Trending Now - Disney's New CEO Aims for Growth and Stability With Disney+
WHO:
Josh D'Amaro is the ninth chief executive in Disney’s nearly 103-year history.
Dana Walden is the newly appointed chief creative officer overseeing film and TV operations at Disney.
Josh D'Amaro, 55, is the new CEO of the Walt Disney Co.
Bob Iger, outgoing CEO of the Walt Disney Co.
Dana Walden, newly appointed chief creative officer at Disney.
Josh D'Amaro, new CEO of the Walt Disney Co.
Bob Iger, outgoing CEO of the Walt Disney Co.
Dana Walden, newly promoted chief creative officer at Disney.
James Gorman, chairman of Disney.
Kristina Schake, outgoing chief communications officer at Disney.
Ynon Kreiz, CEO of Mattel.
WHAT:
D'Amaro stated, "Disney+ will continue to evolve beyond a traditional streaming service to become the digital centerpiece of our company: a portal that connects our stories, experiences, games, films and more in entirely new ways."
D'Amaro mentioned that the company is "working quickly to bring Disney+ and Hulu into a unified experience later this year," which he predicted will "drive even more value for subscribers and for our business."
Disney's Experiences segment, led by D'Amaro, is referred to as the "largest and fastest-growing business segment" of the company.
D'Amaro officially assumed the CEO role on March 18, 2026, during the annual shareholders meeting.
D'Amaro stated, "Disney+ will continue to evolve beyond a traditional streaming service to become the digital centerpiece of our company."
D'Amaro announced that Disney is "working quickly to bring Disney+ and Hulu into a unified experience later this year."
The next Disney Cruise Line ship will be named the Disney Believe, expected to launch in late 2027.
Josh D'Amaro will officially start as CEO on March 18, 2026.
D'Amaro succeeds Bob Iger, who served as CEO from 2005 to 2020 and again from 2022 until March 2026.
Disney recorded more than $90 billion in annual revenue in fiscal 2025.
D'Amaro oversaw a $60 billion plan announced in 2023 to expand Disney's parks and cruise line capacity over 10 years.
D'Amaro's annual compensation as CEO is targeted between $38.5 million and $44.7 million.
D'Amaro's compensation includes a potential cash bonus of 250% of his $2.5 million salary and a one-time stock grant worth $9.705 million.
In fiscal year 2025, Disney Experiences generated $36 billion in annual revenue.
WHERE:
Walt Disney Co. headquarters.
Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Coto de Caza, California, where D'Amaro lives.
WHEN:
D'Amaro officially assumed the CEO role on March 18, 2026, during the annual shareholders meeting at 1 p.m. ET.
The shareholders meeting took place on March 18, 2026.
D'Amaro graduated from Georgetown University in 1993.
D'Amaro was informed of his CEO appointment on February 2, 2026.
D'Amaro will assume the CEO role on March 18, 2026, coinciding with the annual shareholders meeting at 1 p.m. ET.
WHY:
Iger stated, "When I returned in 2022, people had lost confidence in this company," and expressed belief in the company's future under D'Amaro's leadership.
D'Amaro emphasized that "great storytelling and creative excellence will remain our North Star."
D'Amaro aims to honor Disney's "remarkable legacy" while continuing to innovate and grow the company.
Disney is making big bets on its park business and plans to debut a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi.
HOW:
Iger will serve as a senior adviser to D'Amaro through the end of 2026, with a focus on supporting D'Amaro and Walden in their new roles.
Iger will serve as a senior adviser to D'Amaro through the end of 2026.
D'Amaro has held various roles at Disney over 25 years, including finance, business strategy, marketing, creative development, and operations.
D'Amaro is known for being detail-oriented and has a reputation for being hands-on in overseeing park experiences.
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 05:25 UTC)
Josh D'Amaro officially became the ninth chief executive of Disney on March 18, 2026, during the annual shareholders meeting, while Dana Walden has been appointed as the new chief creative officer overseeing film and TV operations. D'Amaro emphasized that Disney+ will evolve beyond a traditional streaming service, aiming to unify it with Hulu later this year to enhance value for subscribers. Bob Iger, who returned to the company in 2022, expressed his confidence in D'Amaro's leadership and will continue to support him and Walden as a senior adviser through the end of 2026.
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 23:11 UTC)
Josh D'Amaro officially took over as CEO of the Walt Disney Company during the annual shareholders meeting today, March 18, 2026, succeeding Bob Iger, who will now serve as a senior adviser through the end of the year. D'Amaro shared his vision for Disney+, stating it will evolve beyond a traditional streaming service and that the company is working to unify Disney+ and Hulu later this year. He also announced that the next Disney Cruise Line ship will be named the Disney Believe, with an expected launch in late 2027, while emphasizing that great storytelling and creative excellence will remain the company's guiding principles.
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 17:24 UTC)
Today marks a significant transition at the Walt Disney Company as Josh D'Amaro officially takes over as CEO, succeeding Bob Iger, who led the company for many years. D'Amaro, who has been with Disney for 25 years and is known for his detail-oriented approach, will guide the company as it aims to build on its remarkable legacy while expanding its parks and cruise line capacity. Under his leadership, Disney recorded over $90 billion in revenue last fiscal year and is set to unveil a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi.