Bob Chapek vs. Bob Iger is again, child! The most recent building is this saga virtually performed out in a real court docket and no longer simply by the use of palace intrigue in Hollywood and fiscal media. This text stocks some fascinating anecdotes from Disney’s Bob Change™️ and the Fight of the Bobs by the use of long article that paperwork how the drama opened up due to new interviews with the Bobs’ colleagues, pals, and spokespeople.
That is the the primary there were any main new trends in all of this in over a yr–twelve months and two days, to be actual. It’s the second one time we’ve actually been handled to Chapek’s model of occasions on this complete sordid affair, making for a fascinating and no more one-sided abstract.
If you happen to’ve simply joined Bob vs. Bob already in development, you’re in for a deal with. We aren’t going to recap the entirety that has transpired, however right here’s a snappy refresher. After being named CEO in early 2020, Disney Fired CEO Bob Chapek and Rehired Bob Iger as CEO again in November 2022. That article recapped this saga courting again to 2020 and coated why we weren’t shocked via this building.
There have been numerous next trends within the Fight of the Bobs that trickled out over the process the final two years, however the Disney drama have been coloured via Bob Iger bias. It used to be obtrusive that the Iger camp used to be offering background, whilst Chapek stored just about totally silent.
This is, till round this time final yr when information “broke” that Bob Chapek Claimed Being Disney CEO Was once 3 Years of Hell, However He Puppy a Hippo. That used to be very obviously written in coordination with the Chapek camp, and albeit, it nonetheless made him glance incompetent. Certain, it additionally made Bob Iger glance dangerous, nevertheless it used to be roughly outstanding that this used to be the most productive Chapek had as his rebuttal within the smear marketing campaign.
It seems that it wasn’t. The brand new-for-September 2024 piece within the New York Occasions is the lengthiest, maximum complete, and pro-Chapek piece thus far. The entire saga has been equivalent portions Succession and Sport of Thrones…or a sequel to DisneyWar. Oh, and this actual NYT piece has a byline from the creator of DisneyWar!
I discovered the most recent lengthy learn, The Palace Coup on the Magic Kingdom, to be very interesting and extremely attractive. If you happen to’re new to this saga, you’re in for a deal with–and are at an advantage studying that than this submit. Simply being fair–James Stewart and Brooks Barnes can write circles round me.
Then again, in case you aren’t new to this, truthful caution–it has about 95% overlap with the hippo piece from this identical time final yr. For the reason that and because that is like our twenty third article at the Fight of the Bobs, I’m going to chop to the chase and concentrate on among the most enticing revelations.
It is smart to begin at first, which is that the object reiterates the Chapek being selected as Iger’s successor and the speeded up plan for him to take the helm as CEO started in December 2019, used to be cemented in January 2020, and had not anything to do with COVID.
I’m sorry, however I simply don’t consider this. Each Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland closed in January 2020–one complete month sooner than the abrupt announcement that Iger used to be stepping down, efficient instantly, to get replaced via Bob Chapek. The perception that Iger would go away the helm with such a lot unfinished trade, with out an externality simply traces credulity. Iger is all about his legacy and stepping away in early 2020 makes completely no sense from that viewpoint, however for COVID.
As we’ve maintained for the reason that starting, Iger noticed the writing at the wall in early 2020. Articles with within data from 2020 and 2021 make obtrusive that Iger didn’t truly wish to retire, and wouldn’t have however for COVID. Chapek used to be selected as an issue of expediency–to be the hatchet guy who made unpopular and difficult choices to get the Walt Disney Corporate thru a tricky time sooner than the triumphant go back of Iger.
I consider Iger, Chapek, and the board had talks about succession in 2019. Certain, why no longer. Iger talked about that so much. However given the entirety we learn about Iger and doable successors over time, it’s curious that that is simply authorized via the media as how issues opened up. Whether or not Chapek used to be arrange as a fall man or a witting and keen player within the procedure is extra of an open query.
Apart from this, there are much more anti-Iger statements and colour statement in the most recent piece, which is most likely geared toward higher steadiness. From earlier reporting, we already knew that Bob Chapek seen his tenure at Disney as “3 years of hell,” outlined via one overriding theme: common worry that Iger sought after his activity again.
This reiterates that, whilst additionally including background to the drama and backstabbing that performed out between the Bobs, and the way the board acted as an middleman. The overall sense of this is Chapek used to be informed to be deferential to Iger to start with given his enjoy and relationships, however over the years, the board was extra sympathetic to Chapek. A minimum of, till they weren’t.
