The Walt Disney Co. has begun a broad round of layoffs, which will result in 1,000 jobs being cut across multiple divisions within the Burbank entertainment giant.<\/p>\n
The layoffs, which began Tuesday, will ripple across Disney\u2019s television and movie studios, sports giant ESPN, its product and technology unit, corporate functions and marketing, according to a person familiar with the retrenchment but not authorized to comment. <\/p>\n
Chief Executive Josh D\u2019Amaro notified Disney staff members about the looming cuts on Tuesday morning. In the message, viewed by The Times, D\u2019Amaro acknowledged the elimination of roles would be difficult.<\/p>\n
The move follows Disney\u2019s announcement in January that it would consolidate Disney\u2019s sprawling marketing division.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past several months, we have looked at ways in which we can streamline our operations in various parts of the company to ensure we deliver the world-class creativity and innovation our fans value and expect from Disney,\u201d D\u2019Amaro said in the note. <\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the fast-moving pace of our industries, this requires us to constantly assess how to foster a more agile and technologically-enabled workforce to meet tomorrow\u2019s needs,\u201d D\u2019Amaro wrote. \u201cAs a result, we will be eliminating roles in some parts of the company and have begun notifying impacted employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cost-cutting is one of the first major moves since D\u2019Amaro became chief executive last month.<\/a> <\/p>\n After officially taking the reins, D\u2019Amaro told employees he wants the company \u2014 which includes film and TV studios, a tourism division, streaming services and live sports programming \u2014 to operate as \u201cone Disney,\u201d saying the global businesses all play a role in deepening consumers\u2019 relationship with the brand and its characters.<\/p>\n Traditional entertainment companies have been reeling from the steady erosion of what was once an economic pillar \u2014 programming fees from ESPN, Disney Channel and other popular outlets. <\/p>\n Last week, Sony Pictures Entertainment said it planned to cut hundreds of its employees<\/a> worldwide as it looked to restructure its business. Paramount Skydance, since its takeover by David Ellison, has eliminated more than 2,000 jobs<\/a>. Even Netflix has jettisoned jobs.<\/p>\n