Disney has been a machine for making magic — and money — since its founding in 1923. Walt Disney launched the character to fame in 1928’s “Steamboat Willie,” the first animated film to feature fully synchronized sound. The engine of this virtuous cycle remains Disney’s fearsome creative operation, along with its library of iconic copyrights and trademarks. But the prize went to D’Amaro, whose focus is customer “experiences.” Given the disruptions roiling the entertainment business, that logic makes sense. These hungry upstarts are capitalizing on new technologies to delight audiences the way Walt Disney did during Hollywood’s golden age.

Source: Washington Post February 04, 2026 05:22 UTC