Disney, the entertainment giant beloved by audiences around the globe, is officially embarking on a new chapter as Josh D’Amaro steps in as the company’s chief executive officer. D'Amaro, who served as the chairman of Disney Experiences, which encompasses theme parks, cruise lines, resorts, and consumer products, assumes the role from Bob Iger during the company’s annual shareholder meeting on March 18, 2026.
A New Era of Leadership
In a memo sent to employees welcoming his new role, D’Amaro expressed his gratitude and excitement about leading the company. “As I step into the CEO role today, I am humbled and honored to help write the next chapter of this company alongside this team,” he stated. He emphasized the rapid changes happening in the world and the need to embrace both challenges and opportunities.
This leadership transition comes at a time of uncertainty for Disney, which has been navigating a closely watched succession race amid a reorganization period that has resulted in varied responses from investors and analysts alike. Currently, Disney's stock is down more than 10% year-to-date, highlighting the challenges that D’Amaro will need to address in the immediate future.
Focus on Core Growth Areas
D’Amaro’s primary focus will be to sustain and bolster momentum in Disney’s key growth areas, especially its theme parks and streaming services. Recent quarterly earnings demonstrated the importance of these sectors, benefiting from increased visitation and improved content offerings.
During the shareholder meeting, he characterized Disney+ as “the digital centerpiece of our company,” highlighting that the upcoming merger with Hulu, expected to finalize later this year, will drive enhanced value for subscribers and strengthen the broader business model through more diverse offerings.
Disney has also made significant investments in its theme parks, including an expansion project in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, indicating that the company is firmly committed to enhancing its physical offerings, even in the face of challenges posed by the pandemic and changing consumer behaviors.
Relationship with Bob Iger
This marks yet another transition in leadership as Bob Iger steps down as CEO for the second time in six years. Despite his departure, Iger will continue to guide the company as a senior advisor and board member until he officially retires on December 31, 2026. Iger, who has been heralded for his leadership at Disney for nearly two decades, expressed confidence in D’Amaro’s abilities during the transition. He stated, “Josh is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO.”
D’Amaro, who has been with Disney since 1998, praised Iger in his memo and highlighted the importance of storytelling and creativity as foundational to Disney's brand. “Great storytelling and creative excellence will remain our North Star,” he noted.
Embracing Change and Innovation
In his vision for the future, D’Amaro underscored the importance of leveraging technology to unlock new possibilities. He indicated that innovation has always been part of Disney’s DNA and aims to empower storytellers through technology to create more immersive experiences.
Acknowledging the disruption occurring in the media sector, D’Amaro pointed to Disney's unique positioning within the industry. “Disney is in a category of one poised to accelerate into our next era of innovation and growth,” he declared during his remarks.
Looking Ahead
Amidst discussions of the company’s strategic direction, D’Amaro outlined a clear path for the future that centers on three core principles:
- Storytelling and Creative Excellence: Maintaining high standards in creativity and crafting engaging narratives.
- Technology Adoption: Utilizing technological advancements to enhance storytelling and viewer engagement.
- Unified Company Culture: Operating cohesively as "One Disney" to tap into the synergies of its diverse offerings.
As Disney kicks off this new chapter under D’Amaro’s leadership, the commitment to evocative storytelling and innovative experiences remains at the forefront.
In conclusion, with an emphasis on creativity, technology, and unified efforts across all segments, Josh D’Amaro appears poised to guide Disney through a pivotal moment as the company strives to reclaim its competitive edge in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape. The upcoming months are bound to be critical for steering Disney into this new era.
For more insights on Josh D’Amaro and the future of Disney, you can read his full memo to employees.
Contributed by CNBC’s Stephen Desaulniers.