TIME: 10 Questions For Michael Eisner

[meowthew2]

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030818-474556,00.html

 

[EUROPA]

This looks really bad for the parks..

IS IT TIME TO UPDATE THE THEME PARKS?

The parks are relevant now more than ever. The more complicated and difficult the world is, the more families want to have a day, a few days or even four hours when they can escape it. The questions now are, Do people feel safe traveling in airplanes? Can they get fuel for driving their cars and afford vacations?

 

[treesinger]

Eisner didn't even mask the fact that he was dodging the hard questions. Heck, the way the reporter printed the answers, it almost sounded hostile from Eisner.

 

[Planogirl]

WHAT ARE THE ODDS YOU'LL STRIKE A NEW DEAL WITH PIXAR?

I can't predict exactly what kind of financial or creative relationship the companies will have together. I've learned from the legal profession that whenever somebody asks you for odds, you say, "Fifty-fifty." So why don't we just leave it at that?

Is he saying "mind your own business" or "I don't know"?

What a weird bunch of answers! That one about ABC is odd too:

YOU ONCE SAID YOU WOULDN'T TOLERATE ABC'S BEING THIRD IN PRIME TIME. YET IN THE MAY SWEEPS, ABC WAS NO. 4 IN THE KEY DEMOS. WHAT WILL YOU DO IF THINGS DON'T IMPROVE THIS FALL?

The difference between the No. 1 network and the No. 4 network is minuscule. It's like tenths of a point. Winning isn't everything. That said, our goal is to be the leading broadcast network. I'm not saying we're going to lead by Oct. 1. But I'm not going to worry about it if it takes six months longer than I would hope.

 

[DancingBear]

Actually, the only answer I find odd it the theme park answer. It would have been a great opportunity for Eisner to say, "We are constantly working to bring exciting new attractions to our customers. Let me tell you about Mission Space and Mickey's Philharmagic."

And at the risk of overanalysis, it's interesting that Eisner was the first to mention Pixar, thereby sharing the credit. Together with talking about the talented folks at Pixar, sounds like he's trying to generate some warm fuzzies.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by DancingBear
And at the risk of overanalysis, it's interesting that Eisner was the first to mention Pixar, thereby sharing the credit. Together with talking about the talented folks at Pixar, sounds like he's trying to generate some warm fuzzies.

I wonder if they fall for that sort of crap ...when it was Eisner that fired most of those people from Disney anyway?

 

[KNWVIKING]

I guess the story got pulled from the posted link. Anybody got a good link ?

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"Is he saying "mind your own business" or "I don't know"?" ***

I think it's a fairly honest answer. Would it have been a better answer had he said 20% ? Or 80% ? Or any other figure ? IMO Disney has the same chance as anyone else who cares to bid for Pixar products. Money will speak louder then the personal dislike Eisner and Jobs may have for each other.

As for ABC, I think he makes a valid point. ABC may be fourth, but are so close to the other three networks that a couple hit shows could make a huge difference. I know that in the world of sports 2nd place just means first loser, but TV revenue and ratings work a little different.

As for up-dating the parks: Not quite sure how to interprete his answer, but can see where EUROPA is concerned. Was he telling us that since people are afraid to travel or can't afford a vacation that there is no need to up-date the parks ? Or was the first part of his answer about people needing the parks more then ever an indication that Disney will step up to the challenge ?

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by EUROPA
I wonder if they fall for that sort of crap ...when it was Eisner that fired most of those people from Disney anyway?

In one sense, no, Pixar won't just hand over the deal to Eisner because he's playing nice. On the other hand, Jobs has an ego to stroke, and tone has a lot to do with how well business negotiations go. Eisner has now said, these are talented folks and we'd love to do business with them, but of course we have dollar limitations. When we negotiate over those dollars, it's business, not personal.

I'm struck in my experience and observation how much deals are driven by individuals, even in huge public companies. Underlings have a series of conversations over a long period of time about a possible deal, but can't come to terms. The two CEOs run into each other at a resort somewhere, sit down for a cup of coffee, scribble a few notes on a napkin, and a big deal happens.

 

[grinningghost]

Couldn't get the article up. But I'm gathering from the posts, that Eisner was running from the dodge ball all during the interview.

 

[EUROPA]

10 Questions For Michael Eisner
Michael Eisner on Disney's hits and misses
By MICHAEL EISNER; JEFFREY RESSNER



Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003
It has been a good summer for Disney, with big hits in the multiplexes (Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Caribbean and Freaky Friday) and decent earnings last quarter. Still, CEO Michael Eisner faces plenty of challenges — first among them, renegotiating Disney's distribution contract with Pixar, the computer-animation house behind Nemo and other hits. He talked with TIME's Jeffrey Ressner.

