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Jeff Williams, who just retired from Apple after 27 years, got called to join Disney's board
Fortune· 2025-12-10 19:24
Core Insights - The Walt Disney Company is expanding its board of directors by nominating Jeff Williams, former COO of Apple, to join as an independent director for the 2026 annual shareholders meeting [1][2] Group 1: Board Expansion - Jeff Williams' nomination will increase Disney's board from 10 to 11 members, with current members including notable executives from various industries [2] - Williams has a 27-year tenure at Apple, where he held significant roles, including overseeing global operations and product design [2] Group 2: Strategic Focus - Disney is investing heavily in AI, mixed-reality experiences, and streaming technology to modernize its business model, including the establishment of an Office of Technology Enablement for AI-driven personalization [3] - The company aims to transform Disney+ into a comprehensive platform for all Disney content using AI [3] Group 3: Williams' Background - Williams has a proven track record at Apple, including launching the Apple Watch and managing the company's health and fitness strategy [4] - He played a crucial role in the successful launch of the first iPhone and was promoted to COO in 2015 [5][6] Group 4: Future Outlook - Disney shareholders will vote on Williams' election and the re-election of current directors at the 2026 annual meeting, with expectations for a successor to CEO Bob Iger to be named in early 2026 [7]