Roy's Plan of Action?

[Shaman]

As the months pass, and the economy, and therefore the company's become more prosperous (from a business stand point) it seems as if getting rid of uncle Eisner will become more and more difficult. Not that I have lost hope or anything, but as the days pass, I find myself waiting for something to happen...and I don't mean something ordinary....something big (ocean parting big). I was wondering what people thought Roy's and the save disney movement's next move will be? I mean we all know the goal, but how are we going to get there.

I am by no means familiar with Roy's first resignation, all I do know is that he was successful...what will he have to do to be successful this time around...what are the differences between now and then?

opinions, facts, hopes.....

 

[Woody13]

Roy and Stan have a two fold approach. They are in the process of setting up meetings with the various institutional shareholders (about 40% of the stock is held by the top 35 institutional investors). They are using www.savedisney.com to communicate with the other small investors (60% of the shareholders). They do not intend to run their own slate of board members (this year) but they will urge all shareholders to withhold votes for Eisner and any of the current board members that they feel are too much under Eisner's control.

The list of Eisner replacements include; eBay CEO Meg Whitman (former Disney Exec.), Comcast Cable President Steve Burke (former Disney Exec.), News Corp. Peter Chernin and Yahoo CEO Terry Semel (my favorite). The number 2 man at Disney, Bob Iger might get the job too if and when Eisner leaves.

IMO, as long as the company stock continues to improve, Eisner will remain in control until his contract expires in 2006, or if the board decides to replace him, or if he decides to leave. Roy and Stan know this to be true and they are doing their best to damage the company (financially) in order to lead a shareholder revolt.

So, to answer your question, Roy's plan of action is just to muddy the waters. :lol:

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by Woody13
So, to answer your question, Roy's plan of action is just to muddy the waters. :lol:

hmmm...but the waters were muddy beforehand....

:animwink:

 

[Woody13]

From the perspective of a large shareholder (not me), the waters were crystal clear. The stock was on a big downhill slide and the big cheese (Eisner) seemed powerless to correct the decline. But, he promised a comeback and he delivered on that promise even in the wake of 9/11. My question has always been (and I know the answer), "Why didn't Roy and Stan resign about 2 years ago when they might have gotten a lot more shareholder interest and support?"

Frankly, I sold most of my Disney stock many years ago. I just followed the lead of the big Disney investors such as Warren Buffett, Gordon Crawford and the Bass brothers. Unlike them, I still keep a few shares for sentimental reasons.

The shareholders have but one interest, return on their investment. Can Roy and Stan grow the Disney company to higher profits over the next 5, 10 or 20 years? I have been a regular visitor to www.savedisney.com and I have not seen a viable financial plan for the Disney Company. On the other hand, I have seen the results posted this year by CEO Eisner and I have heard his promise to increase profits. In short, money talks while Roy and Stan walk.

 

[JLW11Hi]

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a viable financial plan from Roy and Stan sometime soon. I mean, they've only been on their rampage against Eisner for, what, a month or so now? And they've only just gotten their full web site up not too long ago. And on recent updates to the site, they have been becoming more clear on the problems they see with the company, and how they think these problems should be overcome.

I agree, I would also like to see some straight out answers from Roay and Stan on what they specifically think should be done within the company to improve it both financially and creativly. I'm just guessing they have been and are currently doing their research, and are putting a plan together before they unveil it to the public. But thats just me

 

[Woody13]

Originally posted by JLW11Hi
Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a viable financial plan from Roy and Stan sometime soon. I mean, they've only been on their rampage against Eisner for, what, a month or so now? And they've only just gotten their full web site up not too long ago. And on recent updates to the site, they have been becoming more clear on the problems they see with the company, and how they think these problems should be overcome.

I agree, I would also like to see some straight out answers from Roay and Stan on what they specifically think should be done within the company to improve it both financially and creativly. I'm just guessing they have been and are currently doing their research, and are putting a plan together before they unveil it to the public. But thats just me

I think they are making it up as they go along!:lol: In the real world, they should have had a direction and strategy to save Disney before they started this entire mess. After all, they had many years to plan this deal. Thus far they (Roy and Stan) have been blowing a lot of hot air. IMO, they look rather foolish right now.

 

[General Grizz]

Originally posted by Woody13
IMO, they look rather foolish right now.

OH NO!

I guess so do 5,000 petitioners, 200 Animators, a Mousketeer, hundreds of WDWMagic members, Imagineers, Cast Members, ex-Mousketeers, and Walt's last Nine Old Men.


ALL LOST!







