The question of who will succeed Bob Iger as Disney’s (DIS) CEO remains a critical concern for institutional investors. Succession planning is seen as pivotal for the company’s future strategy, especially after some recent struggles in the film and TV divisions, according to Goldman Sachs analyst Michael Ng. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference, Ng highlighted the importance of having the right leadership in place, especially given Disney’s recent market share challenges.
Ng maintains a “Buy” rating on Disney stock, citing the company’s deep pool of talented executives across its divisions. This includes leaders from theme parks, film, TV studios, and ESPN. Currently, four internal candidates are rumored to be under consideration for the CEO role: Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-heads of Disney’s entertainment division, Josh D’Amaro from the parks division, and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro. While Walden may have a slight edge, the decision remains uncertain.
There is also the possibility that Disney may look outside the company for Iger’s replacement. Kevin Mayer, a close adviser to Iger, suggested that an announcement could come this year, but with Iger having two and a half years left in his contract, the timeline could extend into 2025.