Layoffs at Disney extend to Europe, Middle East, and Africa, impacting thousands of staff
Approximately 100 staff members in London and across the EMEA region have been informed this week that their jobs are at risk of redundancy. The exact number is unknown said Deadline, but it is believed to be proportionate to the staff layoffs in the U.S. Consultations with the affected employees have already begun.
According to sources, the employees most at risk of layoffs are primarily in the marketing and press departments, as well as back-office roles such as talent acquisition, engineering, and IT. However, the Deadline report suggested that the Disney+ commissioning and production team will be spared from the cuts for now, as they are considered integral to Disney's future strategy.
The anticipated layoffs have been in the works for some time. In April, Disney's international teams were preparing for job cuts and reductions in content. The departure of Rebecca Campbell, the Chairman of International Operations, added to the concerns of non-U.S. staff. Campbell's exit was announced shortly after Disney CEO Bob Iger's initial announcement of the proposed layoffs in February, and her position was not filled.
The EMEA region of the Mouse House employs over 5,000 staff members (excluding Disneyland Paris), with approximately 40% located in the UK and Ireland. Other employees are stationed in various regions including Latin America, Asia Pacific, and India.
The content team of Disney+ operates from London and is under the leadership of Diego Londono, the EVP of Media Networks and Content. Additionally, Disney has a presence in important markets such as France and Germany.
Deadline received information about the EMEA cuts from multiple sources on Wednesday, and there were also posts on LinkedIn by some Disney employees regarding the matter.
Earlier this week, the U.S. witnessed the commencement of the third phase of planned layoffs, involving more than 2,500 jobs across various departments within the company. While the Parks and Resorts division has been relatively unaffected, the layoffs have not been specifically targeted at any particular division.
It has been noted that the TV division, which experienced significant cuts in the previous round, has been largely spared this time, according to information received by Deadline.
The announcement arrives during a challenging period for major streaming platforms and studios, as they face the repercussions of an economic downturn, a sluggish advertising market, and an ongoing writers strike.
