Disney’s incoming chief executive Josh D’Amaro will start at an annual base salary of $2.5 million (payable weekly) with an annual target incentive bonus of 250% of the base salary at the end of each fiscal year.
According to filings with the SEC on Tuesday, D’Amaro will receive a long-term stock incentive of $26.25 million for each fiscal year he serves as CEO. The current chairman of Disney Parks & Experiences will pocket a one-time payout with a target value of $9.705 million tied to his promotion.
Newly anointed President and Chief Creative Office Dana Walden will have an annual base salary of $3.75 million and be eligible for an annual target bonus equal to 200% of that. She’ll receive a long-term stock award of $15.75 million for each full fiscal year during her tenure. And she’ll receive a one-time long-term incentive award valued at $5.26 million related to her new role.
Disney’s fiscal year runs through September. Both executives will start their new gigs after the upcoming March 18 annual shareholders meeting. The filing said Walden’s contract runs through March of 2030 and that she will report “solely and directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and will be responsible for Disney Entertainment, Hulu, Disney + and TWDC Marketing.”
Disney also amended outgoing CEO Bob Iger’s contract dating from November of 2022. After March 18, Iger will continue to serve on the board and as an employee of the company with the title of Senior Advisor. His CEO contract had been set to expire at the end of 2026 but he’ll be stepping away from that role earlier.
Disney’s board unveiled the long-awaited announcement of its new CEO this morning after a search process of several years. It had promised news early in 2026.
More to come