2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Its even possible that nobody was seriously vetting at all. Pixar deal completed to show Disney employees it was a new day, says former CEO Bob Iger, Disney's Bob Iger: Leaving during Covid was unfortunate timing, Charley Gallay | Getty Images; Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | Getty Images, App-based entertainment is replacing linear channels like traditional media, says fmr. I consent to the use of following cookies: Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The more combustible of those situations unfolded over House Bill 1557, the so-called Dont Say legislation. Its gut-check time for every CEO and company [in] America. Before joining Disney, Chapek worked in brand management at ketchup maker H.J. Iger sat down for an exclusive interview with CNBC's David Faber. Colleagues perceive former CEO Bob Iger as a highly political person with an acute mind for such situations. With Jobs, Iger said he "was never disappointed" with Disney's integration of Pixar. It wasn't the reason I left, but it was a contributing factor.". REUTERS. Chapek and his team had decided that Florida made more sense as a home base. Those three acquisitions, which cost Disney roughly $15 billion, combined, turned Disney into an intellectual property behemoth. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the Eau Gallie High School aviation hangar on March 22, 2021. Disney is still evil and still pushing CRT. Bob Chapek (C) Chairman of Parks, Experiences, and Products for the Walt Disney Company speaks during the dedication ceremony for the "Rise of the Resistance" attraction opening at Galaxy's Edge at Disneys Hollywood Studios on December 04, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. It states that "classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.". Disney CEO Chapek Bob Chapek Tuesday said he doesnt really see Disney as characterizing itself as left-leaning or right-leaning responding to a shareholder who accused Hollywood and the company of a double standard in firing Gina Carano from The Mandalorian because shes a conservative. Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek apologized to employees at the company for the companys handling of Floridas so-called Dont Say Gay bill and said that it would Read More. Earlier this month, Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out on the pro-Trump mob attack on the US Capitol. All rights reserved. Disney CEO Bob Chapek recently responded to accusations of a company double standard during the Q&A portion of Disneys annual shareholder meeting.One shareholder held that Gina Carano was fired due to her conservative views, rather than the offensive nature of her fateful post, noting, as others have, that left-leaning co-star Pedro Spirit Awards: Everything Everywhere All at Once Starts With a Bang, The Bear Wins First TV Award, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan, Heat and Natural Born Killers Actor, Dies at 61, LeVar Burton, The Right to Read Director Jenny Mackenzie on the Underbelly of the American Literacy Crisis, How Marlon Wayans Made an Hour of Comedy Out of Slapgate With New HBO Max Special, Disney Reorg: Dana Walden, Alan Bergman Gain Streaming, International; Rebecca Campbell to Exit, Nelson Peltz Abandons Disney Proxy Fight, as Bob Iger Says "Everything Is on the Table" for Hulu, Guest Column: Alec Baldwins Rust Prosecutors Should Do Their Talking in Court, Sofia Carson on Preparing to Perform With Diane Warren at the Oscars: I Still Pinch Myself, Miley Cyrus to Perform Songs From New Album on Disney+ Special Miley Cyrus Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions), Guns N Roses, Arctic Monkeys Join Elton John as Headliners of Glastonbury Festival, Novelist Julianna Baggott Launches Production Banner, Wayne Shorter, Jazz Saxophone Pioneer, Dies at 89, Star Hairstylist Jen Atkin Reveals Must-Have Hair Tools, Tutorials and Pro Tips In New MasterClass, Rihannas Puma x Fenty Is Coming Back Heres Where You Can Still Buy Those Cult-Fave Creepers, The Best Bridesmaid Dresses for Every Budget, From Under-$100 Gowns to Hollywood-Inspired Classics, BTS Army: Heres When and Where Legos Dynamite-Inspired Set Arrives Online and In Stores, The Big Lebowski Turns 25: People Didnt Get It, Jeff Bridges Recalls, How the Landscape of Native-Led Stories Has Changed Between Avatars: Were Flexing Our Sovereignty, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. Still, DeSantis has continued to claim that Chapeks opposition is only because he hadnt bothered to read the bill, according to a DeSantis campaign email sent Thursday. A 27-year veteran of the Walt Disney Company, Chapek, 60, has a proven track record with consumers having been instrumental in the growth of the company's parks, consumer products and studio film businesses. DeSantis published the conversation with Chapek in his memoir, The Courage to be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival, shared with Fox News Digital. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. News of the postponement came as Disney CEO Bob Chapek conducted a town hall meeting for all employeesMonday. Bill Mahers Real Time Questions The Paths Taken By Disney, TLC, A&E & History Channel. Would love your thoughts, please comment. The Florida bill hasnt factored into investors views as of yet, though the companys stock has been languishing near a 52-week low. We cant say if he told DeSantis, but why wouldnt he tell him? A roundtable of eight Disney employees who represented many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community also shared their perspectives during the town hall. Here are Disney's major milestones under Bob Iger's leadership. In a letter sent to Disney workers, Chapek said the bill was not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights., You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down, he wrote. 2016 Election Cycle. The debut of "Disney Enchantment" during "The World's Most Magical Celebration" Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom on Sept. 30, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. Disney has gotten too expensive.. "His history in all the divisions that really matter really is very supportive of him taking on that role. Disney has *deep breath* eliminated Magical Express, exchanged free FastPasses for paid Lightning Lane experiences, required Park Passes, temporarily removed the dining plan and most annual passes, and raised many food/drink prices. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. This priority caused him to lose sight of the challenges in working with Hollywood talents. Asked about Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy, Chapek said he is absolutely thrilled with her and the company looks forward to having Kathy directing the activities of the entire Lucasfilm operation for many years to come.. Iger said he's felt himself become increasingly dismissive of other people's ideas, a sign he should let someone else lead Disney. In March, Disney became entangled in a heated dispute with Gov. