Tell me about "Save Disney"

[tinkerbeth]

I keep seeing the tags on people's posts and I've tried wading through the web site but it's humoungous! (sp?) Can someone fill me in? I've kinda gathered that it's to do with the current CEO but that's about it.

Anyone want to enlighten me? I love a good cause...

Beth

 

[Microcell]

I don't know either and look forward to an answer for your question! I think there is a movement to get rid of Michael Eisner as CEO but I am not well versed on exactly why, though the quality of non Pixar movies during his time is not so good!

 

[jimmytammy]

SaveDisney.com derived from the fact that Roy Disney and Stanley Gold, both longtime Disney Board members were both given their walking papers because of age.

I guess Roy felt he shouldnt say a lot negative towards Michael Eisner while he was on the board. But that changed after he was off the board. He and Gold both spoke out VERY strongly against Eisner and some other board members that are Eisners puppets.

Eisner when he took over the Disney Co. in 84 helped to turn the Co. around. Successful movies such as Little Mermaid, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast among others he was a part of. He helped WDW grow.

But as time went on he became more and more in control of ALL things. He isnt creative, not by animators or Imaginners standars at least. Yet he rules over these types of things and doesnt have the insight that Walt had. Maybe thats not fair but it is true. He is looking at Bottom line only now. 75% of shareholders voted for Eisners removal. I would have stepped down. Eisner thinks he is above what the shareholders and consumers think. Eisner is probably a nice person who doesnt realize his time has come.

Disney Co was founded on creativeness and not bottom line. Walt would never had been as successful as he was had it not been for recognizing talent and exploiting it in a positive way. His brother Roy was a numbers man and they worked well together but Roy knew he couldnt contain his brother when it came to ideas so he did his best to find the $$s to do what needed to be done.

www.savedisney.com is a great website. I am a Disney fan first, a shareholder second. I suggest joining, no cost. It will keep you updated by email. Not all of it is negative, most is very informative.

 

[ThreeCircles]

I have a much different take on the whole "Save Disney" campaign.

As I've said before, I am not especially a fan of Eisner but to deny that he has done a lot for the Walt Disney Company is a bit incorrect in my opinion. To state that he is not "creative" is another. Eisner was the driving force behind the creation of Disney Cruise Line, he sparked the return to a strong Feature Animation division with such hits as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Mermaid, and he presided over what has been the greatest expansion of the Walt Disney Company since Walt himself lead the company.

Disney and Gold are quick to point out all of the things that Eisner has done wrong and how poorly the company is doing at the moment. But, I again ask, what exactly have these two offered by way of making the company "great?" Instead of offering negative commentary on Eisner on their website, perhaps they could enlighten us with all of the great things they have done for TWDC. They can't because they haven't.

It is also alarming that the two are willing to support ideas that may have a very negative impact on the long-term success of the Walt Disney Company. The two have been more than vocal about their willingness to continue relations with Pixar at almost any cost. Are they willing to enter into a contract with an outside company that actually hurts Disney? Just to make Eisner look bad?

Given the development of Save Disney shortly after Disney was relieved from his duties at the company, I seem to think that it's little more than a way for Disney to grind his axe.

Simply because he shares the last name with the company’s founder doesn't mean he should be part of the company. As I said, give me examples of what he has done for the company, or even ideas on what he would do for the company, and perhaps this will change my perspective on the whole thing.

 

[tinkerbeth]

Wow. Now I have more questions:

1) Is Roy Disney Walt's brother? ANd if he isn't, how is he related? And if he's related, how could they fire him?

2) What is the deal with PIXAR? Is it a bad company? Are they trying to do Disney in? I love those movies. Why is it bad to do business with them?

Where else in the world is there a group of people who would for sure be able to answer these questions within the hour?

Thanks

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by tinkerbeth
Wow. Now I have more questions:

1) Is Roy Disney Walt's brother? ANd if he isn't, how is he related? And if he's related, how could they fire him?

