I'm Disgusted with Roy Disney

[k5thbeatle]

I also will take a wait and see attitude but must admit I am skeptical as well.

 

[bicker]

Just to clarify, this in not meant to be an indictment of Iger. I have my personal opinions, sure, but what I'm saying here is that Roy's return shouldn't be read in anyway as an endorsement of Iger.

Except for the fact that it was, actually, accompanied by an explicit endorsement of Iger by Roy Disney.

I know a lot of people are upset about the termination of the so-called "Save Disney" effort. I truly sympathize with the disappointment some folks must be feeling, even though I never agreed with the foundation of Roy Disney's actions. I feel that it is a great for the company that this conflict is behind us, and Robert Iger can carry-forward the torch handed to him by Michael Eisner. If Robert Iger fosters as much success at Disney as Michael Eisner did, it will be a great accomplishment.

 

[mitros]

If he carries THAT torch, *we, as lovers of all things Disney, will get burned.

*we,me,us, them, whatever you like, or not....IMHO

 

[raidermatt]

Except for the fact that it was, actually, accompanied by an explicit endorsement of Iger by Roy Disney.

You don't seriously believe everything you read do you? Especially in press releases?

 

[raidermatt]

Who said he wasn't lying?

 

[raidermatt]

With regard to his complaints filed under the banner of SaveDisney, there is no doubt he was not being completely upfront about his motivations. Perhaps not outright lying, but certainly he played up the things that he thought would get him the most support amongst shareholders and fans. Especially on the website, which, lets face it, was targeted at fans and small shaereholders.

What incentive does he have to lie in public? Are you seriously asking that? If he wants to quit pouring money into the obviously dead SaveDisney movement, and get back into the company fold, even on a ceremonial basis, he was going to have to make some concessions. No CEO, including Iger, would allow that to happen without a full public endorsement, regardless of its sincerity. Iger did, however, want to get that lawsuit off the table as it would have been a distraction in several different ways.

All of this is far more logical than Roy doing a full 180 on Iger in the matter of a few months.

As you said, Roy had squandered the opportunity he had to effect real change. Other than wasting more of his money, his options were to make the face-saving truce, or fade into oblivion.

 

[YoHo]

I don't know if Roy was lying or not, but to say he had no reason to, or that it was unlikely shows quite a bit of ignorance.
First and Formost because SaveDisney.com lambasted Iger repeatedly. Secondly, because these sort of lies are typical in this type of corporate reconciliation.

How many major mergers have occured between rivals where CEOs have said nice things about each other when just the week before they were denegrating them?


To assume that this is nothing but ponies and lollipops is ludicrus. There's no reason to believe it's any more then corporate spin.

 

[DisneyKidds]

By lying now about his confidence in Iger, Roy has undermined the credibility and veracity of everything else he claimed during the Save Disney effort.

That would seem to be the case, and that is what is so disappointing about the situation. Basically it looks like he turned tail and ran, and now is making nice to benefit himself. That may be the case and perhaps Roy has been speaking half truths here and there.

Of course if most of his SaveDisney campaign was a personal thing regarding Eisner then he really has achieved his "victory" in bringing about the post Eisner era sooner than it would have come without his intervention. So was it really all about Eisner as opposed to what is/was best for the Walt Disney Co in the long run? Interesting question, to which the answer probably is yes.

Until this little kiss-and-make-up session Roy and Stan didn't really have much in the way of positive things to say about Iger. To be fair I don't think they really said a lot of very negative things about him either, it seems they were more critical of the board's search process than Iger himself. So Roy may still be able to try and say with a straight face that Iger can be good for the company.........just not sure if we can believe him or not.......but probably not.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Note: Eisner's been making the talk show rounds (promoting his book) and easily admits he's leaving Disney and is looking forward to other things, so I doubt that he's got another trick up his sleeve, plus I don't believe Iger would do this. As I always said, I think Iger bided his time, did his job (Eisner's way) whether he agreed wholeheartedly or not. He simply played corporate politics to get his 'dream' job. Now that he's in he's showing a lot of confidence and mangaging much as I said he would (a decentralized theme).

Now as to Roy, I agree with Scoop, it's disingenuous to view him in a different light in this matter. While I agree with Matt that there may not be a great degree of faith in Iger on Roy's part I do believe though that there certainly is some. Roy doesn't need to return to Disney to be a lacky. His relatives have been happy away from the Disney limelight and he himself was never a spotlight kind of guy, so I think his coming back is of some (however minor it may be) significance.

