Bloomberg: Disney's Parks Chief Emerges as Contender to Succeed Iger

[WaltDisney'sAlec]

Bloomberg is reporting that Bob Chapek is now the favored heir apparent to succeed Bob Iger. Of course, the last person to hold both the Parks and Resorts Chairmanship and the COO position fell out of favor with Disney's board. People I know who work for Disney said there was some concern about Staggs' ability to build personal relationships with business leaders outside of Disney, despite his great business acumen and honest care for Disney's brand and history. From what we've heard about Chapek, who knows if this will be the case again, or if Disney will be in a rush to fill Iger's shoes. What do you think?

Full link: Disney's Parks Chief Emerges as Contender to Succeed Iger

[Mr. P]

Given Chapek's background with consumer products and distribution for Disney Studios he seems like the likely choice. My only real hope is that whoever succeeds Iger will influence the loosening of the purse strings when it comes to the parks.

[Mr Wiggins]

It's Pressler redux. A huge success as the mall retailer who oversaw the explosive growth of Disney Stores, Paul became the golden-haired hero of Eisner's regime when he successfully delivered on Michael's demand for double-digit profits from Disneyland. For a time, he was internally touted as Michael's successor. It was a no-brainer. For a time.

A Staggs succession was similarly a no-brainer, given his track record of strong successes in the things Disney valued at the time: finance, strategic planning, and the overwhelming approval of the Street. At the time.

Flash forward to 2017, and giving Chapek the Keys to the Kingdom is the latest no-brainer. His track record has strong successes in everything that Disney values: consumer brand marketing, consumer brand marketing, and consumer brand marketing.

For now.

[whoever]

They need to ditch the anchor around their neck which is ABC/ESPN. The parks are producing GREAT ROI and have greenlighted more funds for them. The Film side, is more rocky, but generally a good performer. Anybody leading Disney needs to shore up the good and cut the bad and that's what he's known for.

[longbeachaztec]

If the rumor mill is to be believed, John Lasseter isn't the last big name at Disney who may be in trouble for past behavior, and more allegations could result in a backlash against Iger for allowing it to happen under his watch. If more stuff comes out, they may be looking for his replacement sooner than expected.

All just rumors, of course...

[Spongeocto4]

It's Pressler redux. A huge success as the mall retailer who oversaw the explosive growth of Disney Stores, Paul became the golden-haired hero of Eisner's regime when he successfully delivered on Michael's demand for double-digit profits from Disneyland. For a time, he was internally touted as Michael's successor. It was a no-brainer. For a time.

A Staggs succession was similarly a no-brainer, given his track record of strong successes in the things Disney valued at the time: finance, strategic planning, and the overwhelming approval of the Street. At the time.

Flash forward to 2017, and giving Chapek the Keys to the Kingdom is the latest no-brainer. His track record has strong successes in everything that Disney values: consumer brand marketing, consumer brand marketing, and consumer brand marketing.

For now.

Agreed. I don't know Chapek personally (which about 90-95% of Mice chatters needs to admit), but I feel like he has been tied to success versus being successful. He's barely has been serving as Parks Chairman, and his said accomplishments in article, could be viewed as greedy(up charging, removing various types of APs). Let's not forget how 2018 will be the year of Pixar, despite their 30th anniversary was last year (2016).

[Eagleman]

I know there is some Disney's board members and few stockholder's ,that is ready for IGER to go......
Disney been getting , to much Bad Press, that adding up !

IMO =Bob Chapek is not the answer ....and fact it would be big mistake for him to succeedBob Iger

[BiggestDisneyFan]

Weren't there reports, some time ago, that Chapek had been the heir apparent but that he'd lost some favor in that regard, due to creative and philosophical differences, and that Iger was likely looking at other candidates for his successor?

[Eagleman]

Weren't there reports, some time ago, that Chapek had been the heir apparent but that he'd lost some favor in that regard, due to creative and philosophical differences, and that Iger was likely looking at other candidates for his successor?

This what my understand was......except the Disney's board members ,were looking for other candidates , outside of the company !
Bob Chapek is not the answer.

[BiggestDisneyFan]

This what my understand was......except the Disney's board members ,were looking for other candidates , outside of the company !
Bob Chapek is not the answer.

Agreed! I wish they would bring in a visionary that has proven to be able to bring in big profits while actually keeping customers really happy even if there is a premium price for the product (which there definitely is with Disneyland). I wonder if Lauren Powell Jobs (widow of the late Steve Jobs) has anything akin to his vision? I believe that she is still the largest individual shareholder in Disney. Otherwise, maybe Tim Cook (who is not quite the visionary but knows how to hire visionaries and is VERY good at managing logistics and the books) or someone like Elon Musk or John LeGere. I would have voted for John Lasseter, but that's just not happening. (I honestly think it never would have happened, even without the recent considerations.)

[WaltDisney'sAlec]

Agreed! I wish they would bring in a visionary that has proven to be able to bring in big profits while actually keeping customers really happy even if there is a premium price for the product (which there definitely is with Disneyland). I wonder if Lauren Powell Jobs (widow of the late Steve Jobs) has anything akin to his vision? I believe that she is still the largest individual shareholder in Disney. Otherwise, maybe Tim Cook (who is not quite the visionary but knows how to hire visionaries and is VERY good at managing logistics and the books) or someone like Elon Musk or John LeGere. I would have voted for John Lasseter, but that's just not happening. (I honestly think it never would have happened, even without the recent considerations.)

I second the Elon Musk or John LeGere nomination. There's certainly a difference between a good managerial CEO and a true visionary intent on disrupting the status quo for the better. I kind of see Iger as something in between the two. I would love to see Disney totally knocks something out of the park again.

[Eagleman]

Agreed! I wish they would bring in a Visionary that has proven to be able to bring in big profits while actually keeping customers really happy even if there is a premium price for the product (which there definitely is with Disneyland).

I with you
IMO
I Like to see New Visionary ..........for the parks ,but have to be a person, for the whole company,
and to my understanding ........Disney's board members is NOT happy with any one, in the company at this point!
That why ,I said I think they are looking outside ,of the company.
Who? ...is still a guess........

PS: Elon Musk, is very busy with many adventure's
But have say he does, know his Book's and he is very much Visionary
.

[Mr Wiggins]

^ I agree with what BiggestDisneyFan, WaltDisney'sAlec and Eagleman said. However, and sorry to say, I doubt that Disney's Board of Directors would approve any sort of visionary/entrepreneur as CEO, no matter how successful they'd been. Disney's business model is no longer about creative vision and innovation, it's IP acquisition and marketing. Disney doesn't take risks on vision and innovation -- they buy IPs that someone else's vision made into a proven success, and then they slap the Disney name on it.

Theme park innovation for the sake of innovation is also no longer part of their business: They use their domestic theme parks as marketing platforms for their IP brands. They've been ginormously successful at it financially, which is all that the BOD and Wall Street are concerned about. Sadly for those of us who value the entrepreneurship, vision, innovation, and imagination that was the Company's S.O.P. in Disneyland's first three decades, they're highly unlikely to change their current model.

[Eagleman]

^ I agree with what BiggestDisneyFan, WaltDisney'sAlec and Eagleman said. However, and sorry to say, I doubt that Disney's Board of Directors would approve any sort of visionary/entrepreneur as CEO, no matter how successful they'd been. Disney's business model is no longer about creative vision and innovation, it's IP acquisition and marketing. Disney doesn't take risks on vision and innovation -- they buy IPs that someone else's vision made into a proven success, and then they slap the Disney name on it.

I do understand what you are sharing ,and you know, I respect your Opinion's
and in this case you most likely right......less about getting in a visionary/entrepreneur as CEO !
But , I been reading a lot, from economy reports ( not mice chat)
and have read many times ,Disney's board members ,were looking for other candidates , outside of the company.
Now who would that be ,I have no clue.....except Bob Chapek is not the answer

[BiggestDisneyFan]

^ I agree with what BiggestDisneyFan, WaltDisney'sAlec and Eagleman said. However, and sorry to say, I doubt that Disney's Board of Directors would approve any sort of visionary/entrepreneur as CEO, no matter how successful they'd been. Disney's business model is no longer about creative vision and innovation, it's IP acquisition and marketing. Disney doesn't take risks on vision and innovation -- they buy IPs that someone else's vision made into a proven success, and then they slap the Disney name on it.

Theme park innovation for the sake of innovation is also no longer part of their business: They use their domestic theme parks as marketing platforms for their IP brands. They've been ginormously successful at it financially, which is all that the BOD and Wall Street are concerned about. Sadly for those of us who value the entrepreneurship, vision, innovation, and imagination that was the Company's S.O.P. in Disneyland's first three decades, they're highly unlikely to change their current model.

