Disney parks boss Josh D’Amaro touts Mouse House bona fides as succession chatter rages
As a passionate film enthusiast, I donned my Disney cap and ventured to Wall Street on Wednesday, in what seemed like an important audition aimed at proving that I possess the necessary courage and elegance to follow in the footsteps of CEO Bob Iger at the prestigious Burbank-based entertainment empire, Disney.
At the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference, the 54-year-old head of theme parks showcased the strength and potential of his sector, comprising resorts, cruises, and video games, to the investors present.
Instead of “He leaned into the company’s rigorous management techniques and its ambitions,” you could say: “He embraced the firm’s tough management practices and aspirations.”
“Enthusiasm for the legendary company is one of D’Amaro’s key traits, considered essential for successor to Iger.”
3. Instead of “He’s spent most of his adult life — nearly 27 years — at Disney,” you could write: “Disney has been a significant part of his adult life, with over two decades spent there.
As I reflect on the passing of time, it seems almost unbelievable how swiftly events unfolded. Yet, amidst this whirlwind, I find myself filled with immense pride, honored to be part of the esteemed Walt Disney Company.
D’Amaro’s assignment could have been a tricky one.
This week in New York is traditionally a gathering place for TV industry leaders, and Bob Iger, accompanied by Mickey Mouse, was instrumental in organizing a grand procession of celebrities to charm advertisers at the Walt Disney Company’s yearly upfront event the day prior.
It’s anticipated that by next year, a new CEO will likely be chosen by Disney’s board to succeed Iger when he retires at the end of 2026. Contenders for this position include D’Amaro, as well as co-chairs of Disney Entertainment, Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
Disney’s board has said it plans to consider external candidates as well.
But observers believe that D’Amaro’s stock has been rising.
Disney declined to comment on succession speculation.
Hollywood Inc.
As a devoted cinephile, I find myself eagerly awaiting the decision by the esteemed Walt Disney Company regarding their new CEO, following Bob Iger’s departure. The company boasts an impressive pool of internal talent, with four potential candidates: the visionaries who lead the film, television, sports, and park divisions. Each of them brings a unique perspective that could shape the future of this beloved entertainment giant.
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, the pressure’s on for me when it comes to Disney’s next move. Their last CEO transition, placing Bob Chapek in charge from another parks division, didn’t go as planned, leading to a swift comeback of Iger. This time around, I can only imagine the magnitude of the decisions they have to make.
On Wednesday, D’Amaro reminisced about the November 2022 event, sharing that upon Iger’s return to the Burbank headquarters, he handed him an extensive folder containing comprehensive updates for every aspect within the massive parks and experiences division.
Iger dropped by D’Amaro’s office the following day with the 250-page binder in hand.
D’Amaro pointed out that one page was removed, indicating Iger’s observation that there’s ample potential to expand our business. Our sites worldwide have available space, he added. Moreover, we possess the narratives and the loyal followers.
The demonstration served as a salute to Iger’s abilities and guidance, yet simultaneously highlighted that D’Amaro’s parks and experiences department continues to be crucial for Disney’s prosperity.
Over the next ten years, Disney plans to invest a whopping $60 billion to enhance and rejuvenate their resorts and theme parks. They anticipate doubling their number of cruise ships in this period. Additionally, they’ve poured $1.5 billion into Epic Games, the creators of “Fortnite,” as part of a strategy to capitalize on the increasing income from video gaming enthusiasts.
Hollywood Inc.
After its aggressive expansion into streaming, the Burbank company is currently grappling with the aftereffects, as their stocks have underperformed, investors are uneasy, and their main studios are operating under strain.
Last week, D’Amaro’s presentation took place following Disney’s strong quarterly performance, which boosted their stocks by almost 20%, reaching over $111 per share. This significant increase helped them recover some of the market value they had lost since autumn.
The earnings from our home-based amusement parks and related ventures, such as cruise lines, increased by 13%, totaling approximately $1.8 billion in revenue.
Hollywood Inc.
Starting in September, sports enthusiasts who don’t have a cable package can gain access to all ESPN channels owned by Disney.
Additionally, Disney revealed plans for an extensive development in the Middle East region, aiming to construct their seventh theme park there.
D’Amaro stated that we explored various places globally and finally found ourselves in Abu Dhabi. This area has transformed into a significant entertainment center within the United Arab Emirates, with the new park being added to attractions like SeaWorld and Ferrari World.
D’Amaro stated that within a four-hour flight distance of Abu Dhabi, about a third of the global population resides. He estimates that approximately 500 million people worldwide possess both an interest in Disney and the financial means to visit one of their theme parks.
In a shift from their traditional ownership model, Disney is teaming up with Miral Group, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi administration, who will finance the massive construction costs for a new joint venture, rather than Disney directly.
Travel & Experiences
An incredibly realistic robot version of Walt Disney is set to be revealed at Disneyland soon, yet this mechanical figure has sparked debates about ethics, focusing on whether such innovations could potentially lead to exploitation.
Disney plans to maintain control over the creative aspects, as stated by D’Amaro. He also mentioned that Miral will manage the project while still receiving a substantial level of supervision from Disney.
Back then, I too had the opportunity to address investors at a gathering like the one held by JP Morgan, specifically their technology and media conference. And interestingly enough, it wasn’t my first time taking the stage; others have done the same in the past.
In March, Walden delivered a speech at the Morgan Stanley Tech, Media, and Communications Symposium. During the same month, D’Amaro and Bergman shared the stage at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, to discuss “The Future of Storytelling at Disney.
Hollywood Inc.
In simpler terms, the news about a new park in Abu Dhabi emerged when Walt Disney Company revealed that attendance at their domestic theme parks and streaming services significantly boosted their earnings during the second fiscal quarter.
Experts within the Hollywood industry are of the opinion that Disney requires a new leader similar to Iger, an individual who skillfully manages talent and boasts extensive knowledge about both the TV and film sectors of the business.
Walden and Bergman oversee an esteemed collection of media offerings that encompass the significant streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu.
Or,
Walden and Bergman are in charge of a distinguished assortment of media services, which features the prominent streaming brands such as Disney+ and Hulu.
Hollywood Inc.
Disney Corporation is currently seeking a new Chief Executive Officer following Bob Iger’s departure. There are four strong contenders within the organization, each leading the divisions of Film, Television, Sports, and Parks.
D’Amaro, a Massachusetts native, has earned celebrity status among Disney’s faithful.
From time to time, he interacts with people visiting parks, bringing joy to Disney enthusiasts who share their affectionate moments on TikTok. In these videos, D’Amaro often appears cheerful, making him seem like a happy spokesperson for the beloved “happiest place in the world.
As I reflect on my incredible journey spanning 27 years within the Disney family, I can’t help but feel incredibly fortunate. This extended stay has afforded me invaluable opportunities to forge connections with numerous executives across various business domains. These interactions have granted me a deeper understanding of our diverse operations, making it smoother to maneuver through the organization and maintain those vital links.
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2025-05-14 22:31