Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=983" target="_blank">The Latest: Latest: Marty Sklar Describes His New Role as Imag</a>
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <snip> I plan to enter into a different kind of arrangement with the company. <snip> I am usually pretty good at reading between the lines on these sort of "say nothing in as many words as possible" sort of press statements, but this line confuses me totally. Anyone get this?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It's called Marty is on the payroll and can play all day? This shows he is passing the tourch to Lasseter but is still there to act as sage?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I think if you read the Reuters story, then both the memos released by Marty Sklar and Jay Rasulo, that it is clear that Mr. Sklar has been moved OUT of WDI, and is now working for the Parks and Resorts division, and will no longer have anything to do with the "new" WDI, except maybe to help recruit new imagineeers.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster Positive change is happening faster than I thought possible. Iger is proving to be a very savvy CEO.
Originally Posted By FigmentMI Regardless of any politics that may or may not be involved behind the scenes, I think the idea of an Imagineering "ambassador" is a great one and I hope Marty Sklar truly makes the most of it. I owe my career to a day long ago when I took my first ride on Journey Into Imagination (the original). For some reason as I rode through I realized something I never had before. I didn't have to choose between a technical or creative career. I could find a job where I got to do both. I stepped off of that ride and into a new world of possibilities, some of which I have been able to make happen. Now Imagineering has someone who's sole job is to inspire those kinds of kids (and adults too for that matter). Although it may not be as prestigious as his previous position, I think it is just as important. I hope Marty takes it as seriously as his letter suggests.
Originally Posted By TP2000 While I think big changes need to be made in WDI, and having Sklar finally step down is a good next step, I'm glad they found a place for him still with Disney. He was Walt's right hand man for many years, and he deserves to be disconnected from WDI with kid gloves and lots of schmaltzy and gushing PR releases like this one.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I'm amazed that so many on these boards are so quick to dismiss people who have been such an integral part of The Walt Disney Company. That recent article at JimHillMedia was absolutely shameful -- why Marty Sklar has to become so vilified is beyond me. He's a good man, and a good person to be at WDI.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I have an aweful lot of respect for him A great writer. But I can understand at his age, he may want to kick it down a gear. Ambassador is great! I'd love his new job.
Originally Posted By woody Why don't they just retire him? Think of all the money they would use in new rides if they gotten rid of him.
Originally Posted By woody >>^^^Thankfully, some people are nicer than you are, woody.<< Why would "nice" be relevant with Disney? Disney had absolutely no niceness in gutting Animation and WDI over the years. Keeping Sklar around is misplaced niceness. He has no real role in WDI. He could continue his PR role in retirement rather than draw a paycheck from Disney.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Wasn't it 'nice' that Iger brought back Oswald the Lucky Rabbit? 'Nice' is the new mantra for the New Era of Disney starring Bob Iger.
Originally Posted By ArchtMig ^^^and not just class, but it's truly knowing who your audience (i.e. customer) is, and what they want from you, and what it is you must do to provide that for them.
Originally Posted By oc_dean I hope his new role can help take the bite out of the last few years, where he essentially was unable to do anything. For all his clout, didn't matter with people above him tieing his hands behind his back. And just trying to hold on to his weekly paycheck. Fortunately .. these days, the few "old school" guys left can make a difference with the direction the Co. seems to be going now.
