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Iger’s Latest Moves Hint at Potential Successor

It’s been seven months since Bob Iger returned as the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, and he still has to complete his most important job for Disney. While he has worked hard to try and put the disastrous Bob Chapek era behind the company, there is still no plan of succession for when Iger’s contract ends at the end of 2024.

Iger's latest moves hint at possible successor
Disney CEO Bob Iger / Credit: Jeremiah Daws, Flickr

When Iger replaced Chapek in November 2022, he immediately set about changing the company, including reorganizing it and firing anyone loyal to Chapek. Iger set up three divisions, which gave us a possible preview of a successor. Iger made Dana Walden and Alan Bergman co-chair of Disney Entertainment, giving them experience within Disney’s television and film operations.

Iger kept Josh D’Amaro as the head of Parks, Experiences, and Products. The third and final division was given to Jimmy Pitaro, the head of ESPN.

But now, with 18 months left in his contract, Disney CEO Bob Iger is starting to send signals as to who will replace him or at least eliminate some of the possibilities.

Iger's latest moves hint at possible successor
Credit: Disney

This week an invite list to the Sun Valley Conference hosted by Allen & Company Investment Bank leaked to the media. The conference brings together the biggest names in media, sports, technology, and Wall Street financiers to put the movers and shakers together in one place. The meeting will be held at the ski Resort in Idaho this July.

Of course, Iger is on the invitation list. So are big names like Warren Buffett, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Comcast CEO Mike Cavanagh, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan is also on the list, fresh off his merger with the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV golf tour.

But what’s most interesting is who will attend with Iger to represent Disney. D’Amaro and Walden will attend, along with Disney CFO Christine McCarthy. But Bergman and Pitaro will not be in attendance.

Iger's latest moves hint at possible successor
Credit: Disney

It seems an odd choice for the head of ESPN not to be attending a conference that will bring together some of the biggest names in Sports. Bergman is in charge of the film division of Disney Entertainment, which makes some sense.

But Iger and D’Amaro have been touring Disney Parks worldwide, and he and Walden are neighbors in Los Angeles.

It remains to be seen who Bob Iger will choose to take over as Disney’s Chief Executive Officer. Perhaps these latest moves hint at which Disney executive has the best chance. Disney fans will continue to speculate until someone is named.

And we will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.

 

Rick Lye

Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.

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