Sentinel reports that MyMagic+ executive vice president Nick Franklin will be leaving in July

[wdwmagic]

The senior Walt Disney Co. parks executive who oversaw the development of the company's billion-dollar "MyMagic+" technology project is leaving the company.

Nick Franklin, the executive vice president for next generation experience at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, will leave Disney in July, according to people familiar with his plans. Franklin has been with Disney since 1996 and is a member of Disney Parks Chairman Tom Staggs' 11-member executive committee.

Franklin could not be reached for comment. A spokeswoman for Disney said the decision to depart was Franklin's.

Read the rest at:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...us-executive-leaving-20140519,0,3642522.story

 

[Bolt]

Good riddance.

 

[DocMcHulk]

So, he created a project that has gone roughly 4x over budget, been delayed well past it's original date, and under delivering on the original promises. I see no reason for him to be fired. He's doing a great job.

 

[Hakunamatata]

This should be interesting.

 

[NMBC1993]

Does this mean we're finally going to be rid of those pointless Next-Gen queue upgrades? All they do is so down the actual line during a short wait (Especially Space Mountain, why can't they just leave the "proceed to loading bay" screens on during those times?). While I don't have a problem with them adding elements to a brand new attraction queue line, it just seems like a waste of money that could have went towards the actual REFURBISHMENT of the attraction.

 

[WDWFigment]

My guess is that he actually is leaving voluntarily. Disney is still denying that NGE is over budget, and he isn't leaving until July. If he were being fired, it seems like they would have put a little effort into making him the fall guy.

I'll bet he sees the writing on the wall, knows he would have been made the fall guy for this in a few months (or whenever), and isn't giving them the chance.

 

[DocMcHulk]

Disney is still denying that NGE is over budget

They can say it, that doesnt mean it's not a bold faced lie.

 

[Kman101]

It probably was his since they didn't include the standard "leaving to spend more time with family". LOL.

I'm sure he had to see the writing on the wall. Someone was going to take the fall.

EDIT: Wasn't trying to sound like Dr. Seuss there at the end, lol.

 

[WDWFigment]

They can say it, that doesnt mean it's not a bold faced lie.

My point was more that, had the face of NGE been fired, now would have been a pretty good time to say it's due to his "poor stewardship of the program, which has gone overbudget with him at the helm."

At some point, they have to concede that it has cost more than anticipated. It seems like the announcement of Franklin's exit would have been the ideal time for that...

 

[DocMcHulk]

My point was more that, had the face of NGE been fired, now would have been a pretty good time to say it's due to his "poor stewardship of the program, which has gone overbudget with him at the helm."

At some point, they have to concede that it has cost more than anticipated. It seems like the announcement of Franklin's exit would have been the ideal time for that...

You dont hear companies, especially one like Disney, openly say something went over budget. It's bad for the stock price. It could be 10x the original price and they'd never say it publicly. Internally they scale back projects, absorb the overrun, fire someone, then move on.

 

[muteki]

My guess is that he actually is leaving voluntarily. Disney is still denying that NGE is over budget, and he isn't leaving until July. If he were being fired, it seems like they would have put a little effort into making him the fall guy.

I'll bet he sees the writing on the wall, knows he would have been made the fall guy for this in a few months (or whenever), and isn't giving them the chance.

Executives at this level are rarely "fired".

 

[ptaylor]

My point was more that, had the face of NGE been fired, now would have been a pretty good time to say it's due to his "poor stewardship of the program, which has gone overbudget with him at the helm."

At some point, they have to concede that it has cost more than anticipated. It seems like the announcement of Franklin's exit would have been the ideal time for that...

There is no way Disney would come out and admit anything like that. Look at how the DVC Hawaii financing disaster was handled.

I don' think we can draw any sure conclusion from this. He may well have been forced out, realized he was going to be forced out, or maybe really is just leaving to work elsewhere.

 

[PhotoDave219]

My guess is that he actually is leaving voluntarily. Disney is still denying that NGE is over budget, and he isn't leaving until July. If he were being fired, it seems like they would have put a little effort into making him the fall guy.

I'll bet he sees the writing on the wall, knows he would have been made the fall guy for this in a few months (or whenever), and isn't giving them the chance.

Or he is being made the fall guy and this is it..... And once he is out the door, they'll point all the fingers at him.

 

[Kman101]

They probably still wouldn't say anything publicly (and they really don't have to). They've frequently stated publicly they aren't overbudget (despite insiders and most of us here because of that knowledge, knowing better) and how great it is, etc., so that would be admitting something not working, and I can't see them backtracking, that would mean being honest!

So I don't know that anything publically would be said. Now behind closed doors, I think it's clear he's going to be the fall guy. JMO.

 

[wannab@dis]

So, he created a project that has gone roughly 4x over budget, been delayed well past it's original date, and under delivering on the original promises. I see no reason for him to be fired. He's doing a great job.

Can you point to a reliable news source that shows the project is over budget? You do realize corporate executives can face civil and criminal prosecution if they "lie" to investors. My bet is you can't find a reliable source since none exist.

Disney put out a press statement about increasing the budget for Shanghai for an $800M increase where they were only responsible for about $400M. But, you expect them to not release a public statement for something that is 4x over? That would be over $3B increase over the budget. Please point everyone to the source where that fact came from... reliable news source.

 

[monothingie]

WILD SPECULATION!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

You do realize corporate executives can face civil and criminal prosecution if they "lie" to investors.

You do realize corporations can review, shift and alter budgets for projects all the time without telling everyone, right? You think everything Disney has ever put out stayed on budget from conception to completion?

It's entierly possible that Disney realized this project cost more than expected, determined a new budget, and adjusted funding accordingly. Not of that would be considered "illegal" or worth pursing by media outlets. It would only be of interest to them if the stock price or employee base dropped significantly.

 

[JohnD]

Let the conspiracy theories begin.

 

[freediverdude]

There are ways around the "over budget" classification. If they needed more time and lots more money, they simply could have approved another piece(s) to the project, and then technically it's not "over budget" in corporate speak, and they don't have to say anything, except list it as a new project piece in progress.

 

[marni1971]

Oh dear.