Bob Iger comments on his extended contract as Walt Disney CEO in memo to Cast Members

Jul 12, 2023 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Bob Iger at Walt Disney World

Posted: Wednesday July 12, 2023 8:08pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney CEO Bob Iger has written to Cast Members sharing the news of his contract extension which will see him lead the company through 2026.

In the memo, Iger says, "We’ve made important and sometimes difficult decisions to address some existing structural and efficiency issues, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together. But there is more to accomplish before this transformative work is complete, and I am committed to seeing this through."

When Iger regained control of Disney from Bob Chapek in November 2022, his agreement with the board was to lead the company for two years and find his successor. Since his arrival, several high-profile executives have left, including one leading potential successor, CFO Christine McCarthy.

Bob Iger at Walt Disney World

We expect to hear more about his contract extension during a TV appearance with CNBC on Thursday morning.

Here is the full memo from Iger.

Dear Fellow Employees,

I want to thank you for your tremendous dedication, patience, and optimism as we’ve taken important steps to reposition the company for enduring creative and financial success. Since my return to Disney just seven months ago, I’ve examined virtually every facet of our businesses to fully understand the tremendous opportunities before us, as well as the challenges we face on numerous fronts.

We’ve made important and sometimes difficult decisions to address some existing structural and efficiency issues, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together. But there is more to accomplish before this transformative work is complete, and I am committed to seeing this through.

To that end, I’m writing to share that I have agreed to the Disney Board’s request to remain CEO for an additional two years – through the end of 2026.

As I’ve said many times since we began this important transformation of the company, our progress will not be linear as we continue navigating a difficult economic environment and the tectonic shifts occurring in our industry. This is a moment that requires us to remain steadfast, strategic, and clear-eyed about the road ahead.

It is also important to me that Disney is strongly positioned when my successor takes the helm. As the Board continues to evaluate a highly qualified slate of internal and external candidates, I remain intensely focused on a successful CEO transition.

Through it all, I am unwaveringly optimistic about Disney’s future. I believe in this company. I believe in the leadership team I have around me. And I believe in you – our spectacular employees and Cast Members. It’s an honor to work alongside you as we chart Disney’s path forward together, and I look forward to all that we will continue to achieve over the coming years.

Thank you for all you do,
Bob

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BrianLo17 days ago

Not at all. Comcast wanted Fox and Disney wanted Sky. They both lost something, but Roberts only got the stinker and Dis was bid up unnecessarily. The only one who truly came out on top was Murdoch. Unless I’m misunderstanding you and you think Comcast didn’t want Fox?

Lilofan17 days ago

Not too shabby Iger and his wife bought the Angel soccer team for $250M.

monothingie17 days ago

You're incorrectly assuming that the Fox/Disney was not serious about pursuing the remainder of Sky. "Another source told CNBC that Comcast executives thought there was a decent chance Fox was simply bluffing and didn’t actually want Sky at all. But bidding £15.67 per share suggested Disney did, in fact, want Sky. Otherwise it would have bid much lower in Round 3, the source said." Fox/Disney wanted Sky. Yes they raised the price, but that's what a bidding war does. Unlike the Disney acquisition bidding war over Fox, Dis actually benefited from Comcast’s overpayment. Comcast has also already written down 8.6B, which is technically an admittance of having overpaid. Only the Indian sub arm of the Fox acquisition has yielded an impairment thus far for Dis and that was only 1.5B. I won’t lie that Brian Robert’s successfully intervened with probably a steal Iger had negotiated. Not probably, I know it was worth more than 54B since they’ve divested 35+ and Hulu is worth at least 8.9… but Roberts was the far bigger loser in the matter thus far… Hindsight and such makes it very easy to look back and tell people what they should have done almost a decade earlier.

Nevermore52517 days ago

Yeah the content spend for D+ is much better with what their current revenue is. They still have high SG&A costs for streaming.

BrianLo17 days ago

This is also incorrect. Sky’s value was bid up 14.75B by a back and forth between Fox, Comcast and Disney. The Fox acquisition was technically 18.9B bid up. The original Sky agreement was for Fox to acquire the remainder of the shares at £10.75 per share. When all was said and done Comcast had bid up to £17.72; and was buying the whole thing, it wasn’t already sitting on Fox’s portion since it lost the other bidding war. Unlike the Disney acquisition bidding war over Fox, Dis actually benefited from Comcast’s overpayment. Comcast has also already written down 8.6B, which is technically an admittance of having overpaid. Only the Indian sub arm of the Fox acquisition has yielded an impairment thus far for Dis and that was only 1.5B. I won’t lie that Brian Robert’s successfully intervened with probably a steal Iger had negotiated. Not probably, I know it was worth more than 52.4B since they’ve divested 35+ and Hulu is worth at least 8.9… but Roberts was the far bigger loser in the matter thus far…

flynnibus17 days ago

More significantly- they are delivering on the promised turnarounds - like reduced d+ spending and the return of the dividend. I assume the d+ margin is on track too (didn’t see news yet)

Nevermore52517 days ago

Last 4 Quarters of profit for the company overall was the best since 2018, so makes sense the dividend would see a bump for shareholders.

BrianLo17 days ago

I know this is a little old, but you didn’t get a response. These are the major divestures; Sky - 15 Fox Sports 10.6 YES - 3.5 Endemol - 2.2 Star - 3B Spinoff + 1.5B impairment These are the ones I can’t find numbers on; True(X), Fox Next, TeleColombia, FoxSports Mexico, A&E Europe, Argentinian FoxSports Penguins number may have been a tad generous in the assumption, but yours is too low. It’s at least 35B and change.

DCBaker17 days ago

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-walt-disney-company-declares-cash-dividend-of-1-00-per-share.985207/

HauntedPirate26 days ago

Allegedly this money is earmarked for the futbol club he and Willow bought.

Magic Crush Drop27 days ago

Not being subtle at all.

Doberge27 days ago

The interview with Good Morning America where Bob is asked if he's more Pua or Hei Hei and he answers, "I'm not sure... I'm more Maui, right? Demigod." 😏

Robbiem27 days ago

He really is turning into the corporate villain from a 70s Disney movie, he needs to meet some children trying to save their home to teach him how to enjoy life. Maybe they give him Herbie as his corporate car?