It’s been two years full of transition for the Walt Disney Company.
At the beginning of 2020, former Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that he would be stepping down immediately and would be replaced by Bob Chapek. Iger did continue to work with the company as the Chairman of the Board but the beginning of 2022 marked his official retirement. And, with leadership now passed over to Chapek, another former Disney CEO is sharing his thoughts.
According to Deadline, Michael Eisner (who was the CEO of Disney from 1984 to 2005) did an interview with CNBC commenting on the company’s future under CEO Bob Chapek.
In the interview, he shared that he’s “a fan of both Bobs” and revealed that he actually played a role in hiring Chapek back in 1993. Eisner went on to say, “Is he the same executive as I am, or Bob [Iger] is, or anybody is? He is his own guy. He was very good at Disney when I was there. He took our home video business from a rental to a sell-through business. That was very risky. He did a very good job in the parks.”
And, aside from his positive outlook on Chapek’s past success for Disney, he added that as a shareholder, “I think he’s going to do very well.”
Chapek has had to navigate a multitude of obstacles in his first two years as CEO, as he entered the role at the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic and also oversaw the launch of Disney’s streaming service, Disney+.
Eisner, who currently runs the holding company, Tornante, and invested in Netflix when it was first introduced, stressed that he “wouldn’t discount Disney. Disney went through…this pandemic. That does change a lot of things. I wouldn’t throw away your Disney tickets to the theme parks quite so early.”
Bob Iger has also previously shared his perspective on how the company can move forward in the coming years, the new CEO Bob Chapek, and Disney+.
Chapek recently shared his vision for the future of the Disney Company with Cast Members emphasizing three pillars — storytelling excellence, innovation, and a relentless focus on our audience. This will include things like evolving with technology, establishing a monthly meeting with senior creative leaders to discuss the opportunities they face as a “storytelling enterprise,” and “evolv[ing] with our audience, not work[ing] against them.”
So, it seems that another Disney CEO feels confidence in the passing of the torch to Chapek. Of course, we’ll keep an eye out for other updates and, in the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news!
Bob Iger Comments on Leaving Disney and Current CEO Bob Chapek. Read More HERE!
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What Disney CEO has been your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Eisner’s only goal was to acquire ABC so he could have ESPN, Igar’s agenda was purchasing non Disney properties, Marvel. Chapek’s focus is on the stockholders and maximum profits. Not one of these CEO’s has had any interest in the parks. Just ask cast members who have been around awhile.
100% agree Don. It’s all about greed.
Not the guy I would want a ringing endorsement from. Does Paul Pressler want to back him up too?
I am also a shareholder have not seen a dividend in 2 years,I bet chapel gets his salary along with the board of directors
Um. There’s a bit of a difference between a shareholder of the company and an employee of the company. SMH.
I would expect Michael to only speak highly of the new CEO but if you read this website the Disney fans on here would say the opposite