Is Roy recruiting Steve Jobs?

[PeterAlt]

Whether I agree with it or not, Roy Disney is getting his tropps lined-up for a Disney Co. take-over. The biggest question is WHO he has in mind for Disney's next CEO. My bet is that he has Steve Jobs of Apple Computer and Pixar lined-up for the job. Of course, one would say Jobs would be crazy to be the CEO for 3 companies, but don't disregard this possibility just yet. Here's why:

(1) Recently on SaveDisney.com was a link to an article speculating just that. Why would Roy Disney allow speculation on his next moves on his official website if there wasn't truth in it?

(2) Steve Job's new demands in renewing Disney's partnership with Pixar was almost as if Jobs knew Disney would not accept these new demands. Privately, Jobs and Roy Disney were probably talking about their post-Eisner plans. As part of their strategy, Eisner could not renew Pixar's partnership. It is also known that Roy Disney had talks with Jobs while still on Disney's Board of Directors. Supposedly, Roy Disney sided with Jobs and discouraged him from accepting the company's renewal offer.

(3) Roy Disney needs a prominent CEO to fill in as Eisner's replacement. Just yelling "Boot Eisner" isn't enough. To succeed, he needs a respectable replacement. Jobs is a logical choice.

(4) Steve Jobs lead a take-over of his own of the company he started called Apple. He started a company called NEXT that was bought out by Apple for its OS. Apple's then-CEO was forced out and somehow Jobs started running the company again and no one said anything. Eventually his new CEO job became official. A sneaky way to get to Disney's #1 spot could revolve around a Disney take-over plan of Pixar. But I doubt Eisner would orchestrate such a take-over. Maybe if Pixar was willing to sell out at a rock-bottom basement price and come before the Board of Directors, maybe the Board would approve the plan.

(5) Don't you love how Florida Animation neatly organized itself into Legacy Animation, with no clear customer? It's like the studio is waiting for a company to acquire them. Could it be a post-Eisner Disney Co., under the leadership of Steve Jobs?

Of course all of this is purely speculation. But it does make me think. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

 

[Tim G]

Originally posted by PeterAlt
Of course all of this is purely speculation. But it does make me think.

Indeed!

 

[Pixie Duster]

Um Steve Jobs was not found of Eisner since Toy Story.

 

[brisem]

PeterALt-you make alot of sense.

The only problem I have is Roy has to start coming out with a plan. His name isn't that strong to organize a takeover. He brings too much bagage(sp) with him.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Originally posted by brisem
PeterALt-you make alot of sense.

The only problem I have is Roy has to start coming out with a plan. His name isn't that strong to organize a takeover. He brings too much bagage(sp) with him.

Call me cynical if you want, but brisem, a lot of your posts seem to follow the same mantra. Your stance against Roy seems as fixed as those you accuse of being anti -Eisner.

Like you said in another post can you give some examples of lack of organisational skills to back up your argument.

 

[brisem]

Yes I'm pro-Eisner compared to Roy.
Roy has been yelling fire but has done nothing to tell how to put it out. It's easy to find problems--but offer a solution. He has n't yet. Until he show's us his plan all you have is "I want Eisner out."

Maybe PeterAlt's right, maybe Roy's grand plan is to bring in a person like Jobs. But the support he needs to gather to make it work is to produce a plan/solution. The support has to come from the institutions--the largest shareholders and the vote with their pocket. 21 cents a share is pretty much in line with dividends paid out last quarter. There was a story from 2/3 that that staed the stock price is up sharply since the formation of SAVEDISNEY. Which isn't a good sign for Roy supporters.

The function of a CEO is to bring profitablity to a company--so has Disney produced a profit and dividends--yes.

Since you follow my post then you know that I've consistantly said he needs to name a line of succession and this is his make or break year. He sold off the Angels and Celebration--what's he using the money for--another purchase or refurb.

Lastly, a lot of these post and threads bash Eisner in support of Roy. Everyone is aloud their opinion, none of them are wrong.
THese threads are doing a couple of important things:
1) brings up debates it makes you look at both side.
2) it educates--you have the CM showing what their jobs are like; you have people getting a better understanding of the corporate structure.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

The whole point of many of the views expresesd here are lost on financial minds. Disney is not a normal company, it has created a brand that carries with it inherent values. Mr E's sin has been to erode these values in switching the focus from customer satisfaction to shareholder satisfaction. The thing is with Disney, if youve looked after the first the second will feel the benefits.
Disney was positioned as a premium brand, now its the butt of evil corporate jokes. I only have basic economics but Id have thought that continuing returns in the long term would be all shareholders goal?

The reason i find this so galling is exactly the same thing is happening with my football team (sorry soccer) a very high profile CEO whos initial impact was amazing,success after success, only to land the club with an inferior pool of players, huge debts and a highly dubious buisness plan. The parallels with Disney and poor buisness decisions is striking, as is the facxt that neither CEO will be any the poorer for these bad decisions.

 

[garyhoov]

Originally posted by brisem
There was a story from 2/3 that that staed the stock price is up sharply since the formation of SAVEDISNEY. Which isn't a good sign for Roy supporters.

At the risk of being told to come back when I've done more research, the price has been falling at a frightening rate over the past month:

Disney Stock Price

 

[mkt]

here... everyone read this.. then discuss:

http://www.savedisney.com/pp/

 

[PeterAlt]

Originally posted by mkt
here... everyone read this.. then discuss:

http://www.savedisney.com/pp/

It's funny how they list Pressler as one of the lost "creative brains". Pressler creative?

But, yes, they do make some good points. But if you read Eisner's letter to shareholders in the 2003 report, he addresses most of them. Also, for an economy in a horrible recession, Disney was the only entertainment company to turn a profit. SaveDisney.com never mentions that fact.

 

[mkt]

pressler was extremely creative when in charge of the Disney stores... but not as head of the parks

 

[General Grizz]

Talked to an Imagineer who said that rumor has it that Jobs is Roy/Stan's #1 pick, scheduled to replace Eisner this fall (Augustish) if indeed Eisner is voted off and all goes according to the "Save Disney" plan. . .

. . . at least that's the word at the Imagineering water cooler.

 

[brisem]

If it was to happen, would Jobs be a full CEO? Right now I think he's CEO of two companies.

 

[PeterAlt]

A scenario...

Okay, here's another possibility...

Roy Disney presents Disney's Board with Steve Jobs, explaining that it was Steve Jobs who really contributed to Disney's bottom line in recent years with his Pixar films. Now that Disney has ended its contract with Pixar, Pixar will not be a contributing factor in the future, unless Steve Jobs is made CEO of Disney.

Impressed that Steve Jobs contributed to Disney's bottom line without even being employed at Disney, and wanting to see more Pixar films in Disney's future, they vote to hire Steve Jobs as Disney's next CEO, replacing Eisner (this part is a big stretch). Jobs promises Disney's Board that Pixar will be in Disney's future.

As CEO of Disney, he announces the company has agreed to renew talks with Pixar. While negotiating with himself, he announces that Disney and Pixar have agreed to a merger.

 

[GenerationX]

So, let me get this straight. On the one hand, we have an obscenely wealthy, arrogant egomaniac as head of Disney. On the other hand, we've got two obscenely wealthy, Monday morning quarterbacks who want to replace the current obscenely wealthy, arrogant egomaniac with their own obscenely wealthy, arrogant egomaniac.

I'll be voting YES to retain the current board.

 

[mkt]

that's the way it happened before, and that's the way it'll hopefully happen again