News Josh D’Amaro Named Next CEO of The Walt Disney Company

[Andrew25]

With the experiences division (excl. consumer products) providing 47% of the company's 2025 operating income, it just makes perfect sense.

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

…mmm…might want to get someone go hold your beer

I'm very happy about Josh getting the job and have been looking forward to it. Maybe there's stuff I don't know about though. Could you elaborate more on why you are, seemingly, not happy with him getting the CEO job?

 

[Chef Mickey]

Another stupid decision, but predictable.

 

[John park hopper]

IMO nothing will change --prices will rise-more DVC will be built-

 

[monothingie]

Extremely short transition.
Hasty departure.
Uncertainty on the horizon.
Bob sticking around looming over everything.

How long until Josh gets Chapek’d?

 

[Chef Mickey]

IMO nothing will change --prices will rise-more DVC will be built-

He’s part of the establishment.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Extremely short transition.
Hasty departure.
Uncertainty on the horizon.
Bob sticking around looming over everythingr

How long until Josh gets Chapek’d?

Agree, Iger needs like 2 weeks and out.

 

[ShoalFox]

Had to come back to WDWmagic just for this. See you later Bob, don’t let the door hit you on your way out.

I’m not sure how D’Amaro will run things but I’m willing to see how it goes before passing judgement.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm very happy about Josh getting the job and have been looking forward to it. Maybe there's stuff I don't know about though. Could you elaborate more on why you are, seemingly, not happy with him getting the CEO job?

He’s a non-creative…he’s been there too long (yeah that’s thing)…and Iger had total control over him and everyone for too long (not Damaro’s fault…just the reality)…including the board.

Now let me be clear: I’d rather have D’Amaro. Put me down (I’ll be battling everyone making excuses IF he goes off the rails)…
The most important thing is Iger leaving (so he says)…easily 10 years overdue.

But the timing is off putting. A guy that never would leave is leaving in a month? That fish smells…
If only we had a prior example?

 

[Chef Mickey]

Had to come back to WDWmagic just for this. See you later Bob, don’t let the door hit you on your way out.

I’m not sure how D’Amaro will run things but I’m willing to see how it goes before passing judgement.

He’s not going to be amazing. He’s part of the problem and presided over the stupid park decisions, price increases, and infiltration of IP everywhere.

 

[Andrew C]

Is it too late for Josh to save the river?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Any thoughts on who (internally) may be a good candidate to take over Josh's old position (or did I miss that in the PR)? I mean, I assume Josh will be VERY hands on with P&R so having a ton of experience may not be a prerequisite for the new head of P&R...

Names have been floated…I don’t know anyone because parks guy isn’t a decision maker…so no financial power. Not worth caring about.

But it is interesting to see since this appears…to be the first parks head to actually take over…so we’ll see?

 

[Coaster Lover]

timing is interesting or strategic (again)

Didn't Iger want to run for president at one time? Not saying he wants to do that now, but he is giving himself ~6 months until the mid-terms...

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

He’s a non-creative…he’s been there too long (yeah that’s thing)…and Iger had total control over him and everyone for too long (not Damaro’s fault…just the reality)…including the board.

Now let me be clear: I’d rather have D’Amaro. Put me down (I’ll be battling everyone making excuses IF he goes off the rails)…
The most important thing is Iger leaving (so he says)…easily 10 years overdue.

But the timing is off putting. A guy that never would leave is leaving in a month? That fish smells…
If only we had a prior example?

So, if I'm reading this right, you're speculating that is about to hit the fan (maybe econony-wise) and you see this more of a -Iger running away for Chapek to take the fall- move?

 

[HauntedPirate]

Split at the top, which is what I hoped they’d do. Not that I think tight pants will be the panacea many seem to think he’ll be.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So, if I'm reading this right, you're speculating that is about to hit the fan (maybe econony-wise) and you see this more of a -Iger running away for Chapek to take the fall- move?

…goes to pattern, your honor

Tinfoil time (there’ll be disputes so I want to make the following clear as theory only):

Last year my assumption was Iger would do more self extensions…something he’s done for over a decade that NEVER should be allowed. A main reason my shares have made nothing over that time…

But the last few months I’ve changed. I see he had to avenues:
1. Wait for an economic slide - which I think they want - to “reset” everything, slash costs, spin off divisions, and be a stock darling on the other side.

But he judged - correctly - that it would take too long and time isn’t on his side.

So we’re getting the second option:

Leave now on what can be spun as a relative “high”. Which is what he did wrong when he “fake left” the last time and it didn’t appear to sit well.

Bobs fine…he’s rich beyond belief and has plausible deniability if he leaves now…so he is doing just that

 

[Disstevefan1]

I'm excited as we should, hopefully, see most of the "turbocharged" investments continue. No fear of a non-parks CEO slashing budgets.

Could it get worse? Under Iger/Josh, RoA was destroyed.

We all must remember it was under Iger and Josh (leadership?) that what we see is happening now.

It will be interesting to watch.

Selfishly I want all the best for WDW because that’s all I care about, but I am not optimistic.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

At least they're going for a semi-split role. It's not Walt and Roy, though, or even Eisner and Wells.

 

[NotCalledBob]

Taking over in March? That's quick. Hopefully he and Dana get on very well because that isn't a lot of time to be shown the ropes in Studios.

I wish him the best of luck. I think it was the best choice.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Extremely short transition.
Hasty departure.
Uncertainty on the horizon.
Bob sticking around looming over everything.

How long until Josh gets Chapek’d?

…I don’t think even Bob’s ego is large enough to try to hatch it this time…

But I’ve been wrong before