Disney News

Tag: ceo

  • Bob Iger Could Remain CEO in Disney and Fox Deal

    Bob Iger Could Remain CEO in Disney and Fox Deal

    The Disney-Fox deal is heating up once again with new details and this may put investors and the public more at ease. Bob Iger may extend his contract and remain CEO beyond 2019 if the deal goes through.

    It was reported Tuesday that Fox-head James Murdoch could wind up succeeding Iger if the deal went through, but according to multiple sources it’s likely that if it does goes through, Disney CEO Bob Iger will likely remain with the company. He would stay at Disney to oversee any potential merging of Disney and Twenty-First Century Fox assets.

    Iger is no stranger to bringing in new assets and integrating them into the Disney family. After taking over in 2005 he led the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilms giving him experience like no one else. He has the most experience and makes the most sense if the deal is to succeed. The deal is valued at more than $60 billion and a smooth transition is exactly what investors want.

    It will take time to get the necessary federal approvals for the acquisition and even time to integrate the assets after that, which could leave Iger at the helm through 2020, maybe even later. It is still possible the deal would see James Murdoch as a replacement after the integration is complete and Iger steps down.

  • Fox Boss James Murdoch Could Be Next Disney CEO If Disney Fox Deal Goes Through

    Fox Boss James Murdoch Could Be Next Disney CEO If Disney Fox Deal Goes Through

    It’s no secret that Disney is actively seeking Bob Iger’s replacement in preparation of his pending 2019 departure.  Now in the midst of Disney and Fox negotiations, 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch has been “suggested” as a candidate to succeed the Disney CEO, when the storied executive eventually retires, according to The Financial Times, which cited “people briefed on the talks” in a report published Tuesday.

    This after recent reports have stated that Disney Parks Chief, Bob Chapek, Might Be next in line as Bob Iger’s Successor, but this deal is bigger than that as a deal of this nature would reshape the media landscape and if Disney pulls it off and it could land Murdoch at the helm of The Mouse House.

    This news came the same day that a CNBC report said Disney was close to a deal to acquire parts of Fox’s studio and television production business, valued at more than $60 billion.

    According to the report, Rupert Murdoch and his younger son, James, could take senior roles at a combined company if a deal is struck. Iger, 66, is due to retire in 2019 and James Murdoch, 44, currently chief executive of 21st Century Fox and chairman of the satellite broadcaster Sky, is a possible successor… (Read More)

  • Disney Parks Chief Might Be Bob Iger’s Successor

    Disney Parks Chief Might Be Bob Iger’s Successor

    If experts are right, it would seem that Bob’s still your uncle in the quest to find a new leader of the band for The Disney Company. Disney Parks Chief, Bob Chapek, Might Be Bob Iger’s Successor. After what seemed like an obvious succession plan failed last year when heir apparent Tom Staggs left the company, Disney was left with the difficult task of finding a new chief.

    Staggs was seen as the likely successor after being given his promotion to COO in February 2015, more than two years in advance of Iger’s then-scheduled retirement. But last year he stepped down after being told the board had lost confidence in him.

    There are quite a few options out there, but it seems Disney may be focusing on a business-unit strength — the Parks division — in picking Bob Iger’s CEO replacement. Bob Chapek has delivered steady returns at the helm of Parks and Resorts, the only one of four units to post an increase in sales and profits for the past fiscal year.

    Chapek joined Disney after working in marketing at H.J. Heinz Co., the food-processing company, and at agency J. Walter Thompson. At Disney, Chapek reorganized the consumer-products division, cutting jobs and focusing the business on brands rather than lines of merchandise.

    Chapek’s also worked in the film studio and in consumer products and has emerged as a key contender to take over when Iger departs in July 2019. Iger extended his contract in March) Iger’s postponed his retirement three times with contract extensions but says the latest is the last.

    At the parks division, Chapek has focused on pricing, introducing a tiered system of tickets that cost more during peak times and eliminating some annual passes. He’s searched for ways to get patrons to pay extra for perks such as nighttime events and passes to get to the head of the line in the company’s California parks.