When Tim Pennoyer (B.A. ’07) walked across the graduation stage at Biola University, he never imagined that one day he would be leading global marketing for some of the most beloved characters in entertainment history. Little did he know that a Primetime Emmy Award nomination was on his horizon, either.

Now serving on The Walt Disney Company’s Corporate Brand team 16 years later, he oversees marketing for the Disney brand and its flagship franchises, including Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess and Pixar.

“My role is a blend of brand marketer, creative director and cultural storyteller,” Pennoyer explained. “It’s about making sure these characters and worlds feel timeless yet fresh, so they continue to inspire audiences of all ages.”

That vision has guided his work on campaigns that have earned some of the industry’s highest honors. Since 2024, his projects have won multiple Webby Awards, a Bronze at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, and a nomination for the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards in the category of Outstanding Commercial for his work on “The Boy and The Octopus.” The short film features a young boy befriended by a small octopus while on vacation, ultimately bringing it home and showing it all the holiday magic of his hometown.

“I played a hands-on role in bringing ‘The Boy and the Octopus’ to life. Working as part of a small, high-impact creative team, I oversaw the film’s development in partnership with ad agency Adam&EveDDB, guiding the script from its earliest concept through final execution,” said Pennoyer. “I was on the ground for key moments of production, attending the shoot on location in Mallorca, Spain and Prague, Czech Republic, to ensure the creative vision and brand integrity were brought to screen.”

When reflecting on why the story of “The Boy and The Octopus” stuck, Pennoyer pointed back to one of Disney’s traditions, which is allowing viewers to believe anything is possible.

“‘The Boy and The Octopus’ had a unique kind of magic that stuck with us. Even after our initial discussions, it was the one story we kept texting each other about, captivated by the way it brought a boy and an unexpected friend together in such a whimsical yet relatable way,” said Pennoyer. “It beautifully captures the joy of finding friendship and warmth in surprising places, which felt perfect for a Disney holiday story. We couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the story we wanted to tell. ‘The Boy and The Octopus’ carries on Disney’s tradition of stories that inspire joy, a belief that anything is possible, and a sense of magic you feel within your heart and the world around you.”

In September 2025, Pennoyer and his team attended the Primetime Emmy Award ceremony as nominees. Just a couple of months later, they released Disney’s “Best Christmas Ever,” a short film featuring a little girl and one of her doodles coming to life for the 2025 Christmas season. Throughout the story are themes of understanding, friendship, giving and joy.

Besides earning a Primetime Emmy award nomination, Pennoyer’s career highlights read like a marketer’s dream. He put Donald Duck on the viral talk show “Hot Ones,” collaborated with Academy Award-winning director Taika Waititi on a Disney holiday brand film, and brought together Mickey and Friends with animated NBA players for the Christmas Day telecast special “Dunk the Halls.” Each moment has been crafted to spark cultural conversation and create emotional connections with fans around the world.

Reflecting on his journey, Pennoyer credits his Biola University education with giving him the foundation to tell stories that resonate.

“My communication studies degree taught me how to combine strategy with creativity,” he said. “Those skills have been invaluable in building campaigns that both drive the business and touch people’s hearts.”

Looking ahead, Pennoyer is committed to continuing the work he loves most — pushing creative boundaries, celebrating the magic of Disney and creating moments that will be remembered for generations.

Designed to equip students for success in a wide range of career fields, the B.A. in Communication in the Biola University School of Fine Arts and Communication enhances students’ effectiveness as an interpersonal and intercultural communicator, while providing them with the skills to craft strategic and persuasive messages based on a foundation of media literacy and critical analysis. Embark on the pursuit of a degree in communication at Biola by learning more and applying today.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.