Roy E. Disney steps down from Disney board, calls for Eisner's resignation
11-30-03, 04:29 PM
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Slight hope for Song of the South and uncensored Fantasia??: Eisner might step down!
Walt Disney Co. Vice Chairman Roy E. Disney submitted his resignation from the company board on Sunday and called for Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner to step down from his own positions, the WALL STREET JOURNAL is reporting.
Disney, nephew to the late Walt Disney, sent Eisner a three-page letter severely criticizing his leadership during the past seven years:
'It is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me,... Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement.'
WSJ reporter Bruce Orwall writes that in his letter Disney said that Eisner deserved credit for a successful first decade after taking the helm at Disney in 1984. But he then detailed seven areas in which he said Mr. Eisner has failed the company in the past seven years.
Disney, nephew to the late Walt Disney, sent Eisner a three-page letter severely criticizing his leadership during the past seven years:
'It is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me,... Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement.'
WSJ reporter Bruce Orwall writes that in his letter Disney said that Eisner deserved credit for a successful first decade after taking the helm at Disney in 1984. But he then detailed seven areas in which he said Mr. Eisner has failed the company in the past seven years.
Let's all hope this is true!!!
Last edited by Class316; 11-30-03 at 04:36 PM.
11-30-03, 05:12 PM
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Is this more misuse of the word "censorship?"
If/when a film actually gets censored by an outside force, as opposed to being edited/altered by the studio that releases it, no one will know because we've become so accustomed to the term's misuse.
If/when a film actually gets censored by an outside force, as opposed to being edited/altered by the studio that releases it, no one will know because we've become so accustomed to the term's misuse.
11-30-03, 05:13 PM
#6
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I'm sure Eisner is currently working on some great ideas to bring Disney back to the top. Probably something like Cinderella 3 or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 2: Electric Boogaloo.
Eisner has turned Disney into a complete joke. Thank god for Pixar or Disney might as well get out of the animation business.
Eisner has turned Disney into a complete joke. Thank god for Pixar or Disney might as well get out of the animation business.
11-30-03, 05:17 PM
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If anything this will do the complete opposite of what you are hope will happen.
Sucks that he is leaving the company, and I agree Eisner needs to get out.
Sucks that he is leaving the company, and I agree Eisner needs to get out.
11-30-03, 05:22 PM
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Originally posted by JoeyOhhhh
If anything this will do the complete opposite of what you are hope will happen.
Sucks that he is leaving the company, and I agree Eisner needs to get out.
If anything this will do the complete opposite of what you are hope will happen.
Sucks that he is leaving the company, and I agree Eisner needs to get out.
11-30-03, 05:30 PM
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Re: Slight hope for Song of the South and uncensored Fantasia??: Eisner might step do
Anybody else find this a little funny?
Too bad the guy's name wasn't George Orwall. Or, perhaps Bruce Orwall is a secret pseudonym for the long dead George Orwell?
Originally posted by Class316 WSJ reporter Bruce Orwall writes that in his letter Disney said that Eisner deserved credit for a successful first decade after taking the helm at Disney in 1984. But he then detailed seven areas in which he said Mr. Eisner has failed the company in the past seven years.
11-30-03, 05:42 PM
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The Disney Conglomerate has become simply too large to be effective. There is lots of wasteful infighting between divisions/depts which costs a lot of wasted money. Not to mention, they cut heads first before considering how many millions they could save through other measures. With the labor market shrinking in the coming years, there will be hard times for Disney.......
11-30-03, 05:47 PM
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Originally posted by Class316
Eisner quitting would not do the opposite. That's why the edited subject is misleading. But yea, I'm sad to see Roy go
Eisner quitting would not do the opposite. That's why the edited subject is misleading. But yea, I'm sad to see Roy go
And now I'm realizing that this never had anything to do with DVDs in the first place. Moving to Movie Talk.
11-30-03, 05:48 PM
#14
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Originally posted by Class316
Someone should re-edit the topic to say "Eisner might quit" not "Roy E. Disney quits"
Someone should re-edit the topic to say "Eisner might quit" not "Roy E. Disney quits"
And I don't know why you "hope this is true," as the only thing that happened that actually matters was Roy Disney leaving the board, which isn't a particularly good thing, if you're in favor of Disney releasing original versions of their animated features.
DJ
11-30-03, 05:48 PM
#15
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Originally posted by Static Cling
Well, it started out misleading to begin with. Editing your thread title to make it not misleading would change it entirely, which I'll do.
Well, it started out misleading to begin with. Editing your thread title to make it not misleading would change it entirely, which I'll do.
I now regret drunkenly calling Geoff up at 3am to complain when he chose you over me as moderator.
