Disney Executive Departure

[Luv2Camp]

Good morning everyone. This was reported this morning:

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Another executive at The Walt Disney Co.'s movie studio is exiting hurriedly as the company's troubles continue at the box office with a weak opening for "A Christmas Carol."

Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group and the head of worldwide marketing for all Disney, Pixar, Touchstone and Disneynature movies, said Monday he is stepping down immediately.

No successor was named.

Zoradi's move came after the 3-D remake of the classic Christmas tale starring Jim Carrey opened to $30.1 million at the weekend box office in the U.S. and Canada.

With an estimated $175 million production budget and a marketing campaign that involved a 40-city train tour, Cowen & Co. analyst Doug Creutz says he expects it to lose $50 million to $100 million.

Last month, Disney named Rich Ross as chairman of its movie studios, following a year of disappointing movie results and the abrupt departure of its former chief, Dick Cook.

Disney's studio revenue has fallen in each of the last five quarters, sinking from $1.82 billion in the March quarter of 2008 to $1.26 billion in the quarter ended in June this year.

The studio also posted a $12 million operating loss in the June quarter, down from a $97 million operating profit last year.

Disney reports its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday.

 

[eliza61]

I heard this on the morning news. I don't know anyone who had plans on doing this movie. When is the other animated movie due out? I forgot the name but it's set in New Orleans. Princess has to kiss a frog and it's the first African American Princess. Oh what is the name of that movie? hate it when I have a brain fart.

 

[SamIAm21]

I just think the movie may have been released too soon?? I'm looking forward to Christmas, but not totally in a "Christmas" type mood yet. I can't really get into the swing of Christmas and all that comes with it until I see Santa roll down Broadway in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Is it just me?? Polar Express was a big hit, but was released Thanksgiving weekend if I remember right. I think Christmas Carol will do fine as the actual season gets closer.

 

[wdwscout]

I also think it's a bit too early.
We were among those who did go see it this past opening weekend. And the theater was full.

But give it a couple of weeks! Christmas season is not here yet...

 

[WaltD4Me]

I just think the movie may have been released too soon?? I'm looking forward to Christmas, but not totally in a "Christmas" type mood yet. I can't really get into the swing of Christmas and all that comes with it until I see Santa roll down Broadway in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Is it just me?? Polar Express was a big hit, but was released Thanksgiving weekend if I remember right. I think Christmas Carol will do fine as the actual season gets closer.

I totally agree with this. I don't understand why they released it so early.
Most people just aren't in Christmas mode yet, you gotta get through Thanksgiving first. It's just too early for a Christmas movie, plus, at least here, the weather was gorgeous this weekend. Sunny and 70 degrees, quite unusual for November, which made going to see a Christmas movie even less appealing.

 

[catycatcat4]

I also think it's a bit too early.
We were among those who did go see it this past opening weekend. And the theater was full.

But give it a couple of weeks! Christmas season is not here yet...

i was thinking the same thing.

I want to see the Christmas carol but i don't want to yet its not even thanksgiving yetl

 

[Michele]

Add me to the list. My first thought when I read this was, "Why is it out so early?" Just because the retail stores think it's Christmas season in mid-Oct doesn't mean regular people are there yet.

 

[Tonya2426]

I agree with everyone that the movie came out too early. I intend to see it but not until closer to Thanksgiving - hopefully it will still be in the theater when I am ready to embrace the Christmas season.

 

[SamIAm21]

I am sure it will be around throughout the Christmas season. I usually see movies at a local Kerasotes theater and they have the $5 Club. After about three to four weeks, movies go on the $5 Club list. So, hopefully, I can see it in 3D without having to take out a second mortgage on my home.

 

[mousy_in_canada]

My kids school is going to see this on December 15th.. only costs us $15 per child.. (x 4 kids ugh) .. anyway just wanted to say I think that closer to Christmas I am sure it will make more. It is just too early for it to be put out.

 

[Spaceace5150]

I would suggest reading the article by Jim Hill on the movie. It is not a disappointment like this article points out.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I saw the movie on release day. There were maybe 10 people in the theater, and it was only $9.50 for 3-D. That's pathetic.

I also went to the train tour. That was so much fun, but I couldn't help thinking that they just didn't advertise the arrival of the train enough, nor the movie enough. It only was hyped amongst Disney fanatics.

I think marketing dropped the ball on this one.

 

[alaskanmommy]

We're going this weekend, but I agree with many of the previous posters saying that it was release too early. I also think that Mindy is right. (Hi Mindy!) There could have been better marketing on Disney's part. I do think another reason for the low opening is that, for a Disney movie, it's supposed to be quite scary and parents aren't going to bring their young children to see this one. I hope it does better in the coming months.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

We're going this weekend, but I agree with many of the previous posters saying that it was release too early. I also think that Mindy is right. (Hi Mindy!) There could have been better marketing on Disney's part. I do think another reason for the low opening is that, for a Disney movie, it's supposed to be quite scary and parents aren't going to bring their young children to see this one. I hope it does better in the coming months.

Hi, a-mommy!

It is a very scary version. I loved it. Children should not view this without their parents previewing it. Only a parent will know if their child will be able to handle it.

Oh, and to go back to the OP...yeah, I'm not surprised that the head of marketing is taking the hit on this one. It was clearly mismarketed in a variety of ways.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'm on the "too early to be released" bandwagon as well. Maybe they thought they were getting a jump on New Moon and didn't want to go head-to-head with that franchise? Isn't there also a Harry Potter movie due out before the holidays?

Anyway, I'd love to see this movie, but don't live anywhere near a theatre that actually shows them in 3-D.

 

[lugnut33]

I totally agree with this. I don't understand why they released it so early.
Most people just aren't in Christmas mode yet, you gotta get through Thanksgiving first. It's just too early for a Christmas movie, plus, at least here, the weather was gorgeous this weekend. Sunny and 70 degrees, quite unusual for November, which made going to see a Christmas movie even less appealing.

I will echo your sentiments about the weather. Last weekend it was in the 70's here in WI and there's no way you're going to get me inside to watch a movie. I'll probably go this weekend.