I think you're right about this, but I do reserve a little bit of hope that someone could come in (shareholder revolt, merger/acquisition, ???) and see that some original Disneyland's magic can be as big a selling point as anything they can get through acquisition of other media franchises.

[Mr Wiggins]

I think you're right about this, but I do reserve a little bit of hope that someone could come in (shareholder revolt, merger/acquisition, ???) and see that some original Disneyland's magic can be as big a selling point as anything they can get through acquisition of other media franchises.

I agree. I've held the same hope for years, and still do. Iger's regime has been an extension of Eisner's in all essential aspects. Hopefully something will trigger the desire for the Company to get some fresh thinking into Burbank, Anaheim and Orlando. (To be seen if John's departure might be the catalyst.) It'll be an uphill battle, though -- the Eisner/Iger model has been so risk-free, and the Company is so risk-averse, anything new and fresh will be a hard sell.

[Eagleman]

I agree. I've held the same hope for years, and still do. Iger's regime has been an extension of Eisner's in all essential aspects. Hopefully something will trigger the desire for the Company to get some fresh thinking into Burbank, Anaheim and Orlando. (To be seen if John's departure might be the catalyst.) It'll be an uphill battle, though -- the Eisner/Iger model has been so risk-free, and the Company is so risk-averse, anything new and fresh will be a hard sell.

I for NEW HOPE,
After Eisner ,I keep telling myself ...things will get better, IGER regime was that hope.......
"CRASH" my hope went down the drain .......IMO ........IGER is worst than EISNER !
It's no way when we said "Disney" 3 or 4 decades ago we mean the same company today .........
I find it very SAD !.........yep.....Company is so risk-averse, anything new and fresh would be a hard to sell.

Forgive me , if I still "TRY" to have new hope, for a new Disney ,Visionary company

[Mr Wiggins]

And then... there's this:

LA Times: Why James Murdoch could be angling for a top job at Disney

Could James Murdoch soon be in the running to succeed Robert Iger?

That's one of several intriguing scenarios that could be at play as talks between 21st Century Fox and Walt Disney Co. gain momentum, according to two executives close to the process who were not authorized to discuss the situation.

“It would be the craziest ending ever to the Bob Iger CEO sweepstakes,” said a third senior media executive who declined to be identified discussing 21st Century Fox’s asset sale. “Maybe dangling a job for James might be what it takes to get a deal done.”

Insiders and industry veterans say there are several reasons Disney has emerged as a front-runner in the auction for Fox’s Los Angeles-based entertainment assets. Such a large transaction — estimated at more than $60 billion — would entail a stock transfer that would enable press baron Rupert Murdoch and his family to become leading shareholders in the world’s most powerful entertainment brand, wielding influence for decades to come.

For Fox’s Chief Executive, James Murdoch, a deal might also lead to a plum role within the Disney organization at a time when Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Iger approaches his proposed 2019 retirement. Disney for years has sought a successor for Iger, whose contract has been extended three times since he became CEO in 2005.

Representatives of 21st Century Fox declined to comment. A spokesperson for Disney did not respond....

[Spongeocto4]

^Interesting. More news articles are saying the same thing, this sounds likes its legitimate.

[Eagleman]

And then... there's this:


Could James Murdoch soon be in the running to succeed Robert Iger?

That's one of several intriguing scenarios that could be at play as talks between 21st Century Fox and Walt Disney Co. gain momentum, according to two executives close to the process who were not authorized to discuss the situation.

“It would be the craziest ending ever to the Bob Iger CEO sweepstakes,” said a third senior media executive who declined to be identified discussing 21st Century Fox’s asset sale. “Maybe dangling a job for James might be what it takes to get a deal done.”

Insiders and industry veterans say there are several reasons Disney has emerged as a front-runner in the auction for Fox’s Los Angeles-based entertainment assets. Such a large transaction — estimated at more than $60 billion — would entail a stock transfer that would enable press baron Rupert Murdoch and his family to become leading shareholders in the world’s most powerful entertainment brand, wielding influence for decades to come.

For Fox’s Chief Executive, James Murdoch, a deal might also lead to a plum role within the Disney organization at a time when Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Iger approaches his proposed 2019 retirement. Disney for years has sought a successor for Iger, whose contract has been extended three times since he became CEO in 2005.

Representatives of 21st Century Fox declined to comment. A spokesperson for Disney did not respond....

I seen this happen, with others Buyout / Meger ,It can Happen !
James Murdoch can succeed Bob Iger.