The wait is over Tuesday morning for the naming of the next CEO of the Walt Disney Company as 28-year Mouse House veteran Josh D’Amaro, who the entertainment giant hailed as ” the architect of the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history,” as the successor to long-time CEO Robert Iger.
The Disney Experiences segment of the broader company’s portfolio includes the Disney theme parks and resorts in Orlando, Anaheim and abroad, as well as its cruise ship operations, consumer products, and retail and licensing, all highly profitable divisions that often buoy overall profitability, even when broadcast or motion picture revenue slows.
D’Amaro was elected by a unanimous vote of the Walt Disney Company Board of Directors on Monday. His appointment is effective March 18, to coincide with the company’s annual meeting.
“The Board also intends to appoint D’Amaro as a director immediately following that meeting,” according to the announcement of his appointment. “As head of the company’s largest business segment with $36 billion in annual revenue in fiscal year 2025 and 185,000 cast members and employees worldwide, D’Amaro “… is the architect of the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history, and has led the segment to new heights financially, creatively and in guest satisfaction.”
In his current role, D’Amaro oversees 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels worldwide. Disney is also developing a new theme park/resort in Abu Dhabi.
Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, has been named president and chief creative officer of the company, also effective March 18.
“As co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, Walden has led Disney’s world-renowned, award-winning entertainment media, news and content businesses globally, including Disney’s streaming businesses,” according to the company announcement. “In this new role — a historic first for the enterprise — Walden will report directly to D’Amaro and will ensure that storytelling and creative expression across every audience touch point consistently reflect the brand, engage audiences at scale and advance core business objectives, while driving enterprise-wide initiatives and translating vision into action.”
Iger called her “an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community.”
Iger retired from the Walt Disney Company in 2021 after 16 years at the helm. He returned in 2022 and after March 18 will remain a board member and senior company advisor until his retirement, which is scheduled to take place on December 31.