Disney’s Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Alicia Schwarz Let Go

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Alicia Schwarz has been laid off from The Walt Disney Company amid the first of three rounds of company-wide layoffs.

Schwarz’s role will be absorbed by the office of Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel Horacio Gutierrez. According to Deadline, she joined the company in 2014 as principal counsel, later serving as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, as well as Global Deputy Chief Compliance Counsel.

The work she was responsible for included ensuring compliance with Disney’s global ethics and standards of business conduct. She was also in charge of managing regulatory compliance with anti-corruption and trade law. These duties will reportedly be taken over by the office of Gutierrez.

Executives at The Walt Disney Company were asked by CEO Bob Iger to identify thousands of potential layoff candidates in an effort to cut nearly $5.5 billion in costs. Iger is reportedly on “a push for profitability.”

Disney is in the midst of an estimated 7,000 job cuts. These are expected to occur across Disney Entertainment; Parks, Experiences, and Products; and ESPN. CEO Bob Iger is under pressure from investors to increase financial stability due to Disney’s stocks currently standing at roughly half the value they were at during summer 2021. Reducing staff is believed to be a way to possibly help their finances in the short term.

News of the layoffs and significant restructuring of The Walt Disney Company was announced in February. At the time, investors seemed sated; however, Disney’s stock has fallen again in recent weeks. Shares have only seen about a 2% increase in 2023 to date.

The Chief Compliance Officer is not the only high-level corporate role terminated in the current round of layoffs.

‘Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures’ Introduction Shorts and Poster Released

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

Three introduction shorts and a poster for “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” have been released ahead of the series premiere on May 4, 2023.

Set in the High Republic era, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” is notable for being the first of its kind in the “Star Wars” universe, with a concept specifically geared toward young audiences. Several fans have been excited by this prospect, finally having the potential opportunity to introduce their children to a beloved fandom with less intense but equally qualitative adventures. The story follows a group of Jedi younglings centuries before events witnessed in the prequel trilogy films “as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need, and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way.”

Elliot Bour serves as Supervising Director, with other notable directing work on “Elena of Avalor,” “Kronk’s New Groove,” and “Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo.” Michael Olson is the showrunner, known for his work on “Puppy Dog Pals.” The cast of “Young Jedi Adventures” includes Jamaal Avery Jr. as youngling Kai Brightstar, Emma Berman as pilot/friend Nash Durango, Juliet Donenfeld as youngling Lys Solay, Dee Bradley Baker as youngling Nubs, Jonathan Lipow as droid RJ-83, and Piotr Michael as Master Yoda.

The three shorts are available on the Disney Junior YouTube channel. They will be available on Disney+ on April 26. Watch the first short below.

Disney Cruise Line to Bring Magical Cruise Vacations to Southeast Asia

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board today announced magical cruise vacations to Southeast Asia for the first time, revealed by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, S. Iswaran.

Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board agreed to collaborate to homeport a brand-new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025. More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

“This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company — 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” D’Amaro said. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.”

The new ship will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart. Guests of all ages will find dedicated spaces and activities designed just for them, and families will create unforgettable memories with beloved characters such as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes and more.

Barstool Founder Dave Portnoy Pretends to be Disney Cast Member

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

When wandering around Walt Disney World Resort, it is so fun to watch all of the iconic Disney characters walk around in costume. Character interactions are one of the best parts of visiting Disney Parks, and it is a central part of any Disney vacation. To help preserve the magic, Disney strictly enforces that no adult Guests should be wearing a costume within any Park unless it is at a special Halloween event. This is one of the reasons why fans were shocked to see Barstool founder and internet celebrity Dave Portnoy in a full Disney costume walking around the Parks.

Dave Portnoy is known on the internet as an incredibly wild and hilarious personality. He has garnered a massive fanbase for being the founder of the pop-culture blog Barstool Sports. His company has now become a source of sports content, celebrity gossip, and lots of entertaining podcast channels. Dave himself stars on some podcasts, including the popular celebrity gossip podcast Bff’s.

One of the main things that fans love Dave Portnoy for is his trademark “one bite pizza reviews.” On March 9, the internet celeb headed to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida to shoot a new Pizza review and film a bunch of content in the Parks. While he was there, he had some extra fun getting into character as a Disney Cast Member.

@stoolpresidente

I think anyone would be nervous to meet Mando and Baby Yoda when you’re dressed like a bad guy

♬ original sound – Dave Portnoy

On Dave Portnoy’s personal TikTok account, @stoolpresidente, he shared a clip from inside the Park where he gives directions to a Guest while in costume. Fans found the clip hilarious, and it now has gone viral with over 133,300 likes. Disney fans sounded off in the comments joking around that Dave Portnoy had accepted a job as a Disney Cast Member. Others were quick to correct his one-finger point, saying “You need to point with two fingers. It’s the Disney way.”

@stoolpresidente

Once I put on my costume, guests started thinking I actually worked for Disney

♬ original sound – Dave Portnoy

Watch the new trailer for Elemental

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

This Summer, meet the residents of Element City.

Watch the new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s #Elemental and see the movie in 3D, only in theaters June 16! Check out a brand-new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental,” an all-new original feature film that transports moviegoers to an extraordinary place called Element City, where a host of elements live and work. The trailer showcases each element—air, earth, water and fire—and what sets them apart according to Ember, a quick-witted and fiery woman who’s always stayed close to home in Firetown.

In “Elemental,” which opens in theaters on June 16, she finally ventures out of her comfort zone to explore this spectacular world born from the imaginations of Pixar’s filmmakers and specifically crafted for the big-screen experience. Element City is inspired by big cities around the globe and embraces theorized contributions from each elemental community—from giant pine-tree-like buildings and waterfall skyscrapers to a tornado-shaped arena called Cyclone Stadium.

Joining the previously announced voice cast including Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie as Ember and Wade, respectively, are Ronnie del Carmen as Ember’s soon-to-be retired dad, Bernie; Shila Ommi as Ember’s love-seeking mom, Cinder; Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade’s stormy and Air-Ball-loving boss, Gale; Catherine O’Hara as Wade’s welcoming mom, Brook; Mason Wertheimer as Ember’s admiring earth neighbor, Clod; and Joe Pera as an overgrown city bureaucrat, Fern.

Directed by Peter Sohn, produced by Denise Ream, p.g.a., and executive produced by Pete Docter, “Elemental” features a screenplay by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh with story by Sohn, Hoberg & Likkel and Hsueh. The film’s original score was composed and conducted by Thomas Newman.