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Disney weighs thousands of job cuts, asks managers to target 20% cost savings

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The proposed restructuring will combine workforce reductions with operational spending cuts, though the severity of these measures will vary across different business units. Leadership previously laid the groundwork for these actions in an August shareholder letter focused on reviewing administrative and labor expenses. The latest plans follow three prior rounds of workforce reductions this year, including September dismissals concentrated in IT and human resources. The saved capital will be channeled directly into strategic priorities like theme parks and content production.

Key points

  • Leadership aims to fund investments in technology, cruise lines, and programming using th…: Leadership aims to fund investments in technology, cruise lines, and programming using the capital preserved from these cutbacks.
  • Cost-reduction efforts are designed to help the company achieve double-digit growth in ad…: Cost-reduction efforts are designed to help the company achieve double-digit growth in adjusted earnings per share this fiscal year.
  • The company is responding to compounded pressures from artificial intelligence expansion,…: The company is responding to compounded pressures from artificial intelligence expansion, streaming rivals, and slowing international park attendance.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Walt Disney is considering cutting thousands of jobs and has asked some managers to target 20 percent in annual cost savings, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The savings could come from job eliminations as well as from reductions in other expenses, according to Bloomberg’s sources, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. The reported restructuring effort comes as Disney navigates multiple challenges, including the growing use of artificial intelligence, weaker box-office performance, intensifying competition from streaming rivals and a slowdown in international attendance at the company's theme parks.

Disney layoffs: Managers asked to find 20% savings

According to the report, Disney has directed some managers to target annual cost reductions of 20%. The savings could come from a combination of job cuts and other expense reductions across the business. The report added that not all parts of the company will be affected equally. Some Disney operations are expected to shoulder a larger share of the cuts than others as the company reviews spending across its businesses.

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