The Walt Disney Company has appointed Josh D'Amaro as its new CEO, succeeding Bob Iger, who held the position for many years. D'Amaro, 54, has been with Disney since 1998 and has extensive experience in various leadership roles, particularly within the company's parks and experiences division. His background includes serving as chief financial officer of consumer products, president of Disneyland Resort, and president of Walt Disney World Resort.
D'Amaro's selection comes at a time when Disney is focusing heavily on its theme parks, which have become a significant revenue driver for the company. Since he took over the experiences division in May 2020, revenue has increased by nearly 40%, amounting to $36.2 billion in fiscal 2025. The experiences division has also seen substantial profit growth, contributing between 55% and 70% of Disney's overall profits in recent years.
His leadership during the pandemic, when parks were closed, was marked by continued construction on new attractions and upgrades to guest technology. Notable projects under his oversight include the launch of new rides and themed areas across various parks, as well as expansion in Disney's cruise line operations.
However, D'Amaro will now face challenges in Disney's streaming and television sectors, which have experienced declines due to industry-wide shifts in viewing habits and revenue models. Maintaining subscriber growth for Disney+ and other streaming services will be critical as he steps into his new role. D'Amaro's ability to navigate these complexities, alongside his successful track record in the experiences division, will be closely monitored as he leads Disney into its next chapter.