Disney to Cut 1,000 Jobs Under New CEO Josh D'Amaro

Los Angeles: The Walt Disney Company has begun laying off around 1,000 employees as part of a major restructuring push led by its new chief executive Josh D’Amaro, marking one of his first significant moves since taking charge in March.

The job cuts, announced internally this week, affect multiple divisions including marketing, television, film studios, ESPN, and technology teams. Employees have already started receiving notifications as the company moves quickly to implement the changes.

In a memo to staff, D’Amaro said the decision reflects the need to adapt to rapid changes in the media and entertainment industry. He emphasised building a more flexible and technology-driven workforce, noting that the company must continually evolve to stay competitive.

The layoffs are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and reduce costs, especially after Disney recently reorganised its marketing division into a unified global structure. Industry analysts say this consolidation is aimed at improving efficiency and simplifying decision-making across the company’s vast businesses.

Despite the cuts, D’Amaro acknowledged the contributions of affected employees, stating that the layoffs are not a reflection of their performance but rather a strategic shift in how Disney operates. He also expressed confidence in the company’s long-term direction, even as it undergoes difficult changes.

D'Amaro's memo to employees:

Dear Fellow Employees & Cast Members,

We have experienced a great deal of change these last few years, both at the company and across our industries. Knowing firsthand how these moments can bring uncertainty, I want to be open about some difficult news that will be communicated this week. 

In January, we announced our unified enterprise marketing and brand organization, designed to serve consumers in an even more connected way. 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. 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. As a result, we will be eliminating roles in some parts of the company and have begun notifying impacted employees. 

I know this is hard. Those that will be leaving us have done meaningful work here and care deeply about this company. These decisions are not a reflection of their contributions, or of the overall strength of the company. Rather, they reflect our continual evaluation of how to more effectively manage our resources and reinvest in our businesses. 

Compassion and respect remain at the heart of our company. As we move forward through this transition, our priority is to support those impacted and help each person navigate what comes next with resources, guidance, and direct support. 

Despite these difficult decisions, I remain optimistic about where we’re headed as a company. I’m deeply grateful for all of your contributions and for the dedication, professionalism, and care you bring to your work each day. Even in challenging moments, you continue to demonstrate what makes Disney so special.

Josh