’s fastest-growing fintech companies.
There, she focused on lifecycle engagement and retention strategies, driving value in the competitive digital payments space.
Her move from a high-growth startup to a global entertainment powerhouse underscores a broader theme in her career: a consistent focus on customer experience as the foundation for growth.
Before Yoco, Knock held executive roles at MultiChoice Group, including Executive Head of Product and Base Management and Executive Head of Customer Value Management. Her tenure there cemented her as a leader capable of bridging data, marketing, and technology to build scalable, consumer-centric businesses.
As Disney’s Country Head for Sub-Saharan Africa, Knock will lead the company’s operations across 40 markets, overseeing its direct-to-consumer services, including Disney+, and its family and factual networks. She’ll also collaborate with Disney’s regional EMEA leadership to align local growth strategies with the company’s global priorities.
“Rochelle’s appointment to lead the Disney business and team in Sub-Saharan Africa is an important milestone in our 60+ years on the continent,” said Simon Amselem, Senior Vice President, Direct-to-Consumer & Networks and Country Manager Iberia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Her deep understanding of the industry landscape, coupled with her expertise in customer value and product management, complements our ambitious plans to drive growth and reach new audiences with our storytelling.”
For Knock, the move represents both a professional progression and a personal passion for storytelling and innovation.
“I am honoured to be leading the Disney team in Africa,” she said. “It’s an exciting time to be in the media industry, and I look forward to helping further deliver Disney’s beloved brands and stories across the continent.”
Disney has operated in Africa for more than six decades, with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town and operations spanning 40 Sub-Saharan markets. The company’s direct-to-consumer service, Disney+, launched in South Africa in 2022, marking a pivotal step in bringing its global content closer to African audiences.
With her record of driving engagement through customer value and data-led growth, Rochelle Knock’s arrival at Disney signals a new phase for the company in Africa, one defined by local insight, digital transformation, and a deep understanding of what African audiences want.