Ambassadors...Iger & Katzenberg?

[Spongeocto4]

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Bob Iger is being considered for Ambassadors roles in the Biden administration.

It appears that Bob Iger might have a future in public service after all. The Disney executive chairman, who once toyed with the idea of a 2020 presidential run, is at the top of President-elect Joe Biden’s wish list for a key ambassador post, namely China or the U.K., sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

If Iger, 69, is offered a post and accepts, it would mark the end of his stunning 25-year run at Disney. On Feb. 25, he shocked Wall Street when he announced that he was stepping down as Disney CEO and into the role of executive chairman. Bob Chapek, who was named his successor, has overseen perhaps the most turbulent nine months in the company’s history, with the pandemic ravaging Disney’s theme parks and theatrical movie business. Iger’s contract is up Dec. 31, 2021.

In addition, ex-Disney executive/Dreamworks founder, Jeffery Katzenberg, and other Studios Studios exes are in consideration for posts.

If Iger accepts, then Chapek would be officially-official in charge of the company.

[Captain Andy]

I really hope Jeffrey Katzenberg does not become a pick. 😖

[Spongeocto4]

I really hope Jeffrey Katzenberg does not become a pick. 😖

To say that choice would be cringeworthy, would be an understatement.

[J. Thaddeus Toad]

Iger as ambassador to China is a HUGE conflict of interest.

Bad entry point for Iger into politics.

[Spongeocto4]

Iger as ambassador to China is a HUGE conflict of interest.

Bad entry point for Iger into politics.

Hence, why Iger would have to leave the company officially. Thus, ending his contract early.

[Eagleman]

Hence, why Iger would have to leave the company officially. Thus, ending his contract early.

Your Right......
Darn Interesting......... But I can see IGER , doing so.......for his self ego
Iger made his money from Disney ........Now is the time to move on.......

[Captain Andy]

Your Right......
Darn Interesting......... But I can see IGER , doing so.......for his self ego
Iger made his money from Disney ........Now is the time to move on.......

Agreed. Not to mention, Iger seems at least a DECENT human being.

I'm in the industry, and the talk around Katzenberg.... YEESH.... I don't think it's a secret, but he is definitely NOT a great person. Ambitious, but not the best businessman. I think he's gotten by off of luck and other peoples' talents alone.

[Eagleman]

at this point.......Mr.Katzenberg-no comment

[Eagleman]

IGER , doing so.......for his self ego
But he does have a good relationship/ businessman with China
So I can see him considered for Ambassadors roles in the Biden administration.

[Spongeocto4]

I'm in the industry, and the talk around Katzenberg.... YEESH.... I don't think it's a secret, but he is definitely NOT a great person. Ambitious, but not the best businessman. I think he's gotten by off of luck and other peoples' talents alone.

In the 90s, his actions toward Toy Story nearly caused the movie to be scrapped (look up the infamous 'Black Friday Reel', where Katzenberg's version had Woody & the toys be mean-spirited). He pushed for Pocahontas to be adapted into a love story Oscar Bait movie, because of the success of Beauty & the Beast.

More recently, he was behind the short lived Quibi streaming service, which was a subscription service for 'short, bite size' productions (despite YouTube currently existing).
Instead of delaying the start-up date to 2021, it was released this year....during the coronavirus.

[J. Thaddeus Toad]

Hence, why Iger would have to leave the company officially. Thus, ending his contract early.

Even as a former CEO, still a conflict of interest and bad optics.

[calsig31]

IGER , doing so.......for his self ego
But he does have a good relationship/ businessman with China

Of course he has a good relationship with China. He’s already proven that he is willing to look the other way and film in an area filled with Uygur concentration camps and then thank the corrupt government responsible for them in the credits of his film.

[jcruise86]

Dissenting opinion:

• Jeffrey Katzenberg helped bring about the renaissance of Disney animation.
• Beauty & the Beast screenwriter Linda Woolverton described him as "a genius at identifying what's wrong with a script."
• He helped Dreamworks animation create some of the best animated movies of the last 30 years.
• His competition for animators when he created Dreamworks Animation raised the incomes for many artists.
• The brave ending of Shrek.
• Eisner's excellent first ten years at Disney owed a lot to Frank Wells, but also to Jeffrey.
• The cool "campus" of Dreamworks animation had an excellent cafeteria with no cash registers. Help yourself and check out what's also being served from the grill outside!
• In an industry & city where many people are annoyingly hard to reach, Katzenberg famously got back to almost everyone quickly. I can testify to this.

[Spongeocto4]

Dissenting opinion:

• Jeffrey Katzenberg helped bring about the renaissance of Disney animation.
• Beauty & the Beast screenwriter Linda Woolverton described him as "a genius at identifying what's wrong with a script."
• He helped Dreamworks animation create some of the best animated movies of the last 30 years.
• His competition for animators when he created Dreamworks Animation raised the incomes for many artists.
• The brave ending of Shrek.
• Eisner's excellent first ten years at Disney owed a lot to Frank Wells, but also to Jeffrey.
• The cool "campus" of Dreamworks animation had an excellent cafeteria with no cash registers. Help yourself and check out what's also being served from the grill outside!
• In an industry & city where many people are annoyingly hard to reach, Katzenberg famously got back to almost everyone quickly. I can testify to this.

I can rebut that by 1 word about Katzenburg:

"Quibi"

Update regarding the Ambassador position: President Biden nominated R. Nicholas Burns for Ambassador for China & Jane Hartley for Ambassador for U.K. Sorry Bob & Jeff.

[jcruise86]

... "Quibi" ...

A failed 2018 business shouldn't be disqualifying. Even Walt went bankrupt once.

I'd like all U.S. ambassadors to have State Dept. experience or at least be able to speak the language of the countries they move to.

Iger should focus on redistributing tens of millions to Disney cast members who helped him get it.

Speaking of wealth redistribution, Michael Eisner has quietly been an impressive philanthropist since he left Disney.