Disney's No. 2 exec to earn higher base pay than CEO as part of $27M package

Core Insights - Dana Walden, appointed as the No. 2 executive at Walt Disney Company, will earn a base salary of $3.75 million, which is 50% higher than that of her boss, Josh D'Amaro, who will receive a base salary of $2.5 million [1][2][5] Compensation Structure - Walden's compensation package includes a one-time stock award valued at $5.26 million and an annual bonus potential of up to 200% of her base salary, leading to a total target compensation of approximately $27 million per year, excluding the one-time grant [3] - D'Amaro's compensation is more performance-driven, with an annual bonus potential of up to 250% of his base salary and long-term stock incentives amounting to about $26.2 million per year, resulting in a total target compensation of around $35 million, excluding a separate one-time equity award of approximately $9.7 million [4] Hierarchical Structure - Despite Walden's higher base salary, the overall compensation structure maintains a traditional hierarchy, with D'Amaro's total pay package and long-term upside being larger [6] Candidate Background - D'Amaro, a nearly three-decade veteran at Disney, was viewed as a steady operator with significant institutional knowledge and a successful track record in managing the company's most profitable segments [6][9] - Walden was considered a strong internal candidate due to her extensive relationships in Hollywood and her leadership in Disney's television and streaming sectors [10] External Influences - Reports suggest that Walden's long-standing relationship with former Vice President Kamala Harris may have negatively impacted her chances for the CEO position, although Disney sources have disputed this claim [12]