Following a report that Disney was looking to cut around 1,000 jobs, Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro has reportedly confirmed that layoffs are coming. The information comes via The Hollywood Reporter, which obtained a memo from D’Amaro, notifying employees of the upcoming elimination of roles within the company. Here’s the latest.
Josh D’Amaro Announces Disney Layoffs
In the memo sent from Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro to employees, the newly minted CEO acknowledges that Disney “will be eliminating roles in some parts of the company and have begun notifying impacted employees”.
D’Amaro says that conversions have been ongoing for the past several months as to how Disney can streamline operations in various parts of the company. D’Amaro said that the fast-moving pace of the industry requires Disney to constantly assess how to foster a more agile and technologically-enabled workforce to meet tomorrow’s needs. To that end, D’Amaro says that Disney is eliminating roles.
D’Amaro said that the layoffs are not a reflection of the contributions of individual employees or reflective of the strength of The Walt Disney Company as a whole. Instead, D’Amaro says that the cutbacks are part of a continual evaluation of how to effectively manage resources and reinvest in the business.
D’Amaro closed by saying that he is optimistic about where the company is going, and that he’s deeply grateful for the contributions that impacted employees have made. D’Amaro did not specify in which division the cuts would be made, but previous reporting suggests that marketing will be the hardest hit.
Here’s the memo from D’Amaro, as published by The Hollywood Reporter:
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
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Don’t you DARE layoff Steve the Fire Engine driver!!!!!! (top photo)