Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 There was a time when TWDC was one of the most valuable companies in the world ... and while there's little doubt that you could likely find a tribe of people living deep in what's left of the Amazonian rainforests who might not be wearing any pants, but would own a Goofy hat or a princess tiara, it's a little scary that Disney didn't make the top 15 but companies as diversified as Marlboro (yeah, people still smoke) and China Mobile (disclaimer: I am a China Mobile customer) are up there. <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-overtakes-google-as-top-brand-study-2011-05-09?reflink=MW_news_stmp" target="_blank">http://www.marketwatch.com/sto...ews_stmp</a> It just seems like Disney has become just another brand, which it really is. Mickey Mouse may be universally known, but the Pan Am logo is too and the real airline (or what was left of it) disappeared two decades ago ... (and with that new series coming to ABC, I sure wish I had followed through with the thought of buying the rights to the company's logo and IP when it was available for all of $1 million). The point being that just because you are at the top doesn't mean you'll always be. BTW, should I start a thread on why you'll see the company remove 'Walt' from the name before the next decade begins? (and, yes, I am deadly serious on that one)
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<The point being that just because you are at the top doesn't mean you'll always be.>> Bingo.
Originally Posted By Manfried Boy is this topic right on. Disney needs to not rest on its laurels, which is all they seem to be doing at WDW. Meanwhile, Universal kicks butt.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Did anyone else catch Iger on CNBC this afternoon? Explaining why TWDC didn't meet Q2 expectations? Oh brother. One lame excuse after another. Disney *is* resting on its laurels. That's it's biggest problem. 'Innovation' used to be synonymous with the Disney brand. That ship has sailed.
Originally Posted By Manfried I don't think the ship has sailed on innovation at Disney, but I think it is time for them to start getting rid of all those idiotic BS mid-level executives infecting the entire company.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox I disagree. Disney doesn't want to pony up the bucks for innovation that other companies are willing to pay for. Instead of making leading edge attractions, Disney would rather mess around with NEXTGEN and interactive queues. Big deal. Why not produce rides like Spider-Man and Forbidden Journey, instead of dressing up the lines of decades-old attractions? Disney used to be the leader in entertainment and set the pace for everyone else. Now, they'd rather just acquire companies and steal their innovations, instead of developing them in-house.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Did anyone else catch Iger on CNBC this afternoon? Explaining why TWDC didn't meet Q2 expectations? Oh brother. One lame excuse after another.>> Nope. Been away from office and TV all day. Iger is great at excuse-making. Perfect 21st century exec. Someone still needs to 'splain why stockholders are paying $1 million a year for his 24/7 security detail when billionaire moguls walk around without even one bodyguard. Diller doesn't. Murdoch doesn't. Redstone doesn't. Malone doesn't. Does Bob really think some fanboi upset about Snow White closing or no Tron 3 is even going to have the social skills to come up to him anywhere and confront him about it ... let alone require a security buffer? Seriously. Ego all the way. <<Disney *is* resting on its laurels. That's it's biggest problem. 'Innovation' used to be synonymous with the Disney brand. That ship has sailed.>> I think there can be innovation still with Disney. From ride systems to small things like the Living Art on the ships (and on its way to resorts). ... But innovation is really nothing without vision and Disney lacks it. It's kind of like people who read something on the Internet or have a few tidbits of information about something or someone and they think they somehow are knowledgable. Information is worthless without knowledge, which places it in context. Innovation is nothing without the vision to do something BIG with it.
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<BTW, should I start a thread on why you'll see the company remove 'Walt' from the name before the next decade begins? (and, yes, I am deadly serious on that one)>> Yes, yes you should.
Originally Posted By MPierce This calls for a mass marketing campaign filled with Magic, Memories, and Pixie Dust!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> BTW, should I start a thread on why you'll see the company remove 'Walt' from the name before the next decade begins? (and, yes, I am deadly serious on that one) << I know they are trying to get away from older traditions, but how do you remove Walts name. Do we change the name of all the theme parks. Do we remove the Disney name which means family entertainment from the movies. This would be absolute suicide I could see EE, and Hokie Skipper leading a nija type raid on Burbank..
