Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Too funny…actually
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News Josh D’Amaro Named Next CEO of The Walt Disney Company
- Thread starter DCBaker
- Start date
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Wheres the “talent”?
“Embracing AI and supercharging blah blah blah”?
I think this is something that a lot of people are missing and is going to be a major reason why Josh is going to fail.“Embracing AI and supercharging blah blah blah”?
At the parks level there has been a major focus to put technology before the overall guest experience. Technology alone does not make a better guest experience. Focusing on how guests are treated and perceived value is what gets people to stay in hotels and walk through turnstiles.
At the consumer and media level, consumers of "product" want quality not AI slop or something that replaces creativity.
Bob always wanted to make Disney a tech company. It's not and never should be. Focusing on the guest and quality stories is what built Disney. Eisner and Wells got that.
HMF
Well-Known Member
It's pretty clear that Iger was trying more to be a Steve Jobs-type figure rather than a Walt Disney.
Tha Realest
Well-Known Member
I don’t necessarily disagree. I think if anything the parks/cruise lines have been a beneficiary of a shift in society towards more spending towards experiences. Those physical experiences cannot yet be replicated by AI. That said, I don’t know (nor believe, sadly) the public is anti-AI. I don’t believe many care if a credits sequence or portions of a CGI action segment is created or augmented by AI.
A significant part of social media is either AI engagement or AI content generation and most of it is complete slop. I think most people are already exhausted of it as well, especially younger demographics. Disney already has had a difficult time producing and generating quality content, as demonstrated by the many misses they've put out post Covid. Taking shortcuts via AI integration in the process is the wrong approach and certainly won't make it better. They actually have to invest in bringing quality people on board and creating content that appeals to the general audience, just as Pete Docter from Pixar recently said about looking to stop making "therapy films" instead of something that is designed for mass appeal. Disney's biggest challenge right now is regaining the trust of audiences they lost who felt the messaging of their product was too overhanded.
On the parks level Disney has used technology to make the guest experience worse. I'm not talking about drones or walking droids, I'm referring to its infestation into every aspect of the park experience to extract revenue or perform functions that once required human interaction. Eisner made an astute comment about it being "harder than ever to have everyone treated as a VIP", well one of the major reasons for that is because the focus on technology has shifted the experience away from human interaction and away from focusing on guest satisfaction.
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Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Bob wanted desperately to be seen as a 'tech guy', like his corporate hero, Steve Jobs. Josh appears to be wrapping his arms around the same aspirations. I guess that old, bitter guy who advised him recently to focus on the creative side as well doesn't know what he's talking about. Disney = supercharged tech, baby!
Bob wanted desperately to be seen as a 'tech guy', like his corporate hero, Steve Jobs. Josh appears to be wrapping his arms around the same aspirations. I guess that old, bitter guy who advised him recently to focus on the creative side as well doesn't know what he's talking about. Disney = supercharged tech, baby!
So, what global catastrophe is Iger masterminding in order to be asked to come back and be CEO again?
What will be the first fan service action, and how long til it's announced? I'm guessing it'll be something quite minor that the Unionists will love, while lowly Fenians, such as myself, will see as a minor concession. I hope, rather desperately to be honest, that his reign sally forths a new era of quality over IP, but I doubt it. The king is beholden to the church, not the citizenry.
Yeah, I understand. This is literally like the Jets v. the Sharks.
Spideeey_24
Active Member
Alright gang, what’ll be the first move that D’Amaro will do that’ll make everyone hate him and wanting Iger back
Tha Realest
Well-Known Member
Leaning more into variable pricing
Vinnie Mac
Well-Known Member
RMC? At WDW? Lol
Tha Realest
Well-Known Member
Also don’t disagree here. But the consuming public is ambivalent at best over AI stuff - they are affected by it, purchase items with AI art, and willfully share AI creations (whether news articles or Seedance type creations).
I don’t view this solely as an AI/tech issue so much as the aggressive monetization that has infiltrated everything else they’ve done.
Jambo Dad
Well-Known Member
Wow you would hope that ship had sailed and nobody would want Iger these days.
Trick question Penguin!!
With pants that tight, it's pretty clear Josh doesn't breathe!
Here's the memo Josh D'Amaro sent out today:
Dear Fellow Employees and Cast Members,
More than 40 years ago, my family took me to Disneyland for the first time. One of the first attractions we rode was Peter Pan’s Flight, inspired by the animated film so many families already knew and loved. I can still picture my father’s face when our pirate ship lifted into the dark. As we flew over London, he leaned in and said, “See, I told you. It feels like we’re flying!” I remember that moment clearly. It was joy. It was family. And it was Disney.
I have thought about that moment many times because it captures something essential about this company. At its best, Disney creates stories, characters, and experiences that people connect with deeply and carry with them for a lifetime. That takes exceptional creativity, craftsmanship, and thousands of people united by a shared commitment to excellence.
