MAM
Who is Josh D’Amaro, mayor of Main Street USA and Disney’s new CEO?
LOS ANGELES: Josh D’Amaro has been appointed chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, becoming the ninth leader in the firm’s 100-year history as the entertainment giant confronts slowing television revenues, rising production costs and softening box-office returns.
A long-time Disney insider and former head of the parks division, the 54-year-old replaces Bob Iger after a turbulent leadership cycle that followed the short-lived tenure of Bob Chapek. Known for his approachable style and deep loyalty to the company, D’Amaro has built a strong reputation among employees and fans alike.
His promotion reflects the growing importance of Disney’s experiences business, which includes theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, consumer products and games. The division now delivers more than 70 per cent of operating profit, posting $3.3 billion in the December quarter alone. Under D’Amaro, Disney committed roughly $60 billion to expand parks and cruises globally, while laying plans for its first Middle East resort in Abu Dhabi.
He also backed Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, aimed at blending gaming with entertainment franchises.
Yet challenges loom. Disney’s traditional television business continues to shrink, while blockbuster franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars have lost some of their shine. Competition is intensifying, with Comcast’s NBCUniversal opening the $7 billion Universal Epic Universe near Walt Disney World in Florida. International visitor numbers to US parks have also dipped.
D’Amaro, a Georgetown University graduate who joined Disney in 1998, has held senior roles across marketing, finance and operations, including president of Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. During the pandemic, he oversaw park closures and later spearheaded new attractions in Hong Kong and Japan.
His lack of experience in film, television and streaming mirrors one of the weaknesses that dogged Chapek’s leadership. At the same time, Hollywood is grappling with disruption from generative artificial intelligence, while consolidation battles among Netflix, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery threaten to reshape the industry.
Despite the headwinds, supporters describe D’Amaro as a passionate steward of Disney’s legacy. “Disney runs through his blood,” said a former Imagineer.
Shares in Disney are down about 40 per cent over five years, underscoring the scale of the task now facing its new chief.
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
