It’s official, Josh D’Amaro has been named the next Walt Disney Company CEO by unanimous vote. He will begin on March 18, which is the date of the 2026 annual meeting.
D’Amaro will be made CEO immediately following that meeting.
The new CEO announcement came as Disney’s stock had dropped to under $103 per share.
Disney stocks plummeted after the earnings call yesterday.
Where is Iger going?
Current Disney CEO Bob Iger will remain for the entirety of his contract, moving to a senior advisor and Disney board member until December 31, 2026. At this time, he is not leaving ahead of his contract. Rumors were swirling that Iger wanted out sooner.
Iger gave this statement about D’Amaro,
“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO. He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.”
Josh D’Amaro also gave a statement saying,
“I am immensely grateful to the Board for entrusting me with leading a company that means so much to me and millions around the world. Disney’s strength has always come from our people and the creative excellence that defines our stories and experiences. There is no limit to what Disney can achieve, and I am excited to work with our teams across the company and brilliant creative partners to honor Disney’s remarkable legacy while continuing to innovate, grow, and deliver exceptional value for our consumers and shareholders. I also want to express my gratitude to Bob Iger for his generous mentorship, his friendship, and the profound impact of his leadership.”
Disney needs someone who understands what their audiences want because lately Disney doesn’t seem to know, especially when it comes to the box office.
What about Dana Walden?
Don’t worry, she is getting bumped up, too. She will be made the President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company. Yes, this is a NEW role made just to move her up.
I’m sure this is about D’Amaro’s lack of Hollywood connections.
Bob Iger also gave a statement about Walden, saying,
“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community. Given that creativity is at the heart of everything Disney does, she is a wonderful choice to serve in this new leadership role. In the years since Dana joined Disney, she has accumulated great knowledge about the many facets of our businesses and brands, and is very well prepared to be President and Chief Creative Officer.”
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