As Josh D’Amaro prepares to return nan helm astatine Disney later today, he put immoderate of his emotions and plans into a memo to unit coming obtained by Deadline, saying he is “humbled and honored to thief constitute nan adjacent section of this institution alongside this team.”
The executive, who will return nan baton from Bob Iger astatine Disney’s yearly shareholder meeting, focused connected storytelling, exertion and unit. “This modulation comes astatine a infinitesimal erstwhile nan world is changing faster than ever. While that tin consciousness daunting astatine times, it is besides exciting. Disney has endured and thrived for generations by gathering alteration pinch vision, ambition, integrity, and optimism.”
Read his afloat memo here:
Dear Fellow Employees and Cast Members,
More than 40 years ago, my family took maine to Disneyland for nan first time. One of nan first attractions we rode was Peter Pan’s Flight, inspired by nan animated movie truthful galore families already knew and loved. I tin still image my father’s look erstwhile our pirate vessel lifted into nan dark. As we flew complete London, he leaned successful and said, “See, I told you. It feels for illustration we’re flying!” I retrieve that infinitesimal clearly. It was joy. It was family. And it was Disney.
I person thought astir that infinitesimal galore times because it captures thing basal astir this company. At its best, Disney creates stories, characters, and experiences that group link pinch profoundly and transportation pinch them for a lifetime. That takes exceptional creativity, craftsmanship, and thousands of group agreed by a shared committedness to excellence.
As I measurement into nan CEO domiciled today, I americium humbled and honored to thief constitute nan adjacent section of this institution alongside this team.
The magic of Disney comes to life successful galore ways — done our films and series, ESPN and sports, our euphony and shape shows, our streaming platforms and user products, and our taxable parks, hotels, and cruise ships. Each strengthens nan others, extending Disney’s scope successful ways nary 1 other tin match.
That puts Disney successful a class of one. It was clear to maine erstwhile I started present 28 years ago, and it is moreover clearer today. No 1 other tin do what we do pinch nan aforesaid operation of creativity, quality, and world scale. We scope group successful much places than ever before, and each infinitesimal of each day, personification location successful nan world is engaging pinch Disney.
We guidelines connected an bonzer foundation, and nan priorities that will guideline america guardant are clear.
First, great storytelling and imaginative excellence will stay our North Star. They underpin each determination we make. We will proceed to raise nan bar, return smart risks, study quickly, and present activity that exceeds our audiences’ expectations and our own.
Second, we will clasp exertion to unlock caller possibilities. Innovation has ever been portion of Disney’s DNA. Used thoughtfully, it tin empower our storytellers, fortify our capabilities, and thief america create much immersive, interactive, and individual ways for group to acquisition Disney.
Third, we will run arsenic One Disney. Our top advantage is not immoderate 1 business, but really our world businesses travel together. When our teams are aligned and moving successful a connected way, we tin build connected our strengths, scope group wherever they are, and deepen their narration pinch Disney.
This modulation comes astatine a infinitesimal erstwhile nan world is changing faster than ever. While that tin consciousness daunting astatine times, it is besides exciting. Disney has endured and thrived for generations by gathering alteration pinch vision, ambition, integrity, and optimism. Bob Iger has led this institution successful that spirit, and I americium grateful for his trust, mentorship, and relationship done nan years.
It is simply a privilege to travel successful his footsteps and lead this team, and I do truthful pinch a heavy consciousness of work and excitement astir our future. This is an bonzer company, and that is because of nan talented, passionate, and dedicated group who activity here.
That emotion of flying I had connected Peter Pan each those years agone is still existent to me. And today, I americium honored to move guardant pinch each of you — pinch ambition, optimism, and absolute assurance successful what we tin build together.
Josh