Bob Iger Returns to Presenting the Weather After Stepping Down As CEO

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via InsideTheMagic

It’s a day all Disney fans knew was coming, but now that it’s here we’re not quite ready to say goodbye.

After more than 47 years working at ABC and The Walt Disney Company, including 15 years as Disney CEO, Bob Iger is stepping down as executive chairman of the board at the end of this month.

And today, Iger returned to his weatherman roots with a fun interview on ABC!

bob iger

Bob Iger was a beloved and successful CEO at the Walt Disney Company, steering Disney through acquisitions of Lucasfilm, Pixar, Marvel Studios, and 21st Century Fox to become the giant entertainment company it is today.

Iger led Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort through the additions of Pandora – The World of Avatar, Toy Story Land, Cars Land, and of course Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. He also opened Shanghai Disneyland in 2016.

The longest-serving Disney board member, after taking over as CEO after Michael Eisner in 2005. Bob Iger’s tenure saw Disney’s annual net income increase more than 400 percent, with Disney having seven movies in 2019 selling at least $1 billion in tickets worldwide.

shanghai disneyland

Iger will be replaced as chairman of the board by longtime board member, Susan Arnold, and he recently wrote a letter to Cast Members and employees as his exit approaches.

During the interview on ABC, Bob Iger returned to his role as a weatherman, a job he first had at the age of 23 years old. Asked about his long career with ABC and Disney, Iger said:

“I’m often asked: Would I change anything? The answer’s no, it worked out just fine. I’ve had just a great experience over 47 years with ABC and Disney. I’ve loved what I’ve done, every day that I’ve come to work I’ve been happy. I’m privileged to have had the opportunity to run this great company.”

bob iger

The interview also revealed that Iger is planning to write another book, after his New York Times bestselling memoir “The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of The Walt Disney Company:

“I’m looking forward to what comes next, although I’m not 100% sure what that is. But I haven’t had a day off since 8th grade.

I am [thinking of writing another book]. I’m thinking about it. Right now, it feels like a gigantic homework assignment. But yes, I’ve been fascinated by how leaders led though the global pandemic, leading through a crisis.”

bob-iger-mickey

One of Iger’s first jobs in show business was as a weatherman before he joined ABC in 1974 – 22 years before Disney acquired the network.

And it seems the former Disney CEO has retained his weatherman skills, with KABC meteorologist Leslie Lopez asking if he would co-anchor a weather report during the interview. Iger replied: “I have not done the weather in 48 years.”

He stepped up though, and presented an informative and well-presented weather report to the Southern California area! He even quipped about this morning routine:

“Very nippy on Saturday morning by the way, 62 degrees in the Los Angeles area. 46 degrees on Saturday morning, that’s when I bike ride, I think I may have to look out for some early morning frost.”

bob iger weather abc

Bob Iger was replaced by Bob Chapek in February 2020. Since becoming the 7th CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Chapek has definitely divided Disney fans over his direction and approach to the job.

Iger is currently acting as chairman to help guide Chapek through the transitional period. Iger will be ending his Disney employment at the end of the year, and Chapek will be on his own.

During a recent annual retreat for the company’s upper management at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, Iger seemed to hint at the data-driven nature of Chapek. Iger spoke about his advice on successfully being the CEO of The Walt Disney Company and not to let data control their decision, but rather, creativity. 

disney ceo bob chapek (left) and executive chairman bob iger (right)

Chapek did not have it easy to begin with as CEO, starting just before the COVID-19 pandemic and making difficult decisions throughout this last year and a half, including budget cuts and layoffs.

A petition went viral recently trying to persuade the Walt Disney Company to fire Chapek, with the petition gaining over 80,000 signatures as of the time of writing.

The petition discusses Chapek’s focus on budget cuts and laying off over 28,000 employees through the company, as well as moving attention to Disney+, Disney’s streaming service, and away from the quality of the Disney Parks.