FINDING NEMO WAS A SUMMER SMASH; SINBAD, A MAJOR FLOP. IS TRADITIONAL CEL ANIMATION DEAD?

What's dead is bad storytelling. Technology doesn't make the movie; the story makes the movie. We've obviously done very well with computer animation and Pixar.


WHAT ARE THE ODDS YOU'LL STRIKE A NEW DEAL WITH PIXAR?

I can't predict exactly what kind of financial or creative relationship the companies will have together. I've learned from the legal profession that whenever somebody asks you for odds, you say, "Fifty-fifty." So why don't we just leave it at that?

CAN DISNEY AFFORD TO LOSE PIXAR?

It's like asking if Disney can afford to lose any creative opportunity, and the answer is, It depends on the cost. We like being together with other gifted artists, but we are not contingent on any individual entity for growth and success.

YOU ONCE SAID YOU WOULDN'T TOLERATE ABC'S BEING THIRD IN PRIME TIME. YET IN THE MAY SWEEPS, ABC WAS NO. 4 IN THE KEY DEMOS. WHAT WILL YOU DO IF THINGS DON'T IMPROVE THIS FALL?

The difference between the No. 1 network and the No. 4 network is minuscule. It's like tenths of a point. Winning isn't everything. That said, our goal is to be the leading broadcast network. I'm not saying we're going to lead by Oct. 1. But I'm not going to worry about it if it takes six months longer than I would hope.

DO YOU THINK THE REALITY-TV TREND HAS PLAYED ITSELF OUT?

I think the explosion of this kind of television has run its course. The inexpensive, let's-watch-a-car-accident kind of reality show hopefully has seen better days.

THE FCC'S DECISION TO ALLOW MEDIA COMPANIES TO BUY MORE PROPERTIES HAS COME UNDER FIRE. IS MEDIA CONSOLIDATION GOOD FOR AMERICA?

The whole emotional issue of raising ownership levels from 35% to 45% has taken on the proportions of a mountain when it's really a hill. We support having the caps raised, but we're not violently supportive of it.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN IS A HIT. HAUNTED MANSION IS DUE OUT SOON. IS THERE A THEME-PARK RIDE YOU WOULDN'T TURN INTO A FILM?

I'd never say never to anything. But It's a Small World: The Movie sounds like it might not appeal to audiences of all ages.

IS IT TIME TO UPDATE THE THEME PARKS?

The parks are relevant now more than ever. The more complicated and difficult the world is, the more families want to have a day, a few days or even four hours when they can escape it. The questions now are, Do people feel safe traveling in airplanes? Can they get fuel for driving their cars and afford vacations?

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO CRITICS WHO SAY DISNEY HAS NO SUCCESSION PLAN?

I had a heart incident in 1994, so that was the beginning of those questions. I think I've proved that I'm at least healthy, if nothing else. And we have really good managers up and down the line, including a great president, Bob Iger. And I don't think I should say any more than that.

YOU WENT TO THE SUN VALLEY GATHERING OF MEDIA MOGULS. WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

I was there to ski. [Viacom CEO] Sumner Redstone won the slalom. I'd be happy if you printed that.

From the Aug. 18, 2003 issue of TIME magazine

 

[blackshirt]

IS IT TIME TO UPDATE THE THEME PARKS?

The parks are relevant now more than ever. The more complicated and difficult the world is, the more families want to have a day, a few days or even four hours when they can escape it. The questions now are, Do people feel safe traveling in airplanes? Can they get fuel for driving their cars and afford vacations?

Well, you learn something every day. I, for one, didn't realize that people were having difficulty obtaining gas for their cars. I guess I've just got my head in the clouds and can't see the real problems that average Americans face as well as CEO Eisner, that great defender of the common man. Funny though, last time I checked, even with gas prices on the high side, I can travel round trip from Augusta(800 miles) and still pay less in gas than I pay for a ONE DAY pass to Disney( God forbid if I wanted a soft drink in the park). Before anyone points out that Universal and Seaworld charge the same for a one day pass( an annual for a little more) let me stress that these companies aren't blaming their problems on gas shortages. Eisner is simply delusional, IMO, or just plain ignorant of the real world.

