Author: Jennifer Asensio Published
This week, to the surprise of few, Josh D’Amaro was named Bob Iger’s successor as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. He was elected to the position by a unanimous vote of the company’s Board of Directors and will begin serving on March 18, 2026.
While entertainment is Disney’s main business, many people forget that the majority of the company’s money is invested in theme parks, resorts, cruises, and movies, television, and streaming. D’Amaro previously served as head of Disney Experiences, the division under which all these Disney properties fall.
D’Amaro has been expected to be named as Bob Iger’s successor ever since he announced his resignation weeks ago. This is despite criticism of decisions such as raising park prices. The only real “news” about this part of the story is that it was announced so quickly. A decision is not expected until later this year.
The real boss is not Damaro
The real news on this story is Dana Walden. She was the runner-up for the position after successfully managing Fox Entertainment and later Disney Entertainment. Although she wasn’t given the top job, she was promoted to president and chief creative officer of The Walt Disney Company.
That means she oversees Disney movies, cartoons, and streaming shows. She has been in charge of the television division, which includes ABC and ABC News, but now her responsibilities have expanded to include all Disney productions. She reports directly to Damaro.
Lucasfilm was one area of Disney that Walden had no control over. Dave Filoni and Lynne Brennan are responsible for all aspects of Star Wars, with Disney solely responsible for the studio’s marketing and distribution. The company also won’t stray from the same position as Marvel Studios, where Kevin Feige will remain president.
Disney’s new entertainment chief deeply involved in politics
Walden has occasionally been embroiled in political turmoil, with some accusing her of failing to serve as Disney’s first female CEO.
She has publicly supported Kamala Harris and appeared in photos with the presidential candidate. However, she was also the executive who decided to withdraw from Jimmy Kimmel after the ABC Late Show host made inferences about the Charlie Kirk shooter.
The move was criticized as bowing to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission and censoring free speech over criticism of President Trump and his supporters. Through Walden’s efforts and negotiations with the FCC, Kimmel was eventually reinstated and back on television speaking freely about our fascist government.
While Walden had to deal with issues like the Jimmy Kimmel affair, it’s fair to say she didn’t get promoted to CEO of the entire company. Her experience as co-chairman of Disney Entertainment is extensive, but it doesn’t quite match up with D’Amaro’s former chairman of Disney Experience, and she hasn’t been with the company as long as D’Amaro’s 28 years. However, the promotion she received was a consolation prize for her job, and she could have been D’Amaro’s successor had he served as long as his predecessor.
Disney’s rotating CEO issues
Disney’s last two CEOs, Bob Chapek and Bob Iger, lasted just three years each as the company struggled with rising streaming prices, lackluster movies and other financial failures like the Star Wars: Galaxy Starcruiser hotel. Chapek was Iger’s handpicked replacement in 2020, but his performance was so bad that Iger had to come back in 2022.
D’Amaro was also Iger’s protege at a time when Disney was desperate to change course. Hopefully he doesn’t become another Chapek and Iger chooses better this time. If not, we might be back in three years with news of Walden’s promotion to CEO.
