Dana Walden, president of The Walt Disney Company, commented on Thursday, the 1st, regarding the layoff process within the organization, emphasizing that continuous restructuring is essential for the sector's longevity, as reported by the France Press agency.
During a conference held at Bloomberg Screentime in Los Angeles, Dana described the situation as 'extremely painful.' She clarified that the most recent departure movement was part of a voluntary separation program, offering a group of executives the choice to stay or leave the company, acknowledging that such transformation will not cease.
In conversation with Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg editor, Dana stressed that structural changes are predictable in this industry segment. She stated that due to the impact of technology on the business, the company needs to 'survive, thrive, and grow.' Furthermore, she mentioned that, like its peers in similar situations and the entire technology industry, there is a permanent demand to reevaluate its own operational structure.
The recent cuts primarily affected the information technology (IT) and human resources sectors, covering both the central corporate structure and various divisions of the company.
When releasing the results for the quarter ended in June, D'Amaro and CFO Hugh Johnston informed that the company was analyzing ways to reduce expenses, which includes reducing the workforce and administrative costs.
It is worth noting that the company had already undergone a major round of layoffs in 2023, when it announced the cutting of approximately 7,000 jobs as part of a plan aimed at cutting US$5.5 billion in expenses under the leadership of then-CEO Bob Iger.