Josh D’Amaro Takes the Wheel at Disney: Can He Steer the Ship?

Gotrade News - Josh D’Amaro has officially been tapped as the next CEO of Disney, taking the reins from Bob Iger starting March 18, 2026. This move signals a major push to stabilize the entertainment giant’s leadership after the rollercoaster drama of previous succession attempts.

D’Amaro is no stranger to the company’s heavy lifting; he’s been running the Experiences division, which has essentially been Disney’s cash cow since 2020. That division brought in a massive $36 billion in revenue in fiscal 2025 and manages a workforce of 185,000 people globally.

Key Takeaways:

1. Josh D’Amaro becomes the 9th CEO in Disney history, with Dana Walden stepping up as President.

2. The transition was extremely methodical to avoid a repeat of the "Bob Chapek era" mishaps.

3. Short-term headwinds include a dip in domestic tourism due to geopolitical tensions.

The 54-year-old is taking over at a time when Disney is crushing it at the box office, but facing some serious headwinds in its domestic theme parks. According to reports from AP News, international tourism to the U.S. has cooled off, largely due to aggressive immigration crackdowns and ongoing trade clashes.

Alongside D’Amaro, Disney has appointed Dana Walden as the new President and Chief Creative Officer. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro, tasked with ensuring the "creative magic" stays front and center across all business lines.

This leadership handoff was handled with way more caution than the last one, which eventually forced Iger out of retirement to fix things. The succession planning committee has been grinding since 2023, bringing in Morgan Stanley’s James Gorman to vet candidates inside and out.

Disney’s decision to stick with a single CEO structure bucks the recent trend seen in other big tech players. AP News notes that companies like Oracle and Spotify have recently opted for a co-CEO model to run their operations.

Moving forward, D’Amaro’s main game plan is to leverage Disney’s massive IP library for movies and park expansions. He also has a tough mandate to keep streaming growth on track and build a stronger foundation for the company’s sports business.

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Reference:

• AP News, Disney parks chief Josh D’Amaro will take over for Bob Iger as CEO. Diakses pada 4 Februari 2026

• Featured Image: Variety