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

[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.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

"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.

Half a million a week in guaranteed income, not to shabby.

 

[Disney Analyst]

 

[hsisthebest]

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….

Walll Street made insane bank everytime Disney aquired a new media company- the Fox aquisition alone poured billions into shareholder pockets after the bidding war with Comcast, then add ESPN, Hulu, (and George Lucas made a fair bit with his private sale). A quick Google search shows the Dis stock up 450% since 2005- so like all of Wall Street, it's all on how you spin the numbers!

 

[DCBaker]

Here's the full interview with Iger and D'Amaro on ABC World News Tonight:

 

[Smiley/OCD]

He’s the gift that keeps on giving.

You can take Kaopectate for that..

 

[FettFan]

Hang on yall.

 

[Gremlin Gus]

 

[FettFan]

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

That’s exactly why I want the bum fired instead of promoted. He’s got far more losses than wins.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Is it too late for Josh to save the river?

It's getting to a point it's almost too late to bring it back!!

 

[MisterPenguin]

The main reason Josh got this job is so that Iger can also hand pick the successor for Experiences, ensuring his vision will continue long after he's out.

Chapek was Iger's hand-picked successor, and he short-circuit the Board's oversight and vetting of that candidate. And the Board acknowledged they didn't do their due diligence.

That's why the Board formed a search committee that excluded Iger, so that the Board, and not Iger, would pick the next CEO.

But, some shout, "all the Board members are Iger allies doing what he wants!"

Not after Iger's pick of Chapek. The Board very publicly asserted their independence, even interviewing candidates outside the company.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I think they forgot the "every guest receives VIP treatment" a long time ago.

All VIPs are equal. But some VIPs are more equal than others.

 

[MisterPenguin]

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

We won't know Josh's 'direction' for a while. He's still not CEO. He has Iger looking over his shoulder for the rest of the year. Dana's handling content. And the Board isn't going to let Josh pull a Chapek and let him immediately reorganize the company.

Also the $60B in park investment is already at work in all those construction projects for the next 3 years.

 

[Captain Neo]

I'm really confused by those people saying, "I think Josh will be good/great for the parks!!". Ummm... you do realize he's been the head of DPEP for years, right? And I think, the last time I checked, Disney's theme parks were all under the DPEP umbrella. If the statements were akin to, "I think he'll keep investing in and expanding the parks", you'd have an actual statement to discuss.

The argument his “supporters” are making is that anything bad that happened at the parks under his watch was because of Bob, Bob and the shareholders

 

[dmc493]

All VIPs are equal. But some VIPs are more equal than others.

Some people deserve the VIP+ treatment, and let's not forget the most exciting enhancement that debuted this year, VIP Premier! And starting today, all Florida based residents have the privilege of enjoying a lower down payment so that they'll pay us on a monthly basis to be one of our annual VIPs (park reservations required at all times)

 

[Splash4eva]

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.



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.

Its a loser & if you want “safe” buy Treasuries and clip a coupon. I assure you. Noone wants to lose money. Especially the big boys.

 

[Splash4eva]

Walll Street made insane bank everytime Disney aquired a new media company- the Fox aquisition alone poured billions into shareholder pockets after the bidding war with Comcast, then add ESPN, Hulu, (and George Lucas made a fair bit with his private sale). A quick Google search shows the Dis stock up 450% since 2005- so like all of Wall Street, it's all on how you spin the numbers!

Im not spinning anything. I went back 11 years. The stock has underperformed. Thats a fact. Anything else is pure nonsense. I could have went back to 2021 when it was trading at 200 and say its down 50% over a 5 year span.

 

[FettFan]

That’s something that an AI would totally say…