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The head of Disney's parks, experiences and products is now its new CEO. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung / AP Newsroom). News of the postponement came as Disney CEO Bob Chapek conducted a town hall meeting for all employeesMonday. "That was an early sign that it was time. WebCanada Disney CEO Bob Chapek Apologizes to LGBTQ Employees, Announces Pause for Political Donations in Florida variety This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast 29K 7 1.6K Related Topics Politics 1.6K comments Best AutoModerator 1 yr. ago As a reminder, this subreddit is for civil discussion. Ever since Chapek spoke up, critics on the right have condemned Disney as being too "woke" and even talked of boycotting the resort. Iger credited his ability to get founders to sell him assets to his intense focus on building personal relationships. Its bad for business and even worse for the Disney brand. But DeSantis pushed on, signing a law to strip Disney World of its Reedy Creek control on Monday. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. I am sorry.. I think change, I think generally speaking, change is good. He will be the seventh CEO in Disney's nearly 100-year history. "If I werent a shareholder, Id find it amusing. Critics have depicted the bill as hurtful to LGBTQ inclusiveness and dubbed it the "Don't Say Gay" bill. All Rights Reserved. Initially, complaints arose about the fact that Disney wasnt letting the drill team wear their headdresses. But this time is different. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE, "Disneys management succumbed to political pressure from activists on the Left, and now its getting hit from the Left and the Right," Keating told Fox News Digital. Wright was disciplined after higher-ups at ABC News reviewedfootagein whichWright described himself as a "socialist" and criticized the network for the way in which it chooses to present the news. In addition to what all Americans witness on a daily basis, Project Veritas has recently exposed numerous examples of ABC journalists admitting that the network bosses repeatedly spike positive stories on President Trump, Danhof said. He stepped down last year as CEO, succeeded by Bob Chapek, but has stayed on as chairman through the coronavirus pandemic. "Once we did the deal, in fact, in the months before he died he came to he and his wife, Laurene, came to our house. He will be the seventh CEO in Disney's nearly 100-year history. While Chapek said he spoke with DeSantis by phone and would meet with him, DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said Thursday no in-person meeting had been scheduled. An amendment from GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes that would have widened the classroom instruction ban to human sexuality, and not specifically orientation and identity, failed to pass. https://1792exchange.com/spotlightreports/. Knowing my grandchildren will never experienced true Disney magic without political agendas. The controversial Project Veritas is the same group that published footage of ABC anchor Amy Robach claiming ABC News executives killeda story that would have exposed the now-deceased sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinthree years ago. Chapek began his Disney career in 1993 as the marketing director for the company's Buena Vista Home Entertainment division, which at that time was focused on VHS tapes. Behind the scenes, I was not, as a father of children ages five, four, and two, comfortable with the continuation of Disneys special arrangement, DeSantis wrote in his memoir. 2023 CNBC LLC. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Disney allowed the drill team to perform based on an audition tape it had sent. It closed todays trading at $138.62, down 1%. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. In the interim, these shows have filled the void. Everyone knew that was a lie. DeSantis wrotethat Chapek and Disney ultimately caved to leftist media and activist pressure and pressed the false narrative against the bill.. This story has been shared 151,093 times. Squawk Box. Chapek responded by saying that his very first trip after being named the new CEO was to visit ABC News. Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was, Chapek wrote. But that's neither good nor bad. Ray Keating, an economist and editor of DisneyBizJournal.com, said when companies dive into politics, it rarely turns out and well. He was the And I think thats a world we should all live in harmony and peace., Disney+ Tops 100 Million Subscribers , CEO Bob Chapek Says. Earlier in the week, Chapek said DeSantis had agreed to meet with him to ensure the bill wouldnt be weaponized against the LGBTQ community. In March, Disney became entangled in a heated dispute with Gov. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. News Analysis. Even so, Disney has strengthened the belief that its park price increases are out of control. (Gerardo Mora / Getty Images). Everything else is justifiable. I think my role is not to take the strategic pillars he's so well established over the last 15 years and continue to work on those and implement those in the marketplace, most importantly our direct-to-consumer initiatives, but at the same time look around the corner for what disruption might be going on in the marketplace that would necessitate a fresh look at those things.". Who would have ever thought Walts dream would be so screwed up. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. A source familiar with the situation told The Hollywood Reporter that HRC is still in active discussions with Disney around Chapeks initial financial pledge as well as the companys ongoing action around state legislation. Thanks to a reportedly massive payment Disney sent to Johansson, the two parties have since made up. Source: While Chapek was positive and largely avoided Danhofs criticism, his comment that Wrights objectivity is questionable coincides with the networks decision to suspend the veteran reporter. Ron DeSantis said that ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek complained to him about the pressure he was under from the left [WOKEs] to join in on the Governors new education bill restricting gender identity lessons, PK-3. Management has altered some aspects of the Disney vacation experience as a tactic to overcome the unprecedented challenges of March 2020 through today. The pressure from the WOKE cancel culture was vicious. Iger planned to run for POTUS at one point. The debut of "Disney Enchantment" during "The World's Most Magical Celebration" Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom on Sept. 30, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. "I would consider myself a socialist,like I think there should be national health insurance," he said. It should never have reached that point, though. It sounds about right. ), The HRC president went on to say that companies need to deliver more than inclusive employment policies and a clever Pride campaign and that corporate values should be guiding principles in how a company shows up for the marginalized, instead of being marketing materials., I promise you, states lucrative tax laws wont matter much to your employees and consumers who are being criminalized for supporting their kids and being pushed back in the closet by the legal system, she said. Iger, 70, is leaving Disney after running the company from 2005 to 2020. In a second memo to Disney workers, Chapek said Disney was suspending all political donations in Florida. In addition to addressing Disney directly, Madison also acknowledged that the issue is much larger than the single company. News Analysis. