Walt Disney Co. has laid off several hundred employees worldwide as part of an ongoing push to streamline operations and reduce costs, according to a company insider familiar with the matter.
The latest job cuts primarily affect staff in marketing, television publicity, casting, development, and corporate financial departments, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While no entire team was eliminated, select roles across these divisions were impacted. Affected employees were informed on Monday.
The move follows a previous round of layoffs in March, where nearly 200 roles were cut across ABC News and Disney Entertainment Networks due to continued challenges in the traditional television sector.
This week’s layoffs align with Disney’s broader efficiency drive first outlined in 2023, following the return of CEO Bob Iger. The initiative includes restructuring efforts aimed at positioning the company for long-term growth, particularly in the streaming space.
In total, Iger’s cost-saving plan — dubbed a “strategic realignment” — calls for the elimination of 7,000 jobs over multiple phases. Disney employs approximately 233,000 people globally, with around 171,000 based in the United States.
Disney has maintained that these changes are necessary to maintain creative leadership while navigating shifting industry economics.
“We continually evaluate ways to invest in our businesses and more effectively manage our resources and costs to fuel the state-of-the-art creativity and innovation that consumers value and expect from Disney,” the company previously stated.