Bloomberg recently polled 700 industry experts, asking them a variety of questions, including one we were particularly interested in: Who will be the CEO of Disney in 2027?
The Walt Disney Company
Currently, Bob Iger is the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, but all eyes are on the eventual succession to a new CEO. Back in November 2022, when Bob Chapek was ousted as CEO and replaced by Bob Iger (who had previously been the CEO), it was stated that Bob Iger would serve as CEO for just 2 years. However, in July 2023, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to extend Iger’s contract through December 31st, 2026.
Disney has spoken about the eventual succession quite a bit, especially during shareholder calls; however, the individual who will be replacing Iger has not been officially announced. Iger has said he has been very involved in the process. The hunt for the new CEO has been underway since 2023, and Disney has confirmed that the new CEO’s name will be revealed in early 2026. Back in October of this year, Bloomberg released a report suggesting that Disney has narrowed the search to the final two: Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden. Josh D’Amaro is the Chairman of Disney Experiences, and Dana Walden is the Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment.
Dana Walden ©Disney
Previous contenders such as ESPN head Jimmy Pitaro and Walt Disney Studios co-head Alan Bergman were considered “long shots,” according to sources within the company. Between Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden, the report suggested that Josh D’Amaro was the clear leader. Now we are getting another look at who might be taking the reins of The Walt Disney Company in 2027. Bloomberg polled 700 industry experts to find out who they thought would be Disney’s next CEO.
Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro address media at Walt Disney Imagineering event
Of the 700 respondents, 212 believed Josh D’Amaro would be next, 159 thought it would be Dana Walden, and 126 thought Bob Iger would remain CEO. Additionally, 109 thought there would be Co-CEOs, 63 thought it would be an outsider, and 39 thought it would be another Disney candidate. In the previous polls done by Bloomberg, Walden was the top answer, but that has changed in this year’s poll.
©Bloomberg
The topic of who will be Disney’s next CEO has been talked about A LOT, and based on Disney’s previous comments, we will likely find out Bob Iger’s successor in early 2026. Will Josh D’Amaro or Dana Walden be taking control? Will it be someone else? Will Bob Iger get his contract extended once again? Only time will tell! Of course, we will keep you updated as we learn more about the future of The Walt Disney Company.
©Bloomberg
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I’d be happy with either Josh or Dana. Co-CEOs COULD be a dream team, or a complete disaster.
Would prefer someone from outside the company to bring some new thinking on board, much like when Eisner and Wells came to Disney from Paramount. Do not care for the current direction that Disney has taken with Bob Iger. Need new blood