11-30-03, 06:43 PM
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November 30, 2003
Mr. Michael D. Eisner, Chairman
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
Dear Michael,
It is with deep sadness and regret that I send you this letter of resignation from the Walt Disney Company, both as Chairman of the Feature Animation Division and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
You well know that you and I have had serious differences of opinion about the direction and style of management in the company in recent years. For whatever reason, you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations and activities to you. I find this intolerable.
Finally, you discussed with the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors its decision to leave my name off the slate of directors to be elected in the coming year, effectively muzzling my voice on the Board – much as you did with Andrea Van de Kamp last year.
Michael, I believe your conduct has resulted from my clear and unambiguous statements to you and the Board of Directors that after 19 years at the helm you are no longer the best person to run the Walt Disney Company. You had a very successful first 10-plus years at the company in partnership with Frank Wells, for which I salute you. But since Frank’s untimely death in 1994, the company has lost its focus, its creative energy, and its heritage.
As I have said, and as Stanley Gold has documented in letters to you and other members of the Board, this Company under your leadership has failed during the last seven years in many ways:
1. The failure to bring back ABC Prime Time from the ratings abyss it has been in for years and your inability to program successfully the ABC Family Channel. Both of these failures have had, and I believe will continue to have, significant adverse impact on shareholder value.
2. Your consistent micro-management of everyone around you with the resulting loss of morale throughout this company.
3. The timidity of your investments in our theme park business. At Disney’s California Adventure, Paris, and now Hong Kong, you have tried to build parks on the cheap and they show it and the attendance figures reflect it.
4. The perception by our stakeholders –consumers, investors, employees, distributors and suppliers – that the Company is rapacious, soul-less, and always looking for the “quick buck” rather than long-term value which is leading to a loss of public trust.
5. The creative brain drain of the last several years, which is real and continuing, and damages our Company with the loss of every talented employee.
6. Your failure to establish and build constructive relationships with creative partners, especially Pixar, Miramax, and the cable companies distributing our products.
7. Your consistent refusal to establish a clear succession plan.
In conclusion, Michael, it is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me. Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement. The Walt Disney Company deserves fresh, energetic leadership at this challenging time in its history just as it did in 1984 when I headed a restructuring which resulted in your recruitment to the Company.
I have and will always have an enormous allegiance and respect for this Company, founded by my uncle, Walt, and father, Roy, and to our faithful employees and loyal stockholders. I don’t know if you and other directors can comprehend how painful it is for me and the extended Disney family to arrive at this decision.
In accordance with Item 6 of Form 8-K and Item 7 of Schedule 14A, I request that you disclose this letter and that you file a copy of this letter as an exhibit to a Company Form 8-K.
With sincere regrets,
Roy E. Disney
Cc: Board of Directors
Mr. Michael D. Eisner, Chairman
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
Dear Michael,
It is with deep sadness and regret that I send you this letter of resignation from the Walt Disney Company, both as Chairman of the Feature Animation Division and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
You well know that you and I have had serious differences of opinion about the direction and style of management in the company in recent years. For whatever reason, you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations and activities to you. I find this intolerable.
Finally, you discussed with the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors its decision to leave my name off the slate of directors to be elected in the coming year, effectively muzzling my voice on the Board – much as you did with Andrea Van de Kamp last year.
Michael, I believe your conduct has resulted from my clear and unambiguous statements to you and the Board of Directors that after 19 years at the helm you are no longer the best person to run the Walt Disney Company. You had a very successful first 10-plus years at the company in partnership with Frank Wells, for which I salute you. But since Frank’s untimely death in 1994, the company has lost its focus, its creative energy, and its heritage.
As I have said, and as Stanley Gold has documented in letters to you and other members of the Board, this Company under your leadership has failed during the last seven years in many ways:
1. The failure to bring back ABC Prime Time from the ratings abyss it has been in for years and your inability to program successfully the ABC Family Channel. Both of these failures have had, and I believe will continue to have, significant adverse impact on shareholder value.
2. Your consistent micro-management of everyone around you with the resulting loss of morale throughout this company.
3. The timidity of your investments in our theme park business. At Disney’s California Adventure, Paris, and now Hong Kong, you have tried to build parks on the cheap and they show it and the attendance figures reflect it.
4. The perception by our stakeholders –consumers, investors, employees, distributors and suppliers – that the Company is rapacious, soul-less, and always looking for the “quick buck” rather than long-term value which is leading to a loss of public trust.
5. The creative brain drain of the last several years, which is real and continuing, and damages our Company with the loss of every talented employee.
