Dana Walden Receives a Surprising Endorsement
Lucas Shaw of Bloomberg L.P. recently added to the speculation about Bob Iger’s replacement.
As we’ve discussed several times, The Walt Disney Company is currently holding a bakeoff.
The winner of this race will succeed Iger as the CEO at Disney, one of the most powerful executive positions in the world.
For whatever reason, Bloomberg sounds convinced that one candidate will win.
Photo: Getty
However, another potential Disney CEO just gained support from an unexpected source.
Yes, Dana Walden has received a surprise endorsement, and I truly doubt you can guess who.
Let’s discuss the latest wrinkle in Disney’s unfolding succession soap opera.
The Perception
(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Spotify )
Lucas Shaw, who previously worked for The Wrap and Variety, now works for Bloomberg.
As part of a recent newsletter, Shaw reiterated what someone else at his publication had stated.
(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Spotify )
“There is a growing consensus in Hollywood that parks chief Josh D’Amaro is going to be the next CEO of Walt Disney.”
The author adds that Disney has denied this report, which is, to the best of anyone’s knowledge, accurate.
Photo: History.com
Only Disney knows for sure how close we are to the finish line, but the perception is clear.
Many insiders on Wall Street and in Hollywood believe we’re approaching the final lap.
Photo:NYpost.com
Right or wrong, those same people believe that D’Amaro has amassed an insurmountable lead.
As an Atlanta Falcons fan, I’ve learned the hard way that the game isn’t over until the scoreboard says so.
Atlanta Falcons
As such, I’m only willing to say two things: 1) D’Amaro makes the most sense and 2) I think he’s the favorite now.
Longtime readers of this article know that I had favored D’Amaro’s counterpart, Dana Walden, from 2022-2024.
Disney
Basically, Walden appeared likely to succeed Iger from the day he returned in November 2022 until election night 2024.
As I mentioned the other day, Walden’s relationship with a friend hurts her candidacy in a weird way.
Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images for Disney)
But friendships work both ways, as another ally of Walden’s just gave her a vote of confidence.
Let’s just say that this recommendation was surprising enough to generate plenty of headlines.
Forgive and Forget
(ABC/Jeff Lipsky)
So, who was it that suggested Dana Walden should become CEO at Disney? Jimmy Kimmel.
Yes, the talk show host and comedian who recently fought with Walden over content said that.
(ABC/Jeff Lipsky) JIMMY KIMMEL
During a recent interview, Kimmel stated: “I happen to love Dana Walden very much, and I think she’s done a great job.”
As a reminder, although I doubt you’ve forgotten, Walden and her boss, Iger, recently benched Kimmel.
So, the talk show host seemingly has good reason to behave a bit vindictively toward the executive.
Instead, Kimmel all but gushed with his praise of someone he considers a dear friend.
(Photo by Phil Faraone/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
“I think what has happened over the last like three weeks was very unfair to my bosses at Disney. I don’t think anyone should ever be put in a position like this.”
Later, he all but admitted culpability in the situation, albeit not in the way you’d think:
(Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
“First of all, I ruined Dana’s weekend. It was just nonstop phone calls all weekend.
“But I don’t think the result would have been as positive if I hadn’t talked to Dana as much as I did, because it helped me think everything through.
(Photo by Adam Kissick/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
“And it helped me understand where everyone was coming from.”
Should Walden usurp D’Amaro and become the next CEO at Disney, you should remember those comments.
(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios)
The Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment did the impossible here by finding a tolerable solution.
Kimmel sounds satisfied with what happened, which I hadn’t expected, and that speaks to her leadership.
Walden has somehow mollified on-air talent in the aftermath of a divisive incident.
The Reality
Photo: Las Vegas Review Journal
“We’re in the endgame now.”
That’s a Doctor Strange quote from Avengers: Infinity War, indicating that the stakes had never been higher.
That statement applies in Disney’s C-suite as well, with a decision likely coming soon.
Based on Disney’s own stated timeline, we’re likely to hear who will replace Iger within six months.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
While D’Amaro claims all the momentum right now, the bell has yet to ring.
So, anecdotes like this one matter a great deal in the conversation. In truth, they may matter more.
Credit: Disney
Recency bias is a thing, and Disney’s Chairman of the Board, James Gorman, just learned something.
He now knows that Dana Walden can be dealt the worst hand imaginable and still find a winning play.
(Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
As I recently discussed and will again in a follow-up piece, Disney’s next CEO faces a LOT of problems.
Like, I didn’t even get into AI in those two pieces, but AI concerns are escalating quickly.
Computer World
Sora 2 has seemingly sidestepped Disney for now. That dam won’t hold back the tide for long, though.
Disney has sued multiple companies already. The one way it can hold off the new tech is by telling great stories.
AI can’t do that and honestly probably won’t be able to do that for at least a decade, no matter what some tech bro tells you.
Saying the Quiet Part Loud
Still, Walden’s track record of excellence should prove a differentiator for Disney.
Now that she has demonstrated that she can handle a DEFCON 1 crisis like this, she bears stronger consideration.
Photo: Dr DIsney
I reiterate that I still personally favor D’Amaro, primarily because I’m a Disney theme park fanatic.
Walden’s recent efforts in calming an angry ally tell me that she’d be a fine CEO at Disney, though.
Photo: CNBC
Like, could you imagine if Bob Chapek had been running Disney when something like that happened?
We’d be talking about the Scarlett Johansson feud escalated to the nth degree.
Walden deserves commendation for how deftly she caught and dismantled a Molotov cocktail.
Photo: MickeyBlog
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Hollywood Reporter PHOTOGRAPHED BY DIANA KING
