Close to two years after losing a proxy fight to longtime Disney boss Bob Iger, billionaire investor Nelson Peltz is still a skeptic.Activist investor and Trian Partners founder Nelson Peltz said at a Florida event on Tuesday that Disney picked Josh D'Amaro as its new CEO because "Iger needs a reason to stay on." By Peltz's telling, D'Amaro's lack of entertainment experience — he has run the parks and experiences side of the Mouse House since 2020 — will give Iger an excuse to stick around.Peltz said to ex ...

For years, people had pressed hedge fund mogul Warren Buffett on who would take over Berkshire Hathaway as he geared up to step down. Rumors swirled, but 63-year-old veteran businessman Greg Abel was ultimately named his successor in 2025. The boomer billionaire has now assumed the throne of the $1 trillion company—but his journey to one of the most coveted roles in business began with working-class entrepreneurship. Abel got his first taste of business at a young age, collecting, cleaning, and redeeming ...

Core Insights - The race to succeed Disney CEO Bob Iger has narrowed down to two candidates: Josh D'Amaro and Dana Walden, with D'Amaro emerging as the frontrunner according to industry observers [1][2][4]. Candidate Profiles - Josh D'Amaro, currently the chairman of Disney Experiences, has been increasingly visible in public engagements, leading to perceptions that he is the favorite for the CEO position [2][8]. - Dana Walden, co-Chair of Disney Entertainment, may have faced setbacks due to her involvement in a recent controversy regarding Jimmy Kimmel, which has drawn shareholder criticism [3][4]. Financial Performance - Disney Experiences, which includes theme parks, has been the most profitable division for Disney, generating $8.12 billion in profit in the first nine months of fiscal 2025, significantly outperforming the combined profits of Disney's TV, film, streaming, and sports businesses [11][12]. - The division has seen consistent sales growth since the pandemic, although it faces public backlash over rising ticket prices, which range from $104 to $206 [10][12]. Strategic Initiatives - Disney has committed to investing up to $60 billion over the next decade to expand its resorts, including new attractions and a licensed theme park in the Middle East [12]. - D'Amaro's familiarity with Disney's culture and his long tenure at the company, nearly three decades, are seen as advantages over his competitors [15][16]. Succession Context - Iger, who returned to the CEO role in late 2022, has indicated he will step down after his contract expires in early 2026, prompting the current succession discussions [4][18]. - Other candidates like ESPN's Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-Chair Alan Bergman are now viewed as long shots for the CEO position [5][4].