After 31 years at Disney, a viral layoff video restarts a career

Bess spent 31 years managing publicity for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, overseeing everything from theatrical releases to streaming launches. Despite her experience, the recent dissolution of her three-person team came as a shock. Having survived previous rounds of downsizing, she admits her assumption of safety was likely naive. Transitioning from a career spent directing talent to being the subject of her own narrative proved difficult, yet the pivot to social media served as an unexpected professional catalyst.

The video, shared across Instagram and LinkedIn, functioned as a personal press release. The response was immediate and overwhelming, reconnecting her with former colleagues and industry contacts she had not engaged with in years. While she remains in the early stages of interviewing and networking, the digital outreach has opened doors for meetings and potential ventures. Bess acknowledges that putting herself in the public eye invites scrutiny, but she remains convinced that authentic networking is the most effective path to her next chapter, buoyed by the stories of others who found better opportunities after similar departures.