The Walt Disney Company is preparing to lay off up to 1,000 employees in the coming weeks, with a significant number of the roles expected to be cut from its marketing division, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The planned layoffs will affect less than 1 per cent of Disney’s global workforce, which stood at about 231,000 employees as of the end of the 2025 financial year. Reports indicate the process had already begun before Josh D’Amaro assumed the role of chief executive in March.
At the core of the restructuring is an internal initiative known as Project Imagine, being led by Asad Ayaz. The project is focused on consolidating Disney’s marketing operations into a unified structure across its film, television, streaming, and theme parks divisions.
The objective is to streamline operations, cut costs, and create a more coordinated approach to global campaigns as the company adapts to shifting industry dynamics.
D’Amaro has reportedly emphasized the need for Disney to operate as “one Disney,” encouraging closer integration between its various business units.
The move comes at a challenging time for the broader entertainment industry. Box office revenues have yet to fully rebound, traditional television audiences continue to decline, and streaming platforms are still struggling to achieve consistent profitability.
Other major studios, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, have also begun implementing workforce reductions as part of wider restructuring efforts.
This is not the first time Disney has undertaken significant job cuts. Following Bob Iger’s return, the company reduced thousands of roles, reassessed its content strategy, and scaled back production output.
Although Disney’s theme parks segment remains a strong revenue driver, the company has flagged concerns about declining international travel to its United States locations.
As of now, Disney has not issued an official statement regarding the latest round of expected layoffs.
