Following a big fight with investors led by Nelson Peltz, Disney is now looking for someone new to lead the company after CEO Bob Iger. Iger has been in charge for most of the past 18 years and recently beat Peltz’s challenge.
But now, investors are worried about who will take over when Iger leaves. Disney’s board is looking at people both inside and outside the company, with the help of a national search firm.
Some insiders being considered are Josh D’Amaro, who runs Disney’s theme parks; Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, who oversee Disney Entertainment together; and Jimmy Pitaro, who heads ESPN. Iger’s contract goes until 2026, so it might take a while to pick his replacement.
This process is being watched closely because Disney has had problems with CEO changes before. Iger was supposed to retire in 2015 but stayed on, and his replacement, Bob Chapek, only lasted 33 months before Iger came back.
Top Contenders: Disney’s Internal Candidates for CEO Succession
The four main internal candidates for Iger’s job have different backgrounds and achievements. Dana Walden, who joined Disney in 2019 after Disney bought 21st Century Fox, knows a lot about TV and helped Fox win lots of awards and viewers.
If she gets the job, she’d be the first woman to lead Disney. Alan Bergman is a big deal in Hollywood and has played a key role in Disney making hit movies through its different studios.
Jimmy Pitaro has been important in getting ESPN ready for the digital age and wants to start a new streaming service in 2025.
Josh D’Amaro is the person behind getting Disney’s theme parks back on track after the pandemic, using smart leadership and new tech to make the parks better.
In-House Talent: Disney’s CEO Succession Front-Runners
Disney is changing leaders during a tricky time when they’re dealing with cutting costs, pressure from investors, and changes in how they do business, especially focusing on streaming.
How well the internal candidates handle these challenges, especially making streaming profitable and figuring out what to show, could decide who gets to be the next boss.
Disney has had problems with picking new leaders before, with some leaving because of it. Investors and experts are keeping a close eye on how Disney handles this switch, wanting a clear and smart plan.