 

[bicker]

You don't seriously believe everything you read do you? Especially in press releases?

I don't assume, without any basis for such assumption, that someone like Roy Disney would deliberately sign his name to something he didn't believe. It's a matter of respect -- respect for someone's word. Maybe that's an old-fashioned concept, I don't know. However, I surely don't think it is right to assume someone perpetuated a deception, solely because they issued a statement I didn't like.

 

[raidermatt]

However, I surely don't think it is right to assume someone perpetuated a deception, solely because they issued a statement I didn't like.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Its got nothing to do with anything I said, but I do agree.

I don't assume, without any basis for such assumption, that someone like Roy Disney would deliberately sign his name to something he didn't believe.

A reasonable position. In this case, however, the basis for the assumption (belief, or opinion, would be better words here) has been put forth.

By lying now about his confidence in Iger, Roy has undermined the credibility and veracity of everything else he claimed during the Save Disney effort.

As Kidds said, this unfortunately is the case. Anytime somebody doesn't "stick to their guns", their sincerity is going to be called into question. Of course, there is always the possibility that they had a sincere change of heart. I just don't see that being the case here, for reasons already stated.

The only thing to remember is that the level of sincerity behind the SaveDisney movement has nothing to do with the actual issues raised by SaveDisney. In other words, its always possible to insincerely promote very worthwhile issues for one's own personal gain. I know that sounds rather cynical, but unfortunately it does happen. In this case, I don't think Roy didn't believe in any of the things SaveDisney promoted. I just think the Eisner factor was at the least a big part of his motivation. Whether he quit because getting Eisner out was his only goal, or because he simply realized he couldn't accomplish anything more is debateable. My guess is there is some truth in both.

 

[bicker]

In this case, however, the basis for the assumption (belief, or opinion, would be better words here) has been put forth.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I think Roy Disney, especially given his high visibility, deserves the respect to be taken at his word. I didn't agree with his perspectives on Eisner, but at least I grant him the respect to be taken at his word.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Why do you grant him the respect to be taken at his word? Because he's a Disney? Seriously, what has he done to earn your trust and respect?

 

[bicker]

Because he's a Disney?

No, because he's a human being, and hasn't established a reputation for being a liar.

He hasn't done anything to earn my respect, especially. As a matter of fact, it is clear that he and I disagree on matters regarding governance of corporations. However, even with regard to someone with which I have a fundamental difference of opinion on a matter of fact, I still grant normal, regular respect that I would grant any human being, who hasn't done anything to warrant receiving such disrespect.

 

[Peter Pirate]

OK bicker, I don't disagree with granting him 'normal human respect', he certainly has done nothng to eliminate this, in fact this basic respect should be granted to virtually everyone, no?

But regarding his business accumen I thnk the 'free pass' being granted him may be too great. He maybe hasn't been proved a liar but his recent actions certainly seem suspect. He had years and years to implement or stand up for Uncle's Walt's way and he did virtually nothing other than hide in his room collecting his checks and accolades for his little piece of the fifdom. He only became vocal when he was in fact forced out (kicked off the gravy train).

It's odd that I'm arguing this point as I also believe that Roy's decision to come back does show some implicit support of Iger (I assume this is your point) but I still find Roy's decision very curious, meaning there is probably big ulterior motive involved.

 

[raidermatt]

Well said, Pete. (For the most part...)

Unfortunately, if one is going to take press releases and public statements as truth, one is going to be disappointed all too often. As with anything, the whole of the evidence, both direct and circumstantial, has to be considered if one wants to form an educated opinion.

 

[raidermatt]

Yes, Scoop, the possibility exists that he is being entirely truthful. Its a longshot, but its possible.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Maybe it's that dreaded grey area that we've once again entered?

 

[raidermatt]

Grey is dirty word! Must be simple.. black or white, right or wrong!!!! Grey does not compuuuuuuuuute.....

Really though, I'm not saying I think he is a habitual liar, or that every word he has said has been insincere.

Its just my opinion that his endorsement of Iger is not exactly heartfelt, and is more the result of a final face-saving battle behind the scenes. In doing my impersonation of a reasonable person, I have to acknowledge that I could be wrong.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Sometimes you can do more good on the inside advocating change, than on the outside throwing rocks trying to get attention. The dissention was not going to be good for Disney in the long run.

Well said............