The Walt Disney Company’s chief communications officer is leaving the company.
Christina Schack, Disney’s senior executive vice president and chief communications officer, will exit the company at the end of March. Schake joined Disney in 2022.
The executive, who signed a new long-term deal with Disney a few months ago (along with all of Disney’s top executives who reported to outgoing CEO Bob Iger), will exit at the same time Iger officially steps down.
Josh D’Amaro will succeed Iger as CEO and Dana Walden will be promoted to president and chief creative officer in connection with Disney’s annual meeting on March 18. The company will announce Shakey’s successor at a later date.
“Christina is an accomplished and respected communications leader, and Disney was fortunate to have her experience and insight during a dynamic time that requires strategic clarity and judgment,” Iger said in a statement. “Christina is a skilled strategist, trusted advisor, and admired leader whose positive impact on Disney will be lasting. She has strengthened how the company aligns communications with business and strategic priorities, ensuring audiences of important stakeholders are engaged with discipline and purpose. I am grateful for her partnership, friendship, counsel, and countless contributions.”
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve The Walt Disney Company during this pivotal chapter in its history,” Shakey added. “The company I joined in 2022 was in a very different place than it is today, both reputation-wise and from a business perspective, and I am proud of the work our global communications team has done to support Bob as he has set Disney on a steady path to growth for the next generation of leaders. With this mission now successfully completed, I look forward to the next challenge. Working alongside Bob, his management team, and so many exceptional communications professionals has been a privilege that I will carry with me forever, and I leave with great respect for that.” An institution with great confidence in Disney’s future under the leadership of Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden.
Iger and Schake also sent memos to employees about the change on Tuesday. You can read it below.
Egger’s note:
Dear fellow employees and cast members,
I am writing to share that Christina Schack, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, will depart The Walt Disney Company after March 18, coinciding with the end of my term as CEO.
Since joining Disney in 2022, Christina has been an accomplished and respected leader and trusted advisor throughout a period of significant change for our company and our industry. Disney has been blessed with her experience and wisdom during the most important moments over the past four years.
In addition to her strategic expertise, Christina has built and enhanced Disney’s outstanding global communications function into the world-class organization it is today, making her an important partner to our business and leaders. I am personally grateful for Christina’s partnership and friendship, and for the lasting impact she has made at Disney. Please join me in thanking her for her leadership and wishing her the best in her next chapter. We will share more information about future communications leadership in due course.
sincerely,
Bob
Shaq note:
a team,
I wanted to write to you directly and simply say thank you. Working alongside such an outstanding communications team has been one of the great privileges of my career.
The past four years have been among the most important in our company’s history, and I couldn’t be prouder of how you’ve turned out in every moment. She brought clarity, creativity, and thoughtful strategy to the business, helping to communicate and advance Bob’s strategic priorities in ways that employees, investors, reporters, and consumers could understand and believe in.
As Disney begins its next chapter, the company is fortunate to have outstanding leaders in Josh and Dana leading the way. I’m excited to see the stories you’ll help tell and the impact you’ll continue to have as this chapter unfolds. The talent, care and creativity of this team is exactly what this moment calls for, and I know you will shape what comes next in amazing ways.
With gratitude,
Christina
