Disney Annual Shareholders Meeting: New CEO Josh D’Amaro Speaks to Company’s Next Chapter of Creativity, Innovation, and Connection

Disney Annual Shareholders Meeting: New CEO Josh D'Amaro Speaks to Company's Next Chapter of Creativity, Innovation, and Connection

The Walt Disney Company held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Wednesday, with newly appointed CEO Josh D'Amaro outlining the company's next chapter under his leadership.

"Looking at our hand, it's an extraordinary one," D'Amaro said in a video message from Disney headquarters in Burbank, California, pointing to Disney's blockbuster studios, a successful and growing entertainment streaming business, ESPN's worldwide brand, and its strong Experiences business.

Looking ahead, D'Amaro said, "we will capitalize on our strengths by focusing on coming together as one Disney to deliver a more connected, personalized, and immersive experience to our consumers - wherever they are, and whenever they would like to engage with us."

"No one else has the ability to do this at the scale, quality, and global reach that Disney can," he said.

Simply put, while others in our industry are consolidating just to compete, or struggling to be relevant in a fragmented and disrupted world, Disney is in a category of one, poised to accelerate into our next era of innovation and growth. And this next chapter will be driven by staying focused on world-class creativity, enhanced by technology, bringing unforgettable stories to audiences wherever they are.

One of those unforgettable stories arrives this summer, with its fifth installment debuting in theaters.

Studios: To Infinity and Beyond

At the heart of Disney is storytelling, and few franchises embody that legacy more than Toy Story.

"Thirty years ago, Pixar changed moviegoing forever with the first CG-animated feature. Today, 'To infinity and beyond' is more than a catchphrase - it's an instant association, no matter where you are in the world," D'Amaro said. "These characters now live everywhere our audiences do - in homes across the globe through Disney+ and consumer products, in our hotels, in every one of our theme parks and cruise ships."

D'Amaro pointed out that Disney is expanding the world of Toy Story with this summer's Toy Story 5, a brand-new story that is "just as exciting, fun, and relevant as the films that came before it."

He also shared updates on two highly anticipated films in development, announcing that the sequel to last year's Lilo & Stitch will debut May 26, 2028, followed by Pixar's Incredibles 3 on June 16, 2028.

Streaming: Disney's Digital Centerpiece

D'Amaro continued his remarks Wednesday by noting that Disney is well under way on the next season of Shōgun, which earned a record-breaking 18 Emmy Awards for its historic first season.

"These stories power our streaming business, which provides direct and continuous engagement with our consumers," he said. "Disney+ will continue to evolve beyond a traditional streaming service to become the digital centerpiece of our company - a portal that connects our stories, experiences, games, films, and more in entirely new ways."

He added that the company is moving quickly to bring Disney+ and Hulu into a unified experience later this year, while underscoring significant opportunities for international growth.

"We've been investing smartly and strategically to build this business, and in a little over a year, we've released seven of our most viewed international originals ever, including the International Emmy-winning Rivals and breakout hit Battle of Fates," he said.

Sports: ESPN's Unmatched Portfolio

D'Amaro also mentioned ESPN, calling it "an indispensable daily touchpoint for millions of sports fans."

"Our sports portfolio is unmatched, and we continue to add key events and partners, including our recent collaborations with the NFL and MLB," he said. "And we'll reach new heights next year when ESPN broadcasts the Super Bowl for the very first time - something we'll be bringing the full force of The Walt Disney Company to, in a way that only we can."

Experiences: Always Evolving

D'Amaro then shifted to Disney's Experiences segment.

"All around the world, we're building new adventures and expanding capacity to welcome more families into our uniquely Disney experiences - driven by the largest capital investment plan in Disney Experiences' history," he said. "It's already bringing new lands to our parks, and new parks to our world."

That also includes growth at sea.

"We continue to expand our award-winning Disney Cruise Line fleet. I was just in Singapore for the launch of the Disney Adventure, which is our very first ship based in Asia. It is stunning, and I'm so excited for our guests to experience it," he said. "We have five more ships on the way, and today I'm excited to announce the name of our ninth ship, the Disney Believe."

Pushing the Envelope with Technology

"We've never shied away from the latest innovations - and in many cases we're the ones pushing the envelope," D'Amaro said. "Because we know technology acts as an amplifier for our stories, our experiences, and the emotional connection audiences have with our brand."

As an example, he pointed to Disney's partnership with Epic Games to bring a transformative new entertainment experience to Fortnite.

"We'll continue to develop and embrace new technologies to empower our storytellers - but never at the expense of our characters and worlds, our creative partners, or the trust people place in us," he said.

"It Takes People to Make the Dream a Reality"

D'Amaro also spoke about the central role of human creativity at Disney, noting a door on Main Street in Disneyland labeled "Casting Agency."

"And the quote on the door it's from Walt - it says, 'It takes people to make the dream a reality.' This couldn't be more true for a company like ours," he said.

We have the most creative, most passionate, dedicated people - and it's because of our people that we'll continue to create stories and experiences that our fans carry with them for a lifetime.

He added that one of the most powerful expressions of Disney's positive impact is its ongoing work with children's hospitals, veterans and military families, and the various community organizations the company is proud to support.

"Our stories bring joy and hope and inspiration to millions around the world, and that's a privilege that we take very seriously," he said.

The Road Ahead

D'Amaro concluded his remarks by thanking former CEO Bob Iger for setting a "standard for creativity, integrity, and ambition that will continue to guide all of us. We are deeply grateful for everything that he's done."

"As I officially step into this role with an incredible team at my side, I'm truly excited about the road ahead," he said. "And I have absolute confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality, experiential storytelling that stands head and shoulders above the rest."

D'Amaro then expressed his appreciation for Disney fans around the world.

"And of course, my thanks go out to all of our fans around the world. As some of you may know, I love talking to guests and fans and hearing all of your stories. Whether you love our movies, shows, parks, ships, games, books, music - the list goes on and on. You are the reason that we do what we do."

He then closed his remarks by thanking the company's shareholders.

"On behalf of everyone at Disney, thank you for joining us today and thank you for your continued belief and investment in this one-of-a-kind company," he said.

Forward-Looking Statements