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

[flynnibus]

If it takes years then they would have been Igers projects from before he left.

The bulk of Chapek's legacy wasn't building things... they were about product strategies and pricing. Things you can change in months instead of actual construction projects that take years.

 

[BrianLo]

If it takes years then they would have been Igers projects from before he left.

Well yes, some are and some are not. Some of the Asian partner projects are long gesticulating along with Lighthouse Point. But need I remind you Chapek was P&R pres prior to his CEO reign for another five years. The man is all over current WDW P&R projects.

Anyways, the Big Hero 6 thing, Tiana, the final iteration of Epcot plans would have almost nothing to do with Iger. Those were his (Chapek) approvals.

Whatever we hear starting out of WDI basically next D23 would be more to do with Bruce Vaughn/Iger/Josh era. We just are not really there yet.

 

[Tha Realest]

Sorry, this is dumb.

Dude is reacting to the world NOW - pointing out he was around 15yrs ago means nothing in one's ability to get changes done today. Things they did 15yrs ago are not the same now... nor are the issues they addressing now the issues from 15yrs ago.

You all expecting new studio projects to just pop out complete in 3 months because the CEO had a previous tenure in the company?

You all expecting organizational changes to just start producing output immediately because they were setup successfully decades before? Completely ignoring how they've been operating NOW?

The decisions and changes made for the world 15yrs ago do not give you some superpower to eliminate lag time in changes done now.

Oh my. Of all the satirical users that have been commenting recently you’re quickly becoming my favorite.

 

[BrianLo]

D+ losses is the battle immediately in front of them, but once that is past people will return back to the 'where is the revenue vs your historical revenue' and the battles will continue. This period of doubt will continue for years because all success will still have the dark cloud looming about historical stuff until everyone accepts the old ways aren't coming back.

That's true, I agree with your broader points. Though Revenue isn't the issue per-say. DTC Revenue has almost totally supplanted linear. It's the current margins/operating income that is the issue.

Disney's entire DTC arm really isn't that far behind Netflix at this point. If it can get closer to their operating margins in the coming year I think that will do a lot of legwork to set the current lows behind us. Disney as a whole is currently a much larger company than Netflix, yet the market cap/income is very skewed right now.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm still a bit confused on what the armchair CEO's actually want Iger to do other than leave?

Spend more money on the parks? They've many times indicated they are going to do so. It doesn't suddenly happen overnight.

Ooooh…I’ll do it!!!

But I’ll go deeper than “Bob sucks”…or my favorite tweet/Facebook comment: “when are they gonna price it so we all can go? ”

In no order:
1. It’s been twenty years…as in that’s enough. It’s not an age thing…or an experience thing. It’s that some things have a shelf life. Ceo of a major company is more than enough for that designation.
Even the best stock brokers used to flame out in 10-12 years on average. Not because they lost…it just isn’t reasonable to keep doing it.

2. “Who else you gonna get?” Anyone else that has younger legs or fresher blood. That argument is crap. It’s why I want Mike Sullivan or Mike Tomlin to be fired yesterday. You can be good and still stay past your time. Real world stuff.

3. When Bob was hired…he specifically agreed not to be Eisner. He’s far worse…won’t pivot on “Philosphy” and it’s failing…won’t get good lieutenants…appoints his own board - which should NEVER be acceptable in a public company. It’s time there too. And no attempt at succession…what if the gulf stream hits a bird? Tight pants Josh?!? Ridiculous. Like Slaphead.

4. The “coward conundrum”
Bob didn’t quit for money…he didn’t come back for money. Good, right?
Nope. He quit to protect his ego…he came back for his ego…
We have seen what that kinda person is…it’s called an “ego maniac”…in this case also a coward.
And you don’t want that in charge. Ever.

So I guess Motley Crue said it best:
“Girl, don’t go away mad…girl, just go away”

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The notion Bob deserves “time” to reset the dial is the stuff of a head trauma clinic.

It’s so “low level imagineer/gsm” that even I’m impressed ( not easy)

Well done

 

[TalkingHead]

He’s definitely earned a spot on the Mt Rushmore of media execs I mean sure he’s more responsible than anybody else for the collapse of the 100+ year American movie business but other than that

 

[BrianLo]

Ooooh…I’ll do it!!!

But I’ll go deeper than “Bob sucks”…or my favorite tweet/Facebook comment: “when are they gonna price it so we all can go? ”

In no order:
1. It’s been twenty years…as in that enough. It’s not an age thing…or an experience thing. It’s that some things have shelf life. Ceo of a major company is more than enough for that designation.
Even the best stock brokers used do flame out in 10-12 years on average. Not because they lost…it just isn’t reasonable to keep doing it.

2. “Who else you gonna get?” Anyone else that has younger legs or fresher blood. That argument is crap. It’s why I want Mike Sullivan or Mike Tomlin to be fired yesterday. You can be good and still stay past your time. Real world stuff.

3. When Bob was hired…he specifically agreed not to be Eisner. He’s far worse…won’t pivot on “Philosphy” and it’s failing…won’t get good lieutenants…appoints his own board - which should NEVER be acceptable in a public company. It’s time there too. And no attempt at succession…what if the gulf stream hits a bird? Tight pants Josh?!? Ridiculous. Like Slaphead.

