News Bob Iger Steps Down - Bob Chapek CEO

[CaptinEO]

I'll put it this way, Iger left at the perfect time. Chapek doesn't seem like he understands the company at all or its values, but he did start during the worst time possible.

Iger saw Disney as a giant holding company of different acquisitions. Chapek definitely continues this trend.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'll put it this way, Iger left at the perfect time. Chapek doesn't seem like he understands the company at all or its values, but he did start during the worst time possible.

Iger saw Disney as a giant holding company of different acquisitions. Chapek definitely continues this trend.

Iger left at the perfect time for him - no doubt.

now he’s gonna watch his prestige erode…which is what he’s going to lament. And he should. It was still a coward move to leave during the storm.

I wonder…if during this alleged nostalgic jaunt around wdw…if anyone cared who was behind his wall of guest service screens? I bet far less noticed than Bob would like to think.

 

[Disney Irish]

Iger left at the perfect time for him - no doubt.

now he’s gonna watch his prestige erode…which is what he’s going to lament. And he should. It was still a coward move to leave during the storm.

I wonder…if during this alleged nostalgic jaunt around wdw…if anyone cared who was behind his wall of guest service screens? I bet far less noticed than Bob would like to think.

I doubt Iger's prestige is going to erode as much as you wished it would.

Iger still, even 2 years after stepping down as CEO, is a Wall Street darling. Its the reason why the rumors of internal executives making bets of him making a triumphant return to save the day made news when they got leaked. While I understand some Disney Fans may not love him, Wall Street still does and I don't see any reason why that would stop just because he left.

Now I'm no fan of Chapek, but the guy has only been on the job for 2 years. Its still early in his tenure to determine his full effect on the company. He might be just what is needed to navigate these current waters as Disney continues its transition from a traditional media company to a streaming provider. Or he could be the biggest flop since Light Magic at Disneyland. Only time will tell. Personally I suspect he'll be an "ok" CEO and be replaced once the BOD determines the company has navigated these current waters safely.

Lastly you can call it cowardice to leave, but in reality it was probably the right time and right move for both him and Disney. He had been planning to retire for years and years anyways, but the BOD kept asking him to stay. So why stay this time for what could end of being 2-3 years longer while the company navigates through a pandemic only to then begin the transition. That could end up being an additional 5+ year longer commitment than what was agreed to between him and the BOD. Ultimately there is never a right time for a CEO to retire, someone will always complain it was "too soon", "the wrong time", or in some cases like Eisner that "they overstayed and they should have retired long ago". Nah, better to leave when he did and let someone else take the reigns while he helped with the transition.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I doubt Iger's prestige is going to erode as much as you wished it would.

Iger still, even 2 years after stepping down as CEO, is a Wall Street darling. Its the reason why the rumors of internal executives making bets of him making a triumphant return to save the day made news when they got leaked. While I understand some Disney Fans may not love him, Wall Street still does and I don't see any reason why that would stop just because he left.

Now I'm no fan of Chapek, but the guy has only been on the job for 2 years. Its still early in his tenure to determine his full effect on the company. He might be just what is needed to navigate these current waters as Disney continues its transition from a traditional media company to a streaming provider. Or he could be the biggest flop since Light Magic at Disneyland. Only time will tell. Personally I suspect he'll be an "ok" CEO and be replaced once the BOD determines the company has navigated these current waters safely.

Lastly you can call it cowardice to leave, but in reality it was probably the right time and right move for both him and Disney. He had been planning to retire for years and years anyways, but the BOD kept asking him to stay. So why stay this time for what could end of being 2-3 years longer while the company navigates through a pandemic only to then begin the transition. That could end up being an additional 5+ year longer commitment than what was agreed to between him and the BOD. Ultimately there is never a right time for a CEO to retire, someone will always complain it was "too soon", "the wrong time", or in some cases like Eisner that "they overstayed and they should have retired long ago". Nah, better to leave when he did and let someone else take the reigns while he helped with the transition.

You may be right…

…but you know attention is fleeting. “Big deals” become men when the lights turn off

You believe the “he’s coming back…” grumbling?

it’s possible…but that’s more a reflection of how bad Chappie is more than how great CMB was

 

[Disney Irish]

You believe the “he’s coming back…” grumbling?

Nope, I believe he is retired and will stay retired. I put as much stock into that as those that claim Eisner is coming back.

He may go be on some BOD somewhere, maybe even Disney's BOD again. But to come back and head the company again as CEO, nah I believe he is done.

