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Disney Shakes up Streaming Data Teams As Exec Exits: Memo - Business ...
Exclusive By James Faris You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email. Disney is losing a product management SVP who joined the company from Netflix. Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images 2026-04-27T14:34:28.002Z Disney is reorganizing its streaming data teams amid the departure of a top executive. Ajay Arora, formerly of Netflix and Amazon, is taking an outside role after nearly five years. Read the full memo from Disney's product and tech chief about the changes. Disney is shuffling its streaming commerce and data teams as a top executive exits. Ajay Arora, Disney's SVP of product management and engineering, is leaving the company on April 30, product and tech chief Adam Smith told employees late last week in a memo obtained by Business Insider.Arora "has decided to pursue a new opportunity" after nearly five years, Smith told Disney and ESPN product and tech staffers. The product exec led teams overseeing commerce, growth, and account management for Disney streaming. BCG global personalization leader Mark Abraham shares how marketing teams can unlock the power of GenAI Before joining Disney, Arora was the director of product innovation and growth at Netflix for four years. He was also a VP of product management at the image-sharing site Imgur and Amazon's Audible.As Arora steps down, Smith said Disney is reorganizing its Commerce, Data, and Identity team to integrate its work "more tightly" into other parts of the business. The Commerce & Identity Product group will join the product management team to help make streaming "the digital centerpiece of Disney's relationship with fans."The Data Product & Engineering group will move under the ads platform EVP, Tony Donohoe, to work more closely with his organization.Read the full memo from Disney's product and tech chief about Arora's departure and the associated reorganization here:Team,I wanted to share the news that Ajay Arora has decided to pursue a new opportunity outside of Disney. His last day will be April 30th. Please join me in thanking Ajay for 5 years of significant contributions to our business and wishing him well in what comes next.With his departure, we're taking the opportunity to integrate Commerce, Data and Identity more tightly into the organizational structures driving our products and businesses.Commerce & Identity Product: As we work to make DTC the digital centerpiece of Disney's relationsh...
The Walt Disney Company laying off hundreds of employees
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Hundreds of Walt Disney Co. employees in the United States and internationally received layoff notices Monday as the company continues to navigate challenging economic conditions, including the decline of traditional television and increased competition from streaming services. According to a company spokesperson, the layoffs at Disney affect the multiple teams, including marketing for both film and television, as well as TV publicity, casting and development, and corporate financial operations. "We have been surgical in our approach to minimize the number of impacted employees," the spokesperson said. "No teams are being eliminated." Disney’s fourth round of layoffs in a year reflects the struggles of its traditional TV division, which is facing declining ratings and revenue, as well as the company’s decision to reduce its production of shows and movies since the launch of Disney+. The company had beefed up staffing for the streaming arms race against Netflix, Paramount and other outlets. However, according to the Los Angeles Times, Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that the company had been too focused on creating too many new shows rather than producing high-quality content. "As our industry transforms at a rapid pace, we continue to evaluate ways to efficiently manage our businesses while fueling the state-of-the-art creativity and innovation that consumers value and expect from Disney," according to a spokesperson. To many insiders, the latest round of layoffs also is not surprising. In 2023, Iger made a point to cut costs upon his return as CEO of the company. Disney’s $5.5 billion cost-cutting initiative that year led to several rounds of layoffs across various divisions at the company, including at ABC and within other divisions. In total, the company slashed about 7,000 jobs.
Disney layoffs cut Marvel's entire visual development team
Disney has laid off about 1,000 employees in a major restructuring under new CEO Josh D'Amaro, including Marvel Studios' entire visual development department. The cuts ended the 16-year tenure ...
Thrive Capital brings back Bob Iger as advisor after Disney departure
Bob Iger has rejoined Thrive Capital as an advisor after stepping down as chief executive of The Walt Disney Company. The appointment returns the longtime media leader to a firm he briefly served after his first exit from Disney in 2021, with a remit to support portfolio founders and work with the investment team.
