However, one of them provedregrettable. Legal Statement. In a second memo to Disney workers, Chapek said Disney was suspending all political donations in Florida. "I obviously have huge shoes to fill," Chapek told CNBC's Julia Boorstin on "Closing Bell" Tuesday. 02:12. Here are Disney's major milestones under Bob Iger's leadership. Disney had already been under fire from the bills critics over its contributions to the bills GOP sponsors, including $11,000 over the last 12 years to GOP state Sen. Dennis Baxley of Ocala. Thats what has happened, though. A roundtable of eight Disney employees who represented many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community also shared their perspectives during the town hall. Ron DeSantis. Back in 2018, Danhof confronted then-CEO Iger about ABC News Joy Behar, who was under fire at the time for comments that mocked Vice President Pences Christian faith. Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was, Chapek wrote. This story has been shared 151,093 times. Fridays move came after Chapek announced in a Disney shareholder meeting Wednesday that the company would pledge $5 million to LGBTQ organizations focused on legal protections for the community a donation HRC rejected the same day. This caused #FireGinaCarano to trend and eventually, she was. "If I werent a shareholder, Id find it amusing. 02:35. In short, this debacle was totally avoidable. Bob Chapek was initially silent on Floridas controversial bill barring discussions of gender identity in school classrooms. It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights, Chapek said at the time. Abbott issued an order, which was blocked by a state judge, to have parents investigated for potential child abuse charges if their transgender children receive hormone blockers. In lieu of the management retreat, the plan is for the leadership of the media company to go on a listening tour with employees, according to a person familiar with the strategy. However, its not what Chapek said at the time. Still, if the economy ever suddenly suffered a setback, this unforced error would magnify in scope. "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.". 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.. The email said a member of his staff would hand-deliver a copy of the bill to Disneys Orlando headquarters and asked for gas money to get him there. And I think thats a world we should all live in harmony and peace., Disney+ Tops 100 Million Subscribers , CEO Bob Chapek Says. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. Many of them chose to retire or find other jobs rather than move to Florida. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. Ever since Chapek spoke up, critics on the right have condemned Disney as being too "woke" and even talked of boycotting the resort. Now, of course, taking "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. 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. 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. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via / Getty Images). Disney Chairman Bob Iger is leaving the company at the end of the month. Everyone knew that was a lie. 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. The event concluded with a fireside chat from Nadine Smith of Equality Florida and Latondra Newton, Disneys Chief Diversity Officer. The award winning agents at MickeyTravels are ready to help you book a truly magical vacation! 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. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. Those three acquisitions, which cost Disney roughly $15 billion, combined, turned Disney into an intellectual property behemoth. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the Eau Gallie High School aviation hangar on March 22, 2021. Even so, Disney has strengthened the belief that its park price increases are out of control. It sounds about right. The Wrap has reported that Imagineers have campaigned for Disney to reconsider. All Rights Reserved. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung / AP Newsroom). Wright then expounded at length on his political views. Kathleen Kennedy Cites Impact Of Women, Artists Of Color And LGBTQ On Industry Amid Disney Dont Say Gay Backlash PGA Awards. Chapek is credited for bringing Disney's home entertainment division into the digital ag Disney has gotten too expensive.. That argument is correct, independent of where you may fall on the political spectrum. Many of the workers who have agreed to go to Florida remain in California for the time being. John Oliver Calls Bob Chapeks Explanation For Disney Donations To Dont Say Gay Politicians Actively Insulting. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Republicans argued the bill protects parental rights, while Democrats and LGBTQ groups contend it was intentionally vague and could have a chilling effect on teachers and students. FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. If signed by DeSantis, the bill would prohibit discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools up to the third grade and limits it to age-appropriate students in higher grades. 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? He got played here. "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. ", FLORIDA REPUBLICANS CONDEMN 'WOKE' DISNEY, URGE MORE BOYCOTTS BY CONSERVATIVES AGAINST THE 'ACTIVIST MACHINE'. "Bob is probably the best qualified person in the company to take this job," Michael Nathanson, senior research analyst at MoffettNathanson, said on CNBC's "Closing Bell" Tuesday. Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. On top of the stock woes, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has become a punching bag for cultural critics. All Rights Reserved. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Chapek seems content to stick his head in the sand when it comes to the pervasive anti-conservative bias across ABC News, just as his predecessor Mr. Iger always was. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Asked about Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy, Chapek said he is absolutely thrilled with her and the company looks forward to having Kathy directing the activities of the entire Lucasfilm operation for many years to come.. "That was an early sign that it was time. Disney is still evil and still pushing CRT. WATCH: Disney's Bob Iger turns CEO job to Chapek. Got a confidential news tip? What Is Bob Chapek Political Party? He agreed that the company should stand up more for the LGBTQ+ community in pursuit of more meaningful and lasting change. We cant say if he told DeSantis, but why wouldnt he tell him? It sounds about right. Florida Gov. ABC News anchor Amy Robach was recorded on a hot mic claiming the network spiked a story exposing Jeffrey Epstein three years ago. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. I thought of this belief in combination with the recent political dust-up Disney experienced. Got a confidential news tip? As you might imagine, some of them are LGBTQ+ or friends/family members of those who are. 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. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. We want to hear from you! 2023 CNBC LLC. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. He was the He said the company was increasing support for advocacy We want to hear from you! Disney did not return requests for comment. Were all familiar with the maxim that the sum is greater than the parts. In it, the Disney leader said the company had not released a public statement condemning the bill, which was passed by the state legislation Tuesday and has been sent to DeSantis desk to be signed, because they are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame., Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Knowing my grandchildren will never experienced true Disney magic without political agendas. WebBob Chapek. The Human Rights Campaign echoed Pixar staff on the political contributions issue and said it wouldnt accept the donation, putting egg on Disneys face. "Look, the world is changing dramatically, and it's important for the CEO of a company to address all of those changes rapidly," Iger said. That has become increasingly important as streaming video slowly replaces linear pay TV and movie theaters as the dominant form of entertainment distribution. Chapek has a career as an American media executive. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Questionable decision-making and actions by Disney post-covid may be why a petition to fire Bob Chapek has been brought to fruition. If Disney had merely maintained the status quo, a multi-coastal business operation, none of these headlines would dominate the media. The weeklong mess also elicited criticism from the right, as Fox News picked up on the DeSantis administrations portrayal of what they derided as woke Disney trying to get the state to change its ways. TV. So, Disney had to do many of these things, and I would agree with you. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. All rights reserved. He will officially give up his chairman role at the end of the year. Despite the acrimony this month and a rare public clash last summer with an A-list star, Scarlett Johansson the company has been rebuilding after the depths of the pandemic and posted stellar financial results in February for its most recent quarter. Disney CEO Bob Chapek gets close to GOP lawmakers ahead of Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek privately complained to Florida Gov. Its only temporary and has nothing to do with the content of the comments. All of the companys three major content suppliers Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm have been publicly critical of the companys handling of the situation. "His history in all the divisions that really matter really is very supportive of him taking on that role. Most of the decisions appear understandable in isolation. 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. Bob Iger, the former Disney CEO whose decades-long tenure at the company ended in December, tweeted his opposition to the legislation weeks ago. I think my role is not to take the strategic pillars he's so well established over the last 15 years and continue to work on those and implement those in the marketplace, most importantly our direct-to-consumer initiatives, but at the same time look around the corner for what disruption might be going on in the marketplace that would necessitate a fresh look at those things.". Earlier this month, in an email to employees, Chapek apologized to workers for letting you down by not being more of an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Chapek's was named chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in 2015 and his tenure was marked by the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016, the doubling of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the addition of immersive Star Wars lands at Disneyland and Disney World, the expansion of Marvel-inspired attractions worldwide and massive development projects at Disneyland Paris. "I would consider myself a socialist,like I think there should be national health insurance," he said. Timing 'surprising' says senior analyst on Bob Iger stepping down. Iger said he's felt himself become increasingly dismissive of other people's ideas, a sign he should let someone else lead Disney. 2016 www.independentsentinel.com. Market data provided byFactset. Florida Gov. The nearly century-old company has been dragged for becoming too politically correct, famously clashing with Republican 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 2024 frontrunner: Trump wins CPAC straw poll in a landslide, Ron DeSantis skips CPAC as organization faces scandals, Florida bill would require bloggers writing about DeSantis to share pay info, DeSantis rips other GOPers for acting like potted plants in face of woke ideology fight: report, Chapek, who had stayed silent on the bill, re-evaluate Disneys special tax district, called Reedy Creek, signing a law to strip Disney World of its Reedy Creek control on Monday. 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 stays) to political parties, and theyve hired lobbyists. "Bob [Chapek] is going to address them probably differently perhaps than I may have. Disney allowed the drill team to perform based on an audition tape it had sent. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. He did not want Disney to get involved, but he was getting a lot of pressure to weigh in against the bill, DeSantis writes. Unfortunately, theresnothing inclusive about the Dont Say Gay bill. Iger credited his ability to get founders to sell him assets to his intense focus on building personal relationships. Before joining Disney, Chapek worked in brand management at ketchup maker H.J. However, once the show started, well, it got awkward fast. I havent seen anything like this before.. ABC News declined to comment when reached by Fox News. 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. