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Bob Iger Contacts Disney Cast Members About “Difficult” Layoffs

bob iger
Credit: Disney

Disney’s first quarterly earnings call was full of surprises, Iger’s first since the firing of former Disney CEO Bob Chapek. 

Among the topics was the future of Disney movies, the reshaping of the company, and, unfortunately, thousands of employee layoffs.

Now, Disney CEO Bob Iger has messaged Cast Members about the reduction of the Disney Company workforce, addressing how “deeply mindful” he is of the personal consequence of these layoffs.

cnn disney

Credit: CNN

The Walt Disney Company hosted its first quarterly earnings call since Bob Iger returned as CEO of the company yesterday, Wednesday, February 8, 2023. There were surprising reveals, including the Avatar franchise coming to the Disneyland Resort, a new set of animated Disney and Pixar sequels, operating income for Parks and Experiences increasing by 25%, and, sadly, 7,000 Cast Member layoffs.

The layoffs come as a cost-saving initiative for The Walt Disney Company, as well as restructuring the company around three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. On the call, Iger explained:

“We are targeting $5.5 billion in cost savings across the company. First, reductions to our noncontent costs total roughly $2.5 billion, not adjusted for inflation. $1 billion in savings is already underway and Christine will provide more details. But in general, the savings will come from the reductions and as GNA and other operating costs across the company.”

The Walt Disney Company CEO further clarified how Disney will recoup its monetary losses, revealing the devastating news that the company will be reducing its workforce by approximately 7,000 jobs, adding that “I do not make this decision lightly.”

This amounts to about 3% of the roughly 220,0000 people that the Walt Disney Company employed as of the start of this fiscal year. And in a message sent after the Q1 earnings call, Bob Iger spoke directly to Cast Members about the disappointing news.

Bob iger

Credit: Fox Business

The returning Disney CEO was sensitive regarding the most significant piece of news for Disney employees. Iger expressed that the process of laying off Cast Members will be “thoughtful and deliberate,” and told Cast Members that he is “mindful” of the enormous impacts those decisions will make:

“This includes the difficult news that we will be reducing our workforce by approximately 7,000 jobs. I have enormous respect and appreciation for our employees worldwide, and I’m deeply mindful of the personal impact of these changes. At the same time, we must ensure the structure of the company and the size of our workforce are aligned with our current needs, circumstances, and opportunities. Our success in the future will be forged by the decisions we are making today.

My pledge to you is that we will be thoughtful and deliberate about this process every step of the way. Please know that I am grateful for your patience and trust as we chart this new path forward.”

Cast Member Only

Credit: Disney Tips

It is yet to be confirmed how long Disney Cast Members will need to have “patience and trust” while they await their employment fate, but we are sure to hear news soon. Disney fans and employees are now speculating where the 7,000 layoffs will happen – whether in Disney Parks, Disney Entertainment, or other realms of the Walt Disney Company.

There is also the question of whether the layoffs will be mainly hourly staff, corporate employees, or a mix of Cast Members, particularly after the question of union pay has been high on the agenda recently. Iger finished the message by writing:

The spirit of creativity and innovation guiding this company has enabled us to achieve extraordinary success throughout our 100-year history. Yet I firmly believe that Disney’s brightest days are still ahead of us. And that’s because of your ability to imagine new possibilities and set new standards of excellence.

I offer my heartfelt thanks and admiration for everything you do for this great company, Bob.”

Disney Tips will keep updating this developing story.

About Melissa Cannioto

Melissa is an author, adventurer, and chatterbox, who has worked at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Adventures by Disney! A British native, she has traveled the world seeking new experiences, and now resides in Florida with her husband, an Air Force pilot. Find her children's book at @bear.hug.book