The Walt Disney Company Chief Executive Josh D'Amaro has announced plans to restructure the global entertainment enterprise by unifying its operations under a strategy called One Disney. Speaking to journalists at the D23 fan convention in Anaheim, California, the 55-year-old executive said the company will move away from managing separate business units to integrate streaming, theme parks, consumer products and film into a single operational ecosystem.
D'Amaro assumed the chief executive role in March 2026, taking over from Bob Iger, who led the company for 20 years. Under the new corporate approach, Disney intends to leverage the combined strength of its global brands across all platforms rather than operating divisions as isolated businesses.
D'Amaro said Disney remains the premier storytelling enterprise in the world and affirmed that it will never relinquish that standard. He said leaders across the business must maintain a focus on producing major films that can inspire theme park attractions and Broadway stage productions.
He added that Disney should not be viewed as separate entities such as ESPN, streaming services, theme parks or film studios, but as The Walt Disney Company. He said that if the organization operates as a unified whole across Disney+, physical parks and events like D23, no competitor will be able to match it.
Digital streaming hub and interactive expansion
The most visible shift in the integration strategy will occur on the Disney+ streaming service. Disney aims to transform the platform from a passive video subscription service into a permanent digital extension of the D23 fan convention.
Under the planned expansion, the Disney+ application will expand beyond streaming content to connect users to video games, official merchandise sales, and interactive digital features linked to theme park attractions around the world.
Juliana Oliveira, vice president of direct-to-consumer operations at Disney+ Brazil, told CNN Brasil that the company has been discussing plans globally to turn Disney+ into a digital hub for fan engagement. She explained that the strategy connects streaming content to wider consumer experiences and benefits.
Oliveira cited the Disney+ Beneficios program in Brazil as a concrete example of expanding subscription value beyond screen viewing by providing rewards tailored to daily consumer routines. She added that the company views the streaming service as an essential gateway to the Disney brand, building daily connections across generations of subscribers.
Theme park modernization and Marvel expansions
In the theme parks division, D'Amaro said the One Disney philosophy will accelerate modernization while safeguarding emotional connections with long-time park guests. He instructed executives to introduce new experiences and take risks without neglecting the legacy of company founder Walt Disney.
D'Amaro noted that when Disney updates theme park areas or builds new attractions, it alters places that already hold deep personal meaning for visitors. However, he emphasized that the company must continually advance and introduce new concepts to the public.
As an example of this modernization drive, D'Amaro highlighted plans announced at D23 to replace operational backend areas within parks with major expansions dedicated to the Marvel Avengers universe.
The integration strategy will also govern content production and international market growth. While continuing to rely on established multibillion-dollar animated franchises such as Toy Story and Zootopia, Disney is opening space for original intellectual properties from Pixar Animation Studios.
Film slates, Pixar projects and technology focus
Upcoming Pixar releases announced at the event include original feature projects titled Cara de Um, Focinho do Outro, Hexed, and Clay. In addition to broad global releases, the studio is expanding local productions tailored specifically to regional international markets.
D'Amaro said the intersection between technology and media has never been more relevant or powerful. He stated that he intends to harness available technology and combine it with storytelling to push the enterprise forward.
Leadership background and industry pressures
D'Amaro began his career at Disney in 1988 within the finance division. He steadily built his career through the parks division, serving as president of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products before his promotion to chief executive officer.
The theme parks division generated 57 percent of Disney's 17.5 billion dollars in total operating profit last year. His management of that key profit engine helped elevate him to the top leadership position at the company.
D'Amaro is only the second executive from the parks business to become chief executive, following Bob Chapek. Chapek's brief tenure interrupted Bob Iger's two separate periods as chief executive. Iger initially handed the position to Chapek in 2020 before internal conflict led to Iger returning to lead the company in 2022.
Investors had been eager for D'Amaro to outline his long-term strategy since taking office in March. Wall Street is monitoring how Disney will navigate technological shifts driven by artificial intelligence as tech companies alter media business models.
The chief executive also faces potential headwinds in global tourism caused by conflict in the Middle East and fluctuating oil prices, which could impact park attendance and travel spending.
Additionally, D'Amaro inherits a legacy television business experiencing subscriber declines, viewer fatigue surrounding major studio franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars, and intense competition from digital platforms including YouTube and TikTok.
Although D'Amaro did not address these external challenges directly during his meeting with reporters, he presented the One Disney strategy as his primary framework for guiding the company's future growth.
