Disney extends Iger as CEO until July 2019

— The Walt Disney Company announced Thursday it was again extending chief executive Bob Iger’s contract for another year, this time to July 2019.

Iger, whose contract was extended twice previously, telegraphed the move as possible last month in an earnings conference call. Future leadership of Disney has been in focus since Iger’s presumed successor Tom Staggs resigned last spring unexpectedly. The job’s demands include oversight of Disney’s vast empire of entertainment and amusement park properties, as well as the challenge of how to best position the company as technology disrupts the entertainment business.

Disney lead director Orin Smith in a press release praised Iger, 66, as the best choice as “the Board conducts the robust process of identifying a successor and ensuring a smooth transition.”