Disney Taps Parks Chief D’Amaro as CEO, Shifts Creative Leadership Under Walden — The Walt Disney Company

Event summary

Josh D’Amaro, current Chairman of Disney Experiences, named CEO effective March 18, 2026, succeeding Robert Iger.
Dana Walden promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer, reporting directly to D’Amaro.
Iger to serve as Senior Advisor until December 31, 2026, after leading Disney’s restructuring since 2022.
Disney Experiences generated $36B in annual revenue in FY2025 under D’Amaro’s leadership.

The big picture

Disney’s CEO transition reflects a shift toward parks and experiences as core growth drivers, following Iger’s restructuring of streaming and content divisions. The move underscores the company’s pivot from digital-first strategies to hybrid models, leveraging D’Amaro’s expertise in high-margin physical destinations. With $94.4B in FY2025 revenue, Disney’s leadership change comes as the media landscape consolidates around scalable IP ecosystems.

What we're watching

Parks-Centric Strategy: How D’Amaro’s background in Disney Experiences will shape the company’s focus on physical vs. digital growth.
Creative Autonomy: Whether Walden’s elevated role ensures creative independence amid financial discipline.
Post-Iger Transition: The pace at which D’Amaro consolidates power after Iger’s advisory period ends in late 2026.