Bob Chapek Doesn’t Like Being Thought of As a “Cost-Cutter”

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

To say that Bob Chapek’s tenure as CEO of The Walt Disney Company has been tumultuous might be an understatement. Chapek has dealt with massive unpopularity — which includes a petition to get him fired that has amassed over 75,000 signatures — as fans see Disney eliminate free programs like FastPass and replace them with paid ones like Disney Genie+, as well as increase prices for something they feel is declining in value.

In his defense, Chapek became CEO right before Disney — and the world — experienced an unprecedented disaster, the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced Disney to shut down all of its theme parks across the globe, and the company laid off and furloughed tens of thousands of employees. The Company has stated that COVID had a massive impact on them as they lost hundreds of millions of dollars, but fans are seemingly fed up with that excuse.

Chapek continued to gain the ire of Disney fans when Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson sued the company, claiming that they violated her contract when they chose to release Black Widow on Disney+ the same day they released it in theaters. Johansson and Disney went back and forth, but eventually came to an amicable settlement and Johansson will be returning to the company to work on the new Tower of Terror movie.

Disney fans around the world are constantly referring to Chapek as a “bean-counter” — someone who places extreme emphasis on controlling budget and expenditures — and they also see him as a cost-cutter who is creating a company that is charging more while continuing to give less. Chapek likes to think of himself as having his eye on all parts of The Walt Disney Company and dislikes the “bean counter” and “cost cutter” reputation he is gaining.

According to a recent article in Financial Times:

The notion that he is merely a bean-counter irks Chapek. “I’ve seen creativity in this company through every lens possible,” he says in an exclusive interview. He compares running the theme parks with observing “a focus group every day” that gave him a unique perspective on “what makes the Walt Disney Company so different from any other media company”. He adds, “It ties us to our ultimate constituent, which is the consumer.”

In addition to Disney fans not being the biggest fans of Chapek, there have also been reports about tension between Chapek and former Disney CEO Bob Iger — who recently warned that Disney may face trouble for what he perceives as the current lack of innovation and lack of strategy.

Bob Iger Bob Chapek galaxy's edge

Iger recently fully stepped away from The Walt Disney Company, where he was Executive Chairman after stepping down as CEO in 2020. His departure saw Susan Arnold — who has been with the company for almost 15 years — take over as Chairperson of the Board.

‘Disney METAVERSE’ coming soon to a reality near you

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

It’s official. The Wonderful World of Disney is entering the metaverse. Sounds like something you’d read in an alternate universe, right–like something written by Ray Bradbury, H. G. Wells, or Jules Verne and read aloud by Rod Serling.

Disney isn’t the only company to be joining the growing trend. In fact, the House of Mouse is just one of many global organizations that have made the decision to go meta. Disney CEO Bob Chapek confirmed the transition and says that it’s just another example of Disney’s dedication to staying up to date with the latest trends in technology.

Disney+ Day in Paris.

So, just what the heck is the metaverse? Well, I’m glad you asked. Fortune Magazine describes it as “a fully immersive online realm that looks similar to the real world but is computer generated.” In other words, it’s a digital reality realm that combines some aspects of social media, some aspects of online gaming, mixes those aspects with augmented and virtual reality, thus producing a sort of online realm where users interact with avatars. Think of the metaverse as a place where we are able to interact in virtual “worlds” that are supported 24 hours a day.

Or think of it like your Facebook profile being alive, always on, always interacting, affording you a sort of second life on the side.

I know, it’s still murky, right?

That’s largely because the metaverse is still in its infancy. However, go back to the 1990s, and you may remember a time when the phrase, “aol.com” had you scratching your head. And what’s this about a “worldwide web?”

Exactly.

Disney will be creating its very own metaverse, as announced by Chapek on Disney’s earnings call this week.