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. Legal Statement. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. All rights reserved. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via / Getty Images). The bias is blatant.. On Monday, Disney and CEO Bob Chapek sent an internal memo following reports that the company had donated thousands of dollars to Florida representatives that supported and voted for the Parental Rights in Education bill. Im a devout believer that the least excusable mistakes stem from self-inflicted wounds and unforced errors. As the controversy over the Parental Rights in Education bill was coming to a head, Chapek called me. The more combustible of those situations unfolded over House Bill 1557, the so-called Dont Say legislation. Occupy Democrats is a political organization and information website that provides a new counterbalance to the Republican Tea Party. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. He agreed that the company should stand up more for the LGBTQ+ community in pursuit of more meaningful and lasting change. 2023 CNBC LLC. Chapek had apologized multiple times to the LGBTQ community and vowed to suspend all political donations in Florida as a result. I havent seen anything like this before.. Florida Gov. This performance should never have gone forward. ABC Newsrecently suspended veteran Washington correspondent David Wright for remarks he made that were captured on video byProject Veritas. WebBob Chapek. I feel that the truth suffers, the voters are poorly informed, and people also have the opportunity to tune into whatever they want to hear, Wright said in the video, which also featured an ABCNews producer. Disney has been able to build a robust library of kids movies while using the IP to churn out spinoffs and sequels, adding new content to its flagship streaming service, Disney+, to keep people paying month after month. Got a confidential news tip? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Disney has intentionally left some fans behind, but it may need them later. Meet a Disney Cast Member Advocating for Accessible Technology, Where Was Grogu During The Sequel Trilogy? ", WATCH: Disney's Bob Iger turns CEO job to Chapek. Chapek learned a harsh lesson that potential political allies behind closed doors are all too happy to attack Disney in the media for personal gain. It fit into the larger corporate campaign known as Reimagine Tomorrow, which aims to emphasize Disneys commitment to diversity and inclusion. Chapek and his team had decided that Florida made more sense as a home base. We get pressured all the time, Chapek told DeSantis, according to the governors book. For the past 18 months, Disney has fallen into the latter category as leadership has accidentally caused as many screw-ups as it has fixed. Bob Chapek was initially silent on Floridas controversial bill barring discussions of gender identity in school classrooms. Michael Arnold. Bob Chapek was tapped on Tuesday to succeedlong-time Disney CEO Bob Iger. To my fellow colleagues, but especially our LGBTQ+ community, thank you to all who have reached out to me sharing your pain, frustration and sadness over the companys response to the Florida Dont Say Gay bill, Chapek said in his letter. Starting immediately, we are increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states, Chapek wrote, possibly referring to a similar measure proposed in Georgia and bills targeting transgender children in Texas and Idaho. This priority caused him to lose sight of the challenges in working with Hollywood talents. Iger told Disney staffers in November that he didnt like that the Mouse House was embroiled in controversy and that he would work to quiet things down.. Chapek's was named chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in 2015 and his tenure was marked by the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016, the doubling of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the addition of immersive Star Wars lands at Disneyland and Disney World, the expansion of Marvel-inspired attractions worldwide and massive development projects at Disneyland Paris. Still, if the economy ever suddenly suffered a setback, this unforced error would magnify in scope. With Jobs, Iger said he "was never disappointed" with Disney's integration of Pixar. They left for other gigs. At another point in the town hall, the companys HR chief addressed the Florida situation and also affirmed that the company would oppose an effort by Texas Gov. It would allow parents to sue school districts for what it perceives to be violations of this law. Iger acknowledged Chapek likely won't make the same decisions he would have made as future problems arise. A roundtable of eight Disney employees who represented many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community also shared their perspectives during the town hall. Chapek has been overseeing the company's parks, experiences and products division since those divisions were combined in 2018. "Bob's legacy in the company is just profound. All Rights Reserved. Theyve invested millions of dollars in donations to political parties and more over the last 25 years, theyve given in-kind donations (like tickets to the parks and hotel stays) to political parties, and theyve hired lobbyists. (Gerardo Mora / Getty Images) Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest In that role, he reorganized the business to cut costs and oversaw a number of popular toy crazes from franchises like "Frozen.". Prior to 2016, Bob Igers political party was Democratic Independent (2016present). When Chapek took the job as head of Disney, critics lamented his lack of experience with the Hollywood studio system. Many speculated about Bob Igers future plans after his shocking decision to resign as CEO of The Walt Disney Company in February, including whether he intended to run for president. A Division of NBCUniversal. