Disney’s New CEO Initiates Major Restructuring, Plans to Cut 1,000 Jobs
Disney is planning to lay off as many as 1,000 employees over the coming months, marking the first major restructuring move under newly appointed CEO Josh D’Amaro. The layoffs, first reported by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by multiple sources, will primarily affect Disney’s marketing department, which was recently consolidated under Chief Marketing and Brand Officer Asad Ayaz.
The restructuring brings together marketing teams from Disney Entertainment, Disney Experiences, and ESPN for the first time in the company’s history. D’Amaro took over as CEO on March 18, 2026, replacing Bob Iger, who now serves as Senior Advisor through the end of 2026.
The consolidation was actually initiated in January under Iger’s leadership, with the layoffs representing the implementation of that reorganization plan known internally as “Project Imagine.”
While significant, these cuts are a fraction of the 7,000-8,000 employees eliminated during Iger’s previous cost-cutting initiatives between 2023 and 2025, which achieved $7.5 billion in cost savings. The 1,000 positions represent less than 0.5% of Disney’s approximately 231,000 global workforce, with about 172,000 employees based in the United States.
Disney has not officially commented on the layoffs, but sources indicate the move is part of broader efficiency efforts as the entertainment giant navigates challenges in streaming profitability and changing media consumption patterns.
Source: CNBC