Disney plans up to 1,000 layoffs as new CEO Josh D’Amaro reshapes company

Disney is preparing for significant layoffs in the coming months as its new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, reshapes the company to his vision, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.

It is anticipated that up to 1,000 employees will be let go from the company known for its iconic mouse mascot.

The majority of these job cuts are expected to affect the marketing department. The Wall Street Journal noted that Disney is responding to strong competition in technology and streaming from industry players like Amazon and YouTube.

D’Amaro succeeded Bob Iger as Disney’s CEO in February. The decision to appoint D’Amaro was made unanimously by the company’s board.

The planned layoffs were decided before D’Amaro took charge. Since Iger returned as CEO in 2022, Disney has already laid off over 8,000 people.

The majority of these layoffs took place in the entertainment, ESPN, and corporate operations divisions. However, Disney’s theme parks and cruise line divisions are reportedly continuing to expand. By the end of its 2025 fiscal year, Disney employed 231,000 people.

Disney operates the renowned Disney World theme park in Orlando and Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Before assuming leadership, D’Amaro was in charge of Disney parks and cruises, consumer products, and Walt Disney Imagineering. He began his career at Disneyland in 1998 and has previously described Disney as being in a “category of one.”

“While others in our industry are consolidating just to compete… Disney is in a category of one, poised to accelerate into our next era of innovation and growth,” he stated.

Disney is among several entertainment giants, including Sony and production company Bad Robot, that are also implementing job cuts.

Sony has eliminated hundreds of positions as it focuses strategically on PlayStation and anime, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

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