Bob Iger returned to The Walt Disney Company with a very important task at hand: find the next CEO.
©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters
This time around, we’re hoping it sticks. Iger hand-picked Bob Chapek when he originally retired from the company, and now, speculation has started to swirl around just who might be his next choice. We’ve seen a handful of names pop up as potential contenders, but it looks like one candidate has shared he hopes he’ll get the job.
Since Bob Iger came back to Disney, we’ve been wondering who the second-time CEO might choose as his successor. A few names have been thrown into the ring, including Kevin Mayer — former Disney executive and current CEO of Candle Media.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Prior to leaving Disney, Mayer served as the head of the Direct-to-Consumer and International Division, overseeing projects like the launch of Disney+ and ESPN+. Mayer departed Disney in 2020 to become the CEO of TikTok, but resigned after 100 days. He’s been named as a potential replacement for Iger (though Disney has not confirmed anything) and it seems like it’s a role he might be interested in.
Bryan van der Beek | Bloomberg | Getty Images
According to Sports Pro Media, Kevin Mayer has shared that when it comes to returning to Disney, he “will see what happens.” Mayer went on to say that his immediate focus is on his “investments and various advisory roles” including production firm Candle Media (which works closely with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company.)
“The future’s bright and I’m doing the things I love to do,” continued Mayer, but that still doesn’t mean he’s counting out returning to Disney as CEO.
©The New York Times | Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press
After Mayer’s initial departure from Disney, he shared in an interview with CNBC that he was disappointed when he wasn’t named as Iger’s successor the first time around, being passed over for Chapek.
When asked if he thought he would be the next CEO, he replied, “I was hoping I would be. I’m not sure hope and expectations are the same. It’s a nice job, CEO of Disney.”
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
For now, though, we’ll have to continue to speculate. Other potential replacements for Iger that have been named so far include Adam Silver, the current commissioner of the NBA; Dana Walden, current co-chair of Disney entertainment; Alan Bergman, the other co-chair of Disney entertainment; Josh D’Amaro, current chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products; Christine McCarthy, current Disney CFO; and Jimmy Pitaro, president of ESPN.
Walt Disney Company Headquarters ©LA Times
Iger isn’t alone in his search for a replacement. Mark Parker, who will be Disney’s next Chairman of the Walt Disney Company Board of Directors has been tasked with finding CEO Bob Iger’s replacement by way of a Succession Planning Committee.
©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
We’ll continue to watch for more updates on Iger’s quest to find a successor as Disney’s CEO. Check out these posts for more updates on Iger and Disney:
- Disney Employees Fight Back Against Iger’s New Rule
- Bob Iger Makes “Stark Reversal in Strategy” at Disney
- Why Is Disney CEO Bob Iger Obsessed with Zootopia?
- Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on Bob Chapek Selection
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Bob Iger Comments on His Search for the Next Disney CEO
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I have to question how much the CEO of Disney actually does. With all the layers of upper management, the CEO is more of a focal point than anything else. Does he really approve anything that isnt brought to him or her from a select group of underlings, or is he really involved with the day to day. A big job that pays big money but, do we really need to pay him that much. Hmmmm
I don’t think anyone associated with Tik Tok is going to be the one to help Disney recover. A recent study by Family Destination Guide found that WDW had fallen out of the top ten searches in every state. While I’m conscious that there is great diversity in the Disney fan base, I think the company may be alienating traditional families. With all the news about Tik Tok and its association with the CCP, I don’t see this as a win for Disney.
Not sure anyone remotely related to Tik Tok would be a good replacement for Iger.