Many have seen on the news that Disney sent a $250 bill to a California school PTA because they offered a screening of “The Lion King” during a fundraiser. In fact, many have expressed outrage at this story. Bob Iger has nw come out and has apologized for the Walt Disney Company’s response.
The event was a parent’s night out PTA fundraiser organized by the Dad’s Club. A $15 donation was suggested in order to help raise funds for the PTA.
However, what the group did not take into consideration was the licensing law, which required the group to acquire a $250 single-use permit to show the copyrighted movie.
That being said, it is also at the studio’s discretion whether or not to enforce the policy. Disney went through with enforcement and sent out a bill to the PTA for the licensing fee.
PTA president David Rose reported to KPIX, “The event made $800, so if we have to fork over a third of it to Disney, so be it […] You know, lesson learned.”
Bob Iger himself took to Twitter to announce, “Our company @WaltDisneyCo apologizes to the Emerson Elementary School PTA and I will personally donate to their fundraising initiative.”
Whether done because of the deserved backlash or not, this is the right decision from Iger and the company.
2019 has been an exciting year for The Walt Disney Company! With so many new additions within Disney Parks around the globe, and even the addition of Disney+ now streaming in our homes daily, it has been an epic year for Disney to say the least.
Instrumental in making 2019 an outstanding year is of course the Disney CEO, Bob Iger. It’s no secret that Bob Iger is one of the most paramount businesspersons in the world! TIME Magazine recognizes Bob’s achievements and announced he is TIME’s 2019 Businessperson of the Year!
In a surprising bit of news, Catherine Powell, President of the western region of Disney Parks, has left The Walt Disney Company. Powell was in charge of overseeing Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland Paris. Her position has been eliminated, and now the presidents of each of the three resorts will report to Bob Chapek directly.
Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products division, now concentrates his power over Disney’s theme park portfolio with this change. This news comes after disappointing financial numbers at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Disneyland and Walt Disney World will see new Presidents in the coming weeks, with George Kalogridis, the current Walt Disney World President, moving to a new role.
Current Disneyland President Josh D’Amaro will move to Walt Disney World to oversee that resort. Rebecca Campbell, current head of Europe, Middle East and Africa segment of Direct-to-Consumer, will be promoted to President of the Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland Paris will be handed off to Michael Colglazier, current lead for Parks in Asia. Current leadership in Disneyland Paris otherwise remains unchanged, with Colglazier taking on the additional role of Disneyland Paris management. George Kalogridis, current President of Walt Disney World, will be promoted to President of Disney Segment Development and Enrichment.
Was this needed or were these major corporate changes unnecessary?
Disney Cruise Line has made a statement that it will be giving back to its home port of call in The Bahamas by pledging $1 million to help aid relief efforts there in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. This comes as a joint effort across multiple cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, to help bring the island back onto its feet after being battered by the disastrous Category 5 storm.
The Walt Disney Company, led by Disney Cruise Line, has committed more than $1 million in cash and in-kind support to help relief and recovery efforts for those in The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian.
“The Walt Disney Company stands with the people of The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We hope our $1 million donation will provide much-needed relief and help our neighbors, colleagues, and all those impacted by this devastating storm begin the long process of recovery as they work to put their lives and communities back together.”
Disney’s commitment includes a $1 million donation to non-profit relief agencies who will be undertaking recovery and rebuilding efforts, as well as the provision of supplies – including food staples and basic construction materials – to those in impacted areas.
Additionally, Disney employees with immediate needs in impacted areas of The Bahamas will have access to a range of resources. Disney Castaway Cay, which experienced only tropical force strength winds, employs more than 60 Bahamians from Abaco and Grand Bahama, as well as several employees from other Bahamian islands.
“The Bahamas is such a special place to us and our guests, and we have watched the devastation created by Hurricane Dorian with concern and heartache,” Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line said. “We stand with the Bahamian people, and especially those in Abaco and Grand Bahama, as they recover from the worst storm to ever make landfall in The Bahamas. As the needs in these communities are assessed, we are prepared to aid the relief and recovery efforts through funding, the provision of supplies and by providing support to our Bahamian Crew Members.”
Disney continues to monitor Hurricane Dorian and will coordinate on an ongoing basis with nonprofit organizations on emergency response efforts. This includes sharing lifesaving information with families before and during emergencies, prepositioning supplies at-the-ready to respond rapidly to natural disasters, and providing resources to activate large-scale responses as needed in the event of a disaster.
The Walt Disney Company and the Make-A-Wish Foundation have shared a strong relationship throughout the years:
Did You Know?
Nearly half of the children eligible for wishes through wish-granting nonprofit organizations in the United States choose a Disney-inspired wish, including visits to Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney has a longstanding partnership with Make-A-Wish, dating back to 1980 when the first official wish kid’s dreams came true at Disneyland Resort.
Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, sits on the national board of directors for the organization.
One of every two Make-A-Wish wishes in the United States comes true each year in partnership with The Walt Disney Company.
Throughout the years, more than 130,000 Disney-inspired wishes have been granted through Make-A-Wish.
Check out Disney latest promotional video:
Rena Langley, senior vice president of public affairs at Walt Disney World Resort:
“Seeing the magic of Disney through the eyes of a wish child is an unforgettable experience. Granting these inspiring wishes at Walt Disney World Resort creates magical memories not only for the families, but also for our Cast Members who help make these special wishes come true.”
Anne Cuba, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida: “Disney-inspired wishes have long been the most requested among wish kids across the country. Granting a child’s wish is already a magical experience, but folding the Disney magic into it as well makes for an unforgettable, life-changing moment for the child and their family.”
