Bob Iger, Disney's successful CEO, discusses the challenges he faces in revitalizing the company, including underperforming movies, declining stock prices, and difficulties in attracting customers to the parks. The podcast also explores Bob Iger's return to Disney and his strategies for cost-cutting and reestablishing authority to creatives. It touches on the controversy faced by Bob Iger during the Hollywood strike and speculates on a potential partnership between Apple and Disney.
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Quick takeaways
Bob Iger returned to Disney to face challenges in the TV, film, and streaming divisions, but focused on cutting costs, empowering creatives, and refreshing the Marvel slate to regain investor confidence and restore growth.
Iger's return to Disney was marked by controversies, declining film performance, and conflicts with creatives. He aimed to address these issues by navigating conflicts, cutting costs, and empowering creatives to get Disney back on track.
Deep dives
Bob Iger's Rocky Return to Disney
Bob Iger, the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, returned from retirement to find that the company had changed dramatically during his absence. Disney's TV division was suffering, their big-budget movies were underperforming, and the parks business struggled with attracting customers due to price increases. Additionally, Disney's stock price had dropped significantly. Iger faced the challenge of turning things around and regaining investor confidence. He focused on cutting costs, restoring authority to creatives, and refreshing the Marvel slate. There were also speculations about the potential split of Disney into two separate companies, with the content business potentially being acquired by Apple. Despite facing criticism and challenges, Iger's endgame is to return Disney to its previous growth and success.
The Tough Road for Bob Iger
Bob Iger's return to Disney was met with tough challenges. The collapse of the linear TV business, declining film performance, and financial losses in the streaming service created a difficult environment for Iger to navigate. He had to contend with controversies, such as disagreements over issues like the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, and address concerns from creatives who felt marginalized under his handpicked successor, Bob Chapek. Iger aimed to restore investor confidence by cutting costs, pledging to reinstate dividends, and empowering creatives. Despite being criticized, Iger worked towards resolving conflicts and getting Disney back on track.
The Uncertain Future of Disney
Bob Iger's return to Disney raised questions about the company's future. With challenges in the TV and film divisions, Iger focused on turning things around. He sought to appease Wall Street, cut costs, and refresh the Marvel slate. There were speculations about the potential split of Disney into two separate companies, with one focusing on intellectual properties and the other on the parks business. Furthermore, there were discussions about a potential partnership or acquisition with Apple. However, the future of Disney is uncertain, and it remains to be seen how Iger's efforts will shape the company in the coming years.
Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company’s hugely successful CEO, came out of retirement last November and once again took the helm of the entertainment giant. But the company, and the industry, are facing tough new challenges. Bloomberg’s Thomas Buckley joins this episode to talk about Iger’s efforts to put Disney on solid footing for the future.