It’s been no secret that the CEO change at the Walt Disney Company in 2020 was very sudden and unexpected. Since then there has been somewhat of a different attitude at the company. Both former CEO Bob Iger and current CEO Bob Chapek both have different methods and ideologies in doing business. But apparently the differenced between the two were so different that neither of them are on speaking terms.
Originally the two seemed to be working well together during the initial transition of power. At the March 2020 shareholder’s meeting Iger stated his thoughts about about Chapek taking over:
“I can’t think of a better person to succeed me in this role.“
Chapek replied with:
“I’ve watched Iger lead this company to amazing new heights, and I’ve learned an enormous amount from that experience“
But one month after the meeting in an interview with New York Times writer, Ben Smith, via email Iger stated that he would remain at the company for a little longer due to the then recent COVID-19 outbreak. Iger stated in the email:
“A crisis of this magnitude, and its impact on Disney, would necessarily result in my actively helping Chapek and the company contend with it, particularly since I ran the company for 15 years.“
This apparently infuriated Chapel as he didn’t want any assistance from the former CEO.
One witness who claims to be close to the situation stated:
“It was a turning-point moment”
Since then neither have apparently spoken with each other. Even while Iger was still at the company there was a point where the two stopped talking instead of work together own certain issues. Since then the company has had a number of controversies like the Scarlett Johansson lawsuit, the Disney park price hikes, Genie+, the Galactic Starcruiser and now the issue in Florida.
Both men come from different methodologies. While Iger wanst to put on a grand show and be front and center Chapek wants to keep the company’s finances in check and keep out of political issues.Â
Bob Iger reportedly regrets how the transition of power went about but his has stated that he will not be returning to the company.
Bob Chapek has a lot of pressure on him right now and is currently disliked by both fans and staff. His CEO contract is set to expire in 2023. Hopefully he’ll be able to turn the bad PR around or, as some speculate, it could cost him his job.
Source: WDW News Today, CNBC
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