Originally Posted By leemac We got an email today that VERY well-regard production chief at the Studios Oren Aviv has been canned by Ross. Yet another popular Cook-ite has been kicked to the curb: <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i615d6381ea5f08d765be79ec1a3dbfd1" target="_blank">http://www.hollywoodreporter.c...1a3dbfd1</a> I thought that Oren was safe after he managed it past the first clearout. It seems that Ross has been given free rein to completely replace the C-suite at the Studios. Oren was a 20-year CM and one of the nicest execs out there. He also created the National Treasure franchise. I'm beginning to think that 500 SBV will be full of execs that believe everything should be HSM.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Sorry, Lee, but it's difficult for me to feel any sympathy for Oren, given how he got this position. Firing Nina Jacobson, who also had a solid track record, so that she could be replaced by someone with ZERO experience running a studio, was bogus. Nina did not need to fired, especially in the manner that she was (while in the delivery room with her partner). Replacing her with Oren was a BS move by Iger and Cook. Nina should not have been fired, and Oren should not have been promoted. He was an excellent marketing guru, and should have stayed there. Now... he's completely gone from Disney. This is a lose-lose scenario that didn't have to happen.
Originally Posted By leemac I wouldn't hold Aviv responsible for Jacobson's removal. Iger wanted Disney-branded movies back in '06 and that wasn't Nina's expertise as she was drawn to Touchstone product. Dick sold himself down the river when he didn't question that Disney-focused approach (how has that worked out for you Bob?). His ascent was relatively quick but he spent a long time as Marketing Prez (something like 6-8 years). I guess you could question why the Studios had two marketing honchos as the Numero Uno and his subordinate. Either way I liked Oren. He is a savvy producer. Isn't Nina still a producer based out of DreamWorks?
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<I wouldn't hold Aviv responsible for Jacobson's removal.>> I don't hold Oren personally responsible. I just strongly feel that he should have remained in marketing, and not been promoted to Nina's old job. <<Iger wanted Disney-branded movies back in '06 and that wasn't Nina's expertise as she was drawn to Touchstone product.>> Yeah, that was Iger's first mistake. Nina's choices were doing well, for the most part. Touchstone is a clear money maker for DisCo, and Iger/Cook should have left well enough alone. <<Dick sold himself down the river when he didn't question that Disney-focused approach (how has that worked out for you Bob?).>> Yeah, I don't get that, either. I thought Cook was smarter than that. He painted himself into a corner by not questioning that approach, which ultimately led to his demise. Who knows... maybe it was a Catch 22 that he couldn't get out of, either way. <<His ascent was relatively quick but he spent a long time as Marketing Prez (something like 6-8 years). I guess you could question why the Studios had two marketing honchos as the Numero Uno and his subordinate.>> In my opinion, Oren was doing just fine in Marketing. Why move him? That seems to be his forte. I had no idea what compelled Iger/Cook to move him up into a position in which he had no experience, even at a smaller studio. <<Either way I liked Oren. He is a savvy producer.>> Your call, but I think he was better as a marketing guru. <<Isn't Nina still a producer based out of DreamWorks?>> According to her LinkedIn page, she's still at DW.
