Disney names Josh D'Amaro CEO, centers strategy on parks and franchise monetization

LOS ANGELES, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Disney names Josh D'Amaro to lead its next era, a move that places the architect of its parks and experiences at the centre of the company’s strategy as it seeks to convert franchises into growing, cross‑platform businesses.

D'Amaro will succeed Bob Iger as CEO effective March 2026 while Iger remains in place through the end of the year, Disney says. The company elevates the 54‑year‑old executive after nearly three decades at Disney, keeping him as chairman of Parks, Experiences and Products until he formally assumes the top job. In his current role D'Amaro oversees roughly 185,000 cast members, 12 theme parks, 57 resort hotels and a broad portfolio that includes Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney and Disney Consumer Products.

The appointment underscores Disney’s emphasis on experiences and franchise monetisation as core growth levers. D'Amaro is already charged with a 10‑year, $60 billion plan to expand attractions, hotels, cruise ships and park technology, and he is credited with driving the Experiences division past $10 billion in quarterly revenue in the most recent fiscal quarter. The board and analysts probe how his operational focus will translate to creative strategy across studios and streaming, and caution that refining content slates and consumer touchpoints will be critical to sustaining momentum while the company addresses near‑term guidance risks.

Parks visitation and near‑term outlook

Disney reports that international visits to its U.S. theme parks are softer in the fiscal first quarter, a trend the company flags as potentially persistent. Management attributes part of the weaker international demand to macro and travel patterns, saying continued attention to new attractions, guest experience upgrades and targeted marketing are priorities to stabilise visitation and revenue growth across regions.

Shareholder activism and corporate culture pressure

Separately, a coordinated shareholder campaign led by Christian investment firm Inspire Investing is targeting multiple large companies — including Disney — with proposals aimed at curbing perceived corporate activism and refocusing firms on core business. Inspire frames its effort as engagement to prompt boardroom discussion on policies from DEI to political neutrality, a backdrop that heightens scrutiny of how Disney balances brand, social issues and long‑term shareholder interests.