Disney Set to Eliminate 1,000 Positions as New CEO Restructures Operations
Burbank, Thursday, 9 April 2026.
Under new CEO Josh D’Amaro, Disney plans to cut up to 1,000 jobs. This strategic reduction primarily targets the recently consolidated marketing department amid shifting entertainment revenues.
Strategic Marketing Consolidation Under Project Imagine
The Walt Disney Company is preparing to eliminate approximately 1,000 positions over the coming weeks and months [1][2][3][4][5][6]. These impending reductions are expected to primarily impact the media conglomerate’s recently consolidated marketing division [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The internal initiative, reportedly code-named “Project Imagine,” was spearheaded by Asad Ayaz, who was elevated to Chief Marketing and Brand Officer in January 2026 [2][4][6]. The structural goal of this move is to centralize marketing operations across Disney’s film, television, streaming, sports, and experiences divisions, thereby eliminating redundancies and curbing expenses [1][2][4][6].
A New Leadership Era Confronts Legacy Challenges
These layoffs mark the first significant operational contraction under the leadership of newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Josh D’Amaro [2][5][6]. D’Amaro, a company veteran who began his Disney career in 1998 and previously served as chairman of Disney Experiences, officially assumed the CEO role on March 18, 2026, following a unanimous board vote [2][3]. He succeeded Bob Iger, concluding Iger’s 52-year run and two distinct terms as chief executive [2][3]. However, the groundwork for these specific job cuts was reportedly laid before D’Amaro officially took the helm [4][5].
Industry Headwinds and the Pivot to Streaming
Disney’s operational streamlining is symptomatic of broader macroeconomic and industry-specific pressures facing legacy Hollywood studios [1][5]. The company is actively navigating a transition period marked by the ongoing decline of traditional linear television and diminished theatrical box office returns [1][5][6]. Furthermore, while streaming services represent the future of media consumption, the profit margins currently generated by these platforms remain notably smaller than those historically enjoyed by linear television networks [1][5][6]. The competitive landscape is also intensifying, with Disney facing formidable challenges from technology giants like Amazon.com and Google’s YouTube [5].
The Continuation of Aggressive Cost Management
The forthcoming layoffs under D’Amaro are relatively modest compared to the aggressive downsizing executed during Bob Iger’s recent tenure [2]. Between 2023 and 2025, Iger oversaw multiple rounds of cuts that eliminated over 8,000 positions [2][5][6]. These reductions successfully generated $7.5 billion in cost savings, a figure that significantly exceeded the company’s initial financial projections [2]. At the time, Iger noted that Disney had been overproducing content to compete with rivals like Netflix and needed to strategically retrench [1].