Disney Names Josh D'Amaro as Next CEO
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
D'Amaro earned the CEO role by delivering record profits and turning Disney's experiences division into a powerhouse that generates 60% of company earnings. His nearly three decades at Disney prove deep institutional knowledge, and his leadership during the post-pandemic recovery demonstrates the operational excellence needed to navigate AI disruption and industry consolidation. A rigorous succession process led by Gorman ensures this transition will succeed where Chapek failed.
Establishment-critical narrative
D'Amaro's promotion from parks chief to CEO is a risky repeat of the Chapek disaster that nearly sank Disney. The Experiences division can only squeeze so much more money from fans through relentless price hikes, and D'Amaro lacks the Hollywood relationships and streaming expertise needed to compete in today's media landscape. Disney's stock has tanked under Iger's watch, and handing the reins to another parks guy shows the board learned nothing from past mistakes.
Public Figures
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