News Chapek's getting a new mouthpiece, er, head of PR

[Mr Wiggins]

Disney to Tap BP Exec and Former ABC News Correspondent Geoff Morrell as PR Chief (Exclusive)

Hollywood Reporter
December 6, 2021

"The Walt Disney Co. plans to name Geoff Morrell to the newly created role of chief corporate affairs officer, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. While he has been given a broader portfolio, his responsibilities will include succeeding top communications officer Zenia Mucha, who will retire from the company at the end of the year.

"Morrell, currently executive vp communications advocacy for BP [British Petroleum], will take on a restructured and significantly expanded position leading PR for Disney. His official title will be chief corporate affairs officer, overseeing communications, government relations, public policy, philanthropy and environmental issues.

"Before joining the multinational oil and gas company, Morrell worked for both the Bush and Obama administrations as deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs at the Pentagon, where he eventually served as the chief spokesperson for Defense Secretary Bob Gates. (Morrell was one of only two Bush administration appointees who was asked to remain with the Obama administration, Gates wrote in his 2015 memoir, Duty.)

"Before becoming a corporate executive, Morrell was a journalist, where he served as White House correspondent for Disney’s ABC News between 2004 and 2007 before leaving to join the Pentagon. He joined BP in 2011, and rose to lead its London-based external affairs team in 2017.

"Disney CEO Bob Chapek is said to see him as having the ability to manage Disney’s many different stakeholders, from consumers to talent, policy makers and beyond."



...But will he be able to manage what comes out of Chapek's mouth?

Stay tuned, folks.

[Mr Wiggins]

And from Variety's article:

"...In addition to [Zenia] Mucha’s duties, sources said Morrell will also take on government relations. Under the current regime, that was a function of the Walt Disney Company chief counsel’s office. Alan Braverman, current chief counsel and senior executive vice president, is also departing Disney at the end of the year....

"Morrell, who will report to Disney CEO Bob Chapek, ticks several boxes for such an important role at a post-Iger Disney. On the crisis front, he is credited as 'instrumental in rebuilding BP’s reputation following the Deepwater Horizon accident' — an oil spill considered one of the biggest environmental disasters in modern history.

"Prior to BP, Morrell spent four years at the Pentagon as chief spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense under the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He’s also worked as a journalist, covering the White House for ABC News.

"Morrell’s extracurriculars include seats on the Georgetown University Board of Regents, The National Council of The White House Historical Association and the board of directors of The American Ditchley Foundation."

[merlinjones]

From Uncle Robert's house to The White House. Mickey we hardly know you.

[Eagleman]

...But will he be able to manage what comes out of Chapek's mouth?

Stay tuned, folks.

Disney PR is like
a gain of salt ? Going be INTERESTING...
Just like watching the News!))))))

[micromind]

This is actually a smart move as just about every time Chepek said anything, he looked even dumber than before..........

[redoscar]

I would think headlining an article announcing the hire with "BP Exec" and following it up later on with "he is credited as 'instrumental in rebuilding BP’s reputation following the Deepwater Horizon accident'" would raise some eyebrows amongst some investors. I'm guessing Morrell and Chapek aren't happy about the implications there, either.

[Bob Weaver]

Well, at least they hired someone with experience in cleaning up disasters.

[Mr Wiggins]

I would think headlining an article announcing the hire with "BP Exec" and following it up later on with "he is credited as 'instrumental in rebuilding BP’s reputation following the Deepwater Horizon accident'" would raise some eyebrows amongst some investors. I'm guessing Morrell and Chapek aren't happy about the implications there, either.

Indeed. One wonders why the CEO of the world's most family-friendly company would hire the PR executive of the world's most notorious oil polluter. Hardly seems like a match made in corporate-image heaven.

Ten years later, BP oil spill continues to harm wildlife—especially dolphins

Deepwater Horizon – BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

BP set to pay largest environmental fine in US history for Gulf oil spill

BP oil spill: ‘invisible’ pollution spread even further than believed

What Happens When an Oil Giant Walks Away

[Jaygatzby]

Not to make light/downplay the appalling tragic results of the BP Deepwater Horizon incident, but based on the barrage of negative feedback (and recently taken down) video about the upcoming Disney Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser sneak peek (it was really awkward, though the performers tried hard, and that bridge room look county fair display-level bad) got, I suspect Morrell better be ready for a lot of PR dancing come next spring.

[Starcade]

Damage control, plain and simple and any CEO who has to call in outside help to spin and massage the message to consumers is showing they have failed. The Board needs to act or they will see their investments continue to dwindle. If your car needs a new engine you do not simply replace the wheels and repaint it you replace the engine.

[merlinjones]

And so it begins... (legacy building Chapek profile in Financial Times):

(Sorry - posting link didn't work - gated - but you can access article from Google search)

"Disney’s chief on his war with Netflix, irking the talent and breaking with the past -- Bob Chapek borrowed billions and sidelined insiders. It’s all part of the plan — exclusive"

[Mr Wiggins]

And so it begins... (legacy building Chapek profile in Financial Times):

(Sorry - posting link didn't work - gated - but you can access article from Google search)

"Disney’s chief on his war with Netflix, irking the talent and breaking with the past -- Bob Chapek borrowed billions and sidelined insiders. It’s all part of the plan — exclusive"

Thanks for the link, Merlin -- very interesting article.

Readers of that article should remember that Chapek as CEO is the result (some would say inevitable result) of 35 years of corporate distancing from the customer-centric values of the founder. Chapek is the end-product and deliberate choice of Bob Iger, just as Iger was the end-product and deliberate choice of Michael Eisner.