Disney Expected to Lay Off as Many as 1,000 Employees

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Disney is set to lay off up to 1,000 employees in the coming months, with a focus on role eliminations within the marketing department, according to reports from Variety. The decision to reduce the workforce of the media giant, which currently stands at 231,000 full- and part-time employees, comes as Josh D’Amaro assumes the role of CEO. D’Amaro, who previously served as the chairman of Disney Experiences, was appointed as the successor to former CEO Bob Iger in early February. Following a unanimous vote by Disney’s 10 board members, along with Iger, D’Aramo officially took over the CEO position on March 18.

The move to downsize the workforce at Disney is in response to the uncertain economic future, which has been further exacerbated by factors such as the conflict with Iran and rising oil prices. This trend of layoffs is not unique to Disney, as Sony Pictures Entertainment also announced plans to cut hundreds of positions.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on Disney’s layoff plan. The last significant staff reduction at Disney took place in 2023, when some 7,000 positions were cut during Iger’s second stint as CEO. Currently, about 76% of Disney’s global workforce is full-time, with approximately 172,000 employees based in the U.S.

Josh D’Amaro’s career at Disney began in 1998 at Disneyland, where he has since held various business, marketing, and operations roles. His previous positions include CFO of Disney Consumer Products Global Licensing, president of Disneyland Resort, and president of Walt Disney World Resort. In May 2020, D’Amaro was promoted to oversee Disney parks and cruises, consumer products, and Walt Disney Imagineering.

As the entertainment industry continues to navigate through challenging times, Disney’s decision to restructure its workforce reflects the ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving market conditions. While these layoffs may bring short-term challenges, they are part of a broader strategy to ensure the company’s long-term sustainability and success.