Originally Posted By Rebekah This topic is for discussion of the 6/12/2003 news item <b><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/business/col/story/91589p-83194c.html" target="_blank">NYDailyNews: Eisner & Jobs = Abbott & Costello?</a></b> <I>New York Daily News</I> talks about the Eisner - Jobs team.
Originally Posted By DisneyLogic If I were Steve Jobs I'd hold out for getting the position Katzenberg didn't. Except that I simply cannot imagine Steve Jobs taking orders from ANYBODY, and he's doing lots of things, not merely Pixar. Remember, Jobs is the guy who Bob Cringely dubbed "The most dangerous man in Silicon Valley", someone who has literally changed American civilization with his businesses and inventions -- even the way Disney does business. From what I can see of Eisner's circle, self-assured creative people tend to catch colds and run away, for instance Danny Hillis, Marvin Minsky, and Alan Kay. Of course, Pixar could cut Disney in for a piece of its action, dictating that Disney now gets 25% instead of 50%. But, somehow, I don't see Eisner going for that. In any case, I'm afraid it's bad for Disney. If it turns out this way, it'll be another of Michael Eisner's "triumphs".
Originally Posted By DisneyLogic Afterthought: As a matter of fact, I think the ONLY job at Disney Steve Jobs would be seriously interested in is Eisner's, and that's just too difficult a replacement to imagine. Eisner will just not go quietly. Of course, with Steve Jobs at its head, Disney might undergo a spirited renaissance.
Originally Posted By JeffG >> "Afterthought: As a matter of fact, I think the ONLY job at Disney Steve Jobs would be seriously interested in is Eisner's, and that's just too difficult a replacement to imagine. " << Any job other than CEO at Disney would be a significant demotion for Jobs. Keep in mind that he is currently CEO of >two< major companies, Pixar and Apple. To be honest, I don't know that he would be apt to actively pursue even the top job at Disney. I also have very serious doubts that he would be qualified for that job. He is a technology CEO with minimal experience in the entertainment business. His smartest move at Pixar has largely been to leave the creative types alone. -Jeff
Originally Posted By DisneyLogic Maybe true, Jeff. But, after the experience of Eisner, perhaps the creative people at Disney would like to be left alone for a bit. Oh, I cannot imagine Jobs would leave either of his two other jobs as head of Pixar and Apple. To deal with Disney he'd pull back and delegate a lot more. But I could also see a lot of synergy between the three companies, and there may be more than now seems. I feel, for instance, that all entertainment companies will eventually become technology companies. I also feel that the days and wages of unretouched actors and actresses on screen are numbered, because of advances in digital technology, although I very much imagine the Actors Screen Guild will have something to negotiate there.
Originally Posted By JeffG >> "Oh, I cannot imagine Jobs would leave either of his two other jobs as head of Pixar and Apple. To deal with Disney he'd pull back and delegate a lot more. " << Running Disney is a full-time job. There is no way that a single person would be able to serve as CEO of two companies as large (and different) as Apple and Disney at the same time. I can see lots of obvious synergy between Disney and Pixar, of course, but I really don't see much at all between Disney and Apple. It really seems like an incredibly poor fit. -Jeff
Originally Posted By DisneyLogic Yeah, you're probably right. Of course that means to me it's unlikely Pixar will have anything at all to do with only Disney. I mean, 50% is awful steep fee to pay for what is essentially a distribution channel. There are lots of others out there.
Originally Posted By arstogas >>>To be honest, I don't know that he would be apt to actively pursue even the top job at Disney. I also have very serious doubts that he would be qualified for that job. He is a technology CEO with minimal experience in the entertainment business. <<< Seriously disagree. His character traits and leadership traits, his sense of market and taste, make him eminently qualified to take the top job. The fact that he knows how to delegate, especially, makes him already a potentially superior chief. Besides that, Jeff, if you don't think he WANTS the cache and position and power of a spot like that, I think you need to take another look at the envy-filled pond that is Hollywood. He probably wants the job, he would relish the opportunity, and he would make an excellent candidate. Eisner's weakest characteristic, that has become increasingly evident since Frank Wells' death, is his inability to delegate to capable lieutenants. Jobs has made his success by identifying great subordinates and giving them a long leash. Walt could barely draw Mickey... He never wrote a script, and though he built some great miniatures (and thrived with his railroading hobby), there were many disciplines vis-a-vis the theme park business that he would never touch. None of that ever hurt his ability to lead a team of artists to innovate and create amazing and distinctive entertainments for the entire world. Leadership has less to do with competency for any particular craft or industry, or attention to the same, and much to do with identifying the best people to run various enterprises and motivating them to excel beyond even their own expectations.
Originally Posted By arstogas I see HUGE opportunities synergistically for Apple and Disney. Technology, graphics... Today the disparity between PC and Mac graphics applications has pretty much been obliterated, but still, that HP infusion (courtesy of the MISSION:Space deal) thoughout the WDC will be a moot situation in a few years, and it will be time to upgrade. From animation to live-action, from theme park innovation to LBE projects Disney is working on, music, licensing... new kinds of interactive toys... and the innovative spirits that exemplify both companies... they are a GREAT fit.
