Disney’s Next C-Suite Task Is Keeping Dana Walden in the Empire

Walt Disney Co.’s corner-office transition brought made-for-TV drama as the entertainment giant named Josh D’Amaro as its new chief executive officer. For its next act, Disney will try to hold onto the leaders who lost out to the themes-park chief.

The company promoted another CEO candidate, TV and entertainment chief Dana Walden, to president and chief creative officer, reporting directly to D’Amaro. The elevation was a clear sign that Disney doesn’t want to lose a seasoned industry veteran and one of the most powerful women in Hollywood.

Dana Walden

Photographer: Alisha Jucevic/Bloomberg

When companies announce new CEOs, those who lose the so-called bakeoff often take top jobs elsewhere. The ...