Well, I said I'd have some more information today regarding Mrs. Bob Iger (I'm sexist, let her sue me!) and, indeed, thanks partly to some very kind folks here, I do.
Let's start here: Willow's hiring was very contentious as she was up for the job multiple times and always stood out as sorta a reality TV 'star' in a room of great actors. She hasn't endeared herself to many long-time faculty in her time on the job. In particular, two tenured professors at Annenberg have not been reserved in their criticism of her and, more specifically, the situation with the HuffPo column that Bob Iger doesn't want Wall Street or YOU to read.
I'm going to limit my comments to what was discussed in emails that were forwarded (with permission) to me as I spoke briefly with one of the individuals this evening. Contrary to what some people want to believe, as usual, the HuffPo column isn't something only being discussed in 'trivial' places like this. It was brought up by faculty and students last week (while it was still online). The focus then was on the exporting of Americana and the difficulties TWDC has had in selling its BRAND overseas, most notably in China. On Monday, the topic of the day on campus at Annenberg was Willow Bay's very odd fashion statement on the Oscars red carpet.
No, I don't believe a single one of these people read MAGIC (even for my amazing insights), but I've been wrong before. The discussion on the dress focused on whether it was appropriate for 1.) The Director of the Annenberg School of Journalism; and 2.) The spouse of the head of the largest media company in the world; and 3.) Anyone at the Academy Awards.
The Oscars represent formal night for the industry. There is no more respected showcase for achievement than the Oscars. Willow was as out of place as the sweaty theme park goers in their tees at the California Grill. Maybe even more so.
From what I was told, her choice was panned across the board (guess those folks don't robo tweet or read tweets by all the business writers who 'need' access to her husband). And many, who knew how much she campaigned to not be associated with Bob or 'his' company found her motivations to be odd at the very least.
The disappearing column was raised in at least one lecture that I have been made aware of. Both faculty members made it clear that they don't see her roles as ''being compatible'' -- Director of the School/Editor of the HuffPo/Wife of Bob Iger.
They believe she was ''active'' in whatever went down that resulted in the column ''Disney CEO Fumbles Entry to China'' disappearing (that word is a direct quote from one of them, hence the double quote marks). To these well-respected professors, the simple appearance that she could have had any part in censoring an opinion piece that made her husband look bad reinforces the concerns that many faculty members had when she was brought in as a 'vanity hire' and before when she was passed over. The Huffington Post deleting a column critical of TWDC's Chairman and CEO and its Senior Editor's husband.
To these academics, those dots are very easy to connect and very ''problematic'' to USC. An important note, whether these accusations are true is not pertinent to these professors, it's the fact she appears guilty because she has obvious conflicts of interest that never should have been allowed to happen. One went so far to state that if she were Bob Iger's ex-wife or an ex-editor at the HuffPo that this would still look ''untoward'' as she would have/has an interest in both. They are also uncomfortable (in this era of media consolidation) that Bob is the de facto head of ABC News. On the heels of the Brian Williams/NBC saga and the ongoing Bill O"Reilly/FOX scandal, looks do matter.
All of this makes me think that if this is being discussed openly in classes at USC that this is even bigger than I thought.
And, for those playing at home, I've been pretty consistent in telling you that this is huge. This is something that actually could lead to Bob Iger having to step down ... he's already lost face in China. What might he lose next?
, It's not like a couple of newsies from competing papers/stations being married.
