Big changes are on the way for the Walt Disney Company.
©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
Bob Iger, the current Chairman of the Disney Company, will be stepping down at the end of this year. His replacement has already been announced, though one media analyst thinks Iger’s time with Disney isn’t over yet. Recently Iger sat down with CNBC and shared some details about why he chose to step down from his CEO role and what he’s got planned for the future.
Chairman of the Disney Company and former CEO, Bob Iger, recently met with David Faber from CNBC for an interview. In talking about leaving Disney Iger told CNBC that he started thinking about stepping down from the CEO position after feeling like he was starting to listen “less and maybe with a little less tolerance of other people’s opinions, maybe because of getting a little bit more overconfident in [his] own.”
Bob Iger and Adam Silver ©Disney
Iger shared that he felt like he was invalidating points from others too quickly because he had “heard every argument before.” But as he reflected on the answers he was giving to others, he realized that times change and he was possibly saying “no” to others’ arguments too quickly. Iger said, “I became a little bit more dismissive in other people’s opinions than I should have been…That was an early sign that it was time. It wasn’t the reason I left, but it was a contributing factor.”
According to Variety, Iger said he’s being resolute about his decision to leave the company this time. He said “I haven’t once second-guessed it or hesitated.”
Iger stepped down from his CEO position in 2020 but has stayed on as chairman of the company. Iger will step down from that role at the end of 2021, and the individual who will replace him has already been named.
Bob Iger presenting a model of Shanghai Disneyland
Bob Chapek currently serves as Disney’s CEO, having taken over after Bob Iger stepped down. When talking to CNBC, at one point Iger noted that the world is changing and that it’s important for the CEO of a company to be able to address those changes. Iger shared that Bob Chapek may address those changes differently than he (meaning Iger) would have, but he noted that this difference is neither good nor bad. Overall, Iger said that he generally feels change is good.
Bob Iger ©New York Post
One of the biggest aspects of the legacy Iger will leave at Disney is the amount of acquisitions made during his time there. CNBC notes that acquiring Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, and LucasFilm turned Disney “into an intellectual property behemoth.” This was all particularly influential as Disney started its streaming service, and it has continued to prove critical to the streaming service’s success.
Click here to see what Iger said Disney+ needs in order to succeed.
Iger shared that one big reason why he was able to get some of these companies to sell Disney their assets was his focus on creating personal relationships.
He noted that he also had to convince the individuals who were selling their assets that Disney wouldn’t disappoint them once their products were integrated into the Disney brand.
Bob Iger ©Bloomberg
In terms of the future, Iger noted that when “this dream finally ends” and he steps away from the company, it’ll be time for him to have a “blank canvas.” He said his wife has a full-time job and his kids are out of the house, so he’ll be keeping busy. What’s on Iger’s plate? He shared that he’s doing some selective investing, would like the chance to advise those working on startups, plans to write a new book, will likely do some speaking, and then will just see where life takes him.
Iger told Variety that nothing is left on his agenda at this point, at least in terms of business. He sent a farewell note to employees and Cast Members telling them to “always keep the creative fires burning.” Iger also shared that he’s looking forward to unplugging and getting a “real” day off. In a previous interview with Variety, Iger shared that he has no interest in running another company and answered “no” when asked if he could imagine doing something full-time again.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage
When asked about his former presidential interests, Iger told Variety that is off the table now and that he is “over it.”
To see a piece of Iger’s interview With CNBC, check out the video below.
What’s next for Bob Iger after more than 47 years at Disney? “It’s time for me to have a blank canvas,” he tells @davidfaber. pic.twitter.com/nqbaqJluPQ
— CNBC (@CNBC) December 21, 2021
And you can hear another clip from the interview as he discusses streaming and more in the video below.
CNBC's @davidfaber visits to preview his exclusive interview with @Disney Chairman @RobertIger, who makes his exit from the company at the end of the year 🐭 "App-based entertainment in the home is replacing the linear channel consumption in the home," Iger says. pic.twitter.com/FC8mkqzw37
— TechCheck (@CNBCTechCheck) December 21, 2021
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more information from Iger’s interview on CNBC and we’ll update this post. Check back for all the latest Disney news.
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As a retired cast member may I say Bob Iger was an incredible leader with an absolute protective passion for the brand. His influence will always remain a major impression on all who had the privilege of working with and for him. Thank you Mr Iger for the magic you made and allowed others to share.
Bob Iger saying that he did well personal personal relationships
If that is true then he should stay to run
Disney and create these relationship with actual Disney customers
The every day people who love Disney. See things from our side of things
We traveled from New York for the opening of Disney World in October 1971
We have seen many hinges over the years but the lat couple of years the changes were not good one for the everyday customer, park reservation,
Black otter dates for all except the most expensive annual pass, I could go on with many more things. Bring back Mr. iger and have him create his personal relationship with us
Hopefully with Iger gone they will stop playing politics and being so woke. And go back to an open minded “happiest place on earth” business again.
It’s interesting. I remember when Iger came in. I thought maybe Micheal Eisner had overstayed his welcome. Then things at the Disney Parks got worse year over year from the day he left and I’ve been praying for Iger to go. Now, every aspect of the Disney experience seems to be getting worse from price hikes, fewer inclusives, worse product quality, etc.
I thought it couldn’t get worse from Iger but they seem to be trying their best to prove it can.
Disney is huge. They won’t go broke overnight. That said, they were a hair’s width from being chopped up and sold for parts within my lifetime (and I’m not THAT old). None of the top 10 companies from 1900 are still at the top and most aren’t in biz at all. No one is safe forever.
I’m really glad to hear him admit that it was hard for him to listen to others opinions and ideas. That is really difficult for people in every day life to do, much less a CEO. I must admit, when I heard him make what I considered a disparaging remark against Expedition Everest, I was a little concerned. I’m glad that he is thinking about the future of the company and wasn’t afraid to admit it was time for him to go.
It was time for Iger to leave. Other than bringing Steve Jobs and Pixar into the fold, he really was not guest focused like Eisner was. Michael was heralded as the second coming,0f Walt Disney, something that Eiger could not come close to. I was happy to see him go, and the new team will surely founder in his wake as he changed the direction of Disney and the parks forever. Good bye Bob, we will not miss you like we do Michael.