Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden Heap Praise on Each Other at Town Hall Meeting
One day after Disney announced that Josh D’Amaro will succeed Bob Iger as the company’s CEO, D’Amaro, Iger, and newly promoted Disney President and Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden held a company town hall.
According to a report from Deadline, Disney executives gathered in the Burbank studio’s main theater, while the town hall was broadcast via Zoom to employees around the globe.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company
“The vibe was good,” one attendee told Deadline. “It was really uplifting.”
D’Amaro’s Reaction to Getting the News
During the town hall, Josh D’Amaro admitted he felt the weight of his newfound responsibility.
He also said the succession process has brought the three executives “closer together.”
Photo: The Walt Disney Company — Josh D’Amaro (Chairman; Disney Parks, Experiences and Products)
“To be invited into a room two days ago and have Bob and James Gorman on the other side of the door asking me to be CEO, it’s surreal. A lot goes through your head in that moment,” he said. “I got a little embarrassed. I got a little choked up when they let me know, because it’s a big responsibility.”
Discussing his new role as Disney CEO, D’Amaro admitted that he wants to make Iger proud.
Photo: Disney
“Of course, I want to make Bob proud. I believe in the future. I’m so optimistic about where this company can go, and I feel like my experiences over those 30 years have set me up well to hold on to the beautiful legacy of this company and push us into this bold future,” he added.
Walden and D’Amaro Laud Each Other
As Disney embarks on a new era, all eyes will be on the relationship between D’Amaro and Walden.
JON KOPALOFF/GETTY IMAGES
Having worked together for years, both executives were highly complimentary of each other.
“We were at Walt Disney World, and it started pouring rain. We came across a little boy who had been separated from his family and was sobbing. I watched Josh in action. It was as if he didn’t have to think about it. He moved quickly, calmly, and with so much care,” Walden revealed.
Photo: Disney
“The team reunited the child with his family so fast, and watching Josh in that moment spoke volumes. He cares deeply about every person who walks into our parks. He cares about people.”
For his part, D’Amaro called Walden “incredibly creative, incredibly connected with her team, quick to make decisions, and engaged all the time.”
Hollywood Reporter PHOTOGRAPHED BY DIANA KING
“She’s a good person, and I think our partnership is only going to grow stronger,” he said.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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