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Disney Names Parks Chief Josh D’Amaro as CEO Effective March 18

The unanimous pick signals an operator-led strategy with creative oversight concentrated under Dana Walden.

Overview

  • Josh D’Amaro will succeed Bob Iger on March 18 after a unanimous board vote, with Iger staying on as senior advisor and board member through December 31, 2026.
  • Dana Walden becomes president and chief creative officer in a new role reporting to D’Amaro, positioning her to steer content and streaming across the company.
  • D’Amaro has led the Experiences segment since 2020, overseeing parks, cruises and resorts that produced about $36 billion in fiscal 2025 revenue and employ roughly 185,000 people.
  • Internal support followed the announcement, highlighted by praise from Imagineering chief Bruce Vaughn and Walt Disney World president Jeff Vahle during and after an employee town hall.
  • Analysts spotlight near-term priorities that include clearer streaming metrics, steadier box-office results, park pricing and expansion decisions, and advancing ESPN’s sports strategy, with D’Amaro characterizing himself as a “big risk taker.”