Josh D'Amaro

Josh D'Amaro became chief executive of The Walt Disney Company in early 2026, inheriting the role after Bob Iger's extended tenure. On 6 May 2026, D'Amaro used his first earnings call to declare AI a three-pillar growth strategy covering content creation, personalisation and workforce productivity, with theme-park guest experience as a fourth application surface. In the same call, he confirmed Disney would not proceed with its planned $1 billion investment in OpenAI after OpenAI discontinued its Sora consumer video product on 26 April before any money changed hands. D'Amaro confirmed that discussions with OpenAI continue.

D'Amaro previously led Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, the division that generates roughly 40% of Disney's operating income, and was widely identified as Iger's preferred successor. His elevation in early 2026 marked a departure from the pattern of Disney CEOs drawn from studio or media backgrounds; D'Amaro's operational and consumer-experience expertise shapes his AI framing, which emphasises personalisation and park-visitor interactions alongside content. Under his first earnings period, Q2 FY2026 revenue reached $25.2 billion (+7% year-on-year) and streaming income rose 88% to $582 million.

The Sora withdrawal tested D'Amaro before his first earnings call was complete. The original deal would have given Sora users access to more than 200 Disney-owned characters in exchange for a $1bn equity stake, with no contract provision for product discontinuation. Sam Altman told Bloomberg he "felt terrible" delivering the news. D'Amaro's framing of the exit as "a decision not to renew" rather than a hostile divorce is a signal about how Disney intends to manage AI vendor relationships going forward.