The L.A. Times' Michael Cieply profiles Disney communications chief Zenia B. Mucha, a former aide to New York Gov. George Pataki nicknamed the "Director of Revenge."

Razor-sharp and acid-tongued, Mucha, 47, was named Disney's chief communications officer less than two years ago, after starting with the company's troubled ABC unit. In short order, she has carved out a place as one of Chief Executive Michael Eisner's closest advisors in a brutal battle with those who would unseat him...

Under Mucha (pronounced MOO-ka), Disney scrapped a posture in which queries were often dismissed with a flat "no comment." Executives now are pushed to challenge all comers — although few are a match for the frequently profane chief communicator, who is quick to unleash her inner pit bull on critics and the reporters who give them voice.