WDW Social 'Media' and Conspiracy

Originally Posted By DlandDug

Payola is such an interesting word. Especially in this context.

Those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.

 

Originally Posted By Lee hisownself

Damn.
Spirit is like a one man Woodward and Bernstein. We should try to get you a spot on 60 Minutes.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>Spirit is like a one man Woodward and Bernstein. We should try to get you a spot on 60 Minutes.<<<

Yeah, but interviews with him usually take about 360 mins.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

It has sickened me for a number of years. One of the reasons I adore LP is it is a relatively open forum with critiques and praise, and almost all of them are worthy. so many sites just pump propaganda that this new social media section pumps in to some mentally unstable folks that don't know how to edit down their 700 shots of construction walls, are speak praise on praise in hopes of getting invited on a cheap or free cruise.

It is wrong, hell, Disney's whole marketing strategy is. D23, the Momies, the manipulation of social media, it feels dirty and insidious. and a waste of money.

Why are they not reaching out and showcasing to the hard to reach groups. Offering discounts to new parents on their first family vacation. really targetting the marketing?

Instead we have a dark leech industry growing. Pin ebay sites, DVD sellers, cash for tours (British Frog, the ex cast member at DLP really gets up my nose), and the web sites that really do not show balance. The wonderful thing about LP is all the reviews are very balanced (and very credible). But I really wish Burbank would take more note.

Disney Magazine was great, and an online version would be very welcome. Doing big launches where the media take notice is great too (though they all know they are seeing things now that regular guests never see, but that is a whole other topic, especially in Val De Europe).

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<The issue is that the company is a massive employer now - it just isn't possible to find rabid fanbois that are qualified and experienced for management roles.>>

I know several. Several are on my 'go to' team (here and in Asia). Then, you have some remarkable talents who know BOTH the product and the realities of doing business in today's global environment. Moreover, these are people who know far more than P&R. Far, far more.

Media, when you are the size of Disney, covers so very much. And there are certainly some Spirits that have the unique talents, experience and perspective to bridge the vastness of the product.

Note to Burbank: have you have taken a good look at the people you have employed at Celebration Place and realized not simply what they may bring to the brand, but what they may cost it as well?

<<The point is that you need a broad cross-section of people to staff the ranks - you can't rely on a cookie-cutter management team. Those that haven't grown up immersed in the company and its products can often offer a fresh perspective.>>

Agreed on the broad cross-section (cookie cutter would ably describe the P&R exec 'leadership' team at TDO, however). If you don't know the basics of Disney though, you should be unemployable with Disney. As for dropping the burden of strategic planning on Larry, someone who was marginalized at TWDC about fifteen years ago and left 13, don't see where that one's coming from.

Isn't that like 105 years ago in dog years ... or consulting? My experience with several of TWDC's outside consultants isn't that they don't know the product, rather they are masters at justifying to BURBANK the decisions that deliver the numbers they believe TWDC want. Nothing to do with product, everything to do with making the spreadsheets sing.

And we both KNOW that if you torture numbers enough, they'll say whatever you want.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

"Those that haven't grown up immersed in the company and its products can often offer a fresh perspective."

<<No doubt, but it would seem that nearly every executive has no idea what the parks are all about and treat it as something morons with too much money enjoy. See also: Ed Grier.>>

I wouldn't single out/pick on Ed. I don't know him and much of what is debuting at DLR this week (and over the past 18 months) were approved and pushed for by him. George K simply stepped into his 'good soldier' promotion and did what he is very capable of, namely taking credit for the work of others. He is a solid ops guy and someone who has grown from teen CM to the No. 1 of the flagship park in his late 50s. But there's a good reason why he has remained at the company for so long and that's because while he knows the Disney Way and does enjoy the parks to an extent, he also is first and foremost a business man.

Having known George, I don't think he feels Disney Parks are something only 'morons with too much money' enjoy.

But that 'tude has been and certainly is held by some in the company.

When is the last (first?) time anyone has spotted Meg Crofton or Erin Wallace or Phil Holmes and families out enjoying the parks when not on the clock? Anyone? ...

It's a known fact that Jay Rasulo can't really stand the parks. Yet, no one (like say Michael Eisner or Bob Iger) saw that as a weakness for him running that division.