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. In addition to addressing Disney directly, Madison also acknowledged that the issue is much larger than the single company. When you face challenges and screw up, thats totally understandable. Contribution 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. As many of its LGBTQ+ employees get set for a full-day walkout Tuesday, Disney has decided to postpone a management retreat set for next week as it continues efforts to calm internal waters. REUTERS. 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. This performance should never have gone forward. Im a devout believer that the least excusable mistakes stem from self-inflicted wounds and unforced errors. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. 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? Home; Video; Trump Investigations; Right Wing Extremism; Opinion; Impeachment; Corruption; Foreign Policy; 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Chapek and his team had decided that Florida made more sense as a home base. While Chapek said he spoke with DeSantis by phone and would meet with him, DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said Thursday no in-person meeting had been scheduled. Chapek's promotion comes at a time when Disney is facing challenges from the global coronavirus outbreak. Critics have depicted the bill as hurtful to LGBTQ inclusiveness and dubbed it the "Don't Say Gay" bill. Chapek has been overseeing the company's parks, experiences and products division since those divisions were combined in 2018. Chapek is in the third-year of a three-year contract as CEO that expires in February. The pressure from the WOKE cancel culture was vicious. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek privately complained to Florida Gov. Market data provided by Factset. Disney CEO Bob Chapek downplayed criticism of ABC News. The other way that Disney got hit from the left and right happened last week. In addition to what all Americans witness on a daily basis, Project Veritas has recently exposed numerous examples of ABC journalists admitting that the network bosses repeatedly spike positive stories on President Trump, Danhof said. 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. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. The exec is continuing to try to put the company on more stable footing after its response to Floridas Dont Say Gay bill met with fierce backlash internally and in influential pockets of the talent community. "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. But this time is different. Unclassified cookies are cookies that we are in the process of classifying, together with the providers of individual cookies. Interested in booking a Disney Vacation? Iger sat down for an exclusive interview with CNBC's David Faber. this site provides a list of businesses that are too woke and could cancel a client or a contract just for ones opinions on LGBTQ or race or something like that. In a letter sent to Disney workers, Chapek said the bill was not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights., You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down, he wrote. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Many of the calls Its just a bit more subtle. DeSantis signed the bill into law last March 28, which prompted Disney to publicly rip the new law and stand with Disneys LGBTQ employees and advocates in Florida. 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. (Getty Images. WebOn Monday, Chapek sent a Morrell-approved company-wide email claiming that he preferred to speak through Disney content and behind-the-scenes machinations. What about the Disney black list? he asked. Who would have ever thought Walts dream would be so screwed up. All Rights Reserved. You can look at the comments section for any Disney discussion, and its an inevitable statement from some. I think change, I think generally speaking, change is good. The bias is blatant.. A Division of NBCUniversal. It states that "classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.". Starting immediately, we are increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states, Chapek wrote, possibly referring to a similar measure proposed in Georgia and bills targeting transgender children in Texas and Idaho. VIDEO 3:58 03:58. Of course, nobody does that unless they understand political machinations. 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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. Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek apologized to employees at the company for the companys handling of Floridas so-called Dont Say Gay bill and said that it would 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. In that scenario, someone less experienced with vetting is in charge. While the Walt Disney Company and its executives had a right to indulge in woke activism, Florida did not have to place the company on a pedestal while they do so especially when the companys activism impacted the rights of parents and the well-being of children, DeSantis added. Carano last month raised the issue of a double standard in an interview with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, noting that Pascal was not fired for a 2018 tweet comparing undocumented children in cages in the U.S. to Jews in concentration camps. During the pandemic, Disney has ramped up its usage of high school performers at theme parks, especially Magic Kingdom. If you dont see your language, email sara@independentsentinel.com we will add it. Chief executive Bob Chapek doesnt think so. Chapek allegedly told him he didnt want to get involved but hadnt seen anything like it, but thats not what he said in public. This site uses different types of cookies. He was the executive, he executes policy, no one else. We get pressured all the time, Chapek told DeSantis, according to the governors book. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. Disney CEO Bob Iger, Here are Disney's major milestones under Bob Iger's leadership, Iger had repeatedly pushed off his retirement. This choice cost her tens of millions of dollars, as her contract rewarded her with a split of box office revenue. Chapek is a liar. Chapek didnt speak to the Carano incident directly but said Disney stands for values that are universal: respect, decency, integrity and inclusion and we seek to have the content that we make reflective of the rich diversity of the world we live in. ABC NEWS' AMY ROBACH CAUGHT ON HOT MIC SAYING NETWORK SPIKED HER EPSTEIN BOMBSHELL, Danhof asked Chapek directly, What steps can you take to return objectivity to ABC and when can we expect to see balanced coverage return?.