Disney Succession: Josh D’Amaro Taking Over from Bob Iger

It seems like the Walt Disney Company’s own version of “Succession” has come to a close. Former Parks & Experiences division head Josh D’Amaro will be taking over as CEO from Bob Iger.

This comes after months- nay, years- of speculation. If you’ll recall, Iger already retired from the role once. This is when Bob Chapek was tapped. Following that…chapter….Iger returned. The search for the next CEO has been ongoing for sometime.

“I am immensely grateful to the Board for entrusting me with leading a company that means so much to me and millions around the world,” D’Amaro said. “Disney’s strength has always come from our people and the creative excellence that defines our stories and experiences. There is no limit to what Disney can achieve, and I am excited to work with our teams across the company and brilliant creative partners to honor Disney’s remarkable legacy while continuing to innovate, grow, and deliver exceptional value for our consumers and shareholders. I also want to express my gratitude to Bob Iger for his generous mentorship, his friendship, and the profound impact of his leadership.”

“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” Iger said. “He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.”

Dana Walden, who many thought had been in the running for the CEO role, has been named Chief Creative Officer.

“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community,” Iger added. “Given that creativity is at the heart of everything Disney does, she is a wonderful choice to serve in this new leadership role. In the years since Dana joined Disney, she has accumulated great knowledge about the many facets of our businesses and brands, and is very well prepared to be president and chief creative officer.”

Former CEO Michael Eisner offered his well wishes for Josh and Dana as well.