VALLEY PEOPLE

* Bran Ferren has been named to the new post of president of research and development and creative technology for Walt Disney Imagineering.

Ferren, 46, had been executive vice president of the division, which develops rides and other technology for Walt Disney Co.

In 1987, Ferren received an Oscar nomination for special visual effects. He also won a science and engineering award and two technical achievement awards from the motion picture academy for special lighting effects and technical innovations.

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* Timothy Bellamy has been named vice president of programming licensing for Disney Tele-Ventures. He comes to Disney TeleVentures from Fox/Liberty Networks, where he was director of business. Bellamy holds a law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Emory University. Disney TeleVentures was formed in 1995 as a unit within Burbank-based Walt Disney Co.

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* Pat Higdon has been named senior vice president and general manager of Universal Music Group’s Nashville music publishing operations, which include MCA Music Publishing and PolyGram Music Publishing. Higdon joins Universal from his position as head of Patrick Joseph Music Inc., a company he founded in 1989.

Universal Music Group, headquartered in Universal City, is a unit of the Seagram Co., a global entertainment and spirits and wine company.