4. The “coward conundrum”
Bob didn’t quit for money…he didn’t come back for money. Good, right?
Nope. He quit to protect his ego…he came back for his ego…
We have seen what that kinda person is…it’s called an “ego maniac”…in this case also a coward.
And you don’t want that in charge. Ever.

So I guess Motley Crue said it best:
“Girl, don’t go away mad…girl, just go away”

I get that, but read my original question. What do you want him (or any) CEO to do other than leave?

You just wrote me a nice essay about all the reasons he overstayed or why you want him to leave, not what needs changing direction wise with the company. It's all criticisms about the cult of personality, which is fair I suppose, but does not really address the underlying problems.

 

[flynnibus]

Oh my. Of all the satirical users that have been commenting recently you’re quickly becoming my favorite.

Ok Veruca...

 

[Jrb1979]

I get that, but read my original question. What do you want him (or any) CEO to do other than leave?

You just wrote me a nice essay about all the reasons he overstayed or why you want him to leave, not what needs changing direction wise with the company. It's all criticisms about the cult of personality, which is fair I suppose, but does not really address the underlying problems.

How about getting someone who actually likes the parks and not someone who looks at them as a place for Carnies.

 

[flynnibus]

How about getting someone who actually likes the parks and not someone who looks at them as a place for Carnies.

If that were true, why would they let Josh announce plans to double their investment in them?

Do you people really think putting a lifestyler in charge is the right choice for a 25 BILLION dollar enterprise?

 

[Jrb1979]

If that were true, why would they let Josh announce plans to double their investment in them?

Do you people really think putting a lifestyler in charge is the right choice for a 25 BILLION dollar enterprise?

Disney parks were at their best when Eisner and Wells worked together. That's what they need to go back to.

 

[Disorbust]

My daughter had a meet and greet with one of the strategy teams. They basically told her that they don't hire unless you come from BCG, Bain or McKinsey. This is women who had 8 offers when she graduated but wanted to work for Disney which was the biggest mistake apparently. She walked out of the meet greet recognizing what the issue is and that the culture will never change.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Sorry, this is dumb.

Dude is reacting to the world NOW - pointing out he was around 15yrs ago means nothing in one's ability to get changes done today. Things they did 15yrs ago are not the same now... nor are the issues they addressing now the issues from 15yrs ago.

You all expecting new studio projects to just pop out complete in 3 months because the CEO had a previous tenure in the company?

You all expecting organizational changes to just start producing output immediately because they were setup successfully decades before? Completely ignoring how they've been operating NOW?

The decisions and changes made for the world 15yrs ago do not give you some superpower to eliminate lag time in changes done now.

Dude is kinda on the “tired” side…and the sharks are circling him.
How long do you think

If that were true, why would they let Josh announce plans to double their investment in them?

Do you people really think putting a lifestyler in charge is the right choice for a 25 BILLION dollar enterprise?

Lol…”Josh”…

Right…I was trying to take you seriously

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I get that, but read my original question. What do you want him (or any) CEO to do other than leave?

You just wrote me a nice essay about all the reasons he overstayed or why you want him to leave, not what needs changing direction wise with the company. It's all criticisms about the cult of personality, which is fair I suppose, but does not really address the underlying problems.

He is the problem. He took them where they are. So am I interested in his “next ideas”?

No…his bag of tricks are all known. Old dogs.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

My daughter had a meet and greet with one of the strategy teams. They basically told her that they don't hire unless you come from BCG, Bain or McKinsey. This is women who had 8 offers when she graduated but wanted to work for Disney which was the biggest mistake apparently. She walked out of the meet greet recognizing what the issue is and that the culture will never change.

You just explained the root problem

 

[Indy_UK]

The man has made mistakes and I am not a fan of many of his decisions but you act like he has never done anything good at all.

For example, on the studio side you say "shockingly little" yet there have only been 50 some movies to ever clear a billion dollars and Iger was in charge for 25 of them. Only 8 were Marvel movies so that is at least 17 that came from outside of Marvel and nearly all of them were 2014 onward so easily within the last 10 years. How is that not good?

On the parks front he is 100% to blame for thinking they were mature and only needed maintenance for the first half of his tenure but once he figured out he was wrong he at least admitted it and started spending from around 2012 on which includes the last ten years. He is continuing that now.

As for ABC, he is looking to offload at least the non-studio parts from what articles are out there. ESPN will be a money maker for the foreseeable future because people want live sports (though it will not make as much as in the past) and D+ is about to be in the black.

So, if the next three years is a return to his last 10 then we get good, steady studio releases that make money, park investment, controlled streaming and the dumping of the ABC broadcast segment. All good things

They are all in decline. Marvel especially seems to have taken a nose dive since End Game and it’s lost its focus. Probably throwing too much rushed content to Disney+ which doesn’t even make money.

They’re happy when it’s all going well but they aren’t really pivoting too well when things get tough

 

[Dranth]

They are all in decline. Marvel especially seems to have taken a nose dive since End Game and it’s lost its focus.

