March 12 (Reuters) - Walt Disney ( DIS ) has named 25-year company veteran Paul Roeder as senior executive vice president and chief communications officer, effective March 19, the media giant said on Thursday.

The appointment marks one of the recent changes to Disney's ( DIS ) top leadership team since the company named Josh D'Amaro as its new top boss last month, succeeding longtime CEO Bob Iger.

Roeder most recently served as executive vice president of communications for Disney Entertainment Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and International.

He will report to incoming chief executive D'Amaro, handling worldwide communications and serving as Disney's ( DIS ) lead spokesperson.

"He has a passion for Disney ( DIS ) and a deep understanding of what it stands for, and I know he'll do an outstanding job leading our exceptional Communications teams worldwide," D'Amaro said.

Roeder joined Disney's ( DIS ) ABC communications team in 2001 and has led communications for Disney Studios since 2010, spanning the acquisitions of Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox.