Dave Hollis (photo from the Mr. Dave Hollis website)
Dave Hollis, Former Disney Distribution Chief and Home Video Veteran, Dies at 47
February 13, 2023
Dave Hollis, a former distribution chief at Walt Disney Studios who got his start at Disney in the home video division, has died at the age of 47.
Hollis passed away Saturday night at his home in Austin, Texas. No cause of death was given, although Hollis had recently been hospitalized for health issues related to his heart. He is survived by his four children.
Hollis joined The Walt Disney Co. in 2001 as assistant brand manager for Miramax Home Video, where he developed and executed strategic marketing plans for Miramax and Dimension films such as Chocolat and Amelie.
From 2002 to 2003, he was national sales manager for Walt Disney Home Video, serving as the sales lead for Best Buy, Musicland and various other retail accounts.
In 2003, Hollis began a two-year run as director of new business development for the home video organization, which was flying high at the time thanks to DVD. He was charged with opening new distribution points such as gas stations, pizza parlors and department stores.
Hollis subsequently shifted to marketing and, under division head Bob Chapek, served from 2006 to 2007 as executive director of retail marketing, a role in which he led the team responsible for consumer marketing and promotions at such major retailers as Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Blockbuster.
From 2007 to 2008 he was VP of trade marketing, and from 2008 to 2011 he was VP of distribution strategy. In the latter role Hollis headed the Blu-ray Disc launch team and introduced shorter theatrical windows beginning with Alice in Wonderland.
In 2011 Hollis was tapped to replace the retiring Chuck Viane as president of global theatrical distribution, a big job he held for the next seven years. During that time, Disney saw huge box office growth thanks to new films from Marvel Studios and Pixar as well as the relaunch of the “Star Wars” franchise.
Hollis resigned from Disney in May 2018 to run Chic Media, a production company founded by his wife, Rachel Hollis, an author, motivational speaker, and blogger. The two divorced in 2020 and Hollis launched his own career as an author and social media influencer, writing two self-help books that detailed his own struggles in his marriage and his career. He also wrote a children’s book, Here’s to Your Dreams, and hosted a podcast, “Rise Together.”