I agree, many studios are in decline, that is one reason they brough Iger back because they were not when he left.

As for Marvel in particular, I disagree with the timing. There was always going to be a drop off after Endgame but Wanda-Vision and Loki were great. Shang-Chi was good. What-If was fun and Black Widow wasn't bad. It really wasn't until the Eternals that things went bad.

Probably throwing too much rushed content to Disney+ which doesn’t even make money.

Just curious, what do you consider rushed content?

They’re happy when it’s all going well but they aren’t really pivoting too well when things get tough

See, I don't understand this at all. They have retooled the studios, altered how D+ operates and instituted controlled budgets, restored theatrical windows, announced an increase in park investment over what we were getting before which was not insubstantial, started talks on unloading dying assets, started restoring Imagineering to some small semblance of what it was and been trying to address some of the sore points with customers like park hopping, park reservations and G+. All that within 10 months while also dealing with a hostile state/governor with multiple law suits, the rapid decline of linear networks, broader economic uncertainty, Wall Street and their ridiculous, unrealistic and constantly shifting expectations, Nelson “I break apart companies for my own personal gain” Peltz and massive inflation.

I 110% get the frustration from fans, I feel it too, but if we step back and look at it objectively, they have been busy righting the ship, it just takes time to see results.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I agree, many studios are in decline, that is one reason they brough Iger back because they were not when he left.

As for Marvel in particular, I disagree with the timing. There was always going to be a drop off after Endgame but Wanda-Vision and Loki where great. Shang-Chi was good. What-If was fun and Black Widow wasn't bad. It really wasn't until the Eternals that things went bad.


Just curious, what do you consider rushed content?


See, I don't understand this at all. They have retooled the studios, altered how D+ operates and instituted controlled budgets, restored theatrical windows, announced an increase in park investment over what we were getting before which was not insubstantial, started talks on unloading dying assets, started restoring Imagineering to some small semblance of what it was and been trying to address some of the sore points with customers like park hopping, park reservations and G+. All that within 10 months while also dealing with a hostile state/governor with multiple law suits, the rapid decline of linear networks, broader economic uncertainty, Wall Street and their ridiculous, unrealistic and constantly shifting expectations, Nelson “I break apart companies for my own personal gain” Peltz and massive inflation.

I 110% get the frustration from fans, I feel it too, but if we step back and look at it objectively, they have been busy righting the ship, it just takes time to see results.

Question: these marvel, Pixar, LFL and live actions that are flopping…

When did they start work on them?

 

[Dranth]

Question: these marvel, Pixar, LFL and live actions that are flopping…

When did they start work on them?

Well I posted a quick synopsis of this year at the box office in one of the movie threads:

Movie	Production Start	Approved by
Ant Man	Jul-21	Chapek
Indian Jones	Jun-21	Chapek
GoTG V3	Nov-21	Chapek
Little Mermaid	Jan-21	Chapek
Elemental	N/A*	Iger, split production
Haunted Mansion	Oct-21	Chapek
A Haunting in Venice	Oct-22	Chapek, split production
The Creator	Jan-22	Chapek
The Marvels	Aug-21	Chapek
Next Goal Wins	Nov-19	Iger, split production
Wish	N/A*	Iger, split production

*Don't have an exact date for these but both were in production pre covid so had to have final approval from Iger

We don't know about The Marvels, Next Goal Wins or Wish yet but every single bomb this year had it's final approval and production run take place under the system Chapek put in place with only A Haunting in Venice having any substantial cross over as it didn't finish filming until after Iger came back. The rest were either done or already in the post production process when Iger returned.

Just for fun, here are the Marvel, Star Wars and remake D+ productions that released the last three years:

Show	Production Start	Release Date	Approved By
She Hulk	Apr-21	Aug-22	Chapek
Peter Pan and Wendy	Mar-21	Apr-23	Chapek
Pinocchio	Mar-21	Sep-22	Chapek
Ms. Marvel	Nov-20	Jun-22	Chapek
Mando Season 2	Oct-18	Oct-20	Iger
Mando Season 3	Oct-21	Mar-23	Chapek
Secret Invasion	Sep-21	Jun-23	Chapek
Loki Season 1	Feb-20	Jun-21	Chapek
Loki Season 2	Jun-22	Oct-23	Chapek
Moon Knight	Apr-21	Mar-22	Chapek
Hawkeye	Dec-20	Nov-21	Chapek
What-if	N/A	Aug-21	Chapek
The Falcon and the Winter Solider	Oct-19	Mar-21	Iger
Wanda-Vision	Nov-19	Jan-21	Iger
Werewolf by Night	Mar-22	Oct-22	Chapek
GotG Holiday Special	Feb-22	Nov-22	Chapek
Ahsoka	May-22	Aug-23	Chapek
Obi-Wan Kenobi	May-21	May-22	Chapek
Andor Season 1	Dec-20	Sep-22	Chapek
Book of Boba Fett	Nov-20	Dec-21	Chapek

I could very well be missing a few but those are the ones I could remember.