.
Back OT about Mr. Damaro. While it's apparent Mr. Damaro is a very nice guy and noticeably more enjoyable to be around than Mr. Colglazier was, I don't think you can give too much credit to whichever blow-dried corporate figurehead occupies TDA's executive suite for three or four years at a time. The story of Anaheim and Disneyland is a story that arcs over decades. The revolving door of TDA's executive suite seems to be a casual footnote to that ongoing story, and he or she merely serves as the generic face that shows up at public events and schmoozy cocktail parties for a few years before being replaced by another generic face. Thank goodness they wear plastic nametags so we know that the blow-dried executive has been replaced with a new one every 3 years, and we can call him by name.
Mr. Damaro just seems to be one of the more likeable ones.
What a day today, and tonight...
Just finishing up with the Menstrual Cup thing (Google Sacramento Blood in a news search.) A lot of bills on the line today, some still are on the edge. Voice mails and e-mails, oh my!
I was fortunate to get a minute with Josh before the presentation, and then a couple more after the presentation. It is just weird to be someone that the DLR President seeks out to throw out an idea or two....
But then, going back to my other senior exec relationships, I am not surprised. But in the past, senior Disney folks tended to not be social outside of their circle of Friends. My best relationship was Tim O'Day, who figured out what I had to offer, and we worked together.
Matt Ouimet, at the DLR stayed in his circle, but got out of it at Cedar Fair and became a bit more approachable, my past connections at CF before he joined the company helped him to reach out, but not that much/
And at SF, I am treated as a colleague, which also confuses folks, especially front line employees.
Today's event was so much positive news, a day of everyone in the room in a good mood (Well, there was a side discussion totally unrelated to Disney at my table re Sacramento that wasn't fun).
Things are looking up, Union 50 is making at least $15 a hour, plus great benefits.
$10 million for CM Child Care.
More good news, $21 million in community donations, another KaBOOM! build at Julianna Park in a couple of weeks.
Next week is the Anaheim Health and Citizenship Fair, an amazingly totally free event started by Harry Sidhu and a group of Doctors 13 years ago. I mean FREE, and things like free dentures, free glasses, and other amazingly complex health issues done that weekend. No need to fill out financial forms, no insurance needed, etc. Disneyland helps fund it.
Every time I interact with Josh, one on one, in a small group. and otherwise, he impresses me. He was given a tough job, but he talks about the Three C's, Cast, Community and Commercial. And he just doesn't talk about, he does it.
He talked highly of the cast, and brought up some great stories. As for community, he spent time about CHOC, how Walt Disney was part of the team that got CHOC started in 1964. Stories about the Turtle Talk with Crush at CHOC. And more, plus the $5 Million plus for the Homeless issue, and all the school support, etc.
As for Commercial (aka making a profit), he brought up MaxPass, and how it is a win-win, something guests willingly pay for, and feel they get more than the charge they pay. And how Disney benefits. Also Mobile Ordering and other guest enhancements that also benefits the company's bottom line.
It is after midnight, and I am meeting a State Senator in the AM (Well, now maybe due to the blood fiasco)...
I will share more later, and a few photos