Every CEO has to go at some point, even Warren can't remain CEO forever, I mean he is 90 after all. Even that company has a plan for when he goes too.

 

[Disney Irish]

…but that’s more a reflection of how bad Chappie is more than how great CMB was

Since we don't know which executives said it we can't tell from what division it came from. Chapek is not a Hollywood guy, which is why I suspect its some of the Hollywood executives saying that Iger would come back. Its because Iger was seen as more friendly to the Hollywood folks. With Chapek in charge they fear for their jobs, and rightfully so.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Nope, I believe he is retired and will stay retired. I put as much stock into that as those that claim Eisner is coming back.

He may go be on some BOD somewhere, maybe even Disney's BOD again. But to come back and head the company again as CEO, nah I believe he is done.

Every CEO has to go at some point, even Warren can't remain CEO forever, I mean he is 90 after all. Even that company has a plan for when he goes too.

I think Iger realized his mistake over the last year: he didn’t listen to Roy. So his cred will be eroded by the buffoon left behind.

so I can’t 100% rule out him wanting to be a white knight…but unlikely.

Wall Street would love it…they’d get a quick, immediate stock bump and easy cash…which is all they want before heading out to Southampton for the weekend.

Since we don't know which executives said it we can't tell from what division it came from. Chapek is not a Hollywood guy, which is why I suspect its some of the Hollywood executives saying that Iger would come back. Its because Iger was seen as more friendly to the Hollywood folks. With Chapek in charge they fear for their jobs, and rightfully so.

Chapek is completely unqualified for his job…I don’t think anyone not in his will likes him at this point…
…but yes…the creatives would hate him the most

he’s a cost cutting peddler - I’m not exaggerating - that’s his entire career. Creatives hate that.

 

[CaptinEO]

Iger left at the perfect time for him - no doubt.

now he’s gonna watch his prestige erode…which is what he’s going to lament. And he should. It was still a coward move to leave during the storm.

I wonder…if during this alleged nostalgic jaunt around wdw…if anyone cared who was behind his wall of guest service screens? I bet far less noticed than Bob would like to think.

Absolutely agree with you. He did it to leave before things started to look bad.

I also think youre right that most people don't know or care who the CEO is of a themepark they are visiting.

 

[Disney Irish]

I think Iger realized his mistake over the last year: he didn’t listen to Roy. So his cred will be eroded by the buffoon left behind.

so I can’t 100% rule out him wanting to be a white knight…but unlikely.

Wall Street would love it…they’d get a quick, immediate stock bump and easy cash…which is all they want before heading out to Southampton for the weekend.

Again I put as much stock in that as I do Eisner making a return. Not saying it "can't" happen, just saying it "won't" happen.

And yes Wall St would love it, but it would be only a quick bump before realization sets in of "Now what?". Because the fact still remains that even if Iger came back he can't stay forever, so who to get to replace him. The same question that plagued the last few years prior to 2020.

So why does Iger need to come back, that question can start now. Who to get to replace x CEO in the future. Don't need Iger to return for that.

Chapek is completely unqualified for his job…I don’t think anyone not in his will likes him at this point…
…but yes…the creatives would hate him the most

he’s a cost cutting **** peddler - I’m not exaggerating - that’s his entire career. Creatives hate that.

Well again that remains to be seen as Chapek's solo tenure only started 3 days ago. You can have that personal opinion, but only history will be the actual judge. I remember these same "He's completely unqualified" statements on boards like this when Iger first took over. And now most of those same posters are wanting Iger to stay.

Basically I'm saying give the man sometime to grow into the job now that he is on his own. Again he might be just what the company needs to get rid of the bloat and become more nibble, which it desperately needs.

 

[GimpYancIent]

On the cinematic front hopefully the live action remake crap stops, and fresh creative material is produced. On the parks side of the house there is always hope there will be an awakening, a realization that a redirect of management / policy / pricing and offerings is needed as even the most ardent Disney fans / aficionados have become disgruntled.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Again I put as much stock in that as I do Eisner making a return. Not saying it "can't" happen, just saying it "won't" happen.

And yes Wall St would love it, but it would be only a quick bump before realization sets in of "Now what?". Because the fact still remains that even if Iger came back he can't stay forever, so who to get to replace him. The same question that plagued the last few years prior to 2020.

So why does Iger need to come back, that question can start now. Who to get to replace Chapek in the future. Don't need Iger to return for that.



Well again that remains to be seen as Chapek's solo tenure only started 3 days ago. You can have that personal opinion, but only history will be the actual judge. I remember these same "He's completely unqualified" statements on boards like this when Iger first took over. And now most of those same posters are wanting Iger to stay.

