"D'Amaro, 54, has been serving as chairman of Disney's theme parks and experiences division, the unit that generates the majority of the company's operating income through its parks, cruises, and consumer products. He will succeed longtime CEO Bob Iger, who returned to the role in 2022 after previously leading Disney from 2005 to 2020. The move caps a multiyear succession process closely watched by Wall Street, Hollywood, and fans of the company around the world."
"Under D'Amaro's leadership, Disney's parks and experiences business has become the company's primary profit engine, accounting for more than 70% of operating income despite representing under 40% of total revenue. Investors and analysts have frequently cited that performance as a key reason he rose to the top of Disney's CEO shortlist, ahead of entertainment co-chair Dana Walden and other senior executives in succession speculation."
"D'Amaro's elevation may signal the growing strategic importance of physical experiences-theme parks, resorts, cruises, and in-person storytelling-to Disney's future, even as the company continues to push into streaming and digital media. The handoff from Iger also aims to avoid the turmoil that followed the company's last CEO transition, when another parks leader, Bob Chapek, struggled during a brief and unsettled tenure, a dynamic that has made this succession one of the most scrutinized in corporate America."
Josh D'Amaro has been named chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, taking over from Bob Iger. D'Amaro led the theme parks and experiences division, which produces the majority of Disney's operating income through parks, cruises, and consumer products. The parks business has accounted for more than 70% of operating income while representing under 40% of revenue. D'Amaro oversaw a roughly $60 billion expansion initiative for resorts and cruise ships. The appointment emphasizes the strategic role of physical experiences alongside streaming and aims to avoid instability from prior leadership transitions. Early investor reaction was broadly positive.
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