News The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors Extends Robert A. Iger’s Contract as CEO Through 2026

[FettFan]

People much smarter than us are convinced it’s a way to magically wipe hundreds of millions in box office losses off the books without any drag on the company whatsoever

You’d think that they’d be smart enough to realize that a home video release a mere 60 days after a theatrical release is bad for box office returns.

In the olden days, one had to wait nearly a year to get the home video.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Keeping Iger on as CEO is as much for the board to protect itself and stock value as it is to protect Iger himself.

Having him stay on projects an image of stability and confidence that investors like to see...even if there is a panic behind closed doors.

I get what you are saying, but, the visible image right now is not of stability and confidence. The so called doors are not completely closed.

 

[Robbiem]

Winston Churchill said ‘generals always prepare to fight the last war‘ and thats what this feels like to me.

Is a 72 year old man really the person to steer the good ship disney into its new post covid world? Maybe we need someone who didn’t help create the problems to fix them

 

[King Panda 77]

Winston Churchill said ‘generals always prepare to fight the last war‘ and thats what this feels like to me.

Is a 72 year old man really the person to steer the good ship disney into its new post covid world? Maybe we need someone who didn’t help create the problems to fix them

Just wondering why his age is an issue ?

 

[DCBaker]

From a new WSJ article.

"Disney’s board met for its regular meeting in Anaheim, Calif., the last week of June, with streaming profits one of several important priorities. Managers from Disney’s television division made a presentation to the board about how best to distribute shows that air on both regular TV and the streaming services, people briefed on the meeting said.

Even with an extended contract, the issue of CEO succession remains. Mark Parker, a Nike executive who serves as chairman of Disney’s board, is leading a committee to find a successor to Iger.

Although no clear front-runner has emerged, rumors have swirled inside the company that Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-chairs of Disney’s entertainment and studio business, and parks chief Josh D’Amaro are all being strongly considered.

In recent months, the board had hired Heidrick & Struggles, a prominent executive search firm, to help examine external candidates, according to a person familiar with the matter. A spokeswoman for the recruiting firm declined to comment."

Bob Iger Isn’t Having Much Fun

Eight months after returning as CEO, he is straining to put out fire after fire, including streaming losses, an activist investor and TV woes.

www.wsj.com

An additional link if you hit a paywal.

Bob Iger Isn't Having Much Fun

 

[GimpYancIent]

An extension of a contract is by no means a guarantee of anything. Let us not forget that "Bob" Chapek received a 3 year contract extension June 2022 only to be fired (unceremoniously) November 2022. What looks secure for "Bob" Iger at the moment may not be so secure going forward.

 

[Disney Analyst]

From a new WSJ article.

"Disney’s board met for its regular meeting in Anaheim, Calif., the last week of June, with streaming profits one of several important priorities. Managers from Disney’s television division made a presentation to the board about how best to distribute shows that air on both regular TV and the streaming services, people briefed on the meeting said.

Even with an extended contract, the issue of CEO succession remains. Mark Parker, a Nike executive who serves as chairman of Disney’s board, is leading a committee to find a successor to Iger.

Although no clear front-runner has emerged, rumors have swirled inside the company that Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-chairs of Disney’s entertainment and studio business, and parks chief Josh D’Amaro are all being strongly considered.

In recent months, the board had hired Heidrick & Struggles, a prominent executive search firm, to help examine external candidates, according to a person familiar with the matter. A spokeswoman for the recruiting firm declined to comment."

Bob Iger Isn’t Having Much Fun

Eight months after returning as CEO, he is straining to put out fire after fire, including streaming losses, an activist investor and TV woes.

www.wsj.com

An additional link if you hit a paywal.

Bob Iger Isn't Having Much Fun

If they are considering Josh, I’d expect a shift in role sooner than later, to give him some more experiences.

 

[celluloid]

Just wondering why his age is an issue ?

