Roy Disney's interview with Paula Zahn

[hopemax]

Essentially, it was the same points raised in yesterday's interview on CNBC. Ms. Zahn started out with a graphic showing the improvement between Disney;s 1984 numbers and now. Roy immediately countered with the same point as yesterday, that all of that's true, however if you look at the last 7 years the numbers tell a different story. She asked about Disney's recent performance and Roy's response was, like yesterday, the recent quarter may be up, but he thinks in terms of several years, and "Disney's been flat as a pancake." She asked who Roy would like to see in Eisner's place and did he want the job. Roy's answer was, "he didn't want the job 20 years ago, and he didn't want it now." He refused to name someone he would like, because he knew that person would be torn to pieces and he'd lose all his friends.

The one thing different, was that he twice mentioned the numerous letters, emails and web discussions, and even people on the street saying, "Way to go, Roy!" that he's received in the last two days. So it sounds like Roy and his people are reading the main websites. If you want to send a letter, it sounds like it would be appreciated. Again I have a feeling that the small shareholders, and Disney's customers are going to have a role to play in this, somehow, so everyone should really think about the Disney Company they want to see.

I did tape the interview, but I can't do a transcript this evening. But if people want one, I could do it tomorrow, but a lot of it was the same as yesterday's interview.

 

[hopemax]

Oh, I forgot one other thing. When Ms. Zahn was commenting on Eisner coming in in 1984 and the performance since then, Roy made sure to comment that it was the team of Frank Wells and Michael Eisner.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Imagine this for a moment with same faith, trust and pixie dust....

What would happen to Disney stock IF:
1) Eisner was gone
2) Jobs and Lasseter manned the Disney helm
3) The Hensen family joined in with Disney

Putting bits and pieces together -- incl Pixar moving into 2D?

 

[Peter Pirate]

Love2Roam...Lassiter heading Disney might be great but Jobs might just be more of the same. We must be careful what we wish for.

 

[lucky_bunni]

Originally posted by Peter Pirate
Love2Roam...Lassiter heading Disney might be great but Jobs might just be more of the same. We must be careful what we wish for.

I disagree that Jobs would be more of the same. He is meticulous about running both his companies and putting out no less than the best products possible. You never see Apple or Pixar slapping their name on some generic piece of work that someone else created. Obviously Jobs isn't all about selling out (like Eisner) or else Apple would be #1 in the business and not hold less than 3% of the market. Like I said, he aims to put out the best product in the world regardless of whether it will be the most profitable. He is a true innovator, much unlike Eisner. Please research him a little before bashing.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Jobs would keep the Wall Street and stockholders happy.
Lassiter would keep the creative side happy.
Throw in the Muppets -- and the magic is in an uphill climb once again.

 

[Galahad]

Lassiter heading Disney might be great but Jobs might just be more of the same

I agree Pirate! Jobs long term track record with Apple isn't as stellar and he would battle ME in the megelomania category.

 

[raidermatt]

Being a realist, I'm also not of the opinion that just anyone would be better than Eisner.

However, if what Gold and Disney are saying is true, there's no way they will pick a candidate who is the same as Eisner.

Realistically, whoever the person is will have an ego, and be someone who enjoys power. If not, they probably wouldn't want the job.

It doesn't appear that Jobs is just another Eisner. His companies do not subscribe to the "anything for a buck" philosophy, and that is a key shortcoming in the current Disney. Also, I think it says a lot that John Lasseter is apparently happy to work for him, and prefers it to being Disney's head of animation.

So while I don't think "anyone" would be better than Eisner, I tend to think that Jobs could be a significant improvement. Further, if he becomes Gold's and Disney's candidate, we have to assume that he will address the issues Gold and Disney have outlined, which are in line with a lot of the issues many of us have been harping on for a long time.

There's a lot we don't know, but given what we do know, Luv2Roam's scenario seems as likely as any.

Given the choice between the Jobs/Lasseter option and the status quo, I'd go with Jobs/Lasseter.

 

[hopemax]

CNN has a transcript on their website

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/03/pzn.00.html

The Roy Disney interview was near the end of the show, so you should scroll down about 4/5ths of the page.

 

[Peter Pirate]

luckybunni, I wasn't bashing but stating the opinion many have of Jobs. He's an egomaniac of eisner size proportions and his successes haven't been without... controversey, shall we say. Were I writing a thesis I'd gladly supply my supporting corroborative evidence but since I'm not that won't be done. If my lack of 'homework' concerns you and my past histrory here isn't enough for your acceptance then there is always the ignore function...

 

[YoHo]

In my opinion, yes, Steven Jobs is an egomaniac the size of Eisner, but the one advantage he has is that despite his egomania, he knows how to let the smart people do what they're good at.
There is a lot he doesn't understand from a buisness sense that has hurt Apple, but if you think about it, the kind of work that Apple is best at, the kind of work that Jobs excels at managing is the same kind of creative excellence going on at Pixar which is the same kind of excellence that any creative company most especially Disney NEEDS.

I still think the best fit for a single person lead of Disney would be someone like George Lucas who has created and understands how to create in multiple arenas yet at the same time knows how to make gobs and gobs of money.

George would never do it, nor would he be asked, but that's the ideal manager. I think Jobs could be excellent though as well.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Believe me I'm NOT saying Job's couldn't do it nor am I saying that given the choice of a Roy/Stan sponsored Job's vs. eisner I wouldn't approve - I would (and I know my approval carries a lot of weight with Roy and Stan ).

But his ego unchecked or with too much power...Man I'd be leery.

I'm not so sure that an insider couldn't be right for the job, either. We really have no clue as to Iger's ability or preferences since his curent position is so closly tied to eisner...But that doesn't mean that he doesn't have the heart of Walt somewhere inside. Or perhaps Weiss or Rasulo. Basically, it'll be up to Roy & Stan to show us the way anyhow...IMO.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Steve Jobs to star as Michael Eisner's worst nightmare in next Pixar production: Roy Disney hasn't been gone from Walt Disney Co. for a week and already Hollywood insiders are placing bets on his successor. Many are hoping it will Steve Jobs. And it just might be. Disney right now is renegotiating an enormously important movie production deal with Jobs' Pixar, the animation studio largely responsible for keeping Disney relevant. And other studios are trying to steal Pixar away. Jobs has Disney over a barrel and he certainly knows it. As the New York Post notes , "If a new deal with Pixar wasn't urgent for Eisner before the Roy Disney episode, it certainly is now. And that fact won't elude Jobs when he sits down to discuss the terms of any new deal."

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/columnists/gmsv/7413729.htm