In a major corporate shake-up, The Walt Disney Company has announced a fresh round of layoffs impacting 1,000 employees as part of a restructuring plan under new CEO Josh D’Amaro.
In a memo sent to staff on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, D’Amaro who took the helm from Bob Iger just a month ago—described the move as a “difficult” but necessary step to create a more “agile and technologically-enabled workforce.” The cuts are expected to primarily target the marketing department, though reports suggest that the studio arms, ESPN, and technology teams will also see significant reductions as Disney adapts to a low-profit streaming landscape and intensifying competition from tech giants like Amazon and YouTube.
This move marks the first major strategic pivot for D’Amaro, coming at a time when Hollywood is struggling to balance traditional TV declines with the high costs of digital innovation.
Dear Fellow Employees & Cast Members,We have experienced a great deal of change these last few years, both at the company and across our industries. Knowing firsthand how these moments can bring uncertainty, I want to be open about some difficult news that will be communicated this week.In January, we announced our unified enterprise marketing and brand organization, designed to serve consumers in an even more connected way. Over the past several months, we have looked at ways in which we can streamline our operations in various parts of the company to ensure we deliver the world-class creativity and innovation our fans value and expect from Disney. Given the fast-moving pace of our industries, this requires us to constantly assess how to foster a more agile and technologically-enabled workforce to meet tomorrow’s needs. As a result, we will be eliminating roles in some parts of the company and have begun notifying impacted employees.I know this is hard. Those that will be leaving us have done meaningful work here and care deeply about this company. These decisions are not a reflection of their contributions, or of the overall strength of the company. Rather, they reflect our continual evaluation of how to more effectively manage our resources and reinvest in our businesses.Compassion and respect remain at the heart of our company. As we move forward through this transition, our priority is to support those impacted and help each person navigate what comes next with resources, guidance, and direct support.Despite these difficult decisions, I remain optimistic about where we’re headed as a company. I’m deeply grateful for all of your contributions and for the dedication, professionalism, and care you bring to your work each day. Even in challenging moments, you continue to demonstrate what makes Disney so special.Josh
Since 2022, Disney has reduced its workforce by over 8,000 employees. In his memo, D’Amaro emphasized that the decisions were not a reflection of individual contributions but rather a “continual evaluation of how to more effectively manage resources.” He pledged direct support and guidance for those leaving the company, maintaining an optimistic tone regarding Disney’s future creativity and innovation.