Bob Chapek and Bob Iger

Disney’s Bob Iger pens a farewell letter ahead of his December departure

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

He’s been described as a real class act, an innovator, a master problem-solver, a visionary, and an all-around nice guy. The Walt Disney Company enjoyed his leadership for more than 15 years as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, and it enjoyed nearly two bonus years with him serving in the capacity of Chairman of the Board for Disney.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (10507025y) Disney CEO Robert Iger arrives at the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”, in Los Angeles World Premiere of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” – Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 16 Dec 2019

As was announced last week, Disney’s Bob Iger will step down once and for all at the end of December, as he steps away from his final role with The Walt Disney Company–that of Chairman of the Board. He will be replaced by Susan Arnold, the first female to ever fill the position in the company’s 98-year-long history.

From Mickey Mouse to Basketball? See What Former Disney CEO Bob Iger Might Be Up to Next | the disney food blog

Iger oversaw and was instrumental in the following acquisitions while CEO of The Walt Disney Company:

  • Miramax – 1993; $60 million
  • Capital Cities/ABC/ESPN – 1995; $19 billion
  • Starwave – 1998; undisclosed amount
  • Infoseek – 1999; undisclosed amount
  • Fox Family Worldwide (Freeform) – 2001; $2.9 billion
  • Baby Einstein – 2001; undisclosed amount
  • The Muppets – 2004; $75 million
  • CrossGen – 2004; $1 million
  • Avalanche Software – 2005; undisclosed amount
  • Pixar – 2006; $7.4 billion
  • Oswald the Lucky Rabbit – 2006; traded for the rights to sports broadcaster Al Michaels
  • Junction Point Studios – 2007; undisclosed amount
  • Marvel – 2009; $4 billion
  • Hulu – 2009; 30% purchase (increased to full ownership in 2019)
  • Wideload Games – 2010; undisclosed amount
  • Tapulous – 2010; undisclosed amount
  • Playdom – 2010; $563 million
  • UTV Software Communications – 2011; $297 million
  • Lucasfilm (Star Wars) – 2012; $4.06 billion
  • Maker Studios – 2014; $500 million
  • Sphero – 2014; unknown minority investment
  • BAM – 2016 & 2017; $2.58 billion total
  • 21st Century Fox – 2019; $71.3 billion

His contributions to The Walt Disney Company and to everything the company touched are undeniable, and he will be missed.

Ahead of his departure at the end of the month, Iger penned a letter that was sent out to employees. You can read the letter in its entirety here:

“As my time at The Walt Disney Company comes to a close, I write to thank all of you for what has been a thrilling and immensely gratifying 47½ years. I would love to be able to do this in person, but the global pandemic has deprived me of that opportunity, so please forgive the less-than-personal nature of this farewell.

It is impossible for me to fully express my feelings, but I would like to leave you with a few thoughts, some memories, and above all else, my deepest gratitude.

My ABC/Disney journey began when I was 23 and ends as I approach my 71st birthday. It has been unpredictable, exhilarating, wildly fulfilling, and certainly a lot of fun. To say I have tremendous respect and affection for the thousands of people I have worked with over the years would be a gross understatement.

I have enormous pride in what we have accomplished and transforming Disney into one of the world’s most admired companies is at the top of my list. We did this by producing the finest in content and experiences, embracing cutting-edge technologies, and expanding our presence around the world, and nothing has been more important to me than imparting and applying the highest standards of quality and integrity when it comes to our people and everything we create.

Disney Chairman Bob Iger Sells Nearly $100 Million Disney Shares

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney’s Chairman, Bob Iger, is preparing to end his 47-year career with Disney and ABC in December, as previously announced back in Fall 2019. He then announced his career end with Disney formally in February 2020, making it all much more concrete. Now Iger has sold nearly $100 million Disney shares prior to departing The Walt Disney Company.