There are many in the company at various levels of management who have openly expressed contempt for the product Disney produces. I don't see how this can possibly be workable in terms of health of the brand, but it is just part of the MAGIC of TWDC.

 

Originally Posted By figment1986

<<What a shock. Funny how when a thread like this gets lots of attention from prying eyes in all sorts of places (from apartments of bloggers that are so cluttered with Disney stuff they'd fit in on Hoarders to boardrooms in Burbank) suddenly posters who are either new or never have much to say suddenly appear.

I always chalk it up to coincidence ;-)>>

*hides my vast collection of universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens,and little bit of Disney stuff in the closet*

I always read, just rarely post... Though going back to earlier, I am one of those rare mythological Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Disney Fans... who happens to run two websites with a friend on Central FLA parks... (one just for Busch Gardens) /disclosure

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

You are not alone Figment, there are a number of us who love lots of different parks. Personally I am a theme park fan. I no longer have any brand loyalty since Disney has been dropping the ball for the last 10 years. If something is well themed and immerses you in the story, I am there.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

I think the biggest travesty in Disney today is the disease of synergy. Many of us became Disney fans because they were the best at conveying the themes. Pirates of the Caribbean (the decent versions, not Florida's), Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, the American Adventure, Kilemenjaro Safari, these are the things that will lead to me spending $1000's with the mouse. Meet and greets and synergy will not, in fact it has driven me away to spend $1000's with other companies. You know it is bad when my 6 and 8 year olds would rather go to Legoland or Europa Park or Universal than Disney. But that is a whole other topic.

 

Originally Posted By TP2000

Interesting post 386 Spirit.

On the flip side are two current top dogs; Tom Staggs and Lasseter. Now Lasseter is just sort of a one-off, an aberration, but a happy aberration at that and someone who it can't hurt to have rooting for a project or concept.

But Tom Staggs is something different, and a very different kind of guy than the two men before him in that exact role; Rasulo 2002-10, and Pressler 1998-2002.

Tom seems to enjoy the parks, and I have personally seen him twice in Anaheim on a weekend with his boys and some of their friends hanging out and riding rides together. Yeah, they had a plaid with them to get them in the exit, but other than that they looked like the typical upper-middle class South OC family. Staggs looked like a regular guy too, sort of a man's man with his typical sons. Not the type of guy who would use the word "MAGICAL!" in a sentence too often. Interesting thing is that both times I've seen him and his sons, his wife wasn't with him and the plaid they assigned him was not the typical perky sorority girl, but rather an older guy who looked like a retired Marine sergeant. I wonder if the wife set that up for him? Was it even a real plaid, or maybe a Security Officer put in a plaid costume to get them through the backdoor of rides? Too funny.

What I find the most fascinating is the seemingly night and day operating styles between Anaheim and Orlando. You would think with this One Disney thing the two properties would become more alike. But aside from weird things like that shared cocktail menu in most bars (I just stopped in to use the pay phone, I swear), the two properties seem to be going in increasingly different directions when it comes to daily operation and long-term planning. That's forever baffling to me.

 

Originally Posted By -em

>>What I find the most fascinating is the seemingly night and day operating styles between Anaheim and Orlando. You would think with this One Disney thing the two properties would become more alike. But aside from weird things like that shared cocktail menu in most bars (I just stopped in to use the pay phone, I swear), the two properties seem to be going in increasingly different directions when it comes to daily operation and long-term planning. That's forever baffling to me.<<

I think the 'One Disney' concept definitely has its needed place in the operation mainly for streamlining and continuity of guest and cast service at the base level (i.e turnstiles, dining reservations,guest recovery etc) but at the same time each resort and theme park are unique and need to be recognized as such or you devalue the brand.

I agree that while they try to grasp and squash park individuality its forcing them farther and farther apart on quality of the park, reinvesting of the product and sustained growth.

The bar needs to be found again from the floor and raised high and every part of the total guest experience needs to be reevaluated as more and more guests are seeing WDW as part of a vacation instead of THE vacation. And a day at the MK is no better than their day at Sea World or Universal.

