Bob Iger, the recently returned CEO of The Walt Disney Company, has been named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2023.[0] In an interview with TIME, Iger discussed the future of Disney, the current challenges, creativity, and the feud between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.[0] The ongoing feud began when Disney denounced Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill last year, which prompted DeSantis to sign legislation giving the state control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special governing body that handles Walt Disney World property.[1] Despite the conflict, Iger stated that Disney’s goal in Florida is to continue creating value for all constituencies and that the company has the desire to invest there to grow the business.
Iger, who was CEO of Disney from 2005 to early 2020, returned to lead the company in November 2022 after his hand-picked successor Bob Chapek failed to inspire the confidence of shareholders and the board.[2] Since his return, Iger has overseen a series of layoffs and the firing of top Marvel Entertainment executive Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter, who backed activist investor Nelson Peltz in his fight for a board seat at Disney.[3] Iger stated that Perlmutter’s removal was a necessary step in creating a more efficient company and was not due to his support of Peltz.
In the TIME interview, Iger emphasized the impact of Walt Disney World on Florida, calling it “one of the most ambitious things Walt Disney ever did” and a major tourist destination that employs over 75,000 people and brings in millions of visitors and dollars to the state.[4] Mary Barra, CEO of GM and Disney board member, praised Iger’s leadership and inclusion on the TIME 100 list, saying that he has led landmark acquisitions, championed culture-defining films, launched innovative distribution platforms, and delivered strong financial results while never forgetting the employees and fans who make it all possible.[5]
Despite the ongoing conflict with Governor DeSantis, Iger expressed a willingness to meet with the governor and discuss the situation. He stated that his goal is to create value for all constituencies and that Disney has the desire and wherewithal to invest and grow the business in Florida. Iger’s return as CEO has brought stability and a focus on priorities to the company, and he emphasized the importance of deciding on opportunities and organizing people and the company to pursue them in order to achieve success.
0. “Disney CEO Bob Iger Named One of Time’s 100 Most Influential People and Discusses the Future, Creativity, and Feud …” DAPS MAGIC, 13 Apr. 2023, https://dapsmagic.com/2023/04/disney-ceo-bob-iger-named-one-of-times-100-most-influential-people-and-discusses-the-future-creativity-and-feud-with-desantis
1. “Disney CEO Iger makes Time 100 ‘most influential people’ list” Yahoo News, 13 Apr. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/disney-ceo-iger-makes-time-220100259.html
2. “Disney CEO Bob Iger says he’d be ‘glad’ to meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis” Daily Mail, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11974143/Disney-CEO-Bob-Iger-says-hed-glad-meet-Gov-Ron-DeSantis.html
3. “Bob Iger says he’s willing to meet with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis about Disney World: ‘I do not view this as a going-to-mattresses situation’” Fortune, 14 Apr. 2023, https://fortune.com/2023/04/14/bob-iger-ron-desantis-florida-disney-world-go-to-the-mattresses/
4. “Bob Iger Addresses Ike Perlmutter Firing, Says He’d Be “Glad” to Meet With Ron DeSantis” Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2023, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/bob-iger-ike-perlmutter-ron-desantis-1235373351/
5. “TIME Magazine Names Disney CEO Bob Iger to 2023 ‘TIME100’ List” thedisneyblog.com, 13 Apr. 2023, https://thedisneyblog.com/2023/04/13/time-magazine-names-disney-ceo-bob-iger-to-2023-time100-list/
