Key Takeaways
- The entertainment conglomerate is preparing to eliminate approximately 1,000 positions in upcoming weeks under CEO Josh D’Amaro’s leadership
- The marketing department, recently unified under one executive, will bear the brunt of these reductions
- Since Bob Iger’s return to the helm in 2022, Disney has eliminated more than 8,000 positions
- Previous restructuring initiatives helped the company achieve cost savings of up to $7.5 billion
- Shares of DIS have fallen 12.8% so far this year, ending Wednesday’s session at $99.18
The House of Mouse is gearing up to eliminate approximately 1,000 positions over the next several weeks. These workforce reductions represent the latest chapter in an ongoing cost-optimization strategy led by recently appointed CEO Josh D’Amaro, who assumed the top role from Bob Iger earlier in 2025.
The bulk of these workforce reductions will affect Disney’s marketing operations, which underwent consolidation in January under the oversight of a single Chief Marketing Officer, Asad Ayaz. This reorganization merged marketing personnel from entertainment, experiences, and sports divisions into one unified structure.
According to internal sources, D’Amaro’s efficiency initiative carries the internal designation Project Imagine. The strategic objective centers on accelerating cross-functional teamwork. Disney representatives have declined to provide official statements regarding the initiative’s details.
These workforce adjustments aren’t emerging from nowhere. Industry sources indicate the reduction plans were already in development before D’Amaro formally stepped into the chief executive position.
Disney maintained a workforce of approximately 230,000 individuals at the conclusion of its 2025 fiscal year. The upcoming 1,000 eliminations account for a modest fraction of the company’s overall employee base.
History of Restructuring Efforts
This isn’t the company’s inaugural experience with significant workforce reductions. Following Bob Iger’s comeback as chief executive in 2022, the media and entertainment behemoth eliminated over 8,000 jobs. Those reductions primarily impacted entertainment divisions, ESPN operations, and corporate functions.
These earlier restructuring measures enabled Disney to achieve cost reductions reaching $7.5 billion — exceeding initial projections. The company’s theme park attractions and cruise operations maintained solid performance throughout this transformation period.
Disney faces mounting challenges within the Hollywood landscape. Traditional cable subscription declines have negatively impacted linear television revenues. Streaming profitability remains under strain. Theatrical box office performance has weakened. Competing platforms including Amazon Prime and YouTube continue expanding their viewer bases.
Sony Pictures similarly announced several hundred position eliminations this week, highlighting comparable industry-wide headwinds.
Wall Street Perspectives
Notwithstanding these operational hurdles, Wall Street analysts maintain generally optimistic views on DIS shares. According to TipRanks data, the stock holds a Strong Buy consensus rating, derived from 18 Buy recommendations and three Hold ratings.
The consensus price target stands at $132.11, implying potential upside of approximately 33% from present trading levels.
DIS shares have declined 12.8% during the current calendar year. The stock reached a January peak of $115.88 before retreating. Additional downward pressure followed the company’s February earnings release.
Shares concluded Wednesday’s trading session at $99.18, advancing 3.55% for the day.
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