In a significant move following its recent leadership transition, Walt Disney is reportedly preparing to eliminate approximately 1,000 positions across various departments in the coming weeks. According to reports on Thursday, April 9, 2026, a substantial portion of these layoffs will target the company’s marketing division.
This workforce reduction represents less than 1% of Disney’s global employee base, which stood at roughly 231,000 at the close of the 2025 fiscal year.
The timing of the announcement is particularly notable as it comes shortly after Josh D’Amaro stepped into his new role as Disney’s Chief Executive Officer in March. However, sources indicate that the restructuring plans were already in motion prior to D’Amaro’s appointment.
The strategic cuts are viewed by analysts as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and optimize costs in an increasingly competitive global media landscape, as the “House of Mouse” adapts to shifting consumer behaviors and digital demands.