Key Points
- The entertainment giant is preparing to eliminate approximately 1,000 positions in upcoming weeks under CEO Josh D’Amaro
- The consolidated marketing department will bear the brunt of these workforce reductions
- Since Bob Iger’s return to leadership in 2022, Disney has reduced its workforce by more than 8,000 employees
- Prior restructuring initiatives delivered cost savings reaching $7.5 billion
- Shares of DIS have declined 12.8% since the start of the year, ending Wednesday at $99.18
The Walt Disney Company is preparing to reduce its workforce by approximately 1,000 employees over the next several weeks. These reductions represent another phase in the cost-optimization strategy being pursued by CEO Josh D’Amaro, who assumed the top role from Bob Iger earlier in 2025.
BREAKING: The Walt Disney Company
is planning to eliminate as many as 1,000 positions in the coming weeks.Many of the cuts will be in the company’s recently consolidated marketing department.
(Source: @WSJ | https://t.co/Y3q4xPvnpJ) pic.twitter.com/XhLP6IwVRd
— Boardwalk Times (@BoardwalkTimes) April 9, 2026
The majority of these workforce reductions will affect Disney’s marketing operations, which underwent consolidation in January under Chief Marketing Officer Asad Ayaz. This restructuring unified marketing functions spanning entertainment properties, experiential divisions, and sports content into a centralized structure.
According to internal sources, D’Amaro’s cost-reduction initiative operates under the internal designation Project Imagine. The strategy aims to enhance cross-functional efficiency and streamline collaborative processes. Disney has declined to provide official statements regarding the program’s details.
These workforce adjustments aren’t a sudden development. Industry reports indicate the reduction plans were in development before D’Amaro’s official appointment to the CEO position.
Disney maintained a workforce of approximately 230,000 individuals as of the conclusion of fiscal 2025. The anticipated 1,000 job eliminations constitute less than half a percent of the company’s total headcount.
Familiar Territory for the Media Conglomerate
This marks another chapter in Disney’s recent history of workforce adjustments. Following Bob Iger’s comeback as chief executive in 2022, the organization eliminated over 8,000 roles. These earlier cuts concentrated on the entertainment segment, ESPN operations, and administrative functions.
Those previous restructuring measures enabled Disney to achieve cost reductions totaling $7.5 billion — exceeding initial projections. Throughout this period, the theme park operations and cruise business demonstrated resilience.
Disney continues navigating significant headwinds in the entertainment sector. The accelerating decline of traditional cable subscriptions has eroded linear television revenue. Streaming profitability remains challenged by competitive pressures. Theatrical performance has weakened across the industry. Meanwhile, platforms including Amazon Prime and YouTube continue expanding their audience reach.
This week also saw Sony Pictures announce several hundred job eliminations, underscoring the widespread challenges confronting traditional media companies.
Wall Street Perspectives
Notwithstanding these operational challenges, Wall Street maintains an optimistic outlook on DIS shares. According to TipRanks data, the stock holds a Strong Buy consensus recommendation, supported by 18 Buy ratings alongside three Hold ratings.
Analysts’ average price objective stands at $132.11, implying potential appreciation of approximately 33% from prevailing market levels.
Year-to-date performance shows DIS declining 12.8%. After reaching a January peak of $115.88, shares retreated significantly. Additional downward momentum followed the company’s February earnings report.
Wednesday’s trading session concluded with DIS at $99.18, reflecting a single-day advance of 3.55%.