“Our efforts to date are merely a prologue to a time when we’ll be able to connect the physical and digital worlds even more closely, allowing for storytelling without boundaries in our own Disney metaverse, and we look forward to creating unparalleled opportunities for consumers to experience everything Disney has to offer across our products and platforms, wherever the consumer may be,” Chapek said.

I can get behind a universe in which I can experience Disney “wherever I may be.” How about you?

More information will be coming, as Chapek even stated that so far, Disney has only just begun developing the idea for a new Disney Metaverse. Let us know what you think about the idea of a metaverse, and specifically, a Disney metaverse.

Fire Chapek Petition Gains Major Steam, Over 30K Signatures in 24 Hours

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Yesterday, it was reported that a petition calling for the firing of Disney CEO Bob Chapek was gaining steam after being shared by several former Disney Imagineers. The petition claimed that Chapek was making decisions that decreased the quality of in-Park experiences, as well as favoring reusing IPs instead of coming up with new and original ideas at the Parks. The petition also claimed that Chapek was putting making money over Disney products and the quality of The Walt Disney Company.

Now, the petition was started over one year ago, but in that time, it had only amassed several thousand signatures — including over 300 in the time it took to write and publish this article. However, after being shared by some with larger social media followings, the petition exploded and now has just over 40,000 signatures — receiving nearly 35,000 signatures in just 24 hours. Thousands of users are sharing the petition on social media and encouraging others to sign.

According to the Change.org petition:

In early 2020 he became the CEO of the Walt Disney Company which was extremely concerning. Bob Chapek has made an excessive amount of budget cuts, even with the Covid-19 pandemic being considered. Budget cuts began before the pandemic began, and increased. He recently reinstated full executive salaries at Disney, and also has laid off over 28,000 employees throughout the company. And now he is moving the focus to Disney plus, the current big money maker, instead of keeping the parks at high quality.

Normally you would think to keep the quality of the parks during a time of decreased revenue, but he is concerned about what will make him the most money quickest. Maintenance at the parks has also gotten its worst under Chapek, and is not getting better. Chapek has proven he doesn’t care about the quality and legacy of Disney.

Within the petition to fire Chapek is one that suggests Josh D’Amaro — the current Chairman of Disney Parks, Products, and Experiences — should take over as CEO of the massive company. Chapek had been in the position D’Amaro now occupies before he was promoted to CEO in February 2020 with former CEO Bob Iger taking the rank of Executive Chairman.

It is important to remember that just because the petition has amassed tens of thousands of signatures, that does not mean that Disney will be required to make any changes to its current leadership. However, if enough fans voice their concerns, Disney may perk up their ears and take note.

Online petition is circulating calling for the removal of Disney’s CEO

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

If you’ve spent any time on social media, it’s no surprise that many are not happy with Bob Chapek’s performance in his role as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. And now, an anonymous person has begun a petition to see that performance come to a close.

The 61-year-old media executive came into his role when previous CEO Bob Iger finally stepped down. Passing the proverbial torch had been on his agenda for some time, but the event continued to be postponed. And when Iger did step down, it was at perhaps the worst time possible.

But then again, who could have forecast a global pandemic that would seep its way into every facet of daily life, business, entertainment, etc.? And whether because of the pandemic or because the powers that be had concerns early on, Bob Iger was asked to stay close to the post; Chapek was CEO, but Iger was at his side, always at the ready, and presumably looking after affairs just like he had been doing since 2005.

Disney fans have voiced their concerns–and sometimes, their anger, disgust, and sheer frustration–with the Chapek administration, if you will.

And an annual retreat that took place inside the company back in June in Hawaii has fans wondering if Mr. Iger is beginning to feel what some fans are feeling. Iger opened the meeting with a word of caution.

“In a world and business that is awash with data, it is tempting to use data to answer all of our questions, including creative questions,” he said. “I urge all of you not to do that; if Disney had relied too heavily on data, the company might never have made big, breakthrough movies like Black Panther, Coco and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”

Iger went on to point out that everything done within the scope of Disney begins, at its inception, with creativity. You know, that “one little spark” thing.

