Tony Perkis
Well-Known Member
Watched the Letterman finale. I'm sad now.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
A Spirited Perfect Ten
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
A great post from someone who knows what he's talking about.
Nothing from any of the wires ... so odd. ... and you nailed what you'd have wanted from the store opening. Bob (or Bob and Tom) flanked by the dragons and maybe the mice.
I have no idea what it is that does. I think I became aware that he existed when playing Fun With Tweets about a year or two ago. ... The bigger issue if the CCP didn't want the footage released and denied Disney the right to do so, then Disney isn't going to be happy with Brad (because they aren't going to be able to explain that some blogger somehow got footage of theirs without their knowledge without really angering officials over there).
CNBC was forced to use still images from Getty when doing their puff piece earlier today (while superimposing graphics).
Brad ain't that important to Disney (even with his whoring for the BRAND). If they wouldn't give it to Bloomberg, AP or WSJ etc, then I don't see Disney letting him. Someone working for them thought otherwise is my guess.
FigmentJedi
Well-Known Member
They just removed the explicit references to Walt and the park in the comic shop exposition sequence while the DIsney rides at the World's Fair stuff are obviously intact and indeed, the Disney stuff is key to the film's universe.
But apparently Lindelof thought one of the biggest hooks of the movie (that Walt was actually in on this big conspiracy) that's been one of the bigger thrusts of the marketing would result in too much meta-eyerolling and felt the exposition scene was running long. It's really dumb, but at least it's gonna be on the Blu-Ray.
I'm fan of accuracy as well. It just seems your version of accuracy involves Disney making an announcement or putting out a statement or press release, which is sorta absurd considering what we're talking about could be extremely damaging to the BRAND or simply the stock. If that's what you're looking for, you are not an idiot and you damn well know that it will not be forthcoming. ... And while I think Gaston gets a bit of a bad wrap, as who wouldn't want to kill a Beast and the dude also makes a fine pork shank, I think you suggesting that I'm looking for blood might be a bit much.
You say you're in no rush to judgement, but I don't even know what that means in this context. It also seems painfully obvious that you made up your mind (your judgement) about anything I raised involving Disney, Iger and China a very long time ago. If I said they had a Great Wall, then you'd argue the point. So, as you question my alleged ''ulterior motives'' (I've been very upfront about mine), I question yours and why you are even discussing this topic in this thread.
It will open next spring (mark May 8th on your calendars) unless the Party decides that it won't.
That work that needs to be done could literally be finished within six months IF they were working on a true China schedule. They aren't. This project is taking an outrageously long period of build time, which (again) the financial and entertainment press don't seem to care about.
To be fair (and I know you wish to be), I was asking to see Bob (and Tom) in ceremonies on site at Shanghai Disneyland and the Shanghai Disney Store.
Photos. Videos.
There are absolutely none.
The photo that is now out (thanks to out good pal, Brad -- who's think he's always right according to Dave!) shows Bob and an Asian CM at a Disney Store that literally could have been taken anywhere in the world at any time. I'm going to say it was taken in the last 72 hours in Shanghai. But that's not what I was looking for in the least, and that little photo was not supposed to be released.
And you still think nothing is strange. I think that's kinda strange myself.
Wow! You really think I'm that important?!! I'm starting to get a bulge!
Oh wait, you mean Phil ... there goes the bulge.
Seriously, if he was trying to be helpful, Stitch/Brad put the photo early this afternoon (while I was stuck in a third-world like hospital clinic) and Phil could have 'helped' us all by putting it out immediately. He waited until I came on, posted and he pounced. I'm very used to that behavior from him and others.
But, again, that picture means nothing, except to the Commies.
If they put the pic out that @PhotoDave219 suggested, then that would have meant something.
No one can give me an explanation for why they didn't. At least here they can't (I already know why).
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
The absence of publicity is abnormal for this situation. I don't know what to conclude from that.
This isn't what happened in Hong Kong. Nor Paris. The opening of a Disney Store in the middle of Communist China? That screams business headlines. You'd expect a horde of photos and a series of well-placed puff pieces in the usual places.
But a handful of subpar photos on two low-level PR Wires? A small brief from the AP? A slightly longer brief ran across AFP (Agence-France Presse). Best Photos seem to be from Reuters, although they are all from the store.
The International Business Times had the largest piece, along with the South China Morning Post, none mentioning Bob Iger beyond that one photo. Bloomberg had a piece that did quote Bob, but it was from May 5th. Bloomberg ACTUALLY RAN THE BOB PHOTO. Wall Street Journal ran a small piece, mostly about the castle topping off.
But none of it was a giant production number. None of it was the giant PR behemoth that I'd expect.
Now we're all Disney fans. We're all hardcore Disney fans. We look at the minutia. We look at the details and follow up on the footnotes and have for years. What's going on here is completely out of character for TWDC and it makes me wonder why.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Wow! You really think I'm that important?!! I'm starting to get a bulge!
Oh wait, you mean Phil ... there goes the bulge.
Seriously, if he was trying to be helpful, Stitch/Brad put the photo early this afternoon (while I was stuck in a third-world like hospital clinic) and Phil could have 'helped' us all by putting it out immediately. He waited until I came on, posted and he pounced. I'm very used to that behavior from him and others.
But, again, that picture means nothing, except to the Commies.
If they put the pic out that @PhotoDave219 suggested, then that would have meant something.
No one can give me an explanation for why they didn't. At least here they can't (I already know why).