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. Still, if the economy ever suddenly suffered a setback, this unforced error would magnify in scope. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The Democrat Party was visibly angry, and the media spread lies about the bill being a Dont Say Gay bill. All rights reserved. ", Florida Gov. New Trailer Drops For Olaf Short Once Upon A Snowman, Wine Bar George at Disney Springs Offering Brunch Starting March 30th. 02:12. Disney employees skew toward the pro-vaccine and anti-Dont Say Gay side, which is California, not Florida. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. It sounds about right. 02:35. In addition to addressing Disney directly, Madison also acknowledged that the issue is much larger than the single company. You can look at the comments section for any Disney discussion, and its an inevitable statement from some. All Rights Reserved. Many of them chose to retire or find other jobs rather than move to Florida. We want to hear from you. Labeledby opponentsas the Dont Say Gay bill, the legislation effectively bans discussion or teaching about the LGBTQ+ community and sexual orientation or gender identity in the states public school system from kindergarten to the third grade. The task force will develop strategy and action plans to engage with LGBTQ+ employees, community partners and content creators. Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. We have a multi-language translator on the top left. A recent CNBC article referenced Chapeks perceived lack of emotional intelligence. That argument is correct, independent of where you may fall on the political spectrum. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. pic.twitter.com/eJnZMpKIXT. Disney CEO Told DeSantis He Didnt Want to Do It. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Wright was disciplined after higher-ups at ABC News reviewedfootagein whichWright described himself as a "socialist" and criticized the network for the way in which it chooses to present the news. Market data provided byFactset. ABC NEWS' AMY ROBACH CAUGHT ON HOT MIC SAYING NETWORK SPIKED HER EPSTEIN BOMBSHELL, Danhof asked Chapek directly, What steps can you take to return objectivity to ABC and when can we expect to see balanced coverage return?. New Disney CEO Bob Chapek was confronted by an investor about ongoing issues at ABC News on Wednesday, but the high-powered executive brushed off the criticism, and the investor then blasted him for having his "head in the sand when it comes to the pervasive anti-conservative bias across ABC News.". VIDEO 3:58 03:58. This caused #FireGinaCarano to trend and eventually, she was. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. People that do something very wrong then make excuses are evil. Its just a bit more subtle. In truth, the only decision I believe Disney shouldnt have made is the removal of Magical Express. https://1792exchange.com/spotlightreports/. I thought of this belief in combination with the recent political dust-up Disney experienced. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Bob Chapek at the Pinocchio premiere in December 2022. Danhof, who has shown up to Disney shareholder meetings to ask fiery questions in the past, told Chapek that he had been imploring former CEO Bob Iger to address ABC News issues for years. Its bad for business and even worse for the Disney brand. When Chapek took the job as head of Disney, critics lamented his lack of experience with the Hollywood studio system. "Im totally fine with reining in corporations, I think theyre too many billionaires, and I think theres a wealth gap thats a problem. All Rights Reserved. The email came two days after the companys annual shareholder meeting, during which Chapek explained that the company had long opposed the Florida bill but opted to work behind the scenes rather than make a public statement. Disney CEO Bob Chapek gets close to GOP lawmakers ahead of Ron DeSantis said he advised former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to stay out of a political battle over legislation in his state limiting discussion of sex and gender in public schools, according to the Republican's forthcoming book. Thats what has happened, though. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Chapek's promotion comes at a time when Disney is facing challenges from the global coronavirus outbreak. He will officially give up his chairman role at the end of the year. Thanks to a reportedly massive payment Disney sent to Johansson, the two parties have since made up. In lieu of the management retreat, the plan is for the leadership of the media company to go on a listening tour with employees, according to a person familiar with the strategy. We get pressured all the time, Chapek told DeSantis, according to the governors book. While Chapek was positive and largely avoided Danhofs criticism, his comment that Wrights objectivity is questionable coincides with the networks decision to suspend the veteran reporter. FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. At this point, I felt confident he knew what he was doing because that was the right move. "Mr. Chapek seems content to stick his head in the sand when it comes to the pervasive anti-conservative bias across ABC News, just as his predecessor Mr. Iger always was. Chapek added, there is so much more work to be done and said he would continue to engage with the LGBTQ community in the coming weeks. ", FLORIDA REPUBLICANS CONDEMN 'WOKE' DISNEY, URGE MORE BOYCOTTS BY CONSERVATIVES AGAINST THE 'ACTIVIST MACHINE'. TV. This choice cost her tens of millions of dollars, as her contract rewarded her with a split of box office revenue. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Wright was recently disciplined by higher-ups at ABC News. Squawk Box. Iger told Disney staffers in November that he didnt like that the Mouse House was embroiled in controversy and that he would work to quiet things down.. I was glad to speak to Bob yesterday afternoon, and we had a very productive conversation about the need for Disney to put real muscle into stopping whats happening to their employees and to their fans.. Iger acknowledged Chapek likely won't make the same decisions he would have made as future problems arise. While the Walt Disney Company and its executives had a right to indulge in woke activism, Florida did not have to place the company on a pedestal while they do so especially when the companys activism impacted the rights of parents and the well-being of children, DeSantis added.