The Walt Disney Company (DIS) has just turned a new page in its 103-year history, naming Josh D’Amaro as its next Chief Executive Officer effective Mar. 18, succeeding long-time leader Robert A. Iger in a unanimous board decision. D’Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran and the architect of the company’s expansive theme parks and experiences division, takes the helm at a pivotal moment for the entertainment giant, one shaped by slowing box office growth, the ongoing shift to streaming profitability, and strategic bets on parks, AI, and global content.
D’Amaro lately served as chairman of Disney Experiences division, which generates about $36 billion in annual revenue and roughly 60% of Disney’s profits, even as the company’s film, TV, and sports businesses have struggled. The leadership transition also includes the promotion of Dana Walden to Disney’s first-ever companywide Chief Creative Officer, underscoring a dual focus on operational strength in experiences and renewed creative discipline across Disney’s media portfolio.