Age is an issue a concern for everything. It is not mine perosnally with Bob Iger. We often get touchy about wanting to feel like anyone is capaable to do anything and they are, and we always hope age is not a factor, but the fact is, one should be concerned with someone who is aging having the interest of the current just as someone should not be in love with the idea of Disney putting a 22 year old in charge as CEO. There is a reason we have the phrases wet behind the ears and old/new blood.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just wondering why his age is an issue ?

it’s not an issue at all

18 years is just too long for that job…just like 19 years was too long for the last schmuck

Both look/looked like they were stagnant and stuck.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

If they are considering Josh, I’d expect a shift in role sooner than later, to give him some more experiences.

He’s a tool. The person in that job is always a do nothing mouthpiece…

You need some recent examples?

 

[Disney Analyst]

He’s a tool. The person in that job is always a do nothing mouthpiece…

You need some recent examples?

Not here to debate Josh as a person.

Just stating that if it’s true the board is considering him, I’d expect a shift of roles would be our first tell.

 

[Joel]

Let us not forget that "Bob" Chapek received a 3 year contract extension June 2022 only to be fired (unceremoniously) November 2022.

I remember some people here using that extension as "evidence" that the board fully approved of his performance, and there was no way they would get rid of him so soon. Good times. (I seriously doubt the same thing happens to Iger, though.)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Not here to debate Josh as a person.

Just stating that if it’s true the board is considering him, I’d expect a shift of roles would be our first tell.

The parks guy shouldn’t be In charge. That’s a good rule to never break…again

 

[GhostHost1000]

He’s a tool. The person in that job is always a do nothing mouthpiece…

You need some recent examples?

Cmon now didn’t the little creepy pop up video of him on the resort tv make your last visit that much more magical?

 

[Disney Analyst]

The parks guy shouldn’t be In charge. That’s a good rule to never break…again

Here’s a question, do you think the best option is an external candidate?

What type of person do you see being a good fit to run Disney, and hopefully be an improvement?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Here’s a question, do you think the best option is an external candidate?

What type of person do you see being a good fit to run Disney, and hopefully be an improvement?

Absolutely…none of the current management are incredibly tied to Disney anyway…so why limit it to someone with a nametag collection?

It’s not really that hard

I definitely think 2 is necessary in a divided power scenario with a 1 and a 1A…they’re too big.

Probably a studio head or chief creative and someone with alot of finance/contract experience would work.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

You’d think that they’d be smart enough to realize that a home video release a mere 60 days after a theatrical release is bad for box office returns.

It appears they’ve already changed this (at least for D+), the last couple movies have been a couple months in theaters, then a month or 2 of paid vod, and then to D+.

It could be argued that’s still too short but it shows they’re at least aware they were poaching the box office and are making changes to adjust to that.

 

[Dranth]

Is there a difference?

I hear the Sydney school of economics is pretty good though…

Too bad they don’t offer any courses in ethics.

 

[Robbiem]

Just wondering why his age is an issue ?

its not age in physical terms but in thinking terms. The start of world war 2 went badly because the allies had prepared for a repeat of WW1 and built long defensive lines and battleships which the axis flew over. A lot of the mistakes were made by people trying to prevent a repeat of the past that they didn’t think how it affected the present.
you see the same thing in business- look at how kodak tried to hold onto film sales compared to how fujifilm adapted or how many big box stores thought the internet would not impact them. Anyone who stays somewhere for too long becomes too set in their ways and it becomes hard to break those thinking habits

The entertainment world is changing but is Iger the right man to position Disney for the next 30 years? He appears to be trying to force the world back to his golden time (remakes, cost cutting and big budget movies) rather than pivoting the company forward to the future by doing new things

 

[JD80]

If they are considering Josh, I’d expect a shift in role sooner than later, to give him some more experiences.

With Movie/TV budgets exploding and returns not where they want them to be, and the streets demand for better Park futures, I wonder if that creates momentum for Josh to be even more heavily considered. Pressure from the street can really propel someone forward.

I'm ignoring qualification. I have no idea if he's qualified or not, or what the immense job of Disney CEO requires either so I can't judge either way.