The Walt Disney Firm introduced on Tuesday that Josh D’Amaro will change into the corporate’s subsequent CEO in March, changing present chief government Bob Iger when he steps down from the function this yr. Dana Walden will change into the corporate’s president and chief artistic officer.
D’Amaro, chair of Disney’s experiences unit, oversees a world community of theme parks and resort resorts. He additionally leads the corporate’s cruise ships and shopper merchandise, amongst different initiatives. D’Amaro formally takes over the CEO function on March 18 at Disney’s upcoming annual assembly.
“Josh D’Amaro is an distinctive chief and the proper individual to change into our subsequent CEO,” Iger mentioned in an announcement on Tuesday.
“He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney model, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and a spotlight to element required to ship a few of our most formidable initiatives. His means to mix creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I’m thrilled for Josh and the corporate,” Iger added.
James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Firm Board of Administrators stands with newly named CEO of The Walt Disney Firm, Josh D’Amaro, newly named President and Chief Artistic Officer of The Walt Disney Firm Dana Walden and present CEO of The Walt Disney Firm, Robert A. Iger.
Disney
D’Amaro, 54, joined the corporate in 1998.
Walden is ready to change into the corporate’s president and chief artistic officer, Disney mentioned. Walden beforehand served as the pinnacle of Disney’s leisure media, information and content material companies, together with its streaming service.
Iger started his present tenure as CEO in 2022, after beforehand serving within the function from 2005 to 2020. He additionally served as chairman over that interval. After stepping apart in 2020, Iger served as government chairman and chairman of the board till 2021.
In a letter to shareholders in January, Disney Board Chairman James Gorman described administration succession planning as a “high precedence” for the corporate’s board of administrators, in response to a securities submitting.
“Oversight of the method is led by our devoted Succession Planning Committee, and all administrators have actively participated in a rigorous and ongoing analysis of potential successor candidates, together with direct engagement, efficiency evaluation and consideration of management capabilities aligned with the Firm’s long-term technique,” Gorman added.
Disney is the mum or dad firm of ABC Information.