Basically I'm saying give the man sometime to grow into the job now that he is on his own. Again he might be just what the company needs to get rid of the bloat and become more nibble, which it desperately needs.

Wall Street only sees as far ahead as a 5 day forecast now…but I do agree it’s unlikely.

I highly think you’re revising the vibe when Iger took over. He was viewed with skepticism because he didn’t have a creative history like Eisner - true…
…but he did run Capitol cities…so he was well versed in entertainment business. He just sat around for 10 years at Disney while Eisner threw tomatoes at pressler…but he didn’t forget his own history.

Iger did much better - early - than I predicted. He honed in on “stability” as a more important attribute to Disney than I would have thought possible and did a great job with it. But his last five years will be picked apart on a lot of fronts…
Sound familiar? The die is cast.

Chapek did nothing on the level of Eisner or Iger…
He sold ketchup and then spent 25 years selling in the “low grade crap” divisions of Disney…

people should look up his history…it’s pretty simple.

 

[CaptinEO]

Lets not forget that a lot of garbage going on now happened in Iger's last few years as CEO. He totally dropped the ball with Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilm, and many park projects such as Galaxys Edge, Avengers Campus, and Pixar Pier. That being said, Disney Plus likely saved the company.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

On the cinematic front hopefully the live action remake crap stops, and fresh creative material is produced. On the parks side of the house there is always hope there will be an awakening, a realization that a redirect of management / policy / pricing and offerings is needed as even the most ardent Disney fans / aficionados have become disgruntled.

Zero chance of any of that happening

I’d like to point out that I screamed about the remakes 10 years ago (on another fan playground)…and I’m tired of being right about such things.

iger’s fault

 

[Disney Irish]

Wall Street only sees as far ahead as a 5 day forecast now…but I do agree it’s unlikely.

I highly think you’re revising the vibe when Iger took over. He was viewed with skepticism because he didn’t have a creative history like Eisner - true…
…but he did run Capitol cities…so he was well versed in entertainment business. He just sat around for 10 years at Disney while Eisner threw tomatoes at pressler…but he didn’t forget his own history.

Iger did much better - early - than I predicted. He honed in on “stability” as a more important attribute to Disney than I would have thought possible and did a great job with it. But his last five years will be picked apart on a lot of fronts…
Sound familiar? The die is cast.

Chapek did nothing on the level of Eisner or Iger…
He sold ketchup and then spent 25 years selling in the “low grade crap” divisions of Disney…

people should look up his history…it’s pretty simple.

Again only time will tell. Not saying he is going to be some genus CEO, probably far from it, just saying that he might be what the company needs "right now".

For better or for worse Disney is now in direct competition with Netflix, D+ and the DTC market is now their main focus. Netflix is not a media company, its a tech company. So its no longer just competing in the traditional media landscape like the prior 95 years. So that requires the company to change, to remove the bloat that slows it down and be more nibble to make quicker decisions that come with competing against a tech company.

I give it 3-5 years. If things aren't where they want with D+ and DTC the BOD isn't going to just keep him around. He'll be replace by someone who can lead Disney isn't a better place to compete against the Netflix's and the Amazon's of the streaming world.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Again only time will tell. Not saying he is going to be some genus CEO, probably far from it, just saying that he might be what the company needs "right now".

For better or for worse Disney is now in direct competition with Netflix, D+ and the DTC market is now their main focus. Netflix is not a media company, its a tech company. So its no longer just competing in the traditional media landscape like the prior 95 years. So that requires the company to change, to remove the bloat that slows it down and be more nibble to make quicker decisions that come with competing against a tech company.

I give it 3-5 years. If things aren't where they want with D+ and DTC the BOD isn't going to just keep him around. He'll be replace by someone who can lead Disney isn't a better place to compete against the Netflix's and the Amazon's of the streaming world.

