Josh D’Amaro Set to Take Over as Disney CEO
The Walt Disney Company has selected Josh D’Amaro as its new chief executive, bringing in the veteran parks and experiences leader to take over from Bob Iger in a highly scrutinized leadership change.
The board announced that D’Amaro, 54, is set to become CEO on March 18, marking the conclusion of years of uncertainty regarding leadership transition at one of the globe's largest entertainment firms.
D’Amaro currently heads Disney Experiences, the sector that manages the corporation's worldwide theme parks, resorts, cruise operations, and consumer merchandise. During his time in charge, the parks division has been among Disney’s top achievers, generating record quarterly earnings in its latest results, according to reports.
Bob Iger, who resumed his role as CEO in late 2022 following the sudden departure of his selected successor Bob Chapek, stated that D’Amaro was the ideal option to guide the company into its next phase. “Josh D’Amaro is an outstanding leader,” Iger states.
After the announcement, D’Amaro expressed his “immense gratitude” for the board’s trust and portrayed Disney as a company of profound personal and cultural importance.
The appointment arrives at a difficult time for traditional media companies. Disney is managing decreasing viewership in broadcast TV, sluggish streaming growth, labor challenges in Hollywood, and the swift rise of generative artificial intelligence, as reported by Reuters in its latest industry coverage.
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D’Amaro began at Disney in 1998 and has progressed consistently within the company. He has formerly held roles as president of Disneyland Resort, president of Walt Disney World Resort, and chief financial officer of Disney's global consumer products licensing division. His present position also involves managing licensing and merchandising, a significant revenue generator for the group.
Alongside the CEO announcement, Disney said Dana Walden, who oversees the company’s television and streaming businesses, will become president and chief creative officer. Walden had been widely viewed as a contender for the top job.
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Iger, 75, will remain a senior adviser and board member until his planned retirement at the end of 2026, Disney said. The board had earlier extended his contract to ensure continuity while a successor was identified.
Investors and analysts are expected to scrutinise how D’Amaro balances Disney’s capital-intensive parks business with the need to restore momentum in streaming and manage costs across its studio operations.
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His appointment signals a bet by the board on operational execution and brand-led experiences as Disney enters a period of structural change across the global entertainment industry.