The Walt Disney Company is preparing for major changes as its new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, takes charge with a major restructuring plan. Only a few weeks into his new role, the company is reportedly planning to cut nearly 1,000 jobs, mostly from the marketing division. Although this may seem sudden, reports indicate that these changes were already underway before D’Amaro started.
The layoffs are expected to impact about one percent of Disney’s global workforce. With around 231,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2025, even a small percentage would affect a lot of people. This decision is part of a larger effort to make the company run more smoothly and reduce overlapping jobs, especially in areas that have recently been combined.
This restructuring continues the changes started by Bob Iger, who returned to Disney in 2022 and led several cost-cutting efforts. During his time, Disney cut thousands of jobs to help its finances and work more efficiently. The current layoffs seem to follow the same path, with a stronger focus on improving Disney’s marketing across its platforms.
A main part of this plan is to build stronger leadership in marketing. Asad Ayaz is expected to take on more responsibility, leading a unified branding approach for film, television, and streaming. Inside the company, this effort is called Project Imagine. Its goal is to make Disney’s content identity more consistent and efficient by eliminating unnecessary work.
Not every part of Disney is affected equally by these changes. The experiences division, which covers theme parks, resorts, and consumer products, is still growing and remains strong. Most recent job cuts have occurred in entertainment, sports, and corporate areas, indicating where Disney is narrowing its focus.
As D’Amaro begins his leadership journey, this move sets a clear tone for what may lie ahead. The company appears committed to becoming leaner and more coordinated, even if it means making difficult decisions in the short term.
