Josh D’Amaro Promises to Be a “Big Risk Taker” as Disney’s Next CEO
One of the most highly anticipated succession sagas in Hollywood history came to a close yesterday when The Walt Disney Company announced that Josh D’Amaro will succeed Bob Iger as the company’s next CEO.
D’Amaro was selected following an extensive search process that included both internal and external candidates.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company
In the end, however, the race narrowed to just two contenders—the Disney Experiences Chairman and Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden.
Ultimately, Disney chose D’Amaro, while Walden will remain with the company as its new President and Chief Creative Officer.
Photo: Disney
In the aftermath of Disney’s major announcement, everyone from Michael Eisner to Nelson Peltz weighed in on the decision.
Josh D’Amaro Promises to Be a “Big Risk Taker”
Finally, last night we got the opportunity to hear from D’Amaro himself.
Josh D’Amaro and Bob Iger appeared together on ABC World News Tonight to discuss Disney’s CEO succession and give a preview of the company’s future.
Photo: ABC
During the course of the conversation, D’Amaro promised that he would follow in Iger’s footsteps and be a “big risk taker.”
Photo: Deadline
“I’m a big risk taker. That’s been true my whole life, from how I’ve approached growing as an individual to how I’ve approached the business world,” he said.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi
As an example of the kinds of big swings he is willing to take, D’Amaro pointed to Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
Photo: Disney
“And I think you see that on full display today. Just several months ago, we announced a massive expansion in a new part of the world, in Abu Dhabi,” he continued.
“We did that quickly, we did it ambitiously, and we knew there was a new part of the world to serve.”
Looking back at recent Disney history, it is hard to name a more surprising project than Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
If that is the kind of risk that D’Amaro is willing to take, fans should be in for an exciting ride.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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