Legendary CEO

The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company

Bob Iger, WOW Great guy. After one week's reading, finally I closed the book. My last company's CEO always touted "We want to become Disney", at that time my image is you want build an entertainment company with revenue that rival Disney's box revenue, yeah it is bold. But I was totally wrong about Disney. Today Disney ranks #25 of all open traded company(in US) and cover sports, news, Disney IP, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars.

Reflection

Last Year I have read to book of former Pixar CFO, the guy was summoned by Steve to rebuild cracking down Pixar(The first CG movie The Toy was in its childhood, and rendering software business was so-so and employees didn't like Steve because he don't want to hand out stocks). In chapters describing their relationship with Disney, especially CEO at that time Micheal Eisner. Though early contract save Pixar financially, but as Pixar hit the screen and led the animation industry, their deal seems unfair and Steve want a new deal, which met with cold foot. But years later New CEO signed in that things turned around, Selling Pixar to Steve while preserve Pixar's spirit is the highlight.

I will use the lamp to light up our castle

From Iger's view, this deal is much critical, and is the start of his legendary CEO career. After 6 months' painstaking scrutiny and interview, finally he succeeded CEO from inside Disney, before he was COO. Most of the people doubt how he can changes the situation: 1. No hit animation in last decade 2. Bad Relationship with Pixar 3. Low morale around the company, because all business decisions are centralized and decided through a data analysis MBA holder elite team, frontline leaders can just followed decision from the top. Iger put up 3 strategy: 1. Great, branded animation, contents 2. Take in technology 3. Globalization And his first action(even first presentation to board member) was: what about buying Pixar. A crazy but legendary Idea

Tech

Reading through the book did I know Marvel, Star Wars are now Disney brands, so Strong. The fight time hearing Disney+ I contempting on the idea that a traditional company want to compete with Netflix. But now, the IP power lets me retreat my view. And their resolution to disrupt their own profit line, short term profit to realize the Innovate or die motto drag me pro to their future.

FOX

Holding ABC, acquiring FOX building up a entertainment, media giant. Disney's true power is much bigger than my past perception, awful. Also, shocked to read Disney think Twitter was buyable and once the board allow to buy Twitter, but Iger turn down later. If that happen, it will be a totally different world. How can Disney handle such a conflict piece and how the tech can boost Disney.