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

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I mean, we’ve been there for a long time. Just that Nvidia is keeping the market afloat.

I do respect the commitment to the gimmick though. Even though you said this day would never come.

Bob practically threw his vert in a box with his ficus plant and ran out…in relative terms.

There’s a collecting of complete fools with the keys to the global safe…

It ain’t promising.


Side note: abc news did like a 10 minute spot on DISNEY…themselves…and it was really cringey. Not encouraging.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Someone like Mr Shull should know they are not a Michael/Frank team.

A bit of a stetch there (he must be looking for free Club 33?)…but we all should hope they do well.

Or we’ll have a lot more free time…and I’ll have a bunch of new fancy arrows for my quiver

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The interview he just gave on abc news with Iger was not exactly great, he didn't exactly put his own spin or direction on anything, not that it was that much of an in depth interview,,,but I would have liked to have heard something about his personal vision like "what I would like to do moving ahead" and instead it was just a copy off what Iger was saying. He was very nervous.

It was a trainwreck…NTSB is on the scene now

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Even though you said this day would never come.

To clarify: I meant that one would act in only his self interest…and that is worrisome

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don’t think that reaction would be what you think. It’s difficult to get the general public excited about something they know nothing about.

Agree…there isn’t the widespread groundswell of demand for “original rides”…that’s limited to the merch room at d23…

What there is a growing loud chorus for is new stuff that pleases at reasonable prices…across the board

 

[Splash4eva]

I’m excited we’re finally getting a change at the top but not anticipating a noticeable change in how the company is ran, until Josh proves me wrong I’m not getting my hopes up.




Sadly both are true, I worked for Peter Morton and when he’d walk the floor everyone down to the guy cleaning the bathrooms would say good morning and even feel comfortable offering suggestions because he was open to any suggestion that could better the business, I’ve also worked for James Dolan where everyone walked on eggshells when he was in the building out of fear he’d fire you just for looking at him wrong.

I don’t know how Iger operated behind closed doors but typically you see a revolving door of executives quitting under the bad ones, Iger has had a fairly long lasting team of executives under him, not sure if that means Iger is persuadable or he just surrounded himself with yes men.

Having said that even Iger has people to answer to, the major stockholders (Vanguard, Blackrock, and State Street) pull his strings just like he pulls the executives strings. No one at the top can do anything without the consent of the big 3, they own over 20% of the companies stock and defying their orders is career ending. (This is also why I don’t expect major change with Josh, he still answers to them.)

Not singling you out but 8/2015. Stock was trading at 120. Where did it close today? 104. Stock is down over 13% in one of the biggest bull markets we have seen. This is over a decade the stock has been dead money. I said it before. Ill say it again. I dk how Wall St loved this guy and let him get away with his performance or lack there at a company like DIS….

 

[mattpeto]

I’ll give D’Amaro a shot. Mildly optimistic because of his parks background.

Chapek was a disaster and Iger runs were a mixed bag for me.

I want to see something bold from D’Amaro.

3rd gate at DLR? Another castle park in USA? Major expansions to all WDW parks beyond the initial projects? New Epcot pavilions?

And please fix Star Wars. All of it.

 

[Disney Analyst]

 

[Jrb1979]

I’ll give D’Amaro a shot. Mildly optimistic because of his parks background.

Chapek was a disaster and Iger runs were a mixed bag for me.

I want to see something bold from D’Amaro.

3rd gate at DLR? Another castle park in USA? Major expansions to all WDW parks beyond the initial projects? New Epcot pavilions?

And please fix Star Wars. All of it.

More original attractions

 

[WaltsTreasureChest]

I still feel like I don’t know enough about the guy

 

[Disney Analyst]

Just scroll social media. The amount of people who have taken and are sharing selfies with Josh is telling. He was in the parks. Always. Meeting guests, observing.

This is not the same reaction as when Chapek was announced.

 

[Touchdown]

He doesn’t even need to a new non IP attraction, imagine if he announced the Imagination redo and a return of Dreamfinder followed by a complete refresh of Dl Tomorrowland with a completely rebuilt Peoplemover and an all electric Autopia. The roof would be blown off.

 

[Jrb1979]

Just scroll social media. The amount of people who have taken and are sharing selfies with Josh is telling. He was in the parks. Always. Meeting guests, observing.

