Iger thinks he could be a contender

[Sarangel]

The president and chief operating officer of the Walt Disney Company has, for the first time, expressed an interest in taking over control of the group from chief executive Michael Eisner.

In an interview with The [London, I believe] Times, Iger said the company’s board was "aggressively dealing with the subject of succession" and that Iger saw himself as a ‘prime contender’ to assume the top job.

Iger added: "I would like to succeed Michael [Eisner]. Looking at internal and external candidates, I consider myself to be in the running so I think it’s fair to say that the subject of succession is a fairly important one for me."

In March 2004, Eisner was forced to stand down as chair of the Disney Group following a shareholder revolt, but kept his position as chief executive, despite 43 per cent of the company's shareholders voting against the continuation of his leadership.

Iger confirmed that non-executive Disney board members discuss the issue of Eisner’s successor "at every board meeting."

Eisner has now been chief executive of Disney for 20 years, but industry insiders are doubtful as to whether he’ll reach 21.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Oh boy, talk about digging your own grave. Any bets on how much longer Iger will be around? A week, a month?

 

[KNWVIKING]

He an ME clone ? Does he "get it" ? Good,Bad ? Better choices availible ?

 

[manning]

The president and chief operating officer of the Walt Disney Company has, for the first time, expressed an interest in taking over control of the group from chief executive Michael Eisner.

In an interview with The Times, Iger said the company’s board was “aggressively dealing with the subject of succession” and that Iger saw himself as a ‘prime contender’ to assume the top job.

 

[jimmytammy]

It will be interesting to hear Roy and Stanley's opinion on this.

 

[Sarangel]

Sorry Manning, I beat you to the punch. I've merged the two threads so we can focus the discussion.

Sarangel

 

[raidermatt]

I haven't read anything lately, but several months back I read some analyst comments that there were many who didn't necessarily think Iger was a "bad" guy, but that they had doubts about his ability/qualifications to head up Disney.

From the outside, its tough to know how much like Eisner he really is. You'd have to think he must at least be able to say and do what Mike wants, since he's the #2 guy and has stuck around for awhile now.

I highly doubt he would really bring the kind of change many of us are looking for.

 

[DancingBear]

The albatross around Iger's neck is that his number one responsibility has been to turn around ABC, and that ain't going well.

 

[manning]

Sorry Manning, I beat you to the punch. I've merged the two threads so we can focus the discussion.

No problem, glad you did.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"...one responsibility has been to turn around ABC, and that ain't going well."***

All he has to do to turn ABC around is to get the Laker-Piston series to go at least 37 games.

Bet he's pulling hard tonite for the Lakers.

 

[raidermatt]

Shoulda pulled harder...

 

[lodgelady]

Iger as CEO would be the proverbial "out of the frying pan and into the fire" for Disney....

My hope is that the board would see this, but I have lost all confidence in their ability to think. They are Eisnerbots.