"Of course, I feel the weight on my shoulders." Josh D'Amaro Comments On Becoming Disney's Next CEO

We got some massive news from The Walt Disney Company this week. Disney started out the week by giving us the rundown on how its finances were doing, especially with how much revenue it’s made from the parks, streaming, and movies. However, the biggest news was Disney’s announcement of its next CEO, Josh D’Amaro.

Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Josh D’Amaro at the 2023 Destination D23 fan convention.

D’Amaro will officially become Disney’s CEO on March 18th, 2026, taking over the role from Disney’s current CEO, Bob Iger. The two men recently appeared on Good Morning America, and D’Amaro had a lot to say about his new role as head of the company, as well as some things about the future of Disney.

When asked about what it was like taking over the company after Iger, Josh D’Amaro admitted, “It is a bit intimidating.”

The two men have worked together for a long time, and D’Amaro feels they have a lot in common, including their willingness to take risks. “Bob’s a big risk taker,” D’Amaro said. “I’m a big risk taker, and that’s been true my whole life.”

©Disney

Of course, one of the biggest risks Disney has taken recently is planning to build a Disney Park in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The new theme park will be located on Yas Island, which is already known for entertainment and tourism. Most interesting is that the theme park will be all indoors, which would be a first for Disney. When asked about the Abu Dhabi project, D’Amaro said, “We did that quickly, and we did it ambitiously.”

©Miral

Disney also recently made a deal with OpenAI to become the first major content licensing partner on Sora. Both Iger and D’Amaro are looking forward to how AI could change their business. D’Amaro reiterated that AI would never replace humans, “In my mind, that never gets replaced. This isn’t even theory anymore, this is real.”

D’Amaro has also spoken with Cast Members about the use of AI by the company. According to D’Amaro, “They have embraced AI.”

©SORA

Disney also named Dana Walden, Disney’s current Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, as President and Chief Creative Officer for the company, a new position created just for her. She will report directly to D’Amaro. When asked about her, D’Amaro said, “She is an incredibly powerful executive.” He also said that they had a “very powerful partnership” and naming her as President and CCO is “absolutely the right step to continue to push us into this next frontier.”

©Disney

So what’s it like knowing you’re the leader of one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world? After Iger admitted there was a little less weight on his shoulders now that he’s stepping down, D’Amaro didn’t mince words when answering that question. “Of course I feel the weight on my shoulders — I should feel it.”

We’re excited for both D’Amaro and Walden in their new roles and see where they take the company in the future. We’ll be covering ALL the big Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

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