 

[KNWVIKING]

I didn't find ME's answers to be evassive or enlightening. I don't think any CEO would give incitefull business answers to some of the questions, it might give the competition a negotiating edge. For example, if ME says Disney will do whatever it takes to resign with Pixar, maybe Jobs will hold out for a few more $$$.

His comment about gasoline wasn't entirely out of line. It' not too many months ago that gas was over $2.00 per gal. Sure, an 800 mile trip won't break the bank, but paying for the other 15000 miles the average driver drives each year could take a big bite out of ones vacation budget. And while oil is flowing freely right now from the mid-east, to say some major issues with Iran & the Saudi's couldn't change all that is a bit naive.

 

[grinningghost]

While it's true that people do need an escape from the real world now more than ever, I think the method of transportation to that escape is NOT the problem. When they get to that escape, and someone keeps pulling the rug out from under them, THAT'S the problem. Maybe Mike needs to dress incognito and visit the theme parks as a "real person" - then maybe he would get it.

 

[blackshirt]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING

His comment about gasoline wasn't entirely out of line. It' not too many months ago that gas was over $2.00 per gal. Sure, an 800 mile trip won't break the bank, but paying for the other 15000 miles the average driver drives each year could take a big bite out of ones vacation budget. And while oil is flowing freely right now from the mid-east, to say some major issues with Iran & the Saudi's couldn't change all that is a bit naive. [/B]

The point was that Eisner is blaming some of Disney's problems on a gas shortage that simply doesn't exist and hasn't existed since the 70's( the Magic Kingdom did quite well back then) Gas shortages COULD happen as could all sorts of awful things. I'm not going to work today because my car could explode. I guess I'm naive.
Is there no limit that some won't go to defend Disney and Eisner? From your posts, I believe that you frequently visit WDW. What percentage of your total vacation spending was devoted to gas if you drove? My guess is under 5% if not much less. Anyone who is having trouble with their fuel costs probably isn't considering visiting Disney anytime soon. Nor next month or next year. It is just another lame EXCUSE by Eisner for bad business decisions.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"Is there no limit that some won't go to defend Disney and Eisner? From your posts, I believe that you frequently visit WDW. What percentage of your total vacation spending was devoted to gas if you drove? "***

I'm neither a defender or basher of ME. I simply don't know enough about him or Disney in general to be either. Sometimes I think this gives me an advantage over other posters cause I have no axe to grind. Some here will never give ME a break. The attendance problems at WDW are all his fault. 9/11, economy, SARS,war, terrorism, etc have absolutely nothing to do with it. Period.

I'm more inclined to believe the reality is that it's more a combination of all things. If that makes me an ME defender, then so be it.

As for me & gaoline: 2500 miles / 16 mpg X $1.50 = $234.38. Since I'm an AP/DVC member, that figure would be considerably higher then 5%. But I'm not a typical example.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Hey, I actually liked his answer about Nemo & Sinbad.

I also think it's true!

 

[Lesley]

I wonder if there's any connection between his answer about the parks (citing people not wanting to fly or spend money on gas...but that people need the escape more than ever) with the rumor regarding Six Flags? I really hate to even think in that direction, but the two things seem like they might fit....as scary as that might be.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
***"Is he saying "mind your own business" or "I don't know"?" ***

I think it's a fairly honest answer. Would it have been a better answer had he said 20% ? Or 80% ? Or any other figure ? IMO Disney has the same chance as anyone else who cares to bid for Pixar products. Money will speak louder then the personal dislike Eisner and Jobs may have for each other.

As for ABC, I think he makes a valid point. ABC may be fourth, but are so close to the other three networks that a couple hit shows could make a huge difference. I know that in the world of sports 2nd place just means first loser, but TV revenue and ratings work a little different.

As for up-dating the parks: Not quite sure how to interprete his answer, but can see where EUROPA is concerned. Was he telling us that since people are afraid to travel or can't afford a vacation that there is no need to up-date the parks ? Or was the first part of his answer about people needing the parks more then ever an indication that Disney will step up to the challenge ?

I brought up the Pixar answer because I thought that the answers had been more positive, more in the line of "I'm sure that we can work something out" before. This answer seemed particularly evasive.

As for ABC, it's been such a flop that I thought ME might come up with a more positive answer than this. It seemed kind of a non-answer IMO.

But I guess that the overall tone of the thing is really evasive like someone else said. I agree that the parks thing is really disturbing but again it's so evasive, it's hard to know what he means. I hope that it's NOT Six Flags as Lesley proposed though!

 

[crusader]

If I were him I wouldn't say a word to Time Warner about anything and most importantly concerning Pixar.