News Disney announces strategic restructuring of media and entertainment divisions.

[_caleb]

You may not be aware that fact- Iger has openly stated he wants more diversity in his executive team. What Iger says, Chapek does. Take it for what it's worth. Easy to call out the race card without facts.

I’m aware that both Iger and Chapek have made commitments to bringing more diversity to Disney’s executive leadership team. But your post:

Kareem Daniels while talented is a move in TWDC to improve diversity in the top ranks. Iger's been pushing this initiative.

Implies that Daniel’s promotion is primarily due to the color of his skin. The implication is found in the “while talented” part and the use of the word “pushing.”) If you didn’t mean to imply this with your post you might consider rewording the post to more accurately express your thoughts (given how it came across to at least one member here).

I am not trying to attack you or derail the thread. I am not ascribing motive or intentions. I appreciate your participation on these boards and value your perspective.

Kareem Daniel has a lot of experience with the company, and major shifts in the market (the strength of direct-to-consumer/streaming, the social impact of video games, and the popularity of niche fandom) mean that his experience is more valuable than ever to Disney. I think that someone with his parks experience would be promoted to this level of leadership should excite all us parks fans.

 

[_caleb]

Oh, I agree. Nothing matters to me except whether someone is qualified for a position.

I was speaking theoretically. We’ll have to wait to see what reputation he creates for himself.

I agree that all eyes will be on Daniel. As I mentioned, the fact that he’s a self-described comic book nerd is a very good sign for me!

 

[WondersOfLife]

If major studios took over theater chains, that would be another direct-to-consumer strategy. The problem is that there is no money in movie theaters.

There's a reason rural areas without movie theaters don't have movie theaters. They aren't viable. Theaters are totally at the mercy of whatever the studios are cranking out. The innovations they've tried in order to bring people in (conversion to digital, surround audio, MoviePass-like programs, 3D, dining services, pre-purchase and seat selection apps, etc.) may have enticed people to come out, but at much higher costs. Outrageously overpriced popcorn and soda don't cut it anymore.

And then, of course, there's the recent attention to theater security and safety (shootings, infectious disease) and the expenses of addressing these.

It's just not possible to make money in the movie theater business anymore.

....Unless you're a small family-owned one-theatre auditorium where you aren't paying a bunch of staff and you play re-runs for $5.00 admission.

It all depends on how the business is operated, and it also depends on your surrounding community.

 

[erasure fan1]

I know! But I'm not sure the reason was what Disney seemed to think. The toys were the problem, not the games! If Disney Infinity had been free-to-play with cosmetic add-ons (a la Fortnite), I think things would have turned out very differently.

With this restructuring, Kareem Daniel (the former president of consumer products, games and publishing) will be leading the new media and entertainment distribution group. So I'm hoping he'll see the benefits of direct-to-consumer to games, too!

Disney as a company doesn't have the mindset to be successful in the video game space. They are way to conservative and risk averse. They only thing they should do in the video game market, is let companies other than EA, make games for them. They have the richest, deepest pool of IPs around. Yet the majority of great Disney games were on the sega genesis and snes. Let developers do what they do best. As smart as Iger thinks he is, I feel he still thinks of video games as a niche kids toy. When in reality video games dwarf music and film from a revenue standpoint.

 

[_caleb]

....Unless you're a small family-owned one-theatre auditorium where you aren't paying a bunch of staff and you play re-runs for $5.00 admission.

It all depends on how the business is operated, and it also depends on your surrounding community.

Doesn’t seem like many of these small theaters are out there doing well. Or are you thinking the demise of the big chains will open up an opportunity?

 

[tirian]

I agree that all eyes will be on Daniel. As I mentioned, the fact that he’s a self-described comic book nerd is a very good sign for me!

I don’t know. Josh D is a good guy who can’t protect his division from bad decisions. Disney+ launched with significant app and content problems, plus it padded its sub numbers through free add-ons. We won’t know its success rate it makes a profit (expected in 2025). Of course I do expect it to be successful.

 

[_caleb]

I don’t know. Josh D is a good guy who can’t protect his division from bad decisions. Disney+ launched with significant app and content problems, plus it padded its sub numbers through free add-ons. We won’t know its success rate it makes a profit (expected in 2025). Of course I do expect it to be successful.

Agree about D’Amaro, but man, does he come across as someone who cares about the business, CMs, and guests!

Also, Disney really went ALL IN on Disney+. Rather than hedging their bets (as they do with many other ventures), they seem in it to win. I agree that they will see success. I just hope that success doesn’t cost other really good things.

