Walt Disney Appoints Josh D'Amaro as New Chief Executive Officer

Washington D.C. American entertainment company Walt Disney has appointed Josh D'Amaro as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

 Ending long-standing speculation regarding leadership succession, the company announced that D'Amaro, the head of its Parks and Experiences, will be the new CEO.

 According to the decision made public Tuesday morning, D'Amaro will replace the current CEO, Bob Iger. Dana Walden, who previously managed Disney's television and streaming division, was considered a leading contender for the CEO position. Walden has been appointed as the company's Chairman and Chief Creative Officer.

The 54-year-old D'Amaro has been leading Disney Experiences (theme parks, cruises, and consumer experiences) since 2020. He is the second person from the parks division to become CEO after Bob Chapek.

 Iger returned as CEO in 2022 following Chapek's brief tenure. His return generated internal tension and power struggles within Disney. Therefore, this succession process was considered highly sensitive for the company. 

In a statement, Iger described D'Amaro as an exceptional leader with a deep understanding of the Disney brand, capable of balancing creativity and operational capabilities. D'Amaro is particularly popular among Disney's super-fans.