Disney’s handoff from Bob Iger to Josh D’Amaro unfolds as a remarkably drama-free, transparent transition, with key executives like Dana Walden staying in place and a stable new org chart signaling a steady path forward for the company.
Bob Iger steps down as Disney's CEO, with Josh D’Amaro taking over after a February 2 board vote and a March 18 handoff. Iger will stay on as Senior Advisor until December 31, 2026. D’Amaro, formerly head of Disney Experiences, is tasked with uniting creativity and technology across Disney’s brands, and the company announces additional leadership changes, including Dana Walden becoming President & Chief Creative Officer.
Kroger plans to name Greg Foran, a New Zealand-born former Walmart U.S. chief and ex-Air New Zealand CEO, as its next CEO, becoming Kroger's first outsider to lead. He would replace interim CEO Ron Sargent after Rodney McMullen's resignation following an internal ethics probe; an announcement could come as early as Feb. 9, per Wall Street Journal.
Disney names theme parks chief Josh D’Amaro as its next chief executive, replacing Bob Iger who will become a senior adviser; Dana Walden is named president and chief creative officer. D’Amaro will lead Disney’s 230,000-strong workforce, overseeing parks, studios and streaming strategy, with a pay package around $38.5 million and a board seat to follow after the March shareholder meeting.
The Walt Disney Company named Josh D’Amaro, currently head of Disney Experiences, as its next CEO, replacing Bob Iger on March 18; Iger will stay as a senior advisor until retiring on December 31. Dana Walden will report to D’Amaro as president and chief creative officer, focusing on storytelling and the content engine. The board’s decision caps a multi-year succession process as Disney navigates growth in parks and streaming amid broader industry challenges.
Disney posted about $26 billion in Q1 revenue (up 5%), led by strong theme-park performance and streaming growth, helped by the Disney Destiny cruise launch, but a 15-day YouTube TV blackout and higher marketing and production costs trimmed operating income. Investor focus also centers on CEO succession, with Josh D’Amaro seen as a leading contender as Bob Iger contemplates next steps.
WSJ reports Bob Iger plans to step down as Disney CEO before his December 31, 2026 contract ends; the board is set to choose a successor (internal candidates Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden) with Iger mentoring the transition and possibly remaining in another role, though the exact timing could shift.
Disney is considering appointing co-CEOs to succeed Bob Iger, similar to Netflix's model, but experts warn that Disney's complex culture and history of power struggles may make a co-CEO structure unwise, favoring a single CEO approach instead.
Apple is focusing on hardware chief John Ternus as a potential successor to Tim Cook as CEO, while shelving the Vision Air project to concentrate on glasses and preparing updates for the Vision Pro and iPad Pro, amidst ongoing developments like Apple's chatbot.
Jeff Williams, Apple's COO and long-time key executive, is retiring after 27 years, signaling a potential shift in leadership as other top executives are considered for the CEO role. Sabih Khan will succeed Williams as COO.
Disney is set to report its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings, with Wall Street focusing on its streaming and theme parks performance. Analysts expect earnings per share of $1.10 and revenue of $22.45 billion. The streaming segment, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, recently turned profitable, and subscriber growth is a key focus, especially after competitors reported significant gains. The theme park business faces challenges with flat attendance in the U.S. Additionally, investors are interested in updates on the search for CEO Bob Iger's successor, expected to be named by early 2026.
JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon hinted at his retirement within the next two to three years, causing a 4% drop in the bank's stock. Dimon, who has been a highly successful leader, has set up a succession race among top executives Marianne Lake, Jennifer Piepszak, and Troy Rohrbaugh. Inspired by James Gorman's smooth transition at Morgan Stanley, Dimon may retire as CEO but stay on as chairman, continuing to influence the bank's strategic direction.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has recently overcome a proxy fight and other distractions, but the company still faces challenges in adapting to the changing media landscape, particularly with the decline of traditional cable TV and the uncertain profitability of streaming services. Additionally, the future of ESPN, theme parks, and box office dominance are all areas of concern. Amidst these challenges, the question of Iger's successor looms large, with the board prioritizing the selection of the next CEO. Despite recent initiatives to revitalize the company, including a partnership with Epic Games, uncertainty remains over the factors driving Disney's performance.
Nelson Peltz, founder of Trian Partners, accepted defeat in a proxy battle with Disney but warned that he may return if the company doesn't keep its promises. Peltz expressed disappointment with Disney's board and CEO succession planning, emphasizing the need for a viable succession plan. He also mentioned potential future involvement if Disney fails to deliver on its commitments. Despite the loss, Peltz highlighted the gains Trian made from its Disney holdings and expressed gratitude to supporters while acknowledging the possibility of returning to the fray.
Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger is set to retire in 2026, and the company's board is considering potential successors, including internal candidates Dana Walden, Alan Bergman, Josh D’Amaro, and James Pitaro. The board is also looking at external candidates and is prioritizing the selection process after previous missteps. Each candidate brings unique expertise and experience, but none have run a company as large and diverse as Disney. The board is under pressure to make the right choice as the company navigates a crucial transition to streaming and seeks to avoid an exodus of top talent.