Bob Iger

[Peter Pirate]

It has been stated around here that Iger is no more than a 'little Eisner' and Roy & Stan have done nothing to dispell this notion. But I wonder. We know Iger came to Disney under Eisner's tuteledge and has performed his job in the Eisner fashion, but is it right to simply dismiss his possible talents as 'nothing more than Eisner' when in fact this was the only way he could do his job. Eisner is his boss and we all know it's his way or the highway?

I have it from someone I trust (although second hand) that Iger is a really nice guy, unlike Eisner in personality and in leadership. The impression I got was that Iger was a 'hands off' type leader, which is very unlike Eisner and may be something very good for the current Disney.

So, should Iger just be dismissed as one of the pack or does he perhaps deserve a chance to stand on his own? After all, a switch to Iger would be less disruptive to Wall St. and inside Corporate circles as well...

 

[Luv2Roam]

I would think anyone with half a brain would not turn into a Little Ei$ner if they wanted any kind of career for themselves.
If anything, I would think anyone would do just the opposite.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Link to an article I just happened to read about Iger.
http://www.forbes.com/business/forbes/2004/0315/052sidebar.html

"Bob's actually a very talented guy, and unfortunately no one will ever know what kind of job he could have done--because he works under Michael Eisner," says one colleague.

One way to save himself: Fix Disney's weakest link, ABC, number four of the four major broadcast nets.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Again, I don't understand. You interview with a job working for Eisner and basically agree to the 'corporate philosophy', take the big salary, etc..Then decide to rock the boat by disagreeing with the boss? That makes no sense.

Iger, if nothing has proved he is at least a team player.

As for his career, it's been pretty lucrative following Eisner. He's been making a fortune every year in bonuses, etc., as well. I see his big failure as being the inability to turn around ABC, but I actually think he was on the right track around the "Millionaire" time when Eisner became personally involved.

I just don't see how a man doing his job can be so negatively characterized when we all know exactly what would have happened to him if he'd tried to stand on his own.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"I would think anyone with half a brain would not turn into a Little Ei$ner if they wanted any kind of career for themselves."***

You mean a career that's earned him in the area of a billion dollars ?

 

[Peter Pirate]

Thanks for the link.

 

[Luv2Roam]

By the Numbers
Michael Eisner has earned over $1 billion in 20 years.
Some 65% of it came from stock options exercised since October 1997; since then Disney stock is up only 2%.
And he holds exercisable options for 21 million more shares.
Total cumulative pay $1,046,741,701
Portion from stock options $680 million*
Annual salary + bonus in 2003 $1 million
*Since Oct. 1997.

 

[Another Voice]

Corporate Joke:

How do you find Bob Iger in a crowd?
He's the one humming "I Just Can't Wait to be King".

Iger's been the presumptive #2 ever since he came over with CapCities. He's never done anything that would endanger that position, yet at the same time he's not above plotting to get the old King out of the way either.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Please expand Mr. Voice...Please.

Is he necessarily a bad guy because of his career path? Would it be a gamble to go with Iger? Or maybe better than 'gambling' on an outside corporate type?

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by Another Voice
Corporate Joke:

How do you find Bob Iger in a crowd?
He's the one humming "I Just Can't Wait to be King".

Iger's been the presumptive #2 ever since he came over with CapCities. He's never done anything that would endanger that position, yet at the same time he's not above plotting to get the old King out of the way either.

Maybe he can start a stampede!

 

[Bork]

I think it was Miceage that had an article about how Jay Rasulo and the new Disneyland management gave Iger a tour of Disneyland. They showed him how bad some areas had gotten, including how many prime areas are sitting empty. It apparently moved Iger enough that he is working to open the purse strings for some future projects.

The new guys at Disneyland seem to be doing a good job so far and it's interesting that they chose Iger as their man from corporate.

 

[Luv2Roam]

You mean a career that's earned him in the area of a billion dollars ?

Any of the CEO corporate heads are wealthy by our standards.
Another interesting play into all this, Enron, Worldcom, etc, is how all these events will shape corporate America governance.
I don't see that it will be a free lunch as it has been in the past. I think more boards and CEOs will be held accountable.
And that was part of the problem with Ei$ner. He was given free reign years ago and never governed in any form.

 

[raidermatt]

From the bits and pieces I've read, Iger IS considered a decent fellow (thought that may just be by comparison).

However, I haven't seen anybody actually say he is the guy for the job.

Under the circumstances, I don't think he is the best answer, but he may end up being the answer thrust on us.

 

[JudithM]

In the Q & A session at Tuesday's Save Disney meeting, the question was asked why there was no movement to get Robert Iger out. The question was given to Stanley Gold for a response. He said in his opinion Robert Iger was not seen as a successor based on his merits & accomplishments. It seems Robert Iger's main focus was to fix the ABC network.