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Keating, who has written about how Disney's activism is bad for business, said Disney's decisions on the Florida bill has meant the company is catching heat from both sides of the political spectrum. This priority caused him to lose sight of the challenges in working with Hollywood talents. Chapek has also personally condemned the bill most vigorously, albeit a week too late. pic.twitter.com/eJnZMpKIXT. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Now, you could argue that inflation is real during the pandemic. DeSantis retaliated by signaling publicly that he would be willing to re-evaluate Disneys special tax district, called Reedy Creek, and favorable corporate agreements due to its insistence on woke political activism. WebOn Monday, Chapek sent a Morrell-approved company-wide email claiming that he preferred to speak through Disney content and behind-the-scenes machinations. After weeks of internal strife and external controversy surrounding the Walt Disney Companys lack of public response to the Dont Say Gay legislation in Florida, In a span of a month, Disney went from hiring the actress for a Tower of Terror movie to calling her ungrateful and selfishthe week she was having a baby. "Bob [Chapek] is going to address them probably differently perhaps than I may have. On Monday, Disney and CEO Bob Chapek sent an internal memo following reports that the company had donated thousands of dollars to Florida representatives And, we are committed to creating a more inclusive company and world, Chapek wrote in a memo to staff in March 2022. Political Campaign Contributions. Disney has been able to build a robust library of kids movies while using the IP to churn out spinoffs and sequels, adding new content to its flagship streaming service, Disney+, to keep people paying month after month. Bob Iger, the former Disney CEO whose decades-long tenure at the company ended in December, tweeted his opposition to the legislation weeks ago. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. (Gerardo Mora / Getty Images). "Parks is a business where they use data to drive pricing and engagement," Nathanson said. During the pandemic, Disney has ramped up its usage of high school performers at theme parks, especially Magic Kingdom. He will be the seventh CEO in Disney's nearly 100-year history. ", Florida Gov. Periodically, we must employ comment moderation due to an influx of spammers. Chapek learned a harsh lesson that potential political allies behind closed doors are all too happy to attack Disney in the media for personal gain. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Disney Chairman and former CEO Bob Iger told CNBC he began thinking about stepping down as chief executive after feeling he was becoming too dismissive of other people's opinions. Iger and the Disney board's decision to give Chapek the job surprised Wall Street and Disney executives, especially after Iger had repeatedly pushed off his retirement to stay as Disney's CEO. We want to hear from you. Then, the CEO found himself in a public spat with Floridas governor, who recognized an opportunity to score cheap political points off Disney. All rights reserved. All Disney employees were invited to attend the town hall this morning, which Deadline was told was part of an ongoing conversation series that began in 2020. DeSantis wrotethat Chapek and Disney ultimately caved to leftist media and activist pressure and pressed the false narrative against the bill.. A Division of NBCUniversal. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. If passed, this bill will put vulnerable, young LGBTQ people in jeopardy., Biden had tweeted his opposition to legislation designed to attack LGBTQI+ kids.. Chapek has not commented on the DeSantis report. Got a confidential news tip? Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. ", Nathanson said the selection of Chapek was not a surprise and a "win-win for the company.". Some folks took offense at that, which isdefinitely a take. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "Heres a suggestion for Disney CEO Bob Chapek: Get back to business, that is, excellence in storytelling, and stop wasting shareholders' money on political crusades that have nothing to do with Disneys business," Keating told Fox News Digital. Disney CEO Chapek Bob Chapek Tuesday said he doesnt really see Disney as characterizing itself as left-leaning or right-leaning responding to a shareholder who ABC News anchor caught on hot mic claiming network killed Jeffery Epstein bombshell. Bob Chapek was tapped on Tuesday to succeedlong-time Disney CEO Bob Iger. Its only temporary and has nothing to do with the content of the comments. In a second memo to Disney workers, Chapek said Disney was suspending all political donations in Florida. Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest Disney's Chapeks eventually criticized the Florida legislation, paused all political giving in Florida and apologized to employees. Florida Gov. Pixar deal completed to show Disney employees it was a new day, says former CEO Bob Iger, Disney's Bob Iger: Leaving during Covid was unfortunate timing, Charley Gallay | Getty Images; Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | Getty Images, App-based entertainment is replacing linear channels like traditional media, says fmr. "You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down," Chapek said in a statement on March. Chapek walked back his previous statement to employees that the company could fight against bigotry through its creative content, saying Disney needed to be standing up for the rights of all.. Disney CEO Denies Political Leanings Following Gina Carano Firing During annual shareholder call, CEO Bob Chapek maintains the media giant isnt left leaning or right leaning, but instead stands for the universal values of respect, decency, integrity, and inclusion. That argument is correct, independent of where you may fall on the political spectrum. We've received your submission. Still, DeSantis has continued to claim that Chapeks opposition is only because he hadnt bothered to read the bill, according to a DeSantis campaign email sent Thursday. While Iger didn't speak about specific decisions, he said he was increasingly invalidating points from co-workers because he'd "heard every argument before." Someone will be now, though. In March, Disney became entangled in a heated dispute with Gov. On Monday, Disney and CEO Bob Chapek sent an internal memo following reports that the company had donated thousands of dollars to Florida representatives that supported and voted for the Parental Rights in Education bill. Many of them have led to price increases. (ABC/ RANDY SAGER). "I didn't do the deal myself, but it was singular in terms of the pursuit one on one in some cases being as candid as I possibly could be, and I think as authentic as I could be, and developing a relationship, even if it was developed over a relatively brief period of time.". Copyright 2021, Launchpad Digital Network, LLC. Asked if the Florida GOP wanted to comment about Disneys decision to pull contributions, Helen Aguirre Ferre, executive director of the party, wrote in an email: There is no world in which Gov. "Parks is the only business they have, before [streaming], that's direct to consumer.". Ron DeSantis. I want to be crystal clear: I and the entire leadership team unequivocally stand in support of our LGBTQ+ employees, their families, and their communities. DeSantis backs down from his commitment to doing whats best for Floridas children and parents. ABC News anchor Amy Robach was recorded on a hot mic claiming the network spiked a story exposing Jeffrey Epstein three years ago. As such, he should have known how Hollywood works. Thanks to a reportedly massive payment Disney sent to Johansson, the two parties have since made up. WebBob Chapek. The event concluded with a fireside chat from Nadine Smith of Equality Florida and Latondra Newton, Disneys Chief Diversity Officer. New York CNN . Corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds, he wrote, and are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide. So what Disney says means nothing? Chapeks statement comes after a week of criticism from fans and employees about his delayed reaction to the bill, which he opposed only after it passed both houses of the Legislature and was sent to DeSantis for his signature. As a new CEO, he was easily victimized. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. Instead, DeSantis blasted the company as woke and in bed with Chinese communists at an exclusive event publicized on Fox News. Whether Disney CEO Bob Chapek had considered this before multiple shareholders pressed him about this bill this week during Disneys annual investors call isnt clear. Management has altered some aspects of the Disney vacation experience as a tactic to overcome the unprecedented challenges of March 2020 through today. The pressure from the WOKE cancel culture was vicious. Ron DeSantis said that ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek complained to him about the pressure he was under from the left [WOKEs] to join in on the Governors new education bill restricting gender identity lessons, PK-3. "If I werent a shareholder, Id find it amusing. Chapek is far less publicly political than his predecessor, who once considered a run for the Democratic nomination for president. He said the company was increasing support for advocacy The more combustible of those situations unfolded over House Bill 1557, the so-called Dont Say legislation. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. Chapek added, there is so much more work to be done and said he would continue to engage with the LGBTQ community in the coming weeks. FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. "Over time, I started listening less and maybe with a little less tolerance of other people's opinions, maybe because of getting a little bit more overconfident in my own, which is sometimes what happens when you get built up," Iger told CNBC's David Faber in an exclusive interview. You will be redirected back to your article in, David Lindley Dies: Session Star And Multi-Instrumentalist With Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan Was 78, Film Independent Spirit Awards: Livestream + Latest Winners List, Will Moviegoers Lend An Ear To Children Of The Corn Remake? Not coincidentally, Chapeks naivet has already caused Disney to take shots from the left AND right on two different matters. 2023 CNBC LLC. The Florida bill hasnt factored into investors views as of yet, though the companys stock has been languishing near a 52-week low. Disney employees skew toward the pro-vaccine and anti-Dont Say Gay side, which is California, not Florida. Disney CEO Bob Iger, Here are Disney's major milestones under Bob Iger's leadership, Iger had repeatedly pushed off his retirement. "Bob's legacy in the company is just profound. Disney CEO Bob Chapek has had private phone calls this year with House Republican leaders including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek last year complained to Florida Gov. What about the Disney black list? he asked. We have a multi-language translator on the top left. Timing 'surprising' says senior analyst on Bob Iger stepping down. VIDEO 3:58 03:58. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the Eau Gallie High School aviation hangar on March 22, 2021. When you face challenges and screw up, thats totally understandable. It fit into the larger corporate campaign known as Reimagine Tomorrow, which aims to emphasize Disneys commitment to diversity and inclusion. ABC Newsrecently suspended veteran Washington correspondent David Wright for remarks he made that were captured on video byProject Veritas. Many of them chose to retire or find other jobs rather than move to Florida. The Democrat Party was visibly angry, and the media spread lies about the bill being a Dont Say Gay bill. He did not want Disney to get involved, but he was getting a lot of pressure to weigh in against the bill, DeSantis writes. Earlier this month, Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out on the pro-Trump mob attack on the US Capitol. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. A roundtable of eight Disney employees who represented many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community also shared their perspectives during the town hall. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. In addition to pledging to enlist an outside adviser to guide the companys efforts, Chapek also is creating a companywide task force led by studios SVP Global Communications Paul Roeder and Disney Parks marketing executive Lisa Becket. I feel that the truth suffers, the voters are poorly informed, and people also have the opportunity to tune into whatever they want to hear, Wright said in the video, which also featured an ABCNews producer. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Apparently, a Texas high school doesnt know what year it is and still performs a routine featuring Indianettes.. A Division of NBCUniversal. But that's neither good nor bad. ", WATCH: Disney's Bob Iger turns CEO job to Chapek. Its even possible that nobody was seriously vetting at all. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Critics have cited specific concerns over sections of the bill, including the vague wording about banning classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity that isnt age appropriate that goes beyond the language about kindergarten through third grade. Ron DeSantis said he advised former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to stay out of a political battle over legislation in his state limiting discussion of sex and gender in public schools, according to the Republican's forthcoming book. He then transitioned to the company's consumer products team in 2011 as president of Disney consumer products. This year, Mr. Chapek contended with one crisis after another, some of his own making. You can look at the comments section for any Disney discussion, and its an inevitable statement from some. And today we are opposing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review.. However, in the wake of the Dont Say Gay legislation, such a move feels like a betrayal of their values. Alas, Chapek fell too deeply in love with the idea of increasing Disney+ subscriber numbers. Chapek released Black Widow on Disney+ without checking whether the films star, Scarlett Johansson, minded. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. However, once the show started, well, it got awkward fast. The kind of people who were the jokes on Portlandia are now in charge of producing childrens entertainment in America https://t.co/auyihRcdnO, SCOOP: Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware says the company has eliminated all mentions of ladies, gentlemen, boys, and girls in its theme parks in order to create that magical moment for children who do not identify with traditional gender roles. Disney has *deep breath* eliminated Magical Express, exchanged free FastPasses for paid Lightning Lane experiences, required Park Passes, temporarily removed the dining plan and most annual passes, and raised many food/drink prices. Iger, 69, will remain with the company through 2021 to handle Disney's content initiatives such as Disney+, with the expectation that Chapek will eventually take control of all roles. Who would have ever thought Walts dream would be so screwed up. The Courage to be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival, Fidelity Finds 401Ks Lost 25% of Their Value in 2022, Biden Says He May Be a White Boy, But Hes Not Stupid, One State Will Make It illegal for Vaccinated Donors to Give Blood, Rumors Are That John Fetterman Is Essentially Brain Dead, Dr. Malone on the Possible US Role in the Development of Coronavirus, They Set Us Up! Bombshell J6 Footage Shows Metro Police Discussion, Prophylaxis Nasal Spray Might Put an End to Vaccines. The other way that Disney got hit from the left and right happened last week. Bob Chapek's time as the CEO of Disney has been tumultuous, to say the least. That has become increasingly important as streaming video slowly replaces linear pay TV and movie theaters as the dominant form of entertainment distribution. The political mistake ties back to a previous choice. In addition to pausing political donations to all Florida state representatives pending a review, Chapek also told employees in a company-wide memo that Disney would increase its support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states and is working on a new framework for its political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values.. Behind the scenes, I was not, as a father of children ages five, four, and two, comfortable with the continuation of Disneys special arrangement, DeSantis wrote in his memoir. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. But, thus far, theyve had no impact on the bottom line, as Disney just claimed its second-best park performance ever for a fiscal quarter. The company did this after adding a Fifth Key last year, Inclusion. In short, this debacle was totally avoidable. Chapek took on the role of CEO back in February of 2020 from Bob Iger, right before the entire world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Theyve invested millions of dollars in donations to political parties and more over the last 25 years, theyve given in-kind donations (like tickets to the parks and hotel But this time is different. Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. Thats not even a dig on Chapek. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via / Getty Images). Colleagues perceive former CEO Bob Iger as a highly political person with an acute mind for such situations. The actress was let go from the popular Lucasfilm and Disney series on Disney+ after she took to social media to, as Lucasfilm described it, post abhorrent material that compared the current divided political climate in the U.S. to Nazi Germany. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Chapek was replaced by longtime CEO Bob Iger in late 2022. Period. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. Chapek's promotion comes at a time when Disney is facing challenges from the global coronavirus outbreak. All of the companys three major content suppliers Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm have been publicly critical of the companys handling of the situation. He agreed that the company should stand up more for the LGBTQ+ community in pursuit of more meaningful and lasting change. An amendment from GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes that would have widened the classroom instruction ban to human sexuality, and not specifically orientation and identity, failed to pass. It hasnt gone away. Ousted Disney chief executive Bob Chapek is set to receive a hefty paycheck following his exit. Ron DeSantis over the pressure he was facing to weigh in against Floridas Parental Rights Education bill, known as the Dont Say Gay bill, according to DeSantis new memoir. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Interested in booking a Disney Vacation? Legal Statement. All Rights Reserved. "It's development of a relationship," Iger said. REUTERS. A 27-year veteran of the Walt Disney Company, Chapek, 60, has a proven track record with consumers having been instrumental in the growth of the company's parks, consumer products and studio film businesses. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. And Laurene and Steve and [Iger's wife] Willow [Bay] and I sat down at a dinner, and he toasted to the deal we had done some years earlier, convinced that it was the right thing to do for Disney and for Pixar. Californias governor has similarly stated his desire to keep Disney on the West Coast in a place that actually represents the values of your workers.. It wasn't the reason I left, but it was a contributing factor.". November 21, 2022 by Mary Bob Chapek was born Robert Alan Chapek on August 21, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. 2023 CNBC LLC. As the controversy over the Parental Rights in Education bill was coming to a head, Chapek called me. This story has been shared 151,093 times. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Disney CEO Bob Chapek admitted at Disneys 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders that he had been actively opposing the bill through back channels despite previously sending out an email to his employees claiming the company would not be taking a stance on the bill. The task force will develop strategy and action plans to engage with LGBTQ+ employees, community partners and content creators. Chapek cared too much about his needs and not enough about those of others. But Im an ally you can count on, and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility and opportunity you deserve.. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Parents would be able to sue school districts over the issue. As you might imagine, some of them are LGBTQ+ or friends/family members of those who are. At another point in the town hall, the companys HR chief addressed the Florida situation and also affirmed that the company would oppose an effort by Texas Gov. A growing number of participants in the retreat were expressing reluctance with pressing ahead given the climate at the company. HB 1557/SB 1834, dubbed the Dont Say Gay bill,would seek to ban classroom discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and has been labeled a government censorship bill by the ACLU of Florida. At first, Chapek tried to remain on the sidelines, but LGBTQ employees and advocates pressured the exec to take a stand last March, asserting that the bill was a human rights issue. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. Everyone struggles with adversity. Were all familiar with the maxim that the sum is greater than the parts. According to Fox News, in his book, The Courage to Be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival,which will be released Tuesday, DeSantis recounts a private conversation he had last year with Chapek, who had stayed silent on the bill.