-em

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>I think the biggest travesty in Disney today is the disease of synergy. Many of us became Disney fans because they were the best at conveying the themes. Pirates of the Caribbean (the decent versions, not Florida's), Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, the American Adventure, Kilemenjaro Safari, these are the things that will lead to me spending $1000's with the mouse. Meet and greets and synergy will not, in fact it has driven me away to spend $1000's with other companies. You know it is bad when my 6 and 8 year olds would rather go to Legoland or Europa Park or Universal than Disney. But that is a whole other topic.<<<<


THIS!!!!!!!!!!


I am SO sick of brand perpetuation.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

<<I always read, just rarely post... Though going back to earlier, I am one of those rare mythological Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Disney Fans.>>

<<You are not alone Figment, there are a number of us who love lots of different parks. Personally I am a theme park fan. I no longer have any brand loyalty since Disney has been dropping the ball for the last 10 years. If something is well themed and immerses you in the story, I am there.>>

I'm with you guys. Although I've never enjoyed Sea World...

 

Originally Posted By Lee hisownself

>>I'm with you guys. Although I've never enjoyed Sea World...<<

Sea world is fun. Manta is amazing.

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

That's an understatement. Manta is so, so, so much fun.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

How clueless can they be?

Do they not even grasp basic concepts of business and branding?

I mean, seriously ... are these people just so lacking in common sense?

Listen to this quote from Duncan Wardle, VP Global PR Integration & Walt Disney World Public Relations, Disney Parks and Resorts two years ago (full link to story below):

<<Duncan Wardle: Many companies are scared of loosing control of their brand. They fail to understand that they never had control of their brand.

That has always resided in the hearts and minds of their consumers. What is changing now is that brands no longer have control of the message. However, what brands gain in return, is the ability to leverage the passion of their brand advocates to reach people they cannot reach in a credible and relevant manner.

Consumers are today’s publishers. By providing platforms that allow them to share their passion and content with yours, brands will be able to extend their reach in a much more meaningful way.>>

<a href="http://www.eyefortravel.com/news/hotels/can-openness-result-consumers-defending-your-brand-blogosphere-social-media-strategies-t" target="_blank">http://www.eyefortravel.com/ne...tegies-t</a>

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

^^That comment, beyond being so opposite of intellectual, is just wrong on so many levels.

But I do wonder how many whores (oops, so much for not using that word) are at the DLR event happening now.

Disney: Throwing MAGICal Dollars Around Like They Were Pixie Dust to Buy Consumers We Already OWN For Life!

 

Originally Posted By DDMAN26

<<When is the last (first?) time anyone has spotted Meg Crofton or Erin Wallace or Phil Holmes and families out enjoying the parks when not on the clock? Anyone? ... >>


And but the hardcore Disney Geeks would have any idea who they are?

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

I read an article in the newspaper today (unfortunately not available online and would be in German anyway) about how adidas, Puma and Nike are changing their marketing strategy. According to that article they are no longer using normal advertising as much, but are trying to create an emotional bond with the consumers via social media. The consumer should no longer just view himself as consumer, but as fan. Did sound rather familiar to me.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

How Disney 'uses social media' ...

A fascinating insight into how you build a BRAND. But wait a minute ... um ... ah ... hasn't Disney been around since the freaking 1920s?

Isn't Mickey Mouse one of the most recognized corporate symbols in the history of mankind? (no hyperbole at all)

Doesn't TWDC reach across the globe in everything from theme parks (11 now in North America, Asia and Europe) to TV networks, to films to books to consumer products?

Seriously, to listen to Duncan, who I've often heard as someone 'well-respected', I feel like I'm watching some clueless MBA going over talking points on how they'll use the customers to generate more customers at a three-day meeting at the Dallas Airport Marriott. ... Yeah, I'd buy that one if the typical first-time visitor got their Disney Parks info from visiting a site with 654 pictures of a new meet-greet-and grope ... or if a significant amount of first-timers truly were swayed by some bored Mommy blogger in Ohio, who has her life so ordered she looks like she belongs on OWN, or if a family who have never been to WDW decide to book a $10,000 vacation after sitting thru the online version of waterboarding (a Lou Mongello podcast).

This is utter and total garbage.

Here watch Brand Building 101 (not something you need when you have one of the best-known and, still kinda well respected brands on the planet):

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEbmqAQfEBQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...mqAQfEBQ</a>