From Iger to D’Amaro: Disney Signals the Next Phase of a Global Entertainment Empire

Bob Iger transformed Disney into the world’s most powerful IP-driven media company. As Josh D’Amaro prepares to take over as CEO in March, Disney’s future points to a sharper focus on experiences, disciplined growth and the next evolution of global storytelling.

Bob Iger’s nearly two-decade-long association with The Walt Disney Company stands as one of the most consequential leadership tenures in modern media history. From 2005 onwards, Iger rebuilt Disney around a simple but formidable strategy: acquire the world’s best storytelling assets, scale them globally, and monetise them across every possible consumer touchpoint. By the time he prepared to step aside, Disney had become less a traditional studio and more a vertically integrated entertainment ecosystem.

Under Iger, Disney spent aggressively—but with intent. The acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox redefined Hollywood’s power structure and established Disney as the undisputed leader in franchise entertainment. These were not just creative bets; they were industrial-scale business decisions that turned intellectual property into long-term financial engines spanning box office, streaming, merchandise and theme parks.

Iger’s second act as CEO, beginning in 2022, was equally critical. Called back by the board when Disney was losing nearly $1 billion a quarter, he stabilised the company through restructuring, implemented $5.5 billion in cost cuts, streamlined operations and restored investor confidence. More importantly, he repositioned Disney for sustainability—shifting the narrative from rapid expansion to profitable growth, particularly in streaming.

With Iger now preparing to retire fully at the end of the year, Disney’s board has named Josh D’Amaro as his successor, marking a significant but deliberate shift in leadership philosophy. D’Amaro, 54, is a 28-year Disney veteran and currently chairman of Disney Experiences, overseeing theme parks, resorts, cruise lines and global destination projects—including the newly announced Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi.

Disney’s corporate leadership describes D’Amaro as the “architect of the largest global expansion in the history of Disney Experiences,” a $36 billion investment programme that transformed parks and resorts into Disney’s most reliable profit engine. Under his watch, experiences became not just a brand extension but a financial stabiliser—generating predictable cash flows even as film and television faced cyclical volatility.

D’Amaro’s elevation signals how Disney’s business model is evolving. The next phase will likely lean more heavily on physical and experiential assets to support creative risk elsewhere. While studios and streaming will remain central, the emphasis is expected to be on fewer, higher-impact releases, tighter cost discipline and deeper integration between content and consumer experiences.

As CEO, D’Amaro will oversee the full breadth of Disney’s empire—Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, ABC, FX, Hulu, streaming platforms and global experiences—while also navigating emerging priorities such as artificial intelligence. His leadership will coincide with new licensing and technology partnerships, including Disney’s engagement with OpenAI’s Sora platform, pointing to how storytelling, technology and production workflows may evolve.

Iger, who will remain on as senior adviser and board member for a transition period, has publicly endorsed D’Amaro as “the right person” to lead Disney forward. His confidence underscores continuity rather than disruption.

Bob Iger leaves behind a company built for scale. Josh D’Amaro inherits the task of refining that scale—balancing creativity with capital discipline, and ensuring Disney’s magic continues to translate into sustainable business growth in a rapidly changing entertainment economy.