As I step into the CEO role today, I am humbled and honored to help write the next chapter of this company alongside this team.
The magic of Disney comes to life in many ways — through our films and series, ESPN and sports, our music and stage shows, our streaming platforms and consumer products, and our theme parks, hotels, and cruise ships. Each strengthens the others, extending Disney’s reach in ways no one else can match.
That puts Disney in a category of one. It was clear to me when I started here 28 years ago, and it is even clearer today. No one else can do what we do with the same combination of creativity, quality, and global scale. We reach people in more places than ever before, and every minute of every day, someone somewhere in the world is engaging with Disney.
We stand on an extraordinary foundation, and the priorities that will guide us forward are clear.
First, great storytelling and creative excellence will remain our North Star. They underpin every decision we make. We will continue to raise the bar, take smart risks, learn quickly, and deliver work that exceeds our audiences’ expectations and our own.
Second, we will embrace technology to unlock new possibilities. Innovation has always been part of Disney’s DNA. Used thoughtfully, it can empower our storytellers, strengthen our capabilities, and help us create more immersive, interactive, and personal ways for people to experience Disney.
Third, we will operate as One Disney. Our greatest advantage is not any one business, but how our global businesses come together. When our teams are aligned and working in a connected way, we can build on our strengths, reach people wherever they are, and deepen their relationship with Disney.
This transition comes at a moment when the world is changing faster than ever. While that can feel daunting at times, it is also exciting. Disney has endured and thrived for generations by meeting change with vision, ambition, integrity, and optimism. Bob Iger has led this company in that spirit, and I am grateful for his trust, mentorship, and friendship through the years.
It is a privilege to follow in his footsteps and lead this team, and I do so with a deep sense of responsibility and excitement about our future. This is an extraordinary company, and that is because of the talented, passionate, and dedicated people who work here.
That feeling of flying I had on Peter Pan all those years ago is still real to me. And today, I am honored to move forward with all of you — with ambition, optimism, and absolute confidence in what we can build together.
Josh
Dear Fellow Employees and Cast Members,
More than 40 years ago, my family took me to Disneyland for the first time. One of the first attractions we rode was Peter Pan’s Flight, inspired by the animated film so many families already knew and loved. I can still picture my father’s face when our pirate ship lifted into the dark. As we flew over London, he leaned in and said, “See, I told you. It feels like we’re flying!” I remember that moment clearly. It was joy. It was family. And it was Disney.
I have thought about that moment many times because it captures something essential about this company. At its best, Disney creates stories, characters, and experiences that people connect with deeply and carry with them for a lifetime. That takes exceptional creativity, craftsmanship, and thousands of people united by a shared commitment to excellence.
As I step into the CEO role today, I am humbled and honored to help write the next chapter of this company alongside this team.
The magic of Disney comes to life in many ways — through our films and series, ESPN and sports, our music and stage shows, our streaming platforms and consumer products, and our theme parks, hotels, and cruise ships. Each strengthens the others, extending Disney’s reach in ways no one else can match.
That puts Disney in a category of one. It was clear to me when I started here 28 years ago, and it is even clearer today. No one else can do what we do with the same combination of creativity, quality, and global scale. We reach people in more places than ever before, and every minute of every day, someone somewhere in the world is engaging with Disney.
We stand on an extraordinary foundation, and the priorities that will guide us forward are clear.
First, great storytelling and creative excellence will remain our North Star. They underpin every decision we make. We will continue to raise the bar, take smart risks, learn quickly, and deliver work that exceeds our audiences’ expectations and our own.
Second, we will embrace technology to unlock new possibilities. Innovation has always been part of Disney’s DNA. Used thoughtfully, it can empower our storytellers, strengthen our capabilities, and help us create more immersive, interactive, and personal ways for people to experience Disney.
Third, we will operate as One Disney. Our greatest advantage is not any one business, but how our global businesses come together. When our teams are aligned and working in a connected way, we can build on our strengths, reach people wherever they are, and deepen their relationship with Disney.
This transition comes at a moment when the world is changing faster than ever. While that can feel daunting at times, it is also exciting. Disney has endured and thrived for generations by meeting change with vision, ambition, integrity, and optimism. Bob Iger has led this company in that spirit, and I am grateful for his trust, mentorship, and friendship through the years.
It is a privilege to follow in his footsteps and lead this team, and I do so with a deep sense of responsibility and excitement about our future. This is an extraordinary company, and that is because of the talented, passionate, and dedicated people who work here.
That feeling of flying I had on Peter Pan all those years ago is still real to me. And today, I am honored to move forward with all of you — with ambition, optimism, and absolute confidence in what we can build together.
Josh