Almost six years after Bob Iger first stepped down as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, the Disney Board of Directors hopes they’ve finally got it right. This morning, it was revealed that Josh D’Amaro would become the new CEO, replacing Iger, who returned in November of 2022 after the short but troublesome reign of Bob Chapek. The hope was that the revelation of the new CEO would be decidedly smooth, and considering how the stock market barely reacted to the news, it appears to be an immediate success.
D’Amaro has been the Chairman of the Disney Experiences segment since 2020, taking over the business of running Disney’s lucrative theme parks and attractions after Chapek was elevated to CEO. Before that position, he was President of Walt Disney World Resort. A former art and sculpture major at Skidmore College before earning a business degree at Georgetown, D’Amaro joined the company in 1998 as a Disneyland Resort employee.
D’Amaro is credited with spearheading attractions such as “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” the Marvel-themed “Avengers Campus,” “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway,” and “World of Frozen.” Upcoming projects include the development of a “Monsters, Inc”-themed land at Disney Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, a new “Avatar” destination at the Disneyland Resort, and expansive new areas inspired by “Cars” and Disney Villains as part of the largest-ever expansion of the Magic Kingdom.
It was also revealed that Dana Walden, a CEO candidate and former Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, would now be elevated to President and Chief Creative Officer. Both D’Amaro and Walden will begin their new rules on March 18.
In a statement, D’Amaro remarked, “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.”
James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors, noted, “Josh D’Amaro possesses that rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep passion for the Disney brand and its people – all of which make him the right person to take the helm as Disney’s next CEO. Throughout this search process, Josh has demonstrated a strong vision for the company’s future and a deep understanding of the creative spirit that makes Disney unique in an ever-changing marketplace. He has an outstanding record of business achievement, collaborating with some of the biggest names in entertainment to bring their stories to life in our parks, showcasing the power of combining Disney storytelling with cutting-edge technology. The Board believes he is exceptionally well prepared to guide this global company forward to serve our consumers around the world and create long-term value for shareholders.”
Iger added, “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.”
As for Walden, Iger noted, “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.”
Walden arrived at Disney in 2021 following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox, where she was Chairman and CEO of the Fox Television Group. She has overseen or produced notable programs such as “24,” “Glee,” “Homeland,” “Modern Family,” and “This Is Us”; enduring franchises like “9-1-1,” “American Horror Story,” and “The Simpsons”; unscripted stalwarts like “American Idol,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Kardashians”; and recent breakout hits such as “Abbott Elementary,” “Alien: Earth,” “High Potential,” “Paradise,” and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” She is also responsible for bringing hit-maker Ryan Murphy back into the Disney fold after the hitmaker segued to Netflix from 2018 to 2023. Walden’s elevation is meant to assure the creative community on both the film and television sides of the business that the status quo will remain.
Last month, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan took over the reins of Lucasfilm from longtime president Kathleen Kennedy. Kevin Feige is still entrenched at Marvel Studios, and Walden’s accession may signal that John Landgraf may remain on board at FX.
It is expected that Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman and ESPN Chairman James Pitaro will continue in their roles, reporting to D’Amaro and Walden.
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