Though these words were said amongst a group of people from The Walt Disney Company, word got out, and many began to perceive Iger’s words as a slam to Chapek, however diplomatic.

bob chapek toy story land opening

Not only are fans upset with Chapek’s reign; but recently, creative executives under Chapek have begun to be vocal, saying some of them are losing their creative license within their roles, and that’s if they haven’t already lost their jobs altogether, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Not only does the new petition offer those opposed to Chapek the chance to sign the petition if they feel that he’s unfit for the role of CEO or that his leadership is lacking, but it also goes so far as to name another Disney executive who is, in the opinion of the creator of the petition, has a better track record than Chapek and is better qualified for the role of CEO.

According to the online petition at Change.org:

“Bob Chapek became the Chairman of Parks and Resorts for Disney in 2015. He has consistently made decisions that decrease the quality of what is put into the parks, and also ones that favor using Intellectual properties instead of original attractions. He consistently put himself and money above the product and quality of the company.

In early 2020 he became the CEO of the Walt Disney Company which was extremely concerning. Bob Chapek has made an excessive amount of budget cuts, even with the Covid-19 pandemic being considered. Budget cuts began before the pandemic began, and increased. He recently reinstated full executive salaries at Disney and also has laid off over 28,000 employees throughout the company. And now he is moving the focus to Disney plus, the current big moneymaker, instead of keeping the parks at high quality.

Normally you would think to keep the quality of the parks during a time of decreased revenue, but he is concerned about what will make him the most money quickest. Maintenance at the parks has also gotten its worst under Chapek, and is not getting better. Chapek has proven he doesn’t care about the quality and legacy of Disney.

Josh D’Amaro, the current chairmen of parks and resorts, has not been able to do much under current circumstances, but has been very involved in the parks, assuring quality, greeting guests, and even riding through new attractions to assure high quality. He even went out of his way to console and apologize to cast members throughout Disney World and Disneyland that were affected by the layoff.

So far he has proven an interest, and commitment to the parks, and a want to make them better. While he hasn’t been there long he has made a wonderful impression and could be a good replacement for Mr. Chapek. There are also probably many other executives in Disney that they could make their new CEO. Bob Chapek is hurting and tarnishing the name of the Company, and needs to be removed.”

To view the petition, you can click here.

President Biden Meets with Disney CEO Bob Chapek During a Push for Vaccine Mandates

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

President Joe Biden met the other day with business executives and CEOs from major organizations across the country, including CEO of the Walt Disney Company Bob Chapek to discuss the importance of vaccinations for U.S. workers.

The meeting followed the news of last week’s vaccine mandates for nearly all federal employees and contractors under the Biden administration as well as by a number of larger companies across the country. Disney’s inclusion in the meeting followed the company’s news last month of its own requirement for unionized employees at the Walt Disney World Resort to be fully vaccinated by October 22, 2021 at the latest. (Additional salaried and non-union hourly Cast Members have until the end of this month to get vaccinated under the current requirements.)

Other participants in the meeting included executives from Microsoft, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Kaiser Permanente Healthcare System, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream.

The federal government has been pushing for state and local governments to move toward vaccination requirements to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as the country finds itself in another surge, however without the entire country on the same page, the Biden administration is now looking to larger corporations.

While opinion polls support evidence that the majority of Americans would be in favor of a vaccine mandate in some capacity, the return of mask mandates in many areas and the harsh treatment toward service and hospitality workers by the general public throughout the COVID-19 pandemic may understandably leave some businesses and local governments shaken.

It is the White House’s goal that meetings like the one on Wednesday will inspire other businesses to follow in the footsteps of trusted entities who have successfully worked with vaccine mandates for employees. Some companies are stepping up and requiring workers to either get vaccinated or commit to weekly COVID tests, and following the news earlier this year that the FDA had granted full approval to Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccines, the Biden administration is hopeful that these meetings will have some productive results.