Disney's Long-Standing CEO to Step Down, Josh D'Amaro Takes the Reins as New Leader.
In a move that effectively puts the final nail in the coffin of one of corporate America's most closely watched succession sagas, The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday that its long-time Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger will step down on March 18, marking the beginning of an era under Josh D'Amaro, who has been touted as the new mastermind behind the entertainment giant.
At 54 years young, D'Amaro brings a wealth of experience to the table, having spent over two decades at Disney, where he rose through the ranks from his humble beginnings in Disneyland Resort. His tenure will be marked by an unprecedented level of control, overseeing everything from theme parks and cruises to consumer products and studios like Pixar and Marvel.
D'Amaro's ascension to the top spot comes as a welcome relief to investors, who had been keeping a watchful eye on Disney's dwindling broadcast television viewership and growing competition from emerging tech giants. His appointment is also seen as an attempt by the company to navigate the turbulent waters of Hollywood, grappling with labor union unrest, the rise of artificial intelligence, and regulatory scrutiny.
Under D'Amaro's leadership, Disney's theme parks business has shown remarkable resilience, boasting record quarterly revenue in its most recent earnings report, with attendance and guest spending growing year-over-year. This success has undoubtedly played a significant role in securing his position as CEO.
Notably, Dana Walden will assume the role of president and chief creative officer, having been widely viewed as one of the top contenders for the CEO spot. Her appointment marks another strategic move by Disney to bolster its content offerings, cementing her reputation as a formidable leader within the entertainment industry.
As Iger prepares to hand over the reins and continue in his role as senior adviser and board member until his retirement on December 31st, it remains to be seen how D'Amaro will navigate the complexities of the Disney empire. One thing is certain: with his extensive experience and unwavering dedication to the brand, D'Amaro has set himself up for success in one of the most iconic roles in corporate America.
In a move that effectively puts the final nail in the coffin of one of corporate America's most closely watched succession sagas, The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday that its long-time Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger will step down on March 18, marking the beginning of an era under Josh D'Amaro, who has been touted as the new mastermind behind the entertainment giant.
At 54 years young, D'Amaro brings a wealth of experience to the table, having spent over two decades at Disney, where he rose through the ranks from his humble beginnings in Disneyland Resort. His tenure will be marked by an unprecedented level of control, overseeing everything from theme parks and cruises to consumer products and studios like Pixar and Marvel.
D'Amaro's ascension to the top spot comes as a welcome relief to investors, who had been keeping a watchful eye on Disney's dwindling broadcast television viewership and growing competition from emerging tech giants. His appointment is also seen as an attempt by the company to navigate the turbulent waters of Hollywood, grappling with labor union unrest, the rise of artificial intelligence, and regulatory scrutiny.
Under D'Amaro's leadership, Disney's theme parks business has shown remarkable resilience, boasting record quarterly revenue in its most recent earnings report, with attendance and guest spending growing year-over-year. This success has undoubtedly played a significant role in securing his position as CEO.
Notably, Dana Walden will assume the role of president and chief creative officer, having been widely viewed as one of the top contenders for the CEO spot. Her appointment marks another strategic move by Disney to bolster its content offerings, cementing her reputation as a formidable leader within the entertainment industry.
As Iger prepares to hand over the reins and continue in his role as senior adviser and board member until his retirement on December 31st, it remains to be seen how D'Amaro will navigate the complexities of the Disney empire. One thing is certain: with his extensive experience and unwavering dedication to the brand, D'Amaro has set himself up for success in one of the most iconic roles in corporate America.
Finally, a fresh face at Disney after Iger's 15-year reign. Time for some innovation 
and new ideas to shake things up. Not sure about Walden as president tho... 
! Josh D'Amaro is taking over, and I'm low-key hyped 
! He's been with Disney for like, forever, and it shows he knows the ins and outs of the company. Plus, his experience in all areas from theme parks to studios will be super valuable. The question on everyone's mind is how he'll handle the tough stuff like labor union unrest and competition from tech giants 
... but with his background and passion for Disney, I think he's gonna crush it 
! Bring on the new era of D'Amaro-era Disney 
. And let's be real, Disney needs someone to shake things up a bit after all the drama with Marvel and Star Wars 
. Fingers crossed that Dana Walden's gonna bring some fresh content ideas to the table... we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out 
i mean its been a wild ride watchin him lead the company for years now and it feels like josh d'amaro is ready to bring some fresh vibes to the table 
one thing for sure is that disney is gonna keep on thrivin under new leadership 
. With over two decades of experience at Disney, D'Amaro is well-positioned to capitalize on the company's strengths while addressing its challenges 
does he have a new vision for disney or is it just more of the same 
he's been a part of disney's history but it's time for a new chapter and i'm hyped to see what josh d'amaro brings to the table 
also gotta give props to danah walden for becoming president & chief creative officer, she's gonna bring some serious talent to the content game 
. It's interesting to see how he'll balance the old and new, keeping Disney's classic magic alive while innovating for the future 
. The move also seems to be about securing stability amidst industry changes 
. Not sure what to expect from Dana Walden's creative direction as president, but her track record is promising 
.
I mean, who would've thought after all these years? 
I love how he's got that whole Disney family vibe going on - it's like he was meant to lead this company from day one 
. And can we talk about Dana Walden being the ultimate #squadgoals? 
She's literally killing the game as president and CCO! 
One thing I'm excited to see is how D'Amaro tackles those labor union issues and AI drama in Hollywood - he's got my back, Disney! 
. I'm keeping an eye on how he'll handle the TV business, which has been struggling lately 
. But with D'Amaro at the helm, I have faith that Disney will keep innovating and staying ahead of the curve 
! Josh D'Amaro is ready to lead the charge 
what's next is whoever they appoint as the head of creative 
I'm more chill about this change than some people are... Iger's been at it for ages & it's time for a fresh perspective 
. Not sure what to expect, but Disney's theme park business is on fire 
also gotta say i'm curious about how theyll handle the studio side of things now that it's under damaro's watch 
but seriously how is he gonna handle all the drama in hollywood 
. Josh D'Amaro is gonna bring some much-needed fresh vibes to the table and with his expertise on theme parks and studios, I'm low-key hyped