The Battle for Disney With Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
Feb 6, 2024
57:36
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Prof. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld discusses the shareholder fight for Disney and the upcoming proxy vote. Topics include CEO succession, Nelson Peltz's activist involvement, challenges of addressing social issues in business, and Disney's potential turnaround through cost-cutting measures.
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Quick takeaways
The ongoing battle for control of Disney involves activist investor Nelson Peltz and Triann Capital pushing for board seats, highlighting Peltz's history of underperformance in other board positions.
Bob Iger's tenure as CEO of Disney is characterized by successful acquisitions of Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm, as well as navigating challenges such as the impact of the pandemic and launching Disney Plus.
The podcast emphasizes the role of social and political issues in the entertainment industry and how Disney has handled controversies, highlighting the challenges of balancing business interests with social responsibility and public opinion.
Deep dives
The battle for Disney and the involvement of activist investors
The podcast episode discusses the ongoing battle for control of Disney, with activist investor Nelson Peltz and Triann Capital pushing for board seats. The episode highlights the key players involved and their respective positions, emphasizing Peltz's history of underperformance in other board positions. It also touches on the strategic decisions made by Disney, such as the acquisition of 21st Century Fox and the launch of Disney Plus. Overall, the episode provides an overview of the current situation at Disney and the impending proxy vote.
The success and challenges of Bob Iger's leadership at Disney
The podcast explores the achievements of Bob Iger during his tenure as CEO of Disney, including the successful acquisitions of Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm. It also highlights the challenges faced by Disney in recent years, such as the impact of the pandemic on the company's operations and the launch of Disney Plus. The episode discusses Iger's leadership style and his ability to navigate complex issues and make strategic decisions.
The importance of social and political issues in the entertainment industry
The podcast delves into the role of social and political issues in the entertainment industry and how Disney has handled these issues under Bob Iger's leadership. It touches on controversies surrounding the company's response to social issues and its engagement with political figures. The episode examines the challenges faced by companies in balancing their business interests with social responsibility and public opinion.
Expectations for the upcoming proxy vote and Disney's future
The podcast discusses the upcoming proxy vote and the expectations for the outcome. It anticipates that shareholders will likely support Disney's current leadership and strategic direction, given the progress made under Bob Iger. The episode highlights the potential for continued success and growth for Disney, with its strong portfolio of intellectual property and the ongoing expansion of its streaming platform, Disney Plus.
Insights on the media business and the role of business leaders
The podcast episode features insights on the media business and the role of business leaders in navigating its challenges. It emphasizes the importance of business leaders having a strong understanding of the media landscape and making strategic decisions to drive success. The episode highlights the need for business leaders to balance financial performance with social impact and responsible decision-making.
Join Downtown Josh Brown and Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld for a live discussion about the coming shareholder fight for the soul of Disney. Will Nelson Peltz and the activist hedge funds have their way or will CEO Bob Iger hold them at bay? Who should and should not be on the board of directors of Disney this year? What will the outcome of the proxy vote mean for stockholders? Hear from one of the leading authorities on shareholder activism and corporate board, Yale Professor Jeff Sonnenfeld.
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