Eisner says Disney set to turn around

[Disney4648]

Eisner says Disney set to turn around -WSJ


NEW YORK, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Walt Disney <DIS.N> Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner said he has positioned the firm for growth by cutting costs, boosting cash flow and building up assets, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Eisner told the Journal in an interview that even as Disney's performance has suffered, the company has been priming itself for the future.

It has steadily extended its brands by adding theme parks in Florida, California, Paris and Tokyo, and creating or buying cable channels including SoapNet, ESPNews and ABC Family, the paper said.

Eisner also told the Journal that Disney doesn't need to spend time or money cleaning up media deals gone wrong such as those consuming the resources of AOL Time Warner Inc. <AOL.N> and Vivendi Universal SA <EAUG.PA>.

When the economy turns, Eisner predicted Disney could be poised to return to growth. Disney saw massive growth during the first dozen years after Eisner took over in 1984, but has stalled recently.

Earnings have declined each year since 1997 and the company's stock trades at 1994 levels, the paper noted.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

See? Eisner knows what he's doing. Until you run a corporation as big as Disney, don't critisize his job. It's hard to do and he has enough pressure without fans giving him a hard time. He knows what he's doing and everything will be fine. Now if we could only get Pressler back into retail...

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by DisneyExpert
See? Eisner knows what he's doing. Until you run a corporation as big as Disney, don't critisize his job. It's hard to do and he has enough pressure without fans giving him a hard time. He knows what he's doing and everything will be fine. Now if we could only get Pressler back into retail...

You're going to take his word? Do you would come out and say that he's failing in his job?




When the economy turns, Eisner predicted Disney could be poised to return to growth.

Could be, doesn't mean it will happen. It's his opinion and believe.



Earnings have declined each year since 1997 and the company's stock trades at 1994 levels, the paper noted.

Disney should have increased earnings since 1997. From 1997 to about 2000 was one of the biggest economic booms in the history of the U.S. and earnings didn't increase? Something's wrong there.

 

[pheneix]

>>>Eisner knows what he's doing.<<<

Yep, he's checking the straps on his golden parachute.

BTW, this is about the 5th time I have said this in as many days, but this is exactly what Vivendi did before their big debt scandal rocked the world. Disney is just mirroring the actions of Vivendi too well for it to be coincidental.

 

[Disney4648]

Originally posted by DisneyExpert
See? Eisner knows what he's doing. Until you run a corporation as big as Disney, don't critisize his job. It's hard to do and he has enough pressure without fans giving him a hard time. He knows what he's doing and everything will be fine. Now if we could only get Pressler back into retail...

I agree with you 100%. And it is hard to run a Dow Jones 30 company, and Eisner is doing it just fine at Disney.

 

[Sketch105]

I'm no businessman, but there is a little something called PUBLIC RELATIONS.

Its a portion of a company that puts on the best possible face or facade, meaning a shade to hide what really is going on.

The media today is looking for interesting stories that might make readers look their way, and they'll be willing to publish some new commentary on the Eisner reign over at Disney.

Just because it sounds good does not mean it is good. CEOs cover their butts all the time with PR publicity so they can point the blame at others. How many times has Eisner blamed the economy by now???

Look, when you build a park like DCA that does not meet projections, yet Disneyland across the street regulary breaks attendance records, it is not the economy.

Its called a scapegoat, and PRs know how to use it well. I'm not putting Public Relations executives down or anything, but that is their job: Putting the best face on a bad situation that occurs, and diverting press interest to the good points.

Notice how whenever someone asks a CEO or higher up about some sort of downfall, that instead of talking about what went wrong they immediately point out a good point, whether it has to do with it or not.

And example:

REPORTER: Why do you explain the failing attendance at your newest theme park?
DISNEY: The economy's in a downturn right now, and we intend to fully recover from it.
REPORTER: What about Disneyland across the street? They seem to meet all attendance projections?
DISNEY: Disneyland is our main stay attraction. And, if you've noticed that sales at our parks have jumped primarily 5% than they were last year.

Ok, its a bad example, but its a common play to change the subject rather than admit to your faults.