Disney CEO Succession Drama: How Josh D'Amaro Won the Battle to Replace Bob Iger
For over two years, Disney's board of directors has been grappling with one pressing question: how do you replace a legendary leader like Bob Iger? The answer arrived on Tuesday, as the Mouse House's board finally delivered its verdict. By unanimous vote, Josh D'Amaro, the Disney veteran who heads the theme parks business, will be the new CEO.
D'Amaro's ascension to the top spot is seen as a classic move in the Disney mold. With 28 years of experience under his belt, he possesses a deep understanding of how kids and families interact with the beloved global brand. His background in retail has given him a unique edge, allowing him to connect with customers on a visceral level.
In contrast, Dana Walden, co-chair of the entertainment division overseeing TV and streaming, will assume the role of president and chief creative officer. This decision elevates Walden to one of the most powerful executives in Hollywood, while D'Amaro will be responsible for answering to investors and the board. Their partnership marks a left-brain/right-brain division of labor, with Walden acting as a liaison to the creative community and D'Amaro focusing on modernizing the company.
Wall Street analysts have welcomed Disney's orderly post-Iger transition, citing D'Amaro's experience running the parks division and his track record expanding the business globally. The board has given him "ample runway to set strategy and align the organization under his vision," according to Evercore ISI analyst Kutgun Maral.
D'Amaro is seen as a strong leader, with a Midwestern charm that reminds some of Iger's affability. A former colleague praises his emotional intelligence and strategic vision, citing his role in spearheading Disney's investment in Epic Games. Walden, 61, brings her own set of skills to the table, including experience from her time at 20th Century Fox.
The Disney board was under pressure to execute a strong succession plan following the disaster that ensued when Iger handed the CEO baton to Bob Chapek. The two men's relationship quickly deteriorated, setting the stage for an epic clash of strategic visions and executive egos. This time around, the board has opted for a partnership model, allowing D'Amaro to focus on modernizing the company while Walden acts as a liaison to the creative community.
As Disney embarks on this new chapter under D'Amaro's leadership, there are still many questions unanswered. Will he court Hollywood relationships? How will his relationship with Walden play out? One thing is clear: D'Amaro and Walden have given Disney the best of both worlds, allowing them to balance creative vision and commercial acumen.
Ultimately, their success will depend on how they work together to drive durable growth while balancing investment, returns, and brand stewardship. As Iger's remarks suggest, there is a clear division of labor – D'Amaro delivering his verdict, and Walden saluting and being a good corporate citizen. Only time will tell if this partnership will prove successful in the long run.
For over two years, Disney's board of directors has been grappling with one pressing question: how do you replace a legendary leader like Bob Iger? The answer arrived on Tuesday, as the Mouse House's board finally delivered its verdict. By unanimous vote, Josh D'Amaro, the Disney veteran who heads the theme parks business, will be the new CEO.
D'Amaro's ascension to the top spot is seen as a classic move in the Disney mold. With 28 years of experience under his belt, he possesses a deep understanding of how kids and families interact with the beloved global brand. His background in retail has given him a unique edge, allowing him to connect with customers on a visceral level.
In contrast, Dana Walden, co-chair of the entertainment division overseeing TV and streaming, will assume the role of president and chief creative officer. This decision elevates Walden to one of the most powerful executives in Hollywood, while D'Amaro will be responsible for answering to investors and the board. Their partnership marks a left-brain/right-brain division of labor, with Walden acting as a liaison to the creative community and D'Amaro focusing on modernizing the company.
Wall Street analysts have welcomed Disney's orderly post-Iger transition, citing D'Amaro's experience running the parks division and his track record expanding the business globally. The board has given him "ample runway to set strategy and align the organization under his vision," according to Evercore ISI analyst Kutgun Maral.
D'Amaro is seen as a strong leader, with a Midwestern charm that reminds some of Iger's affability. A former colleague praises his emotional intelligence and strategic vision, citing his role in spearheading Disney's investment in Epic Games. Walden, 61, brings her own set of skills to the table, including experience from her time at 20th Century Fox.
The Disney board was under pressure to execute a strong succession plan following the disaster that ensued when Iger handed the CEO baton to Bob Chapek. The two men's relationship quickly deteriorated, setting the stage for an epic clash of strategic visions and executive egos. This time around, the board has opted for a partnership model, allowing D'Amaro to focus on modernizing the company while Walden acts as a liaison to the creative community.
As Disney embarks on this new chapter under D'Amaro's leadership, there are still many questions unanswered. Will he court Hollywood relationships? How will his relationship with Walden play out? One thing is clear: D'Amaro and Walden have given Disney the best of both worlds, allowing them to balance creative vision and commercial acumen.
Ultimately, their success will depend on how they work together to drive durable growth while balancing investment, returns, and brand stewardship. As Iger's remarks suggest, there is a clear division of labor – D'Amaro delivering his verdict, and Walden saluting and being a good corporate citizen. Only time will tell if this partnership will prove successful in the long run.
. He's been with Disney for ages and has a deep understanding of how families interact with their brand. Plus, his retail background is super valuable in connecting with customers on a personal level.
. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we need both brains to make this work!" D'Amaro can focus on modernizing the company and making it more efficient, while Walden can act as a liaison to the creative community and keep everyone's egos in check.
. I mean, we've all seen how Disney's CEO transition went down before - it was a hot mess 
! But this time around, they seem to be doing things differently.
. One thing is for sure: I'm excited to see what Josh D'Amaro does with Disney 
.
i mean who wouldn't want to be in charge of disney's theme parks? he seems like a solid choice, especially with his retail background - that's gotta give him an edge when it comes to connecting with customers. and i love how the board went for a partnership model this time around, so d'amaro can focus on modernizing the company without having to deal with all the creative egos... and walden gets to be the voice of reason 
. He seems to have a good grasp on how to connect with customers, which could be beneficial for the parks division. I'm curious to see how his partnership with Dana Walden will play out, though - it'll be interesting to see who's calling the shots around here 
. The fact that they've opted for a more traditional CEO/President setup might not be as exciting as some people thought 
. Still, I suppose it's better than having another leadership drama on our hands 
.
, thats not exactly leadership if you ask me 
his background in retail is gonna bring a whole new level of customer intimacy to the table 
and can't wait to see how Dana Walden slays as president & CCO 
i mean, who wouldn't wanna work with that squad 