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February 12, 2004
Spoiling for a Fight
Here in Los Angeles, I pay little attention to the entertainment industry, but the news of the Comcast hostile bid for Disney will have people talking so loud that it will be hard to ignore.
I know a little bit about Disney, primarily from the disgruntled employees that seem to stream out of that joint who cross my path. A family friend, M who lives in Long Beach, left the company several years ago and still wrinkles her nose when Disney is mentioned. 'Mousewitz' is what she called it.
At a particularly low point in my career, I actually interviewed to work there. I knew that there was a huge SAP project going on across multiple feifdoms and that they would soon be in dire need of some serious BI work. But they suffered under the delusion that I would trade dollars for Disney passes. HA! At any rate, I couldn't be bothered to tackle that giant, even though it would have been a prize worth claiming. Working for a stovepipe organization with a reputation for nasty political infighting and working people to death was not a good deal on balance.
I'm sure there are other folks with takes on Disney and I hope we hear them. But if I were able to wager, I'd bet the current inmates of Disney would be glad to have a new corporate parent. But knowing what I do of the ruthlessness of Disney Management, it's going to be a big fight.
Posted by mbowen at February 12, 2004 03:05 PM
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Comments
I wonder if Roy Disney has anything to do with this Comcast bid. He hates Eisner and has been after him for a year now. Could be that he sees this a the best means for removing Eisner.
Posted by: walter at February 12, 2004 02:48 PM
Roy Disney's comments on the Comcast deal can be found on his website, SaveDisney.com. Here's a sampling:
"The Comcast presentation today highlighted many of the same issues that we have raised for weeks with shareholders. The areas Comcast listed as needing improvement are basically the same ones we have highlighted - animation, the theme parks, ABC and the ABC Family Channel.
...
Today's action by Comcast makes it more important than ever that shareholders send a message to management and the Board by withholding their votes on Michael Eisner, John Bryson, George Mitchell and Judith Estrin. Disney's shareholders deserve a board that looks at what is best for the company and its shareholders."
I don't think Roy Disney and Stanley Gold are behind the Comcast attempted buyout. More likely, I think Comcast has been eyeing Disney for some time, and the Roy Disney and Stanley Gold stuff has given Comcast ammunition to throw at Disney shareholders.
Posted by: BTD Greg at February 13, 2004 07:52 AM