Embattled media big Disney is increasing its seek for Bob Iger’s successor past the partitions of the Magic Kingdom, in line with a brand new report.
The Mouse Home had been mulling a handful of inside candidates, however is now working with recruiters from search agency Heidrick & Struggles to conduct its overview of exterior contenders for the highest job, The Wall Road Journal reported Tuesday.
One potential successor from the surface is Digital Arts CEO Andrew Wilson, a reputation that has been persistently floated in recent times.
The 50-year-old exec, who has served as EA chairman and CEO since 2013, has been in contact with Iger over time.
A supply advised The Publish that Iger tried to get Wilson to run ESPN previous to Jimmy Pitaro’s appointment in 2018.
“Iger is interested in him,” the supply mentioned. “He’s young. He tried to get him to run ESPN.”
Previous to changing into CEO, Wilson served as government vp of EA Sports activities and Origin, the place he led the worldwide EA Sports activities enterprise, in addition to EA’s digital PC service.
He additionally served as vp and government producer of all EA Sports activities’ FIFA video games, rising it into one of the vital well-liked online game franchises of all time.
The seek for Iger’s successor is being led by outgoing Morgan Stanley exec James Gorman, who will change into chairman of Disney beginning Jan. 2.
He just lately mentioned {that a} successor to Iger shall be introduced in early 2026.
Iger’s contract is ready to run out on the finish of 2026. He returned in 2022 after the disastrous tenure of his hand-picked alternative’s contract.
The Journal reported that Wilson held talks about promoting EA to Disney throughout Chapek’s reign, however the negotiations didn’t result in a deal.
The consideration of Wilson comes as The Mouse Home has made a push into the online game area after taking a $1.5 billion stake in “Fortnite” creator Epic Video games.
Except for contemplating outsiders, Disney’s board can be evaluating 4 inside candidates: Disney Leisure co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, ESPN chairman Pitaro and Parks & Experiences chief Josh D’Amaro.
It’s potential that Disney finds a manner to usher in an outsider and elevate an inside candidate.
The Journal reported that Iger — who’s laser-focused on choosing a powerful successor — has referred to as Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos earlier this yr, inquiring about the potential of a twin CEO setup at Disney.
Throughout WSJ’s Tech Reside Convention in October, Sarandos mentioned its “hard for me to recommend” a co-CEO mannequin to an organization like Disney.
“I understand their business pretty well, but not their business structure,” Sarandos added on the time.
Though it’s nonetheless early days, sources remarked to The Journal that Walden and D’Amaro have complimentary talent units to run the enterprise, as she is a TV exec who works intently with Hollywood expertise and he’s an operational guru with monetary chops.
Changing Iger — an exec who Gorman just lately mentioned has a “rare combination of extraordinarily good creative instincts with great business judgment” — shall be tough.
Talking at an October occasion for commerce group the Nationwide Affiliation of Company Administrators, Gorman added that he understood why Disney wished to maintain Iger round so lengthy.
Iger has held the job since 2005 — with a two yr hole — earlier than returning to the function in 2022.
“But people don’t last forever, so eventually you have to move,” Gorman concluded.
