Forecast, Extended Reign…

It looks like Bob Iger is going to be around a few more months than expected…

Those of you that haven't seen it yet, the news came out yesterday that Bob Eiger will retain his CEO title in addition to his chairman title until the expiration of his contract in 2016.  Originally, he was supposed to relinquish the CEO title in April 2015, while retaining the chairmanship title until the expiration of his contract in 2016.  Now they both will end together.  This means his leadership will not be split, and it also gives him and the board more time to decide on a successor.

It's going to be a difficult position, many people will be vying for that title as I mentioned in a previous post.  Right now, the odds on favorite is Tom Staggs, but other powerful people are still in the running.  This includes two people who weren't even at the company a year ago, Kathleen Kennedy and Alan Horn.  Lastly, there is the Dark Overlord, Jay Rasulo.  Let's cross our fingers that that one doesn't happen.

So what does all this mean?  Well, it means that Iger will be there through the end of his contract, and the players have a little more time to show their worth.  Three years worth.  That's a long time in the entertainment business, a lifetime compared with any other.  It'll be interesting to see how the jockeying goes over the next couple of years.  The CEO and Chairman of the largest entertainment company in the world is leaving it in an even bigger position that it was under Eisner.  His successor will have to do a lot of shuffeling to compete in this global market that entertainment has transformed into over the last decade.  The world is a lot different than it was at the beginning of this century.

Even the Disney World…

It's Lonely At The Top...

Just thought you'd like to know...

With Time Warner spinning off their cable division the company is no longer the top/largest media company in the world. Actually, they're not even number two... they dropped to number three on the list behind number two News Corp.

That leaves the number two largest corporation, The Walt Disney Company at number one. Disney is now the largest entertainment company in the world. Walt Disney Productions has come a long way from the little animation start-up that Walt and Roy founded back in 1923. Imagine Jack Warner and all the other Hollywood moguls who thought Walt was just some guy that made funny cartoons. His company now dwarfs their own.

I wonder what the Maestro would think about how far his company has gone? I know he wouldn't find it perfect(EPCOT isn't exactly what he had planned), but I do think he'd be impressed at what Roy and he created and how it's affected the world...

Agent Of Change...

Fortune has a nice article about Bob Iger up online that has him talking about his perspective running the Mouse after close to three years now.

Good read. Have a looksie...

In Memorium: Frank Wells...

On this day...

Fourteen years ago today...

The beginning of the end of Michael Eisner's reign as savior of the Mouse started...

While on a skiing trip in Nevada's 's Ruby Mountains, Disney's President and Chief Operating Officer Frank Wells is killed when his helicopter experiences mechanical problems and crashes into a slope at 7,500 feet. With Wells gone, Eisner has lost his balance and greatly over compensates...

Jeffrey Katzenberg now wants the top spot now that Wells is no longer there, Eisner doesn't give it to him and Katzenberg leaves the company shortly thereafter(a lawsuit later filed by Katzenberg will cost the Mouse millions). The first ten years under their leadership has been a stunning success, thus begins Eisner's downfall...

Of course, it would take twelve years and many disappointments before the axe finally came, but this is the event that set that all in motion.

Frank Wells will be missed. He was a very good leader, a fine Suit for the Mouse and well liked among his colleagues. He and his family were/are/will always be remembered in our hearts and prayers.

How Much Is A Lamp Worth?

Variety has a nice article about Bob Iger from a Q & A had in New York where Disney's CEO discusses the purchase of Pixar and how it's benefited the Mouse.

A clue:

He has no regrets and believes the price was a value.

Come the end of summer when the box office receipts for "Wall-E" come in he may realize it was a bargain... and Steve Jobs may be kicking himself thinking he didn't ask enough for Luxo!

How Healthy Is A Mouse?

Those of you that keep track of financials and such who are also fans of Disney might want to head over here sometime later today. Probably after 2 p.m. Pacific time when the market closes...

That's when the company's Annual Report is supposed to be put up for all eyes to see. We'll see.