The Roy Disney of Save Disney is not Walt's brother. It's Walt's Brother's son; Walt's nephew.

2) What is the deal with PIXAR? Is it a bad company? Are they trying to do Disney in? I love those movies. Why is it bad to do business with them?

The current deal between Disney and Pixar stands like this:

Disney and Pixar share the costs of making the film 50/50. Disney distributes the film. The two companies split all profits from the movies 50/50 but Disney also takes an additional 12.5% for distributing the movies. Disney retains all rights to the movies and is free to make sequels, television franchises, etc.

Of course, negotiations between the two companies are not openly public but some info has come to light. First, Pixar (or I should say Steve Jobs) want a "distribution only" agreement. This would mean that all future films would be fully financed by Pixar and only distributed by Disney. Pixar would keep all rights and profits from the films.

Now, Pixar also wanted the last two remaining films to fall under this agreement. That's a no-brainer that Disney would loose out on that end. But, rumors indicate that they also wanted to demand that Disney not release any of their own animated features to compete with Pixar films; they were to give Pixar the best times for release (Thanksgiving weekend, etc.), and more.

Numerous analysts have come out against this type of deal saying that it would hurt Disney in the long-run and not prove to be beneficial. Thus, the two companies could not come to terms and negotiations were ended.

Personally, I would LOVE to see Pixar go away. They have had five great movies (with a lot of help from Disney) but, that's just it, they have had FIVE movies. Disney has had 75 years of animation success, lived through ups and downs, and continues to provide great animation. Disney has several CGI films in the works independently (Chicken Little to be the first) and does not need Pixar. Competition is good. I think once Pixar is out of the picture Disney will go full-force into the CGI business. [Not that I think that's a good thing, but that's a whole other story!]

 

[jimmytammy]

tinkerbeth

I think you will find you will get many opinions on this subject. I agree with 3circles to an extent that Eisner has been good for the Disney Co. But I said HAS BEEN, not still is.

Next time youre in WDW talk with bus drivers, when the buses are empty late at night. If they feel they can confide in you may get a response about Eisner in a not so positive way. Of course they know I dont stand up for him and his micro management. I have served on boards where the person at top expects you to follow along or else. Thats not the way it should be.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Jimmytammy--

I agree with many of your points as well. Eisner has made some very, very poor decisions in my opinion. These direct-to-video sequels of Walt Disney's masterpieces are absurd! His "idea" that traditional animation is "dead" and the cuts in the Feature Animation division make me mad and very sad at the same time.

For the most part, I say that it is indeed time for him to go. Although, I disagree with people who feel that he's only out for his personal gain and doesn't really care about the company. I get the feeling that he really does love the Disney name and Disney culture. As far as his creativity, I do think he is creative. On our last cruise we got to attend a presentation with an Imagineer. She talked in-depth about some of the recent attractions. At one point the topic of Eisner came up and she talked about his involvement in the creation of Mickey's Philharmagic. Evidently, the imagineers had not envisioned Donald being in the attraction at all. It was Eisner who suggested that he be added.

Eisner also came up with the idea of Disney Cruise Line. At his direction the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder took on the look of the old cruisliners of the past. In my opinion, they are the most beautiful ships afloat and make other cruise lines pale in comparison. It's always fun to watch as you pull into or out of port and passengers on other lines are snapping pictures of the Magic.

I do think Eisners micromanaging has hurt certain divisions of the company. He needs to appoint stong leaders to the various divisions and let them manage and do their jobs. The Walt Disney Company is way too big for one individual to control in the manner he has attempted.

But, as I said, I think Eisner has the best interests of the company at heart. He staunchly guards the independence of the company as we recnetly saw during the Comcast announcement. Where did Roy and Gold stand? They actually had good things to say about Comcast!

I think the Board and Eisner need to appoint a successor to his position. When his contract expires I think it would be best for everyone if he no longer headed the company.