Last week, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden participated in a question-and-answer session at Morgan Stanley’s TMT conference. A few days later, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman and Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro took the stage at SXSW. All three are candidates who could replace Disney CEO Bob Iger in 2026.
Walden’s performance at Morgan Stanley’s TMT conference was, by all accounts, great. She delivered concise answers about Disney’s priorities and future. Walden seemed comfortable, and I look forward to seeing her doing more Q&A sessions and presentations for Disney.
Yet it is hard to ignore that star-studded SXSW presentation. The presentation got my gears turning: Could Disney potentially be testing a duo to take over for Bob Iger? Industry insiders have speculated that Disney may follow Netflix and do a Co-CEO model. Bergman oversees the film studios, and D’Amaro oversees the experiences business. Throughout the SXSW presentation, the two execs pointed out how symbiotic the two units are. Could a Bergman and D’Amaro combo be on the horizon?
I’d also have to say that Alan Bergman has gained more momentum in the Disney CEO succession race. The film studio has turned the corner, and even the franchise Disney+ series that Bergman oversees are consistently draws for the platform. Josh D’Amaro has been noted as a front-runner right alongside Dana Walden for the longest time. D’Amaro oversees a major division for Disney that consistently brings in big revenue and profits.
However, Bergman and D’Amaro as Co-CEO’s could truly be the best of both worlds. Bergman comes from the film side and has worked with Disney’s top creative talent and studios. D’Amaro oversees a crucial aspect of Disney’s business and also has experience with all the same talent due to his work with Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Parks, Epic Games, etc. Both Bergman and D’Amaro also have extensive business and financial experience. Both have held Chief Financial Officer roles within Disney as they climbed the corporate ladder. They also both understand synergy and the Disney flywheel.
This doesn’t rule out other potential CEO candidates at all.
It’s just merely an observation from someone who is covering the Disney Succession race, inside and out. If the presentation was a secret test run, I’d say the results were strong. The combo of Bergman and D’Amaro could have potential and now it feels like you could realistically at least float it as a possibility. You could also make the same argument for Walden and Bergman or Walden and D’Amaro as well. Regardless, the race to be the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company is heating up.
Be sure to continue to follow Boardwalk Times for more coverage of The Walt Disney Company.
Support Boardwalk Times on Ko-Fi.
Support Boardwalk Times by shopping on Boardwalk Store:
If you like this article. Subscribe to my free newsletter Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore, a monthly dose of Disney, its businesses, and the wider themed entertainment industry.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
