Disney CEO succession: Josh D’Amaro named successor; Bob Iger to step aside

The Walt Disney Company on Tuesday announced that Josh D’Amaro will become its next CEO. He will take over from Bob Iger on March 18, the company said in a statement. Bob Iger, who has led Disney for much of the past 20 years, will step down after guiding the company through a period of internal change and industry disruption. Iger said D’Amaro is the right choice to lead Disney forward. He praised D’Amaro’s leadership and deep understanding of the company’s business. D’Amaro said he is grateful to the board and honored to lead a company with global reach and cultural influence.

D’Amaro will oversee Disney’s wide-ranging operations including Pixar and Marvel Studios, the Star Wars franchise, the ABC television network, and streaming platforms Disney+ and Hulu. He will also be responsible for Disney’s film library and theme parks around the world. The leadership change comes during a difficult period for the entertainment industry. Broadcast television viewership continues to decline. Streaming growth has slowed. Media companies are also facing questions about the use of AI, labor relations, and government regulation.

D’Amaro currently serves as chairman of Disney Experiences. The division oversees theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and consumer technology. Under his leadership, Disney’s parks business has performed strongly. In its latest earnings report, Disney said its domestic parks posted record quarterly revenue. Attendance and guest spending also increased compared with the previous year. D’Amaro oversees more than a dozen theme parks and nearly 60 resort hotels across the US, Europe, and Asia. He is also responsible for a planned Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi. In addition, he leads Disney’s consumer products and licensing business, which includes toys, clothing, and home goods.

Bob Iger’s departure will mark the end of his second term as CEO. He returned to the role in 2022 after Disney removed his successor, Bob Chapek, amid internal concerns about leadership. At the time, Disney’s board said Iger would focus on stabilizing the company and selecting a new CEO. His contract was later extended to allow more time for a smooth transition. Disney said Iger will remain a senior adviser and a member of the board until December 31. Chairman James Gorman thanked Iger for his leadership and long service to the company.