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Someone still needs to 'splain why stockholders are paying $1 million a year for his 24/7 security detail when billionaire moguls walk around without even one bodyguard. Diller doesn't. Murdoch doesn't. Redstone doesn't. Malone doesn't. Does Bob really think some fanboi upset about Snow White closing or no Tron 3 is even going to have the social skills to come up to him anywhere and confront him about it ... let alone require a security buffer? Seriously. << I don't know. Haven't people on these boards said that they've received death threats for some of their postings? There are some real nut cases out there.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I don't know. Haven't people on these boards said that they've received death threats for some of their postings? There are some real nut cases out there. << Why are you looking at me when you say that? Get your grubby hands off my Tinkerbell toilet seat!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<This calls for a mass marketing campaign filled with Magic, Memories, and Pixie Dust!>> Do you want to lead the campaign? If so, it can be arranged ... ~Gleefully WINNING!~
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> Disney *is* resting on its laurels. That's it's biggest problem. 'Innovation' used to be synonymous with the Disney brand. That ship has sailed. <<<< Exactly. There is nothing groundbreaking, new, or innovative, as you said coming out of the company at the moment. It's all synergy, perpetuation, and security. There's no risk or a chance for something new to flourish. Granted, Iger has the rest of the company down pat. He expands, and buys, and keeps profits relatively up. But in terms of creativity and doing new things.... The Walt Disney Company is treading intellectual water.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I know they are trying to get away from older traditions, but how do you remove Walts name. Do we change the name of all the theme parks. Do we remove the Disney name which means family entertainment from the movies. This would be absolute suicide>> Ah, my good buddy, you'll notice, I said removing 'Walt' ... The company will simply be known as The Disney Company. The Studios would simply be 'rebranded' as The Disney Studios and Disney Feature Animation. FWIW, they've already talked (not sure how much was formal ... have heard they conducted a study about doing so a while back, but haven't gotten a confirmation beyond the first source) about this. The general idea is the BRAND is what matters and most people who are fans and consumers don't even know who Walt was or much about him if they do. Their target demo's parents in many cases weren't even alive when Walt walked the earth. There also is the pesky issue of the fact Disney for quite a while has been doing things as a company that may -- or may not -- have followed Walt's beliefs and quality mantra. You can separate Walt from The Walt Disney Company is the belief of many. And, no, Walt Disney World won't lose the full name, but how many folks actually call it that anyway? <<I could see EE, and Hokie Skipper leading a nija type raid on Burbank..>> First, we need to actually get EE 'all the way' to distant California! ~Gleefully WINNING!~
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I could see EE, and Hokie Skipper leading a nija type raid on Burbank..<<<< You can bet your.... Whatever you want to bet. Without Walt Disney, no Walt Disney Company. Sure the company is lacking and is a shell of it's former self, but that's no reason to disown the roots of the company. Very disrespectful.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>><<I could see EE, and Hokie Skipper leading a nija type raid on Burbank..>> First, we need to actually get EE 'all the way' to distant California!<<<< Hokie needs to go too. Want to chip into the EPCOT Explorer Discovers Disneyland Fund?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I don't know. Haven't people on these boards said that they've received death threats for some of their postings? There are some real nut cases out there.>> Many fanbois are nuts. That's just a fact, whether it insults, demeans or hurts anyone. Waaaaay too many folks ... people who don't work in the entertainment industry and aren't involved in the business (and, sorry again, but a parttime $8 an hour park job doesn't make you a part of anything, but the working poor) have a very unhealthy view of Disney (have you heard my comparisons to religion and politics?) That said, I firmly believe they are basically out to simply one-up each other (I witnessed a very embarrassing example at WWoHP a week ago) and they do get involved in often nasty exchanges amongst themselves. I've never heard of one person making a threat on Iger, or any Disney exec, for that matter. I have been threatened numerous times over the years by crazies online, which is why I value my privacy. But I also think it's all talk from people who are very insignificant in real life and recognize that others aren't and have trouble dealing with it. No one is going to convince me Iger needs the security he has. It's an ego boost to make him feel more important. Maybe we should get bodyguards for Al, Meg, Erin, Phil and Co next?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 To get back on topic here (cause I kinda think this one is going to be read in higher circles than say 'FP: Worse than Osama?') But ... global equity is huge for corporations in the 21st century. The world is a smaller place and US media reaches more people than ever (regardless of platform, to all the techies who think movies, network TV and traditional theme park attractions are dead). Just a few years ago, Disney was top 10. Not all that long ago, top 5. Now ... Pathetic. You don't grow a global brand this way. One wonders if Wall Street even cares because they are a quarter to quarter Ponzi scheme anyway. But for anyone interested in the long term growth of TWDC? And if Iger was squirming while trying to 'splain away a small one percent drop in quarterly profits, how can he explain Disney's drop in global significance? I guess the same way he'll 'splain away the decade-plus fiasco in Shanghai DL negotiations ... or why some folks in Glendale feel that despite high quality product being designed for said resort that much of it will just be fodder for fanboi coffee table books of the future.