6. Your failure to establish and build constructive relationships with creative partners, especially Pixar, Miramax, and the cable companies distributing our products.
7. Your consistent refusal to establish a clear succession plan.
In conclusion, Michael, it is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me. Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement. The Walt Disney Company deserves fresh, energetic leadership at this challenging time in its history just as it did in 1984 when I headed a restructuring which resulted in your recruitment to the Company.
I have and will always have an enormous allegiance and respect for this Company, founded by my uncle, Walt, and father, Roy, and to our faithful employees and loyal stockholders. I don’t know if you and other directors can comprehend how painful it is for me and the extended Disney family to arrive at this decision.
In accordance with Item 6 of Form 8-K and Item 7 of Schedule 14A, I request that you disclose this letter and that you file a copy of this letter as an exhibit to a Company Form 8-K.
With sincere regrets,
Roy E. Disney
Cc: Board of Directors
11-30-03, 06:56 PM
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A lot of those points are dead on, although i dont have any particular distaste for Disney like others do on this forum. Especially since some my favorite Disney movies have come during the last few years (Lilo and Stitch and Emperor's New Groove)
11-30-03, 07:48 PM
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I love disney, but I have to agree with Roy that it was around 94 when creativity went south. Pocahontas, Hercules, Hunchback... on the other hand Lilo, and Emperor's N.G. are good films, they aren't really anything more than made for tv saturday morning fare, produced to hock toys and merchandise. They don't really scream Disney quality.
I think it is time for something fresh. How about the ultimate merger, Pixar and Disney Animation Studios and have John Lasseter as the President? That guy has a nose for quality control.
And with Roy gone, what is to happen to the Disney Treasure DVD line? Wasn't he the main reason those have been released?
I think it is time for something fresh. How about the ultimate merger, Pixar and Disney Animation Studios and have John Lasseter as the President? That guy has a nose for quality control.
And with Roy gone, what is to happen to the Disney Treasure DVD line? Wasn't he the main reason those have been released?
11-30-03, 08:18 PM
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Roy Disney and Eisner have been at odds in recent years over the company's management as its strong financial position has faltered.
11-30-03, 08:36 PM
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There seems to be a misconception here that Disney is losing money. Hello? Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Carribbean and this weekend Haunted Mansion managed to be the number one film. Not to mention the success of Kill Bill, Nemo and Lion King on DVD, the new Mission Space at Epcot, Monday Night Football, ESPN, etc., etc, etc. Anyone whose ever traveled down to Orlando and figured out just how many people enter than park per day will realize that Disney makes MILLIONS per week on park revenue in Orlando alone.
I may be in the minority here, but I think Michael Eisner's done a pretty damn good job at Disney.
I may be in the minority here, but I think Michael Eisner's done a pretty damn good job at Disney.
11-30-03, 09:06 PM
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Wasn't Eisner responsible for closing down Disney's traditional animation studio?
You'ld think this more than anything would piss Roy Disney off.
You'ld think this more than anything would piss Roy Disney off.
11-30-03, 09:17 PM
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The disney animated movies lost all quality! From story to animation....an end to end failure! Disney needs to step back and re-focus on what is Disney, and what was Disney! Glad to see Roy step up!
11-30-03, 09:38 PM
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Originally posted by Spooky
There seems to be a misconception here that Disney is losing money. Hello? Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Carribbean and this weekend Haunted Mansion managed to be the number one film. Not to mention the success of Kill Bill, Nemo and Lion King on DVD, the new Mission Space at Epcot, Monday Night Football, ESPN, etc., etc, etc. Anyone whose ever traveled down to Orlando and figured out just how many people enter than park per day will realize that Disney makes MILLIONS per week on park revenue in Orlando alone.
I may be in the minority here, but I think Michael Eisner's done a pretty damn good job at Disney.
There seems to be a misconception here that Disney is losing money. Hello? Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Carribbean and this weekend Haunted Mansion managed to be the number one film. Not to mention the success of Kill Bill, Nemo and Lion King on DVD, the new Mission Space at Epcot, Monday Night Football, ESPN, etc., etc, etc. Anyone whose ever traveled down to Orlando and figured out just how many people enter than park per day will realize that Disney makes MILLIONS per week on park revenue in Orlando alone.
I may be in the minority here, but I think Michael Eisner's done a pretty damn good job at Disney.
12-01-03, 12:21 AM
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Originally posted by Burnt Alive
Disney's California Adventure, Atlantis, Treasure Planet, The Country Bears and New Tomorrowland to name a few, all help to even out those success stories.
Disney's California Adventure, Atlantis, Treasure Planet, The Country Bears and New Tomorrowland to name a few, all help to even out those success stories.