If you’re chapek…you sign up for 5 years right now.

he just doesn’t have the savvy to do this…he’s neither entertainment nor tech…if he has a 5 year run where the house doesn’t burn down and then they go younger? It could work out.

but D+ is a mirage…we aren’t in a world where 4 billion people are gonna pay a monthly fee for rise of Skywalker…they’ll begin to lose subscribers - as they’ve already begun to lose signups - once it settles in. Then the fun begins: costs a lot of money to make cutting edge streaming shows…which is what will be expected of disney…

more…bigger.

there is little doubt that a lot of promises to the money people were made on that…just as they do with the parks. And the Bobs know it’s not entirely realistic.

well…Iger did…at least

 

[Disney Irish]

If you’re chapek…you sign up for 5 years right now.

he just doesn’t have the savvy to do this…he’s neither entertainment nor tech…if he has a 5 year run where the house doesn’t burn down and then they go younger? It could work out.

but D+ is a mirage…we aren’t in a world where 4 billion people are gonna pay a monthly fee for rise of Skywalker…they’ll begin to lose subscribers - as they’ve already begun to lose signups - once it settles in. Then the fun begins: costs a lot of money to make cutting edge streaming shows…which is what will be expected of disney…

more…bigger.

there is little doubt that a lot of promises to the money people were made on that…just as they do with the parks. And the Bobs know it’s not entirely realistic.

well…Iger did…at least

He's only on a 3 year contract right now, which is standard for Disney, and ends in 2023. So he may get one extension, but that only puts him to 2026. Which is right in that 3-5 year window that I was talking about.

As for D+ being a mirage, sorry but I completely disagree. Disney has plenty of content between its own back catalog and the 21st back catalog that can be used to prop up the service for YEARS. Notice how they've been slowly adding older content for the last year, they're doing that as they ramp up the originals in the pipeline. Plus come 2024 when it fully owns Hulu I've been predicting for a long time now its going to be a tile under D+ just like Star is outside the US, making the US Disney Bundle one seamless thing.

Anyways there is enough in the pipeline to keep me interested in D+, and I suspect many others too. Will it be enough to drive subs, that will be interesting to watch. But there is enough that at least for now they aren't losing any subs, at least not in large numbers.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

He's only on a 3 year contract right now, which is standard for Disney, and ends in 2023. So he may get one extension, but that only puts him to 2026. Which is right in that 3-5 year window that I was talking about.

As for D+ being a mirage, sorry but I completely disagree. Disney has plenty of content between its own back catalog and the 21st back catalog that can be used to prop up the service for YEARS. Notice how they've been slowly adding older content for the last year, they're doing that as they ramp up the originals in the pipeline. Plus come 2024 when it fully owns Hulu I've been predicting for a long time now its going to be a tile under D+ just like Star is outside the US, making the US Disney Bundle one seamless thing.

Anyways there is enough in the pipeline to keep me interested in D+, and I suspect many others too. Will it be enough to drive subs, that will be interesting to watch. But there is enough that at least for now they aren't losing any subs, at least not in large numbers.

D+ is a nice service…but it’s viability is now tied to original content…not catalogue.

very few people unaware of Bambi and the empire strikes back at this point.

Netflix had a huge catalogue…it became dependent on original content, however, to turn the corner

mostly agree on the rest.

 

[el_super]

D+ is a nice service…but it’s viability is now tied to original content…not catalogue.

Disagree. Disney's catalogue is second to none in re-watches, especially with the under-10 set. I remember back in the 90s, when parents would complain about the "Disney Vault" concept since so many of their DVD's would just get worn out with re-watches.

Plus there is a whole catalogue of Fox movies going back to 1935 that are still waiting to be tapped.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Disagree. Disney's catalogue is second to none in re-watches, especially with the under-10 set. I remember back in the 90s, when parents would complain about the "Disney Vault" concept since so many of their DVD's would just get worn out with re-watches.

Plus there is a whole catalogue of Fox movies going back to 1935 that are still waiting to be tapped.

Indeed, for most of the past year, Moana was on Nielsen's top ten streamed movies.

During the holiday season, the original Home Alone was in the top ten on D+.

Other 'library' movies that made the top ten: Frozen, Frozen II, and Hocus Pocus.

These were beating out new movies on Netflix.

Plus, D+ will soon be getting Sony's library (through licensing, not acquisition).

Also, Disney is continuing to go through all their old TV shows and made-for-TV movies from their various linear Disney channels, and dropping them on D+. It's new to a new generation.

Also, also: Any perceived lack of new titles is still a consequence of the pandemic. Major studios are still delaying a lot of their shows/movies from previous and current lockdowns and sick-outs.

Disney is ramping up for at least one brand new title per week, maybe two. Disney is dumping the most money of all the streamers for new content.

 

[smooch]

Plus, D+ will soon be getting Sony's library (through licensing, not acquisition).

Also, Disney is continuing to go through all their old TV shows and made-for-TV movies from their various linear Disney channels, and dropping them on D+. It's new to a new generation.

I haven't heard about the Sony licensing deal, I will have to read up about that and hopefully it will add more variety to D+.

I really hope they add Walt Disney's Disneyland and Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color to D+ and more of the older stuff in general.