The Walt Disney Co. has appointed Josh D’Amaro as its next chief executive officer, elevating the veteran parks and experiences executive to the top job at one of the world’s most influential entertainment companies.
D’Amaro, 54, has been serving as chairman of Disney’s theme parks and experiences division, the unit that generates the majority of the company’s operating income through its parks, cruises, and consumer products. He will succeed longtime CEO Bob Iger, who returned to the role in 2022 after previously leading Disney from 2005 to 2020. The move caps a multiyear succession process closely watched by Wall Street, Hollywood, and fans of the company around the world.
Why D’Amaro?
Under D’Amaro’s leadership, Disney’s parks and experiences business has become the company’s primary profit engine, accounting for more than 70% of operating income despite representing under 40% of total revenue. Investors and analysts have frequently cited that performance as a key reason he rose to the top of Disney’s CEO short list, ahead of entertainment co-chair Dana Walden and other senior executives under consideration. His portfolio has included a roughly $60 billion expansion initiative for resorts and cruise ships, underscoring his central role in Disney’s long-term growth strategy.