:lookaroun

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by General Grizz
OH NO!

I guess so do 5,000 petitioners, 200 Animators, a Mousketeer, hundreds of WDWMagic members, Imagineers, Cast Members, ex-Mousketeers, and Walt's last Nine Old Men.


ALL LOST!





:lookaroun

Well, I guess being "lost" or "foolish" isn't all that bad grizz I mean after all, you can't really find the right path until you get lost first....:lookaroun

I mean Roy must know what he's doing...he's a pro at this resignation/save disney thing...I mean if it weren't for Roy, Eisner wouldn't even be working in Disney....

:hammer:

 

[Woody13]

I think we can all agree that Michael Eisner has run the Disney Company as a fiefdom, not unlike Lord Farquaad in the movie "Shrek". Roy Disney, on the other hand, thinks of the company as a public trust and he is attempting to garner public support to "savedisney". Roy and Stan can solicit as much support from "5,000 petitioners, 200 Animators, a Mousketeer, hundreds of WDWMagic members, Imagineers, Cast Members, ex-Mousketeers, and Walt's last Nine Old Men" as they desire. However, the only way they can get rid of Eisner is if they wage a proxy battle. Why haven't Roy and Stan started a proxy fight? I know the answer.

The division between Eisner and Roy Disney is an example of the growing demands by shareholders that companies be managed more aggressively for profit.

 

[Tim G]

Originally posted by General Grizz
OH NO!

I guess so do 5,000 petitioners, 200 Animators, a Mousketeer, hundreds of WDWMagic members, Imagineers, Cast Members, ex-Mousketeers, and Walt's last Nine Old Men.

ALL LOST!

:lookaroun

Take my word for it... the whole thing is more a political game...

And in this game, there will be no winners, only loosers, and in the end, the biggest loosers of all will be the guests, the customers...

Do you really think that THEY care...
Nore Michael or Roy, give a damn about the general public...

I wouldn't be surprised if it all ends up in a settlement.

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by Woody13
The division between Eisner and Roy Disney is an example of the growing demands by shareholders that companies be managed more aggressively for profit.

There is more to life than money....the same can be applied to a company. Without the consumer trust/loyalty there is no company; in fact I can even go as far as saying without employee loyalty there is no company. If it wasn't for the company being run a certain way (a long time ago) there wouldn't be consumer loyalty or trust regarding Disney in today's day and age....companies can be very aggressive all they want, but in the end the power is in the hands of those who will buy the products...(and regarding employees, without them you can't run a company).

If The Disney Company pushes their spend less make more strategy, they will come out losing in the end....just some thoughts...

BTW Why haven't Roy and Stan started the real fight yet....well I guess they must be enjoying the fact that they're making Eisner shake in his pants....its not like this stuff is new to Roy....

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by Corrus
Do you really think that THEY care...
Nor Michael or Roy, give a damn about the general public...

Yes...but its not about their disregard for the general public...its about who cares more...in this case I think its Roy....he's always had vision about the company and where its going...it can be said that without Roy, much of what we know today wouldn't be there...he was the one who brought in Eisner....(thus he should be the one to kick him out)....besides inside and out of the company Roy is more popular than Eisner....

:lookaroun

 

[Woody13]

Originally posted by objr
....besides inside and out of the company Roy is more popular than Eisner....:lookaroun

Don't fall victim to this way of thinking. This is not a popularity contest. Eisner didn't make Disney into a DOW 30 company by being nice or popular. Also, remember that Roy unseated Ron Miller (Walt's son-in-law) back in 1984. Ron Miller was a popular and nice guy but he couldn't run the company.

Disney MUST make money first, or all the magic will be gone.

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by Woody13
Don't fall victim to this way of thinking. This is not a popularity contest. Eisner didn't make Disney into a DOW 30 company by being nice or popular.

Thats not what I meant...read my post again.

 

[General Grizz]

Originally posted by Corrus
Nore Michael or Roy, give a damn about the general public...

I beg to differ. While Eisner has been promoting the release of cheap sequels with similar stories and degrading Disney qualities, Roy has pressed for a more family-friendly and traditional Disney, with such extensions on projects as "Fantasia 2000" and the recent Dali film.

His website is GRACED with meaningful words about Disney. And to me, it's an obvious sign he cares for Disney. After all, he's not in the fight to become CEO. He's in the fight for "SAVING DISNEY!"

His comments at the NFFC were outstanding. Did you read through that? That man really does care for quality.

Do you have any citations about his "not giving a dam*?" I really don't understand where you are coming from.