 

[_caleb]

Disney as a company doesn't have the mindset to be successful in the video game space. They are way to conservative and risk averse. They only thing they should do in the video game market, is let companies other than EA, make games for them. They have the richest, deepest pool of IPs around. Yet the majority of great Disney games were on the sega genesis and snes. Let developers do what they do best. As smart as Iger thinks he is, I feel he still thinks of video games as a niche kids toy. When in reality video games dwarf music and film from a revenue standpoint.

I totally agree.

But a few things I think could change Iger’s mindset on games:

• New restructuring around pandemic-resistant business
• New executive leaders who value gaming and the gaming community
• Digital animation IP already has most of what makes game development expensive
• Developers (like EA) can be terrible partners who either ruin opportunities or also serve as platforms for rivals
• WDI using game engines more and more in attractions

I think all it would take is one breakout modern game with Disney IP for him to see the value.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

Think "Amazon Theaters" "Netflix Theaters" All the big studios can now operate theaters if they choose

I’m not sure if the laws from the Paramount era were overturned, but if they weren’t. Disney & the like are prevented from owning movie theatre companies.
EDIT: the paramount laws were overturned in August. Please disregard my response

 

[FigmentFan82]

EDIT: the paramount laws were overturned in August. Please disregard my response

Exactly why I mentioned it. Funny enough, when the law was introduced Disney was not yet a distributor so the law never applied to them. But it appears theater exhibition wasn't something Disney was interested in

 

[UNCgolf]

I totally agree.

But a few things I think could change Iger’s mindset on games:

• New restructuring around pandemic-resistant business
• New executive leaders who value gaming and the gaming community
• Digital animation IP already has most of what makes game development expensive
• Developers (like EA) can be terrible partners who either ruin opportunities or also serve as platforms for rivals
• WDI using game engines more and more in attractions

I think all it would take is one breakout modern game with Disney IP for him to see the value.

Punting on video games is one of the biggest mistakes Iger made as CEO. Disney could be printing money with their own studios churning out Marvel and Star Wars games.

 

[FigmentFan82]

Punting on video games is one of the biggest mistakes Iger has made as CEO. Disney could be printing money with their own studios churning out Marvel and Star Wars games.

Yeah it's funny how many people forget just how big the video game industry is

 

[WondersOfLife]

Doesn’t seem like many of these small theaters are out there doing well. Or are you thinking the demise of the big chains will open up an opportunity?

Second half.

At least until the Amazon/Netflix theatre thing starts.

 

[erasure fan1]

Punting on video games is one of the biggest mistakes Iger made as CEO. Disney could be printing money with their own studios churning out Marvel and Star Wars games.

Yup. And it's not just marvel and star wars. So many of the Disney IPs could be great video games. When pirates was still crazy popular they were working on a action RPG set in the PotC world. But they canned it. For a guy who is all about acquiring everything that he can. It's crazy that he shuttered LucasArts and the studios they already had. When that segment of the industry stomps on movies.

Yeah it's funny how many people forget just how big the video game industry is

Except I'm not sure they forget. It's they have no clue. If you show someone a video of an esports event, and they see the stadium filled, they're flabbergasted. Lol

 

[MisterPenguin]

i have been seeing mixed answers on this shift though

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/14/disney-restructuring-traders-split-on-disney-focus-streaming-shift.html

That's just one person's take.

Other major Wall Street analysts have Dis Stock on 'buy' and Disney's actual stock price, which has rebounded with the markets, is all you need to know whether Wall Street agrees or not with a contrarian analyst who has to write something on a regular deadline.

We'll see in the beginning of Nov with the next quarterly (and year end) financials...

 

[MisterPenguin]

**Tinfoil hat in place**. Disney’s decisions as of late are almost prophetic, is like they have *insider* info on world events before they happen... It all started with Bob Iger stepping down in February right before the pandemic shut everything down **tinfoil hat off**

Ah, you discovered Disney's secret virology lab! And their plan for dominance by crippling their business's profit!!

 

[MisterPenguin]

Think "Amazon Theaters" "Netflix Theaters" All the big studios can now operate theaters if they choose

An Amazon Theater would have three hundred screens and almost no way to find the one you bought a ticket for.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Ok "at home tv" ...makes money right now ... way to miss the point dude

Disney+ is not making a profit now. There's a lot of expense in a worldwide start-up and in making all the new contents.

 

[FigmentFan82]

An Amazon Theater would have three hundred screens and almost no way to find the one you bought a ticket for.

but think of the reviews!

 

[doctornick]

The same Disney that Chinese audiences don’t know?

Marvel will be popular when that country’s market finally opens.

Do they know Netflix?

Marvel is certainly well known and a number of other Disney owned properties have done well there (Avatar, Zootopia, Coco, etc). Disney+ is going to feature a lot of Marvel content in upcoming years.