The Greatness Machine 388 | Peter Cuneo (Part 1) | How Marvel Went from Bankruptcy to Blockbuster
What does it take to turn a struggling company into a global powerhouse?
In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with turnaround legend Peter Cuneo, the executive who helped lead Marvel Entertainment from bankruptcy to becoming one of the most successful entertainment empires in history. Peter opens up about the leadership principles that guided Marvel’s transformation, from rebuilding top creative talent and setting a clear strategic direction to fostering a culture of accountability and innovation. He shares how focusing on people, discipline, and long-term vision can turn even the most distressed companies into thriving, purpose-driven organizations.
In this episode, Darius and Peter will discuss:
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Peter talks about rebuilding Marvel by bringing back top creative talent
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He emphasizes disciplined, strategic leadership in every turnaround
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The importance of a strong culture in driving long-term success
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Peter shares lessons on decision-making under pressure
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Developing future leaders through experience and mentorship
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The value of perseverance and clear purpose in business recovery
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And other topics…
Peter Cuneo is an American businessman renowned for his leadership in corporate turnarounds across the media and consumer products industries. Best known for revitalizing major brands, he served as CEO of Remington Products and as Vice Chairman of Marvel Entertainment, where he helped steer the company from bankruptcy to a $4 billion sale to Disney. Over his career, Cuneo has successfully completed seven major business turnarounds, including at Clairol, Black & Decker, and Marvel. He later founded Cuneo & Company, an investment firm focused on consumer, media, and entertainment ventures, achieving notable successes such as a 13x return on the sale of Valiant Entertainment. He has also held leadership roles on several corporate boards and, in 2024, became Chairman of OCSiAl, a nanotechnology company based in Luxembourg.
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Connect with Peter:
Website: https://www.petercuneo.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-cuneo/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Superhero-Leadership-Courage-Strength-Compassion/dp/1510783849
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/superhero-leadership-with-peter-cuneo/id1706007621
Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
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