Spirited Spring Break News, Observations & Thoughts ...

[WDW1974]

Oh, alright....I'm in.

You want to fill out the request as my proxy? (I do have editorial control over anything you post from said event, you know!)

 

[Funmeister]

GM provided hundreds of vehicles to WDW execs annually. I am not really sure when it started. ...

I worked with someone in Corporate Alliance that said due to the Test Track delays GM wanted to back out and part of a "good will" gesture Disney committed to leasing numerous electric or hybrid vehicles. The cars where in trouble as no one at the time had real purchasing interest.

I do know first hand that these cars showed up and were used or numerous years. My source was in Corporate Alliance at the time so he was in the know of what was going on...this was about the time that Disney tried to really get into the food (consumer products) sponsor business (Disney branded fruit juices, Disney branded eggs, etc.). Some of it stuck and is still around today but much of it has now gone to the wayside.

By the way...I am not sure if the Disney character eggs ever made it to store shelves...

EDIT: I guess they did make it...for a short time....

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/disney-eggs.406897/

 

[WDW1974]

Just one note before heading off to dinner, but I see we are at almost 80,000 views in a week's time.

Hey, Gary Buchanan -- what does that mean in terms of social media presence versus a Mommy you fly to Anaheim with her hubby and three kids when her blog has 23 followers (most that are her family and friends?)

I must be terribly ignorant, but I just think I'm a social media whale and you spend all your time and the company's money going after guppies ...

I always thought effective social media involved less courting those who are already sold on your product and BRAND and more on reaching out to doubting, dissenting or merely critical voices. Now, tell me Gary what is it that a whale does?

 

[Darth Sidious]

This is all Hollywood politics. I'm also sure that 98% of non-industry folks didn't get Eisner's true messages to Iger and Co. when he tweeted from HKDL, the SDL site and later at WDW with the grand kids.

Do you think that Michael Eisner doesn't lie? Or that he doesn't speak with agendas? C'mon. Michael also can't stand the thought of either Rasulo or Staggs running Disney and take a look at the timing of those quotes -- right around the time the whole succession talk heated up. He may have been talking up Iger because he is so much better than the other options.

Do you remember Roy E. Disney? How he never had a public issue with Eisner until he was forced off the BoD and the stock (and his personal fortune) took a tumble?

Sometimes you praise people you can't stand. Watch, I'll go now ... I think WDW is run by truly visionary leadership that while having full respect for the amazing history they have been entrusted with firmly have their eyes on making the future brighter and bolder than any of us could begin to dream of.

You see how easy it is to bull$hit people?

Hollywood thrives on that. Talk to Michael in person. Bring up Iger and various aspects of how the company is run without a mic or recorder on and see what comes out.

Quoting to publicly like it again. Also, this isn't just hollywood politics folks, this is corporate politics. I deal with this crap daily... I guess it's time to play the game in my young career.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Just one note before heading off to dinner, but I see we are at almost 80,000 views in a week's time.

Hey, Gary Buchanan -- what does that mean in terms of social media presence versus a Mommy you fly to Anaheim with her hubby and three kids when her blog has 23 followers (most that are her family and friends?)

I must be terribly ignorant, but I just think I'm a social media whale and you spend all your time and the company's money going after guppies ...

I always thought effective social media involved less courting those who are already sold on your product and BRAND and more on reaching out to doubting, dissenting or merely critical voices. Now, tell me Gary what is it that a whale does?

The biggest thing here is that these threads typically bring information to the table. Disney very well could do this if they were actually willing to put information out there, and then engage the audience. While they do put information out there they never fully engage. Case in point, the godawful chats.

 

[bhg469]

On the subject of Disney and Social Media ... word has it that Disney is pushing its Mommies hard to w- RunDisney because apparently New Balance, which gave out a small fortune in swag, was not at all happy with the turnout for the 5K run they had during the event.

RunDisney is a major growth business for Disney, so one can understand how they want Mommy Bloggers to push it.

Those Disney runs are just saturated. They try to have like 10 events and expect them all to be a success? The only thing it succeeds at is making me feel fat while I'm down there for work.

