The new CEO of The Walt Disney Company informed employees in an email on Tuesday that the company will be eliminating 1,000 positions, adding to the ongoing challenges faced by major studios in Hollywood.
In his message, CEO Josh D’Amaro emphasized the need for Disney to adapt to the “rapid changes in our industry” and to build a more flexible, technology-driven workforce for future demands. He noted that the layoffs would affect various departments, including marketing, technology, and the studio and television units, as well as ESPN.
These changes were in the works prior to D’Amaro’s appointment and come amid increasing competition from companies like Amazon and YouTube in the streaming and tech arenas. Notably, since Bob Iger’s return as CEO in 2022, Disney has already laid off over 8,000 employees.
While most of the job cuts have occurred in entertainment, ESPN, and corporate divisions, Disney’s theme parks and cruise lines continue to perform well. By the end of the last fiscal year, the company had a workforce of approximately 231,000.
Disney is known for its iconic theme parks, including Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland in Anaheim.
