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Disney Names Parks Leader Josh D’Amaro CEO, Elevates Dana Walden to Chief Creative Role

A unanimous board vote ends a protracted succession process at the entertainment giant.

Overview

  • He takes over on March 18, 2026, coinciding with the annual meeting, and will join Disney's board that day.
  • Dana Walden will become president and chief creative officer in a newly created, companywide role reporting to D’Amaro.
  • Bob Iger will exit the CEO post and remain a senior adviser and director through his planned retirement at the end of 2026.
  • D’Amaro currently leads Disney Experiences, which produced about $36 billion in revenue and roughly 60% of the company’s profit last year.
  • The new leadership will confront near‑term labor talks as major industry union contracts expire in May and navigate disputes over the use of generative AI.