Michael Eisner interview

[Sirwalterraleigh]

From what I've watched so far, I get the impression Eisner would rather pull out his toenails with a pair of pliers than talk positively about the mess Iger's made of the company. "He's a wonderful CEO..." but then... "Pricing sucks"; Treating people like VIP's comment; Underhanded comment about the price of acquisitions; "When you sell the house, you don't go back to visit". Plus his recent comment around, "Josh, don't forget the creative roots of the company".

…you have learned to trust your feelings, young Jedi

 

[HauntedPirate]

…you have learned to trust your feelings, young Jedi

 

[Tha Realest]

Eisner brought in Robert A.M. Stern, Michael Graves, and Frank Gehry to design and develop hotels and other Disney buildings.

At least Bob and Josh eventually got rid of Gensler. (Though they arrived under Josh’s time over parks).

 

[Figments Friend]

I for one am rather enjoying Michael’s commentary.

Keep talking, Mr. Eisner.

-

 

[Sweet tears]

He was on an excellent track until he lost Wells.

 

[HauntedPirate]

He was on an excellent track until he lost Wells.

Wells’ death and his heart attack really changed the course of Eisner’s tenure as CEO. First decade vs. second decade are striking in their difference.

 

[Tom P.]

I still to this day think that Eisner was the best leader of the company save for Walt himself. And Bensinger essentially said the same thing. However, I think the secret sauce of Walt's success was that he had Roy, and I think the secret sauce of Eisner's success was that he had Wells. I think you need a team like that to really get Disney right. Alas, I don't think we're likely to see that again anytime soon.

(Also, for @Sirwalterraleigh's benefit, who comments on what an unabashed Trekkie I am: I also respect Eisner for his tenure at Paramount where he brought us Star Trek: The Motion Picture which, love it or hate it, brought Trek back from the dead and which, in spite of popular opinion otherwise, remains my favorite Trek film.)

 

[britain]

I find the timing of this fascinating and hilarious.

Ask yourself - why now?

We’re at a moment when nothing he says could be construed as “trying to sway” the CEO selection process because it is settled that D’Amaro has the job, but Eisner can share his advice before D’Amaro actually starts.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I still to this day think that Eisner was the best leader of the company save for Walt himself. And Bensinger essentially said the same thing. However, I think the secret sauce of Walt's success was that he had Roy, and I think the secret sauce of Eisner's success was that he had Wells. I think you need a team like that to really get Disney right. Alas, I don't think we're likely to see that again anytime soon.

(Also, for @Sirwalterraleigh's benefit, who comments on what an unabashed Trekkie I am: I also respect Eisner for his tenure at Paramount where he brought us Star Trek: The Motion Picture which, love it or hate it, brought Trek back from the dead and which, in spite of popular opinion otherwise, remains my favorite Trek film.)

Roy E was the single most important figure in corporate history in my opinion. I’ve long held that belief. There is no modern, gigantic disney without him. The “idiot nephew”…ironically.

As far as Eisner goes. By all means not perfect. But he built the framing the house stands on now.

I always thought it was “cute” that he got so much e-hate from forums for over a decade. Here and on all the others. It was a immature source of scapegoating that people turned into some kinda of hero worship cult for a far less savvy successor.

Mistakes? Tons. As with all big business. But I never saw him deflect them. He Owned it…he said the bad news…

Not something the yutz after even would consider doing. All deflection and bad cover stories. Right…the reason that all major divisions all have major issues moving forward - most notably the parks being sucked dry like the candy jar on the teachers desk in 2nd grade - is because of 18 months of Slaphead while you plotted your return…which ended in failure. That definitely scans. And this has been rolling out for a decade. Takes a long time to screw up TWDC. Takes “skill”.

Let’s hope they get turned around…which now is more fate than D’amaro showing up at Disneyland every now and then and trading small talk with the nametags.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

He was on an excellent track until he lost Wells.

I think his biggest flaw was he was already tired and in poor health/state when the switch to digital from linear and web dominance occurs. Didn’t do a good job of evolving with tech at all. So it was time in many ways.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Eisner brought in Robert A.M. Stern, Michael Graves, and Frank Gehry to design and develop hotels and other Disney buildings.

At least Bob and Josh eventually got rid of Gensler. (Though they arrived under Josh’s time over parks).

What…you don’t like the “Walmart of architects”?

I think his wisest hire by far was Peter Dominick

Absolutely beautiful designs that have stood the Test of time

 

[Tha Realest]

We’re at a moment when nothing he says could be construed as “trying to sway” the CEO selection process because it is settled that D’Amaro has the job, but Eisner can share his advice before D’Amaro actually starts.

Eisner could easily pick up the phone to share his advice. He’s not speaking to Josh, but to Bob.

 

[Trauma]

Unless there is an official press release from the WDC sign by Bob Iger I refuse to believe this interview is real.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I still to this day think that Eisner was the best leader of the company save for Walt himself. And Bensinger essentially said the same thing. However, I think the secret sauce of Walt's success was that he had Roy, and I think the secret sauce of Eisner's success was that he had Wells. I think you need a team like that to really get Disney right. Alas, I don't think we're likely to see that again anytime soon.

(Also, for @Sirwalterraleigh's benefit, who comments on what an unabashed Trekkie I am: I also respect Eisner for his tenure at Paramount where he brought us Star Trek: The Motion Picture which, love it or hate it, brought Trek back from the dead and which, in spite of popular opinion otherwise, remains my favorite Trek film.)

I agree that the best leaders had a partnership with one being creative and one being a money man. It's needed to balance each other out. Sadly, we haven't seen that for a while.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I agree that the best leaders had a partnership with one being creative and one being a money man. It's needed to balance each other out. Sadly, we haven't seen that for a while.

We’re not gonna get it now either

 

[HMF]

I agree that the best leaders had a partnership with one being creative and one being a money man. It's needed to balance each other out. Sadly, we haven't seen that for a while.

That's largely because the current system worships money and treats creativity as a by-product, if it's considered at all. I am praying a better paradigm might be coming but sadly I can't see into the future.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That's largely because the current system worships money and treats creativity as a by-product, if it's considered at all. I am praying a better paradigm might be coming but sadly I can't see into the future.

I’d go a step further and say creativity is deemed an “operational inefficiency”…why else do they slap Olaf and lighting McQueen on everything?

 

[Disney Analyst]

So does anyone want to become a CEO and marry me (or adopt me)??



I could really get used to slumming it up like Eisner …

 

[Andrew C]

So does anyone want to become a CEO and marry me (or adopt me)??



I could really get used to slumming it up like Eisner …

Nah. Cant handle your expensive tastes.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Nah. Cant handle your expensive tastes.

You’re just not the one for me