Point of contact for new product idea?

[luv4music]

Hi there. I am a frequent Disney traveler. I have a cost effective idea/ product for Disney that would make traveling with young children so much easier

Does anyone have any idea who I would contact to get the ball rolling? I have sent "generic" e-mails to that main Disney e-mail address, but have heard nothing. I have asked front desk personnel and they have no idea.

This is a really great website! Just got back from a weekend at the Dolphin-Love It!! Florida Residents cannot beat the discount rates ($155/night always)!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Disney does not accept unsolicited ideas, concepts, strategies, scripts, screenplays, characters, inventions ... etc

If you send them.. an attorney shreds the document unread and writes you a note saying thank you.. but we respectfully decline based on the likelihood that this will end up in litigation if we already have a similar idea on the drawing board etc.

Not sure how you get around that really... unless you have a BUSINESS and then schedule a meeting with their business affairs people in Burbank. But I warn you, they don't take meetings with just anybody and again - they generally tow the 'unsolicited means shredded' ... line.

Knox

 

[minnie61650]

Disney does not accept unsolicited ideas, concepts, strategies, scripts, screenplays, characters, inventions ... etc

If you send them.. an attorney shreds the document unread and writes you a note saying thank you.. but we respectfully decline based on the likelihood that this will end up in litigation if we already have a similar idea on the drawing board etc.

Not sure how you get around that really... unless you have a BUSINESS and then schedule a meeting with their business affairs people in Burbank. But I warn you, they don't take meetings with just anybody and again - they generally tow the 'unsolicited means shredded' ... line.

Knox

Sorry,

Knox is correct. All ideas have to come from within the company.

This is one of the typical form letters they send out:



This will acknowledge, with thanks, your electronic communication regarding an idea which you indicated might be of interest to us. Your correspondence was forwarded to the Legal Department of the Walt Disney World Co. for response, since it is our responsibility to respond to correspondence in which a portion contains suggestions of a creative nature.

We are always pleased to hear from our guests and appreciate the fact that you took the time to write to us. Through whatever inadvertence or miscommunication you were led to understand otherwise, I must explain that our company's long-established policy does not allow us to accept for review or consideration any ideas, suggestions, or creative materials from outside our company. The intention of this policy is to avoid misunderstandings when projects or products are created internally which might be similar to submissions sent to us from outside the company. Therefore, as required, we will not retain any copies of your communication.

We hope that you will understand our policy and be assured of our thanks for your interest in writing to us.

Very truly yours,

XXXXXX X. XXXXX
Sr. Paralegal
__________________

 

[PatentMike]

Sorry,

Knox is correct. All ideas have to come from within the company.

This is one of the typical form letters they send out:



This will acknowledge, with thanks, your electronic communication regarding an idea which you indicated might be of interest to us. Your correspondence was forwarded to the Legal Department of the Walt Disney World Co. for response, since it is our responsibility to respond to correspondence in which a portion contains suggestions of a creative nature.

We are always pleased to hear from our guests and appreciate the fact that you took the time to write to us. Through whatever inadvertence or miscommunication you were led to understand otherwise, I must explain that our company's long-established policy does not allow us to accept for review or consideration any ideas, suggestions, or creative materials from outside our company. The intention of this policy is to avoid misunderstandings when projects or products are created internally which might be similar to submissions sent to us from outside the company. Therefore, as required, we will not retain any copies of your communication.

We hope that you will understand our policy and be assured of our thanks for your interest in writing to us.

Very truly yours,

XXXXXX X. XXXXX
Sr. Paralegal
__________________

Wow! While Draconian, that would be fairly effective. I guess the only way to market to Disney would be to have a patented product about which they approached you.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Actually the only other way to market to Disney is thru their business development/business affairs division. You both sign non-disclosure agreements which specifically say that Disney may have such an idea in the pipeline and if they do, you cannot sue them etc etc etc.

They have a front line office which would dismiss 98% of the people knocking on the door. So you really need an introduction or someone who knows someone kinda thing.

Before the meeting and prior to the meeting and the document signing .. you speak only in generalities about the need your product idea would address.

I have seen these kinds of forms in my previous careers and they do exist. When I worked at NBC we had such a non-disclosure and 'protection' agreement that I had to get signed before I could meet about any potential business relationships.

They aren't water tight.. But.. it's a good line of first defense for the larger company (Disney in this case) talking to the company or person with the idea.

Knox