Entertainment
Everyone Wins In Disney CEO Shakeup, Except You
By Jennifer Asencio
| Published
This week, to almost no one’s surprise, Josh D’Amaro was named the successor to Bob Iger as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. He was voted to the position unanimously by the company’s Board of Directors and will begin on March 18, 2026.
While entertainment is Disney’s primary business, a lot of people forget that the majority of the company is invested in theme parks, resorts, and the cruise line, as well as movies, television, and streaming. D’Amaro was previously the head of Disney Experiences, the umbrella under which all these Disney properties fall.
Ever since Bob Iger announced weeks ago that he was stepping down, D’Amaro has been expected to be named his successor. This is despite criticism for decisions such as raising park prices. The only thing that’s really “news” about this part of the story is that it was announced so quickly. It wasn’t expected to be decided until later in the year.
The Real Boss Isn’t D’Amaro
The real news about this story is Dana Walden. She was the runner-up for the position after successfully managing first Fox Entertainment and later Disney Entertainment. Although she wasn’t awarded the top position, she was promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company.
This means she oversees Disney movies, cartoons, and streaming shows. She has always been in charge of television, including ABC and ABC News, but now her role has been expanded to include all Disney output. She reports directly to D’Amaro.
One area of Disney that Walden will not have creative control over is Lucasfilm. Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan are responsible for all things Star Wars, with Disney only managing marketing and distribution for the film studio. The company will also not deviate from serving in the same capacity for Marvel Studios, with Kevin Feige continuing to serve as President there.
Disney’s New Entertainment Head Is Deeply Involved In Politics
Walden has occasionally found herself caught up in political turmoil, which some have blamed for her being passed over as Disney’s first female CEO.
She publicly supported Kamala Harris and appeared in photographs with the Presidential candidate. However, she was also the executive who made the decision about pulling Jimmy Kimmel after the ABC night show host made inferences about the Charlie Kirk shooter.
This move was criticized as bowing to pressure from the FCC and censoring free speech because of criticism of President Trump and his base. Kimmel was eventually reinstated through Walden’s efforts and negotiation with the FCC and has returned to television to freely talk about our fascist government.
Although Walden has had to navigate issues like the Jimmy Kimmel affair, it is fair that she wasn’t promoted to CEO of the entire company. Her experience as Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment is substantive, but it doesn’t quite add up to D’Amaro’s as former Chairman of Disney Experiences, nor has she been with the company for as long as his 28 years. The promotion she received, however, is a consolation prize for her work and sets her up to perhaps be D’Amaro’s successor if his tenure lasts as long as those of his predecessors.
Disney’s Rotating CEO Problem
The last two CEOs of Disney, Bob Chapek and Bob Iger, served for only three years apiece, as the company was led into rising streaming prices, lackluster movies, and other financial failures, such as the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel. Chapek was handpicked by Iger to replace him in 2020, but did such a terrible job that Iger had to come back in 2022.
D’Amaro is also a protégé of Iger’s at a time when Disney desperately needs to change course. The hope is that he won’t turn out to be another Chapek and that Iger chose better this time. If not, we may be back in three years to break the news of Walden’s promotion to CEO.