Disney Poised to Elevate Parks Chief Josh D’Amaro to CEO, Succeeding Bob Iger
Disney's board is poised to name Josh D’Amaro, the chairman of its powerhouse parks and experiences division, as the company's next chief executive officer, multiple sources familiar with the matter have indicated. An announcement could come as early as this week, marking the end of a protracted leadership search and setting the stage for the post-Bob Iger era.
The board is scheduled to convene for final deliberations, with a formal appointment expected to name the 54-year-old D’Amaro as successor to Iger, who is anticipated to step down by year's end. D’Amaro, who has overseen the division responsible for the bulk of Disney's profits since 2020, has long been viewed as a frontrunner. His primary internal competitor was reportedly Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment.
While Bloomberg first reported the impending appointment, sources caution that the board's decision is not yet official. "The board has not yet selected the next CEO of the Walt Disney Co. and once that decision is made, we will announce it," a company spokesperson stated.
The succession process, led by Disney Chairman James Gorman, aimed to provide stability after a period of leadership turmoil. Iger returned to the CEO role in 2022 following the ouster of his short-tenured successor, Bob Chapek. Since then, D’Amaro, Walden, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, and entertainment co-chair Alan Bergman were seen as the top contenders.
D’Amaro's ascent is seen as a reward for the stellar performance of the parks division, which recently posted quarterly revenue exceeding $10 billion for the first time. However, analysts warn that growth is likely to moderate amid shifting tourism patterns. Notably, Disney's stock fell over 6% on Monday despite the company beating first-quarter earnings estimates, reflecting broader investor concerns about future growth vectors beyond the parks.
The CEO race was notably close between D’Amaro and Walden until recent months. Walden, a respected Hollywood veteran, faced internal scrutiny after a public relations crisis involving ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The incident, which required intervention from Iger to resolve after affiliates threatened to pull the show, reportedly dimmed Walden's CEO prospects. Should D’Amaro secure the role, insiders suggest Walden may be offered an enhanced creative leadership position to retain her expertise.
D’Amaro, a Disney veteran since 1998 with a background at Gillette, rose through the ranks of the parks organization, holding key leadership roles at resorts in California, Florida, and Hong Kong. His appointment would signal a strategic focus on the company's most reliable profit engine as it navigates challenges in its streaming and traditional media businesses.
Reaction & Analysis
Michael Torres, Media Analyst at Crestwood Advisors: "This is a safe, operational choice. D’Amaro runs the cash cow, and the board is prioritizing financial stability and proven profit leadership after the Chapek experiment. The real test will be his vision for content and streaming."
Sarah Chen, Former Disney Parks Executive: "Josh understands the brand essence and the guest experience at a granular level. He's a charismatic leader internally. Promoting from within the parks division is a powerful message about where Disney's heart lies, but it's a very different skill set from managing creative pipelines."
Leo Grant, Host of 'Media Unscripted' Podcast: "Another suit from the parks side? Uninspired! This is a company facing existential creative challenges—struggling movie slate, a bloated streaming service. They needed a bold, content-focused leader like Walden to reinvigorate the storytelling magic, not just monetize it. This feels like a retreat to comfort, not a leap forward."
Priya Sharma, Professor of Business Strategy, UCLA: "The succession process itself, led by Gorman, appears to have been orderly, which is a positive. D’Amaro's immediate task is twofold: maintain the parks' momentum while articulating a cohesive, investor-friendly strategy for the entire portfolio, particularly the struggling linear TV assets."