 

[Funmeister]

Amazing how Disney cannot use Marvel in Florida......but Madame Tussauds can.

 

[truecoat]

I worked with someone in Corporate Alliance that said due to the Test Track delays GM wanted to back out and part of a "good will" gesture Disney committed to leasing numerous electric or hybrid vehicles. The cars where in trouble as no one at the time had real purchasing interest.

I do know first hand that these cars showed up and were used or numerous years. My source was in Corporate Alliance at the time so he was in the know of what was going on...this was about the time that Disney tried to really get into the food (consumer products) sponsor business (Disney branded fruit juices, Disney branded eggs, etc.). Some of it stuck and is still around today but much of it has now gone to the wayside.

By the way...I am not sure if the Disney character eggs ever made it to store shelves...

EDIT: I guess they did make it...for a short time....

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/disney-eggs.406897/

The only vehicle that would fall in that category would be the EV-1. An electric car made from 96-99 and leased never sold. They ended all leases in 2003 and destroyed most all the vehicles.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Those Disney runs are just saturated. They try to have like 10 events and expect them all to be a success? The only thing it succeeds at is making me feel fat while I'm down there for work.

Saturated with people, most sell out obscenely fast.

 

[wdisney9000]

The only vehicle that would fall in that category would be the EV-1. An electric car made from 96-99 and leased never sold. They ended all leases in 2003 and destroyed most all the vehicles.

That's the vehicle from "who killed the electric car" documentary right? What a sad story and good example of corporations being in bed with the gov. **cough* NGE **cough* ya, ya, i know, im crazy for thinking that. Not really

 

[Funmeister]

The only vehicle that would fall in that category would be the EV-1. An electric car made from 96-99 and leased never sold. They ended all leases in 2003 and destroyed most all the vehicles.

That is probably it then.Time frame matches up. I could have sworn they did have a small truck version but I am thinking that maybe some trucks were part of the deal and not necessarily electric.

 

[Cesar R M]

The biggest thing here is that these threads typically bring information to the table. Disney very well could do this if they were actually willing to put information out there, and then engage the audience. While they do put information out there they never fully engage. Case in point, the godawful chats.

Oh gods..I remember...

that mine train "live chat" was a total joke.

 

[wdisney9000]

Those Disney runs are just saturated. They try to have like 10 events and expect them all to be a success? The only thing it succeeds at is making me feel fat while I'm down there for work.

As a runner I have debated signing up for a Disney run event. But on a trip we took last year we stayed at YC and arrived a few days before one of the marathons. I saw people training and running as I walked to HS with a stiff adult beverage and all I could think was how glad I was that I was on that pathway walking and sipping my tasty (strong) beverage and not training and prepping for a half marathon. God bless em'...but im trying to hang out if I'm at WDW. I run enough when I'm home

 

[StageFrenzy]

As a runner I have debated signing up for a Disney run event. But on a trip we took last year we stayed at YC and arrived a few days before one of the marathons. I saw people training and running as I walked to HS with a stiff adult beverage and all I could think was how glad I was that I was on that pathway walking and sipping my tasty (strong) beverage and not training and prepping for a half marathon. God bless em'...but im trying to hang out if I'm at WDW. I run enough when I'm home

I've heard that because it is Disney, events attract people who have no business being there and getting out of the corrals can be... fun.

 

[jlsHouston]

The odd part though is that Eisner had this to say about Iger last year regarding Iger's eventual retirement from Disney-

“If I had my choice I would have him stay even longer, God knows, maybe he will. The longer he stays, the better it is for the shareholders.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...praises-iger-plays-down-lone-ranger-bomb.html

He could be lying of course for reasons i don't know, but I really don't know why he's offering so much public praise if he's as against Iger as 74 claims. Only possible GOOD reason I can think of for him giving this unnecessary comment is that he thinks Iger's alternative is even worse and Iger is the lesser of two evils (which I suppose could be possible if Rasulo is the front runner, but I was under the impression Iger and Rasulo are essentially the same). But still, making such comments that catering towards stock holder needs alone at the expense of quality is precisely what the fanbase is so against in the first place.