This is not the same reaction as when Chapek was announced.

I'm sorry that means nothing. All that matters is if he can fix the mess Iger left. Fix the nickel and diming perception of the parks. Eliminate the IP mandate and synergy.

 

[coffeefan]

Just scroll social media. The amount of people who have taken and are sharing selfies with Josh is telling. He was in the parks. Always. Meeting guests, observing.

This is not the same reaction as when Chapek was announced.

Yeah, Josh is a people person. A good quality for someone in that role.

 

[CoastalElite64]

 

[Tha Realest]

I’m greatly unimpressed that Peltz has appeared once again to give unsolicited opinions. He’s like the groundhog, comes around once a year and ruins your day.

Unsolicited? He was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal and they queried him specifically on this topic.

 

[Tha Realest]

I'm sorry that means nothing. All that matters is if he can fix the mess Iger left. Fix the nickel and diming perception of the parks. Eliminate the IP mandate and synergy.

Implies he appreciates there is a mess to fix

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

First ever president and CCO? Frank Wells, Michael Ovitz and Bobby Iger have all been presidents and Disney’s first CCO was John Lassiter

I wonder if "female" was omitted from that quote. I thought her and Josh were so close she'd get the edge just so they could announce Disney's first female CEO, her being the first female President and CCO is still a noteworthy and headline worthy accomplishment.

Not singling you out but 8/2015. Stock was trading at 120. Where did it close today? 104. Stock is down over 13% in one of the biggest bull markets we have seen. This is over a decade the stock has been dead money. I said it before. Ill say it again. I dk how Wall St loved this guy and let him get away with his performance or lack there at a company like DIS….

Profits aren't the sole consideration for these investment companies, if they were they wouldn't have so many other "goals" companies must reach to receive their investment. As long as Disney keeps meeting their other goals I think the big 3 are content with losing a bit of money for the overall cause. I think their massive investment in Disney is about the attention Disney can bring to their other goals rather than simply about money. Even underperforming the market Disney is a safe investment, it might not be a big money maker but it's not going to lose a lot either over the long run, it's a safe, albeit low return, place to stash money.

 

[Laketravis]

"According to SEC filings, Disney’s next CEO, Josh D’Amaro, will start at an annual base salary of $2.5 million, which will be payable weekly. There will also be an annual target incentive bonus of 250% of the base salary at the end of each fiscal year.

D’Amaro will receive long-term stock incentive of $26.25 million for each fiscal year he serves as CEO. He will also earn a one-time payout with a target value of $9.705 million.

And, the new President and Chief Creative Officer, Dana Walden, will have an annual base salary of $3.75 million. She will be eligible for an annual bonus equal to 200% of that. In addition, Walden will earn a long-term stock award of $15.75 million for each full fiscal year and receive a one-time long-term incentive valued at $5.26 million.

Both begin their new roles on March 18, 2026.

Current CEO Bob Iger’s total compensation increased 11.5%, for a total of $45.8 million, in 2025. Iger’s base salary in 2025 was unchanged at $1 million. He also received Disney stock awards worth $21 million, stock options worth $14 million, a cash bonus worth $7.25 million, and other compensations worth $2.59 million (including $1.85 million for security and $568,670 for personal air travel)."

 

[Disney Analyst]

I'm sorry that means nothing. All that matters is if he can fix the mess Iger left. Fix the nickel and diming perception of the parks. Eliminate the IP mandate and synergy.

I disagree, I actually think it means a great deal. A big part of the CEO role for Disney (specifically) is being a showman, connecting with fans and consumers of Disney in a meaningful way.

Walt was amazing at this, especially with his tv specials speaking directly to the people that would one day be attending Disneyland. Eisner also understood this, and did that part of the job well. Iger was a bit colder, more corporate, but he's an eloquent speaker and could portray someone who cared, at least on camera, and fans did still seem excited to meet him, or speak with him.

Chapek had the charm and charisma of a thumbtack, no one was applauding when he was promoted. He was horrible in parks presentations, and sounded infantile on quarterly calls.

Of course, it's only one piece of the puzzle, but I do believe Josh has the charisma and showmanship that CEO's of Disney should portray. And clearly many fans have connected with him over the years.