Disney "last Media Tycoon"

[Tom Morrow]

Disney could be the "last Media Tycoon"

News Corp split may make Disney last Media Tycoon The Street The media industry may lose another conglomerate after News Corp. confirmed on Tuesday a report in its Wall Street Journal that the company may split into two companies, one focused on its newspapers and publishing businesses and the other on entertainment. If News Corp. were to split, Disney would remain the only major consumer media conglomerate left intact after a generation of consolidation and M&A that created sprawling media giants in the U.S. and Europe. Disney's five-year outperformance relative to conglomerates that are slimming down highlights an interesting contrast within the media sector. Although M&A efforts in the industry have left a trash-heap of bad mergers, broken synergy promises and assets that perform better independently, signs of success in Disney's recent Marvel and Pixar acquisitions and its share outperformance signal the creator of Mickey Mouse may have uncovered a rare winning conglomerate formula. by Antoine Gara complete article

Submitted by Ezra

[bluevalley]

In this Article News Corp. now trying to do something new by splitting into two Companies and i think it doesn't effect on publicity and out performance of Disney world. The acquisition between Marvel and Pixar entertainment and media performance is growing everyday this is good sign of success for Disney.

[Ezra]

Iger is doing an excellent job. From the standpoint of a fan, I could point to the fact that he's been sinking some serious dough into the theme parks. Or that the quality of the theatrical films (altough fewer each year) are much improved. Or that his company has finally grown a little respectful acknowledgement of hardcore fans. (Gone are the days when we're called "purists" and "foamers" who "just need to chill".) No, everything isn't perfect, and every decision isn't golden, but generally things are good.

But from a business standpoint, Iger is going gangbusters. It's obvious that he came up through the ranks of television through ABC: He clearly knows franchise marketing and product placement inside and out. He's willing to invest in less profitable branches of the company because they support the big picture. He's so much as said that theme parks and movies aren't the bread-and-butter at Disney, BUT they're worth continual investment because they drive sales of the real cash cow: consumer products. If the quality of the entertainment product isn't good, then the sales of the consumer product will fall also. It's all interconnected, and Iger knows this.

He's stepping down soon, and I hope the next CEO is just as skillful. I assume it's Tom Staggs. I like what little I've seen of Staggs; but he seems pretty quiet. Then again, so was Iger at that stage of the game. A self-defacing demeanor can be a good thing. Hopefully, he won't try to "be Walt"; but to recognize, encourage and cultivate talent, and to "let Disney be Disney".

Hopefully, he won't try to be Walt

Maybe I should explain this comment: I was very turned off long ago when Michael Eisner began hosting Wonderful World of Disney. Even for the two decades after his death, the show had only been hosted by Walt. When there was no related footage to be had, there was an announcer, but no host; becasue there was only one Walt Disney. Now, suddenly, here was Michael Eisner, and he was like "Look at me! I'm in Walt's office! I'm sitting at Walt's desk! Isn't that neeto!" My reaction was "who is this clown?" I remember Walt Disney: You ain't no Walt Disney.