Walt Disney (DIS) has officially begun laying off about 1,000 employees today, April 14, marking the first major workforce reduction under newly appointed CEO Josh D’Amaro, who stepped into the role in March. The cuts are part of his push toward a “One Disney” strategy to streamline operations and consolidate divisions.
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The layoffs are focused on Disney’s marketing and brand organization, which was recently restructured under Chief Brand Officer Asad Ayaz. Additional cuts are hitting ESPN, the Disney Movie Studio, traditional television units, and several product and technology teams.
As part of the restructuring, Disney is also merging staff across Disney+ and Hulu as the two services complete their transition into a single integrated streaming experience. Frontline Theme Park Cast Members and employees within the cruise line appear unaffected, as those segments continue to show strong growth.
The move comes as Disney faces rising investor pressure to improve margins after several years of volatility. The company has already undergone significant restructuring, including a major cost‑cutting initiative launched in 2023 that eliminated 7,000 jobs.
D’Amaro’s early actions suggest a continued focus on operational discipline as he makes efforts to restore momentum across the business.
Is Walt Disney a Buy or Sell?
Turning to Wall Street, DIS stock has a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 18 Buys and three Holds assigned in the last three months. At $132.11, the average Walt Disney stock price target implies a 28.77% upside potential.
