You're Going to Like Disney's Next CEO

Published: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 5:16 pm

Disney Announces New CEO Amidst Financial Challenges

Walt Disney has announced that Josh D'Amaro will succeed Bob Iger as its chief executive. The transition, effective next month at the company's shareholder meeting, comes after Disney reported disappointing financial results. D'Amaro currently serves as the chair of Disney Experiences and has been considered the front-runner for the position.

The announcement also included the promotion of Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment, to president and chief creative officer. This move is seen as a positive step, given Disney's past challenges with potential CEOs leaving after being passed over for the top role.

Iger's return to the company in late 2022 saw him focus on stabilizing the company. He successfully navigated the company through a politically charged environment, particularly concerning a dispute with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Iger also aimed to make Disney's streaming business profitable, a goal he achieved ahead of schedule.

While the stock has seen a modest increase since Iger's return, it has underperformed compared to the broader market. However, Iger's actions have led to significant improvements in operating profit and net income.

D'Amaro's appointment is seen as a strategic move, given the strong performance of Disney's experiences segment, which includes theme parks and consumer products. This segment accounts for a significant portion of the company's operating profit. D'Amaro is well-regarded by theme park enthusiasts and is leading major expansion efforts. Despite the positive reception from Disney's core customer base, the stock initially traded lower following the announcement.

BNN's Perspective:

The choice of D'Amaro, with his focus on the successful experiences segment, seems like a sensible move for Disney. While the stock's performance has been a concern, Iger's efforts to stabilize the company and improve profitability shouldn't be overlooked. The market's initial reaction may be muted, but the long-term success of Disney hinges on its ability to adapt and innovate, and D'Amaro's experience in the experiences segment could be key to that.

Keywords: Disney, CEO, Josh D'Amaro, Bob Iger, Disney Experiences, Dana Walden, Disney Entertainment, Stock, Financial Results, Theme Parks, Streaming, Profitability, Expansion, Walt Disney

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