Josh D’Amaro set to take over as Disney CEO after Bob Iger

The Walt Disney Company has named Josh D’Amaro as its next chief executive, appointing the long-time parks and experiences chief to succeed Bob Iger in a closely watched leadership transition.

The board said D’Amaro, 54, will take over as CEO on 18 March, bringing an end to years of uncertainty around succession at one of the world’s largest entertainment companies. The decision was first reported by NBC News.

D’Amaro currently leads Disney Experiences, the division that oversees the company’s global theme parks, resorts, cruise business and consumer products. Under his tenure, the parks business has been one of Disney’s strongest performers, delivering record quarterly revenue in its most recent results, according to NBC News.

Bob Iger, who returned as CEO in late 2022 after the abrupt exit of his chosen successor Bob Chapek, said D’Amaro was the right choice to lead the company through its next phase. “Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader,” Iger said in a statement cited by NBC News.

In his first comments following the announcement, D’Amaro said he was “immensely grateful” for the board’s confidence and described Disney as a company that holds deep personal and cultural significance.

The appointment comes at a challenging moment for legacy media groups. Disney is navigating declining broadcast television audiences, slower growth in streaming, labour pressures in Hollywood and the rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence, Reuters has reported in recent coverage of the sector.

D’Amaro joined Disney in 1998 and has risen steadily through the organisation. He has previously served as president of Disneyland Resort, president of Walt Disney World Resort, and chief financial officer of Disney’s global consumer products licensing unit. His current role also includes oversight of licensing and merchandising, a major profit driver for the group.

Alongside the CEO announcement, Disney said Dana Walden, who oversees the company’s television and streaming businesses, will become president and chief creative officer. Walden had been widely viewed as a contender for the top job.

Iger, 75, will remain a senior adviser and board member until his planned retirement at the end of 2026, Disney said. The board had earlier extended his contract to ensure continuity while a successor was identified.

Investors and analysts are expected to scrutinise how D’Amaro balances Disney’s capital-intensive parks business with the need to restore momentum in streaming and manage costs across its studio operations.

His appointment signals a bet by the board on operational execution and brand-led experiences as Disney enters a period of structural change across the global entertainment industry.

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