Disney Names Josh D'Amaro New CEO to Succeed Bob Iger

Disney names Josh D'Amaro as its new CEOImage Credit: NPR Business
Key Points
- •The Walt Disney Company has named parks division chief Josh D'Amaro as its next Chief Executive Officer, marking a pivotal moment of transition for the global entertainment giant. The board's announcement on Tuesday confirms D'Amaro will succeed the legendary Bob Iger, who returned for a dramatic second tenure to stabilize the company.
- •Why it matters: This carefully orchestrated succession signals a strategic shift for Disney. After years of crisis management, restructuring, and a tumultuous leadership saga, the appointment of a seasoned company insider is designed to usher in an era of stability and forward-looking growth, moving from a "fixer" CEO to a "builder."
- •The big picture: D'Amaro, a 28-year veteran of the company, will take the helm in March. The move is the culmination of a high-stakes search for a successor capable of navigating the complex challenges facing modern media, from the profitability of streaming to the future of linear television and the monetization of its vast creative properties.
- •The Heir Apparent: Josh D'Amaro, 54, currently serves as Chairman of Disney Experiences. He has overseen the company's vast portfolio of theme parks, resorts, and cruise lines, and is credited by Disney as the "architect of the largest global expansion in the history of Disney Experiences," a portfolio of projects valued at $36 billion.
- •The Returning King: Bob Iger, 73, has a storied and complex history with the company. His first tenure as CEO (2005-2020) was defined by transformative acquisitions, including Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. His second, which began in late 2022, was a rescue mission to restore financial stability and investor confidence.
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Disney Names Josh D'Amaro as Its New CEO
The Walt Disney Company has named parks division chief Josh D'Amaro as its next Chief Executive Officer, marking a pivotal moment of transition for the global entertainment giant. The board's announcement on Tuesday confirms D'Amaro will succeed the legendary Bob Iger, who returned for a dramatic second tenure to stabilize the company.
Why it matters: This carefully orchestrated succession signals a strategic shift for Disney. After years of crisis management, restructuring, and a tumultuous leadership saga, the appointment of a seasoned company insider is designed to usher in an era of stability and forward-looking growth, moving from a "fixer" CEO to a "builder."
The big picture: D'Amaro, a 28-year veteran of the company, will take the helm in March. The move is the culmination of a high-stakes search for a successor capable of navigating the complex challenges facing modern media, from the profitability of streaming to the future of linear television and the monetization of its vast creative properties.
By the Numbers
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The Heir Apparent: Josh D'Amaro, 54, currently serves as Chairman of Disney Experiences. He has overseen the company's vast portfolio of theme parks, resorts, and cruise lines, and is credited by Disney as the "architect of the largest global expansion in the history of Disney Experiences," a portfolio of projects valued at $36 billion.
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The Returning King: Bob Iger, 73, has a storied and complex history with the company. His first tenure as CEO (2005-2020) was defined by transformative acquisitions, including Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. His second, which began in late 2022, was a rescue mission to restore financial stability and investor confidence.
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The Kingdom: D'Amaro inherits a colossal enterprise that includes not only its iconic theme parks but also a massive content engine with Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and Pixar, as well as media networks like ABC, FX, and the Hulu streaming service.
A Tumultuous Transition
The path to this succession has been anything but smooth. Iger’s first departure in 2020 led to the promotion of Bob Chapek, whose tenure was marked by internal and external turmoil.
Clashes between Iger, who remained as creative chairman, and Chapek became public knowledge. Chapek's leadership was tested by the COVID-19 pandemic, a high-profile contract dispute with actress Scarlett Johansson, and a widely criticized response to Florida's Parental Rights in Education bill.
By late 2022, with the company posting quarterly losses of over $1 billion, primarily from its streaming division, the board made the unprecedented move to oust Chapek and bring Iger back.
Iger's mandate was clear: stop the bleeding. He immediately launched a major restructuring, initiated $5.5 billion in cost cuts, and oversaw significant layoffs to streamline operations and chart a path back to profitability.
Iger's Parting Words
In a statement and on a recent investor call, Iger has been vocal in his support for D'Amaro, framing the handover as a strategic move from defense to offense.
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A Ringing Endorsement: Iger expressed his confidence in the decision, calling D'Amaro "the right person to become our next CEO" and someone he is "thrilled" to see take the role.
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Fixing vs. Building: "When I came back three years ago, I had a tremendous amount that needed fixing," Iger told investors. "But anyone who runs a company also knows that it can't just be about fixing, it has to be about preparing a company for its future."
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The Mandate for Change: Iger explicitly tasked his successor with avoiding complacency. "In a world that changes as much as it does... the status quo is a mistake. And I'm certain that my successor will not do that."
Iger will remain with Disney as a senior adviser and board member through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
The Road Ahead: D'Amaro's Challenge
D'Amaro ascends to the top job at a critical juncture. While Iger has stabilized the ship, D'Amaro must now navigate it through the industry's most treacherous waters. His agenda will be dominated by several key challenges:
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Streaming Profitability: The primary task is to make Disney's direct-to-consumer business, including Disney+ and Hulu, sustainably profitable while still competing with rivals like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
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The Future of Linear TV: He must finalize a long-term strategy for Disney's traditional television assets, particularly ESPN. Finding a strategic partner for the sports media giant and managing the decline of the cable bundle are top priorities.
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Creative Consistency: After a period of perceived franchise fatigue, particularly with Marvel, D'Amaro must ensure Disney's vaunted creative studios can consistently produce the cultural and commercial hits that fuel the entire corporate ecosystem.
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Navigating the Culture Wars: As CEO, D'Amaro will become the public face of a brand that is often at the center of political and cultural debates. He must steer the company through these issues while protecting its global brand identity.
The bottom line: The choice of Josh D'Amaro—a well-regarded, deeply experienced operator with a strong track record in the company's most tangible and profitable division—is a vote for stability and operational excellence. The board has chosen a known quantity to succeed a living legend. D'Amaro's legacy will not be defined by a dramatic rescue, but by whether this homegrown heir can build a durable and prosperous future for the House of Mouse in an era of unprecedented disruption.
Source: NPR Business
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