I wouldn't read anything in with StitchKingdom. He pulled that off Businesswire.com, it seems. Or Bloomberg. That's the largest outlet I found that covered the opening as well as the only outlet that moved that photo other than the aforementioned wire.
Absolutely right. And I apologize for cutting your post, but the truth of it is all summed up in your first paragraph.
And that is precisely why EVERYthing that happens there, or doesn't, is so vitally important. This is the world's largest consumer market and Disney is barely a blip there. And every day it becomes more obvious that indeed the Disney CEO HAS Fumbled The Company's Entry to China.
Rupert, Sumner, Ted ... and, of course, Michael would never have allowed themselves to be treated the way Bob has allowed himself and his exec leadership core. He is weak. He is impotent. And he is to blame as he signed the deal. He'll get to be photographed in the park one day next spring. And his name will be on a plaque, alongside a Chinese official picked by the party ... and then he'll focus on Marvel or Lucas's next tent pole or greenlighting Frozen 3: Olaf Meets a Poodle And Turns Yellow. The mess will be left for the new guy and that guy won't be Tom Staggs (even if he looks like he's using the AndroGel).
Me too.
It's a new era. And as someone who actually watched his daytime flop on NBC and became a regular watcher while in high school of Late Night, he'll be missed.
I know I should enjoy the likeable James Corden now on CBS, but I miss Craig Ferguson. I just don't dig the fake driving around LA with Justin Bieber in the car or the 'doing' 2-3-4 guests on the sofa at once (I know that sounds bad!)
Dave was this generation's Johnny Carson. He was comfortable and reassuring and wasn't wowed by celebrity (like a Jimmy Fallon is). Late night TV won't be the same.
I've heard rumblings about him getting an honorary Emmy. He certainly is deserving. Unlike another ex-Weatherman. I just can't believe Dave has been doing this since 1980. That's wild. I wish him and Regina and Harry a very happy and healthy life together.
I guess I go back to flipping between Jimmy's, but it's not the same at all. And I wonder what Colbert will bring to the table when he is himself and not a character.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Weird. Getty moved a crapton of images. Total of 85 from ChinaFotoPress, Getty and an AFP stringer.
Bob isn't in any of them. (If someone has time, look at the wide shots from the ceremony. I can't even find Bob or Tom or anyone from Disney corporate beyond Paul Candland in them. Its like playing Where's Waldo a bit)
MerlinTheGoat
Well-Known Member
The one question that still buzzes in my head- Where is Disney going to find a good CEO replacement if Staggs 100% has no chance of getting the job next? I'm assuming Rasulo isn't getting it either. Doesn't sound like the board has any faith in anyone at the company currently to actually run things. Granted that COULD be a good thing, but it depends on the reasoning behind this and what sort of person the board of directors wants to run the place (and whether they're willing to allow proper investment in quality again). If they just want another guy to cut quality to up short term profit, then it's kind of pointless.
Basically, are the board members finally ready to let go with the way Iger has run the company and admit that things need to change? Enough to give someone more talented a go after his term expires (assuming he isn't drafted back in again)? I'm just wondering if there's even a desire whatsoever in the ranks of the powers that be to change things for the better. Because if they're not, I don't see any reason to assume that Iger's replacement will be any better. Whether he comes from inside or outside the company. As horrible as Iger is, I still do think there could be even worse leaders.
Basically, are the board members finally ready to let go with the way Iger has run the company and admit that things need to change? Enough to give someone more talented a go after his term expires (assuming he isn't drafted back in again)? I'm just wondering if there's even a desire whatsoever in the ranks of the powers that be to change things for the better. Because if they're not, I don't see any reason to assume that Iger's replacement will be any better. Whether he comes from inside or outside the company. As horrible as Iger is, I still do think there could be even worse leaders.
Last edited:
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
From what I can tell, looking at about 5 different wide shots of the ceremony..... I can't find Bob or Tom in the photos.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Unrelated to China.....
I have people who were at the DL preview tonight of WOC for the 60th. Mixed reviews.... Universal dislike for putting "Let it Go" in there.
I have people who were at the DL preview tonight of WOC for the 60th. Mixed reviews.... Universal dislike for putting "Let it Go" in there.
They weren't in them because they weren't there. It was a VERY exclusive guest list, about two dozen total. I've been to parties at Hollywood B-Listers homes and they have hundreds of people. ... In O-Town, Disney invited approximately 874 people (each with Guests) to the unveiling of a new cupcake just ask jennifer.j.fickley@disney.com or thomas.smith@disney.com (phone numbers available upon request)
As to Brad picking up the photo, it had to be gotten in a highly questionable fashion as Businesswire has carriage agreements with AP, Bloomberg, Dow Jones ... all of the majors. They would have grabbed that picture and ran with it.
The Board loves Bob and is blinded by him, $$$ and Wall Street and $$$. They aren't thinking that far ahead. And I am sure that some hope that Bob will say ''I'll stay another 18-24 months'' when he gets within a year of his leave date.
I heard similar things when they ran the previews for the exec team a month ago. Apparently, marketing dictated story and the flow and choices are ... not the best.
Any O-Town-whores there yet?
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
So you're suggesting or saying that neither Tom Staggs nor CEO Bob Iger were not invited to the ceremonial opening of The World's Largest Disney Store and the first in China?
Now that right there is a story. Because who has that kinda juice, to tell a CEO he cannot come to the opening of his own store?
Last edited: