Disney Taps Parks Chief Josh D’Amaro as New CEO

The Walt Disney Company has named parks chairman Josh D’Amaro its next CEO. The appointment, effective March 18, pairs an operational veteran with creative lead Dana Walden to forge a stable new leadership team as Bob Iger transitions to an advisory role.

• Drama-free succession: The appointments signal a clear attempt to avoid repeating the public corporate drama that followed the company's last attempt to replace Iger. The board unanimously selected D'Amaro, a 28-year company veteran, to take the reins in a move designed for stability.
• The power couple: D'Amaro, who ran Disney's $36 billion Experiences division, is paired with Dana Walden, who becomes President and Chief Creative Officer. The new structure unites Disney’s creative vision with its business objectives, with Walden reporting directly to D’Amaro.

Disney is betting that the proven success of its parks and experiences business, led by a long-term insider, is the right model to steer the entire company into its next chapter. The leadership change comes just after Disney posted a strong quarterly earnings report, driven by the very division D'Amaro leads. The appointment is also a notable moment in the company's history, as D'Amaro will be just the ninth CEO in Disney's 102-year history.