As reported by Bloomberg: “Walt Disney Co. Chairman Bob Iger sold $98.7 million worth of shares in the company, part of what the entertainment giant described as an effort to diversify his portfolio. Iger, 70, disposed of 550,570 shares at an average price of $179.21 on June 1, according to a regulatory filing Thursday. The move cut the shares he owns directly by 50% to 555,865. Iger is slated to retire as chairman at the end of the year, following his passing of the chief executive officer job to Bob Chapek in 2020. Disney’s stock has climbed more than sevenfold since Iger took the CEO role in September 2005. “The value of these shares reflects the significant shareholder value generated under his leadership,” Disney said in a statement.”

The former CEO was previously quoted saying it is energizing to confront “a complete blank canvas.” We’re curious to see what’s next for Iger as we inch closer and closer to the end of his 47-year career with Disney.

Disney’s Bob Iger Is “Excited About Life After Disney”

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disney’s executive chairman, Bob Iger, is preparing to end his 47-year career with Disney and ABC in December, as previously announced back in Fall 2019. He then announced his career end with Disney formally in February 2020, making it all much more concrete. Iger sat down for an interview to discuss his future and reflect on the past.

The Walt Disney Company CEO, Robert Iger arrives for the World premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 22, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

Iger had an interview with SiriusXM who released clips of the interview. One of the main questions to Iger, who turned 70 last month, was what he intends to do when his stint as Disney executive chairman winds down at the end of 2021.

As reported by Deadline: “I am excited about life after Disney,” Iger said. “I felt very strongly in moving on, and just seeing what was on the other side. It had nothing to do with being tired. It had nothing to do with frustration.” Iger goes on to say in reference to Bob Chapek’s elevation, “I did not want to overstay my welcome,” he said. “I wanted the timing to be right, and 15 years [as CEO] felt like enough.”

As far as how he is spending his waning months at the company, Iger said, “I’m doing a little bit of teaching, a little bit of leading by example, a little bit of cajoling. And I imagine that in these next few months, I’ll end up slowly becoming less and less relevant. It is pretty interesting when you suddenly lose that title, your emails start to slow down and certainly the phone calls don’t come as often and it’s pretty clear someone else is running the company. It’s actually pretty interesting from a human perspective, and I don’t mean that negatively at all. It’s just an interesting dynamic.”

The former CEO said it is energizing to confront “a complete blank canvas.” He added, “I’m not retiring. I can’t possibly do that. First of all, my wife’s still working, my kids are all out of the house, I’m not gonna sit around the house binge watching television shows. And so I will figure it out, but I am not going to figure it out while I’m still at Disney and I’m not going to over-commit so that by the time I get out, I won’t have any freedom either.”

Disney Chairman Bob Iger Leaves Governor Newsom’s Economic Recovery Task Force

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

In another string of rash news tonight, it seems Bob Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, has quit Governor Gavin Newsom’s economic recovery task force.

From The Sacramento Bee:

Walt Disney Co. Chairman Bob Iger has quit Gov. Gavin Newsom’s economic recovery task force, a Disney spokesperson confirmed Thursday evening.

The spokesperson would not say why or precisely when Iger left the task force, but the news comes as the Newsom administration is preparing to release guidance on theme park reopening that the industry is criticizing.

Earlier today, it was announced that California would be issuing theme park reopening guidelines sometime this week—Disneyland wasn’t as eager about the sudden announcement. The California Attractions and Parks Association, on behalf of Disneyland, has actually asked state officials to not finalize plans just yet—not before conferring with park operators and modifying certain protocols before officially issuing guidelines.

It seems the parks have been given a chance to overview a draft of the guidelines, and are not happy with what can only be assumed are strict or overly restrictive guidelines, considering the note about a “reasonable” reopening plan. Guidelines will reportedly vary between counties, possibly limiting who can visit the parks in order to discourage long-distance or out-of-state travel.

On Wednesday, Disney announced it would lay off 28,000 Cast Members across its Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment.