Disney Names Josh D’Amaro as New CEO, Succeeding Bob Iger
The Walt Disney Company has appointed Josh D’Amaro as Chief Executive Officer effective March 18, 2026, marking the culmination of a closely watched succession process. The 54-year-old parks and experiences chairman will replace longtime leader Bob Iger, who will transition to Senior Advisor to the Board through December 31, 2026.
Leadership Overhaul Reshapes Creative Direction
In a unanimous Board decision, Dana Walden has been named President and Chief Creative Officer—a historic first for the enterprise. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro and oversee storytelling and creative expression across all of Disney’s operations, ensuring consistent brand messaging while advancing core business objectives.
Why D’Amaro Ascends to the Top
D’Amaro’s 28-year tenure at Disney and his performance leading Disney Experiences positioned him as the clear choice. Under his leadership, the division has generated $36 billion in annual revenue in FY2025 while accounting for more than 70% of the company’s operating income—despite representing less than 40% of total revenue.
As Chairman of Disney Experiences, D’Amaro oversees:
- 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels worldwide
- Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club
- Walt Disney Imagineering and Consumer Products
- Digital ventures including the Disney universe in Fortnite
- Plans for a new park in Abu Dhabi
Wall Street Embraces the Transition
Early investor reaction to the Disney CEO announcement has been broadly positive. Analysts view D’Amaro as a steady operator whose disciplined capital allocation in parks could translate across the broader entertainment company. His relatively low Hollywood profile may also reshape negotiations with talent and studios as Disney navigates an evolving media landscape.
Iger’s Legacy and Next Chapter
Since returning as CEO in 2022, Bob Iger has guided Disney through significant industry transformation, establishing four strategic priorities: strengthening film studios, achieving streaming profitability, elevating ESPN as a digital sports destination, and accelerating growth across experiences. His new advisory role allows continued involvement while enabling a smoother leadership transition than previous CEO changes.
The succession addresses concerns about Disney’s last CEO transition when parks leader Bob Chapek struggled during his tenure. This time, with extensive mentorship from Iger and rigorous Board preparation, D’Amaro enters the role with strong institutional support and a clear vision for combining creativity with operational excellence.
What’s Next for Disney Stock and Strategy
Investors will closely watch D’Amaro’s early decisions on leadership structure, Disney stock performance, streaming strategy evolution, and ESPN’s direction. With the succession settled, attention now turns to how the new CEO leverages his experiences background while maintaining Disney’s position as the world’s premier entertainment company.
