HOP into New Career Adventures at Disney APAC
The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific (APAC) recently introduced a thrilling new adventure in career development: Hot Opportunity Project (HOP) Assignments. The assignments give Disney employees the chance to “hop” into a short-term, or “gig,” assignment across a different line of business or market. It provides unique career opportunities for APAC employees to expand their business acumen, network and further craft their Disney story.
Keep reading to discover how Disney supports cast members and employees in their career development. Meet six employees from the region and learn about their experiences HOP-ping into a new adventure.
1. How did your HOP Assignment positively impact your current work and your future career trajectory?
Misa, Senior Manager, Business Planning, Brand Commercialization, Japan
HOP Assignment: Digital Interest Group
What I gained through my HOP Assignment was a deeper appreciation for the importance of intentional communication, especially when working across functions or with teams in different locations. Since I was supporting the project remotely, I had to be more proactive in reaching out, clarifying expectations and making sure that I stayed aligned with the rest of the team.
That mindset shift toward being more intentional is something that I've carried back into my core role as well. I'm also genuinely grateful for the connections that I made through this experience.
HOP gave me an opportunity to connect with people outside of consumer products and build relationships that have continued even after the project ended. Now I have people that I can reach out to directly if I ever have questions or ideas that go beyond my usual scope, and I think it is incredibly valuable for my long-term growth.
Sandra, Sr. Financial Analyst, Digital, China
HOP Assignment: Disney Consumer Products Kick-Off Meeting and Toy Show Event
Through the assignment, I really got a better handle on project management. I learned how to align with the project goals, how to plan things comprehensively and deal with emergency situations. All of this helped me get way better at organizing and it also helped me grow personally.
Now, I feel a lot more confident about supporting or even leading part of a big scale event. That once felt intimidating, especially if it's something that I've never done before. I would say that this experience has shifted my mindset about new challenges. Instead of shying away from them, I'm now more open and proactive. I can face them with curiosity and a willingness to learn something new.
I think the HOP experience has really helped me level up not only my practical skills, but also totally changed the way I approach new challenges.
2. How did you manage your time between your role and your HOP Assignment?
Vinci, Performance Marketing Manager, Taiwan
HOP Assignment: Box Office Deep Dive in Taipei & Outport
From the very beginning, I mapped out a schedule with my host manager for the entire assignment. This included everything from the initial brief and the data she provided for my research, to drafting and discussing my first analysis report, and finally, submitting the complete results. We even factored in our anticipated busy periods, business travels and vacation times, and we set up regular catch-up meetings. This way, I always knew exactly how to plan my time.
My host manager was incredibly supportive. Any time I ran into an issue, I'd bring it up directly, and she'd immediately jump in to help. For instance, when I thought sitting in on the studio team's research result sharing session would benefit my deep-dive analysis, I simply asked, and my host manager readily agreed.
3. How did you feel most supported and set up for success in your HOP Assignment?
Keai, Content Mastering and Graphic Localization, Disney Entertainment, Southeast Asia
HOP Assignment: APAC Impulse & Value Novelty Toys Development
With the support of inspiring mentors, my host manager and fellow HOP team members, I brought my passion for storytelling to life through a meaningful, collaborative project that resonates across APAC cultures. They provided incredible support and always inspired me to be myself, unleashing my full creative potential and inner magic. That truly made me feel part of Disney.
My HOP Assignment boosted my confidence, sharpened my creative and storytelling skills and deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity across APAC. This program inspired me to think bigger and step out of my comfort zone, giving me the perspective to continue shaping my career development.
4. What was your HOP experience like as a Host Manager?
JooHyun, Director, Product Design, South Korea
HOP Assignment: APAC Impulse & Value Novelty Toys Development
I guided a team of four team members located in different markets through the full creative journey for three months from the research concept development to the prototyping and storytelling. Our objective was to create a new novelty toy concept for the APAC market.
The aim was to develop novelty toys which are a market trend and there is business opportunity there. We didn’t have as much knowledge of novelty toys, so we visited our local toy stores to get inspiration and brought back ideas. Then we brainstormed to develop these kinds of products.
We had a great opportunity to present our amazing idea to our regional leadership team and some of our key licensees. As a result, some of the ideas became a real product and were released in alignment with the live action ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ and we received a lot of kind and positive comments from our licensee and our consumers.
5. As a direct manager, what kind of impact do you see from HOP Assignments?
Lachy, Campaign Manager, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Studios, Australia
As a direct manager, it was one of my cast members who took part in the program. Her HOP Assignment was a project with the Disney+ performance marketing team here in Melbourne.
My cast member excelled through the experience. The skill sets that she was able to develop were really rewarding and showed me the positive influence of doing a program like this. But I really learned that the skills our cast member was able to gain by broadening her business knowledge, she was able to bring back to our team.
Lastly, I think the assignments also build trust within your team because your other team members are seeing their colleague get this opportunity and excel in it. They see what they could potentially give a chance in their future as well.
Interested in discovering the possibility of a career with The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific? Visit Disney Careers to apply!
