What is the Feeling at Disney After Yesterday’s Big CEO Announcement?

The Walt Disney Company’s drawn-out search for its next CEO came to an end yesterday, when the board of directors unanimously voted to have Josh D’Amaro succeed Bob Iger.

While the Disney board conducted an extensive search that included both internal and external candidates, the CEO race ultimately came down to two individuals: D’Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden.

Photo: Disney

Ultimately, the Disney board tapped D’Amaro, though Walden will remain with the company as its new President and Chief Creative Officer.

Just one day after Disney’s major announcement came down the pipeline, Variety published a new report on how the rest of the company is feeling about the decision to promote D’Amaro.

Photo: The Walt Disney Company

Here is what we learned.

A Feeling of Relief

According to the Variety report, the overarching feeling at Disney today is relief.

After years of uncertainty, the company finally has a concrete plan for its future.

Walt Disney Company

“It has been hanging over us for so long and been in the way and a distraction, and so it’s great to have clarity,” one executive told the publication.

A Dynamic Duo

It was not only the sense of finality that gave Disney executives reason for optimism, but also the way the transition process has been handled so far.

Disney

With Dana Walden agreeing to stay with Disney, the Mouse House team is optimistic that she and D’Amaro will make a dynamic duo.

While the top of the Disney corporate hierarchy is now in place, there are still some lingering questions.

What’s Next?

For starters, the Disney team is eager to hear D’Amaro’s vision for the future.

Photo: Disney

Additionally, there is still the question of who will fill the roles recently vacated by D’Amaro and Walden.

So, while Disney staff can now rest easier with a sense of security, more changes are still on the horizon.

Photo: Disney (Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products)

A new Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman and Disney Experiences Chairman will need to be named.