 

[swrdfghtr]

Originally posted by General Grizz
OH NO!

I guess so do 5,000 petitioners, 200 Animators, a Mousketeer, hundreds of WDWMagic members, Imagineers, Cast Members, ex-Mousketeers, and Walt's last Nine Old Men.


ALL LOST!







:lookaroun

If by "lost" you mean "following someone with the Disney name because that someone is upset with current management but doesn't have a better plan," then... yeah, kinda.

I'm a (small-time) stockholder. When Roy and Friends can stop kvetching about problems long enough to propose solutions, I will listen intently. Until then, Mikey may be a donkey's butt, but he's hanging onto the profits. Yes, i think he'll run the company into the ground before long, but I haven't seen a better deal come down the pike.

Now, get me the CEO from News Corp and I'll get right on Roy's side. There's a fellow who can run a multi-national, multi-division media company. The CEO of Yahoo? Don't make me laugh. That guy runs a Web site... we're talking about freaking DISNEY here. Disney probably spends Yahoo's entire yearly revenue on electricity in one month.

 

[swrdfghtr]

Originally posted by General Grizz
I beg to differ. While Eisner has been promoting the release of cheap sequels with similar stories and degrading Disney qualities, Roy has pressed for a more family-friendly and traditional Disney, with such extensions on projects as "Fantasia 2000" and the recent Dali film.

His website is GRACED with meaningful words about Disney. And to me, it's an obvious sign he cares for Disney. After all, he's not in the fight to become CEO. He's in the fight for "SAVING DISNEY!"

His comments at the NFFC were outstanding. Did you read through that? That man really does care for quality.

Do you have any citations about his "not giving a dam*?" I really don't understand where you are coming from.

You make a fabulous point, here. The trick is that quality is expensive, and shareholders are demanding short-term profits. The two are almost incompatible. What has to happen is for the big shareholders to take a chill pill and continue slow, smart investing to gain that quality. I don't doubt that Roy wants it, I just doubt that the big investors will put up with it.

And this isn't unique to Disney, it's the entire American market right now. "Do more, with less. Short term profits above all else, and screw the long-term consequences."

 

[Woody13]

Originally posted by swrdfghtr
The CEO of Yahoo? Don't make me laugh. That guy runs a Web site... we're talking about freaking DISNEY here. Disney probably spends Yahoo's entire yearly revenue on electricity in one month.

It would appear from your comments that you are not at all knowledgeable about Terry Semel's diverse background and excellent reputation. Here's a link to help you learn a little about him:

http://docs.yahoo.com/docs/pr/executives/semel.html


:wave:

 

[swrdfghtr]

Originally posted by Woody13
It would appear from your comments that you are not at all knowledgeable about Terry Semel's diverse background and excellent reputation. Here's a link to help you learn a little about him:

http://docs.yahoo.com/docs/pr/executives/semel.html


:wave:

I am; I know about his past at the Frog, at least, where he obviously pulled off a turnaround like Disney needs. His work at Yahoo hasn't gotten a lot of traction, though, and I do question his abililty - or anyone's, really - to turn Disney around in a market that places short-term gains and dividends above all other concerns. When Terry was at the WB it took over a decade to get things going, and it took a lot of investment and debt to make it all happen. Corporate investors aren't tolerating that stuff today.

There's no doubt he's got the vision - he worked for some division of Disney in the past, I know. I just really doubt that ANYONE can turn Disney around in the "do more, with less" mentality that corporate America is working with these days.

I'm frankly surprised Jobs is doing as well with Apple as he is. The investment that created the iTunes Music Store wasn't minor and I'm amazed his board didn't freak out - they're a good bunch.

But I can't imagine Disney's investment firms tolerating the millions that really need to be sunk into feature animations, the parks, the Disney Channel, ABC - God knows what else. Eisner gave 'em a profitable turnaround after 9/11, but it didn't come free, and nobody seems any more willing now to pay the price.

 

[Woody13]

Originally posted by swrdfghtr
I am; I know about his past at the Frog, at least, where he obviously pulled off a turnaround like Disney needs. His work at Yahoo hasn't gotten a lot of traction, though....

No traction at Yahoo? Terry Semel orchestrated the most dramatic dot-com rebound in history! This time last year, shares in Yahoo! were trading around $10. Twelve months later they are up to $40. Check here for the latest Yahoo stock price: http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=yhoo Yahoo is rolling in money.

Can he do the same for Disney? He stands a better chance than most anyone else IMO. Michigan J. Frog knows his worth too!