For the past six years, Josh D’Amaro has overseen experiences, such as theme parks and cruises, at the Walt Disney Company. Starting March 18, he’ll add the rest of the company to his responsibilities. Most Read from Fast Company Disney has tapped D’Amaro as its new chief executive officer, taking the reins from Bob Iger and becoming just the ninth person to run the century-old entertainment giant. D’Amaro won a highly competitive race for the job, fending off Disney’s entertainment co-chairman, Dana W ...

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].