Disney’s First Layoffs Under CEO Josh D’Amaro Cut 1,000 Jobs
Walt Disney Co. is set to cut 1,000 jobs, as reported by sources, marking the beginning of organizational changes under new Chief Executive Officer Josh D’Amaro. Although the cuts are company-wide, they will have a particularly significant impact on the marketing department, which is being consolidated under Asad Ayaz, who was appointed chief marketing and brand officer in January. “Over the past several months, we have looked at ways in which we can streamline our operations in various parts of the company to ensure we deliver the world-class creativity and innovation our fans value and expect from Disney,” D’Amaro said in a memo to employees on Tuesday.
“Given the fast-moving pace of our industries, this requires us to constantly assess how to foster a more agile and technologically-enabled workforce to meet tomorrow’s needs. Consequently, we will be reducing positions in certain areas of the company and have started to inform affected employees.” The recent round of cuts comes on the heels of over 8,000 layoffs at Disney since 2023. This marks the initial significant job cuts under D’Amaro, who took over from Bob Iger in March. Nevertheless, the figure represents merely a portion of the 231,000 employees Disney employed at the conclusion of fiscal 2025.
In recent years, Hollywood workers have faced significant downsizing at every major studio as the movie industry grapples with the challenge of returning to pre-pandemic levels, while companies implement cost-cutting measures to enhance the profitability of their streaming divisions. In early April, the film and television division of Sony Group Corp. announced plans to cut hundreds of jobs.
