In a strategic shift, Walt Disney Co. is adjusting its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to place greater emphasis on business outcomes. This change, outlined in an internal memo obtained by Reuters, comes as the entertainment giant joins other U.S. corporations reevaluating their DEI efforts, influenced by recent political and social developments.
Disney’s 2024 annual report, released in September, notably omitted references to the “Reimagine Tomorrow” program, which had previously served as an online platform to amplify underrepresented voices and reflect the company’s DEI commitments. The program’s removal from the report signals a reorientation towards initiatives that more directly impact Disney’s business operations.
Sonia Coleman, Disney’s Chief Human Resources Officer, addressed the change in a memo to employees, revealing that the “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative will be rebranded as “MyDisneyToday.” The revamped focus will be on talent acquisition, fostering an inclusive company culture, and advancing underserved communities, while aligning these efforts with Disney’s business objectives. Coleman emphasized that a workforce mirroring the diverse global audience Disney serves is essential to its success in the entertainment industry.
“The ability to attract top talent, create a culture of belonging, and build diverse communities is integral to driving our business forward,” Coleman stated in the memo.
Additionally, Disney plans to modify its executive compensation structure. Going forward, “talent strategy” will be added as a key performance indicator, evaluating how well company leaders promote Disney’s core values. This new factor will replace the previous focus on increasing the diversity of executives and managers to better reflect the company’s audiences. Disney’s most recent proxy filing revealed that executive pay is currently split, with 70% tied to financial performance and 30% based on broader company goals, including leadership effectiveness.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny from conservative groups who have criticized Disney’s inclusion of racially diverse and LGBTQ+ characters in its productions. America First Legal, a group founded by former White House official Stephen Miller, even penned a letter to Disney’s board, claiming the company’s DEI focus had negatively impacted its stock performance. Disney has also found itself in the middle of a contentious clash with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which restricts discussions of sexuality and gender in classrooms.
As the business world recalibrates its approach to DEI, major players like Disney and Amazon are signaling a retreat from some of the more progressive diversity initiatives that gained prominence in recent years. Last week, Amazon removed references to “inclusion and diversity” from its own annual report after announcing it was scaling back such programs.
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