I posted this in the other spirited thread, but 74 has since migrated to this new one so I figured i'd post this again here as we're back to Eisner talk. I don't pretend to know all the goings-on within the company or its politics. Is there some ulterior motive he has for making a comment like this?

He's lying. . Of course he has an ulterior motive, although I don't have a clue what it is. He was probably patronizing Iger, but in such a manner he couldn't get called out for it.

 

[jlsHouston]

I completely get what you're saying, but that practice is generally more ideal and likely to succeed when relations hadn't already gone horribly wrong in the recent past. It hasn't been a decade now since the massive revolt against Eisner and his sacking, Iger himself is certainly going to be well acquainted with Eisner's politics enough not to trust anything he has to say. The board and stockholders themselves were the ones who revolted against Eisner and kicked him out in the first place. As of yet, it doesn't sound like Iger has made enemies of stockholders or many board members enough to be in danger of being kicked out (or for them to ignore his recommendations for a successor).

So i'm rather unsure who else in the company is going to listen to Eisner if he's trying to make friends. At least the higher ups. Given their almost universal support of Iger despite the MM+ blunders, Iger seems to have the stockholders AND at least most of the board under his control. What sort of power does Eisner command anymore (or thinks he commands) with anyone of major power or influence enough to actually make massive changes?

Maybe ...you know Eisner has had some time to chill and do a little reflecting. I think he had a real passion for TWDC. So it was a blow, personally, even maybe a betrayal in his mind to be revolted against by the board and shareholders. And maybe at some point after it all happened, he has since reflected about how absolute power can corrupt absolutely. I would be shocked if he has forgiven and forgotten though...and I sense the entitlement he feels when he articulates and comments about things of Disney....you know with his tweets. I think he still feels he is the rightful heir to TWDC and Walt's legacy.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Just one note before heading off to dinner, but I see we are at almost 80,000 views in a week's time.

Hey, Gary Buchanan -- what does that mean in terms of social media presence versus a Mommy you fly to Anaheim with her hubby and three kids when her blog has 23 followers (most that are her family and friends?)

I must be terribly ignorant, but I just think I'm a social media whale and you spend all your time and the company's money going after guppies ...

I always thought effective social media involved less courting those who are already sold on your product and BRAND and more on reaching out to doubting, dissenting or merely critical voices. Now, tell me Gary what is it that a whale does?

Generally a whale gets comped the Bellagio… More costs extra on a fetish site depending upon what contacts were talking about…

I just want to point out that you're making giant waves over what you're referring to is guppies… And I agree, they are some insanely small fish. And I comes problems with the Disney company and things that I don't agree with? I just don't have time to give a flying Fish about who is a mommy blogger or what Disney is doing on the front lines with social media.

What I do care about is the poison culture inside of management and senior Disney executives. I am concerned about the current proposal to do away with pensions forecast members starting in 2016. I'm concerned with the egregious attitude of charging for Castleview room at the Polynesian when all you see is construction.

I'm concerned that management no longer seems to solve problems in big guest service route home and instead makes you jump through so many hoops you give up.

So I just really don't see why you're giving Gary a boatload of crap over things he has no control over. In the Disney social media moms? We all know that was a monster that was created by somebody else. It's almost like you're yelling at somebody who runs Pirates of the Caribbean because the women are now chasing the men in an enema Tronics seen… The frontline people have no control over that. Same in this situation.

 

[jlsHouston]

On the subject of Disney and Social Media ... word has it that Disney is pushing its Mommies hard to w- RunDisney because apparently New Balance, which gave out a small fortune in swag, was not at all happy with the turnout for the 5K run they had during the event.

RunDisney is a major growth business for Disney, so one can understand how they want Mommy Bloggers to push it.

 

[Astro Blaster]

I've heard that because it is Disney, events attract people who have no business being there and getting out of the corrals can be... fun.

