AP Interviews Bob Iger

[askmike1]

For all who have any doubts about Iger, please look at <!--EZCODE LINK START-->this<!--EZCODE LINK END--> article. The Associated press interviewed Bob Iger and asked him questions about his love for the company, Pixar, and quite a few other things. The article can be found at <!--EZCODE LINK START-->biz.yahoo.com/ap/050318/q_a_robert_iger_2.html<!--EZCODE LINK END-->

For those who don't want to read it, I will summerize the main points.
-He grew up with Disney
-Diane Disney-Miller (the CLOSEST reletive to walt) "was thrilled that an insider was chosen."
-[He] think having a real sensitivity and an appreciation for what Disney means to people around the world is very important. It's not just any company.
-[He's] sure there will be times when [he has] suggestions large or small. But [his] goal is to create a team, to rely on the team, to operate this company as a team.
-[He] fully expect to talk to [Steve Jobs] at some point in the future. It's [his] responsibility to fully explore whether there's a way to continue a relationship with them. It would have to be the right deal for the company.

-Michael
(BTW: Sorry if this was already posted, but I didn't see it anywhere)

 

[Wildman113]

Interesting... the answers he gave seem to hold promise and we'll all be anxious to see what happens. It is imperative to us that we do not expect too much too soon

 

[Mr. Eggz]

For all who have any doubts about Iger, please look at <!--EZCODE LINK START-->this<!--EZCODE LINK END--> article. The Associated press interviewed Bob Iger and asked him questions about his love for the company, Pixar, and quite a few other things. The article can be found at <!--EZCODE LINK START-->biz.yahoo.com/ap/050318/q_a_robert_iger_2.html<!--EZCODE LINK END-->

For those who don't want to read it, I will summerize the main points.
-He grew up with Disney
-Diane Disney-Miller (the CLOSEST reletive to walt) "was thrilled that an insider was chosen."
-[He] think having a real sensitivity and an appreciation for what Disney means to people around the world is very important. It's not just any company.
-[He's] sure there will be times when [he has] suggestions large or small. But [his] goal is to create a team, to rely on the team, to operate this company as a team.
-[He] fully expect to talk to [Steve Jobs] at some point in the future. It's [his] responsibility to fully explore whether there's a way to continue a relationship with them. It would have to be the right deal for the company.

So, Michael, are you saying that...growing up with Disney is an important quality for the CEO of the Walt Disney Company? Eisner didn't, by his own admission.

Are you saying that Diane Disney-Miller's opinion is important? She didn't want Eisner to be CEO in '84 and she asked him to step down a year ago (he didn't, by the way). Just like Eisner, you're starting to talk out of both sides of your mouth.

Are you saying that a positive working relationship with Steve Jobs is valuable for the Walt Disney Company? Be careful, you're starting to sound like you agree with Roy Disney on something.

You're pro-Eisner position may make it difficult for you to support Iger, as Mr. Iger will continue to distance himself from Mr. Eisner's less popular choices. So, good luck with that.

 

[askmike1]

So, Michael, are you saying that...growing up with Disney is an important quality for the CEO of the Walt Disney Company? Eisner didn't, by his own admission.

It's a good thing to have, but I wouldn't base an entire person's leadership skills on this.

Are you saying that Diane Disney-Miller's opinion is important? She didn't want Eisner to be CEO in '84 and she asked him to step down a year ago (he didn't, by the way).

She is also the person who called Roy's campaign an mean personal compaign. She didn't think he was trying to save the company, but that he just wanted Eisner out. Of course she didn't want him to be CEO in 84, he was replacing her husband (would you be supporting the person who is taking your family member's job?)

Are you saying that a positive working relationship with Steve Jobs is valuable for the Walt Disney Company? Be careful, you're starting to sound like you agree with Roy Disney on something.

I'm saying that a deal with Pixar is good...but ONLY if it is good to Disney. Am I in favor of a 50-50 deal, yes. But if DIsney were only to get a Distribution fee (5%), I'd happily say Bye-Bye Pixar. Disney and Pixar make a good team, but Disney does NOT NEED Pixar.

You're pro-Eisner position may make it difficult for you to support Iger, as Mr. Iger will continue to distance himself from Mr. Eisner's less popular choices. So, good luck with that.

Although they are different in many ways, they are alike in others. Here is the best analogy I could come up with. Michael Eisner and Bob Iger are two republicans (or democrats). They rule in different ways, but they still have similar goals and ideas. Roy Disney is from the other party. Michael and Bob are much more similar than Bob and Roy.(As you can see, I'm glad they took analogies off the SATs)

-Michael

 

[Mr. Eggz]

It's a good thing to have, but I wouldn't base an entire person's leadership skills on this.

So, this is an admission the MDE is not perfect?

I actually think being a consumer of the product of a company should be a requirement to be CEO of that company. That is one place where I will say Iger is better than Eisner (but that's not saying much).

She is also the person who called Roy's campaign an mean personal compaign. She didn't think he was trying to save the company, but that he just wanted Eisner out. Of course she didn't want him to be CEO in 84, he was replacing her husband (would you be supporting the person who is taking your family member's job?)

What does this statement have to do with the fact that you are attributing signifiant value to a statement made by someone who has been nothing but critical of your favorite CEO for the past 20 years? Overall, Diane has been far more critical than Roy (although she would rightfully say less "mean").

I'm saying that a deal with Pixar is good...but ONLY if it is good to Disney. Am I in favor of a 50-50 deal, yes. But if DIsney were only to get a Distribution fee (5%), I'd happily say Bye-Bye Pixar. Disney and Pixar make a good team, but Disney does NOT NEED Pixar.

No Diseny does not NEED Pixar, but a deal would help considering Chicken Little is a turkey (the next three films do look much more promising, though). But if you are applauding Bob Iger for re-opening talks with Pixar, then are you suggesting that he could possibley succeed where your hero Eisner failed? So, is Roy's contention correct, that Eisner's overbearing attitude drove Pixar away? What could Iger offer that Eisner could not? Besides the opportunity to be involved in a company that is Eisner free.

Although they are different in many ways, they are alike in others. Here is the best analogy I could come up with. Michael Eisner and Bob Iger are two republicans (or democrats). They rule in different ways, but they still have similar goals and ideas. Roy Disney is from the other party. Michael and Bob are much more similar than Bob and Roy.(As you can see, I'm glad they took analogies off the SATs)

Well, I don't think Iger is anywhere near the best choice to run Disney, but if he has "similar goals and ideas" as Eisner, he is much worse than I thought. Since he has been running his campaign as the change agent for Disney, I think Mr. Iger may actually take exception to that statement. And just what are those "similar goals and ideas," 20 percent retun on equity at any cost? I'd love to know.

By the way, you know Eisner is a Democrat and Roy is a Republican, right?