Josh D’Amaro Gets the Big Chair, Dana Walden Gets the Creative Keys at Disney (Ep. 345)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 10 February 2026

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Welcome back to Fine Tooning, where Drew Taylor and Jim Hill record on Super Bowl Sunday, dodge football talk, and instead zero in on animation news, box office bruises, and one of the biggest corporate shake-ups in Disney history. Along the way, there is chatter about Super Bowl trailers, art books you are not allowed to open yet, and why studios still love spending big bucks for 30 seconds of attention. Then the conversation turns serious as Disney’s future leadership comes sharply into focus. NEWS • Super Bowl 60 trailer watch, including expected spots for Toy Story 5, Hoppers, and whether Universal should hype the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie • A rough North American box office weekend, with Send Help limping to number one and Zootopia 2 still padding its already massive worldwide total • Angel Studios news, including a release date for Andy Serkis’ long-awaited Animal Farm • GKIDS picks up a new original animated feature from Macross creator Shoji Kawamori • Genndy Tartakovsky reportedly circling an animated Game of Thrones spin-off, plus a look at Netflix’s Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 FEATURE • Disney announces its next era as Josh D’Amaro is named CEO, effective March 18, 2026 • A deep dive into D’Amaro’s path through Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and why Iger ultimately chose him • Dana Walden promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer, with oversight of Disney’s vast entertainment portfolio • What this leadership pairing signals for Disney’s creative direction, corporate culture, and long-term strategy HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlocked Magic helps you save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12 percent off. Just pick your dates, grab your tickets, and go. Visit UnlockedMagic.com and be sure to tell them Drew and Jim sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	To be or not to be.
0:02.8	Right now we're offering a range of incentives across Audi models.
0:06.5	That is the...
0:07.5	But only until the 28th of February.
0:10.0	The...
0:10.7	Um...
0:12.0	So stop whatever you're doing.
0:14.4	Um... I'll be right back.
0:17.1	Just carry on without me.
0:18.3	And find yours online or at Finchley Road, Audi.
0:21.5	Audi, four-sprung Duck Technic.
0:23.8	Terms and conditions apply.
0:25.1	Selected models, retail customers and participating Audi centres only.
0:29.7	The Philly Cheese Stack is back at McDonald's and it's still intensely cheesy.
0:34.1	Imagine the cheesiest thing ever.
0:35.5	Now cover it in cheese.
0:36.7	Add two beef patties,
0:37.6	cheddar cheese sauce, crispy onions and even more cheese. The Philly Cheese Stack. Did we mention it's cheesy?
0:44.6	Available into the 16th of March, 26, from 11 a.m. fees apply to delivery orders. Price and
0:48.4	participation may vary. Subjects availability. Welcome back to fine tuning with Drew Taylor, your one-stop shop when it comes to animation news and commentary.
0:56.2	I am entertainment writer Jim Hill and Mr. Taylor, whose writings on the industry you can regularly read over on the rap and whose musings on the Mission Impossible movies you can still listen to on Light the Fuse, the official Mission Impossible podcast. Drew and I are recording
1:12.9	this week's show on Sunday, February 8th, Super Bowl Sunday. New England Patriots are doing
	...

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