I ran the wine and dine half in 2012 and had a blast. However, since I didn't provide a proof of time - I'm an average recreational runner, can run a half marathon in under 2 hours - I was placed in corral F, the last one. I'd say I had to walk for the first two miles. There was NOWHERE to run.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Do you think that Michael Eisner doesn't lie? Or that he doesn't speak with agendas? C'mon. Michael also can't stand the thought of either Rasulo or Staggs running Disney and take a look at the timing of those quotes -- right around the time the whole succession talk heated up. He may have been talking up Iger because he is so much better than the other options.

Sometimes you praise people you can't stand. Watch, I'll go now ... I think WDW is run by truly visionary leadership that while having full respect for the amazing history they have been entrusted with firmly have their eyes on making the future brighter and bolder than any of us could begin to dream of.

Of course I think Eisner lies and speaks with agendas. I'm trying to figure out WHAT the agenda is. As you said, one of the possibilities is that Iger's alternatives are so much worse that he'd rather Iger stay on than Rasulo take over. That makes sense as a reason.

It's a really alarming thought that Rasulo (the apparent front runner for the job) could be considered even worse than Iger in Eisner's book. I was under the impression that they were cut from the same cloth, that they were both basically as bad as the other. Staggs I don't know as much about, but it sounds like he's not getting the job at this point anyways.

I don't wish to argue this point because ... well, I just know what I am talking about here. And I can't explain Hollywood politics ... it would be like trying to explain why Disney happily let John Carter and Lone Ranger tank. It makes no sense on the surface. But there's no business like show business. You just either accept it or you keep stating that it makes no sense ...

Michael is still quite a powerful presence. ... I'll also add that he is biding his time on many things. He has had a standing offer to be named a Disney Legend annually almost since he left. He's waiting ...

Given what we've been told about the internal struggles of those two films, I actually somewhat "get" the agendas behind John Carter and Lone Ranger being rigged to fail. It's incredibly stupid of course, but I do realize there are internal power struggles from people setting one another up for failure (either because they hate one another or because they themselves want the control). They have no concern about destroying a company as long as their egos are satisfied. From what people have said about Frozen, it sounds like something similar may have been expected of it (the makers didn't think it was amazing and I gather didn't expect it to do that well). It apparently surpassed their sales expectations and became a massive success though, so someone's ego probably wasn't very satisfied that day. I do gather that Eisner has a huge ego, but i've also heard from you and others that he actually did care about the Disney company (this caring showed itself when he talked excitedly about new park projects). Most of the rest of the people running it couldn't care less about Disney though apparently. They'll bring the company crashing down only to abandon it in order to feed their egos, while Eisner apparently prefers to do the opposite to feed his own (to be fair- with considerably less success in his later years).

The thing is, despite possibly being a powerful presence and commanding some level of influence, it still sounds like the people in power are very wary of Eisner. Enough not to want to let him near a position of real power. And we've seen that a Disney Legend award isn't exactly something that signifies power or even influence within the company. Hell it can sometimes even mean the opposite. In Tony Baxter's case it was kind of like severance pay for being forced into retirement, an attempt to silence his criticism the company. I wouldn't be surprised if Eisner was offered the award for the same purposes by some leaders. Eisner seems to have better sense than to fall for that though so far.

My wonder is just how much influence he can have over the board or stockholders at this point. I trust you to know that he still has some level of influence to people in power, but the question is how much. Stockholders seem to love Iger with almost unquestioned faith (even when Iger refuses on every occasion to answer nextgen profit questions). Both stockholders as well as the board were who got Eisner sacked in the first place (with massive support from Roy Disney and the fan community). Unless wounds have since healed, it's difficult to think Eisner has reclaimed enough power and influence to be able to put up a decent roadblock to prevent Rasulo from taking control. As you said Wall Street wants Rasulo for the job now apparently. Unless Eisner has as much power as you say and has got a substantial amount of the board on his side, Wall Street will probably win out again. From the failure of nextgen profit-wise, I would imagine Iger wants out of the company as soon as possible in order to avoid any blame for it (even if he has Kalogridis as a fall guy, i'd imagine it will still be hard to completely shift blame away from himself for such a massive **** up).