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. All Rights Reserved. "Parks is the only business they have, before [streaming], that's direct to consumer.". Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. Now, of course, taking Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. Ron DeSantis, who accused the company of being woke a day earlier for opposing the bill. Dave Filoni Answers, Relieve the Battle of Hoth With This Star Wars Mystery Pin Set, Dining / Disney California Adventure / Disneyland, Must-Try Menu Items at Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Chapek seems content to stick his head in the sand when it comes to the pervasive anti-conservative bias across ABC News, just as his predecessor Mr. Iger always was. Earlier this month, in an email to employees, Chapek apologized to workers for letting you down by not being more of an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Ron DeSantis. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Disneys CEO transition from Bob Iger to Bob Chapek marked a shift from an outspoken, famous CEO with political ambitions, to a largely unfamiliar name whose REUTERS. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Republicans argued the bill protects parental rights, while Democrats and LGBTQ groups contend it was intentionally vague and could have a chilling effect on teachers and students. ", Nathanson said the selection of Chapek was not a surprise and a "win-win for the company.". Still, DeSantis has continued to claim that Chapeks opposition is only because he hadnt bothered to read the bill, according to a DeSantis campaign email sent Thursday. ABC News anchor Amy Robach was recorded on a hot mic claiming the network spiked a story exposing Jeffrey Epstein three years ago. We want to hear from you! However, one of them provedregrettable. Conversely, Chapek believes that his best approach is to avoid politics altogether, a legitimate impossibility for a company like Disney. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. But, thus far, theyve had no impact on the bottom line, as Disney just claimed its second-best park performance ever for a fiscal quarter. We want to hear from you! The kind of people who were the jokes on Portlandia are now in charge of producing childrens entertainment in America https://t.co/auyihRcdnO, SCOOP: Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware says the company has eliminated all mentions of ladies, gentlemen, boys, and girls in its theme parks in order to create that magical moment for children who do not identify with traditional gender roles. Chapek added, there is so much more work to be done and said he would continue to engage with the LGBTQ community in the coming weeks. Political Campaign Contributions. The other way that Disney got hit from the left and right happened last week. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. In short, this debacle was totally avoidable. On Monday, Disney and CEO Bob Chapek sent an internal memo following reports that the company had donated thousands of dollars to Florida representatives Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. As such, he should have known how Hollywood works. Home; Video; Trump Investigations; Right Wing Extremism; Opinion; Impeachment; Corruption; Foreign Policy; Iger said he had to convince founders that he wouldn't disappoint them after completing an acquisition. However, in the wake of the Dont Say Gay legislation, such a move feels like a betrayal of their values. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. The debut of "Disney Enchantment" during "The World's Most Magical Celebration" Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom on Sept. 30, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. It wasn't the reason I left, but it was a contributing factor.". You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The actress was let go from the popular Lucasfilm and Disney series on Disney+ after she took to social media to, as Lucasfilm described it, post abhorrent material that compared the current divided political climate in the U.S. to Nazi Germany. October 26, 2021 at 5:36 Kathleen Kennedy Cites Impact Of Women, Artists Of Color And LGBTQ On Industry Amid Disney Dont Say Gay Backlash PGA Awards. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Copyright 2021, Launchpad Digital Network, LLC. Chapek didnt speak to the Carano incident directly but said Disney stands for values that are universal: respect, decency, integrity and inclusion and we seek to have the content that we make reflective of the rich diversity of the world we live in. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The Courage to be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival, Fidelity Finds 401Ks Lost 25% of Their Value in 2022, Biden Says He May Be a White Boy, But Hes Not Stupid, One State Will Make It illegal for Vaccinated Donors to Give Blood, Rumors Are That John Fetterman Is Essentially Brain Dead, Dr. Malone on the Possible US Role in the Development of Coronavirus, They Set Us Up! Bombshell J6 Footage Shows Metro Police Discussion, Prophylaxis Nasal Spray Might Put an End to Vaccines. In a letter sent to Disney workers, Chapek said the bill was not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights., You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down, he wrote. Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest Disney's Chapeks eventually criticized the Florida legislation, paused all political giving in Florida and apologized to employees. Chapek absolutely should have spoken with her first. This year, Mr. Chapek contended with one crisis after another, some of his own making. The tech companies and entertainment companies here who have an influential presence across the country and around the world have an important role to play in fighting state-sanctioned discrimination wherever it exists., Madison said the country is at a tipping point, similar to the 2016 HB2 anti-trans bathroom legislation, or the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, in North Carolina and pointed to how companies that refused to expand business in the state, they pulled out of conferences, they canceled events impacted the fate of that bill. Fridays move came after Chapek announced in a Disney shareholder meeting Wednesday that the company would pledge $5 million to LGBTQ organizations focused on legal protections for the community a donation HRC rejected the same day. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided byRefinitiv Lipper. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media.