None of that is going to wonder someone who has paid any stage of consideration to this saga. It’s all fully plausible, and precisely what you’d be expecting given what has pop out up to now. A few of this makes Iger glance dangerous–petty, vindictive, and not able to cede his grab at the throne. It in fact makes us mildly sympathetic to Chapek!
In different instances, Iger being arms on and taking the wheel, so as to talk, is fully anticipated given Chapek’s loss of enjoy and his many unforced mistakes. In spite of this being a long article, there’s such a lot that’s been coated in other places that’s glossed over briefly right here–the Solid Member furloughs and value will increase, specifically, are evoked as disputes over which Iger used to be 100% proper and vindicated on virtually instantly. If anything else, most likely Iger will have to’ve been extra assertive and arms on.
There also are issues for which Chapek is unfairly maligned. The massive one is Disney’s streaming losses. It used to be all the time the plan for Disney+ to lose cash because it chased subscriber numbers and expansion over profitability. Chapek doubled down in this on the behest of Wall Side road, and when he had no different choices whilst the parks had been closed and streaming subscriptions had been exploding.
It used to be completely the fitting transfer on the time, and person who used to be rewarded via Wall Side road…till it wasn’t. Any individual who used to be harsh about the ones billion-dollar streaming losses in 2022 both essentially misunderstood what used to be taking place, or did perceive, however had unfairly moved the goalposts.
That used to be simply one in every of a number of Chapek-era choices that has been unfairly vilified. He used to be compelled to make numerous tricky and unpopular choices as a result of the ones had been the one playing cards he needed to play. Admittedly, I didn’t like numerous the ones as a fan, however understood them given the cases. However after all, Chapek additionally made it very tough to shield the ones choices as a result of he did such an abysmal activity of that himself. His horrible messaging used to be a legal responsibility on a number of events, and he had a knack for making a nasty state of affairs in some way worse.
One of the crucial largest tidbits from the NYT piece is that Chapek employed Bryan Freedman, a legal professional in Los Angeles recognized for dealing with high-profile media departures, after he used to be fired via Disney. Mr. Freedman instructed Chapek that he had “an overly sturdy criminal declare towards Bob Iger for illegally interfering along with his skill to do his activity.”
Then again, Chapek informed the lawyer that his youngsters and grandchildren had been a “Disney circle of relatives” and he couldn’t deliver himself to report a lawsuit that would possibly harm the corporate, consistent with Mr. Freedman.
The object additionally signifies that Chapek has felt “muzzled via a severance settlement” and stayed within the background within the face of what he considers unflattering, unfair and, in some instances, misguided accounts of his management. Despite the fact that Chapek joined the board of a scientific era company, the object signifies that few different alternatives have come his manner.
I don’t doubt that Chapek employed an lawyer or feels that manner. A few issues, despite the fact that. First, there’s almost certainly extra to the tale. If I rent an lawyer and in the long run don’t pursue criminal motion, after all my lawyer goes to supply a face-saving observation on my behalf. An lawyer that publicly bad-mouths their very own purchasers is an lawyer who doesn’t get a lot long run paintings.
Now not handiest that, however you don’t rent an lawyer to judge doable criminal recourse if in case you have 0 intentions of doing anything else. It’s no longer like some ambulance chaser propositioned Chapek suddenly and he close it down with an admirable, “no, we’re a Disney circle of relatives, I will be able to’t harm the corporate I really like even though it hates me.” This used to be a calculated determination made via Chapek after measured deliberation, analysis, and steering. (Laborious to consider Chapek did any of the ones issues given his observe report for the complete opposite at Disney, however being fired and publicly humiliated has some way of humbling a person.)
Much more likely, Chapek used to be instructed that he had a possible case however that there used to be a good likelihood that he would no longer be successful. That it could be pricey, play out in extremely visual model within the press, and additional remove darkness from his many errors as CEO. That he would once more be outmaneuvered via media-savvy Iger at each flip. That it could be tough for the occupation of his son, who’s a manufacturer at Surprise. Lovely simple determination to not sue from that viewpoint.
However, perhaps the reason is a ways more effective: Chapek signed up for a Disney+ trial and will’t sue!
As for Chapek feeling muzzled, it’s very tough to take that declare significantly for the reason that the 2 largest articles within the Fight of the Bobs within the final 367 days have obviously had extra involvement from his camp than Iger’s. If Chapek doesn’t like the best way he’s portrayed within the media, he will have to glance no additional than within the replicate. This is Chapek being portrayed in essentially the most flattering gentle, and it’s nonetheless lovely dangerous. For excellent explanation why, as his tenure as CEO used to be a trainwreck!
Once more, I do really feel slight sympathy for Chapek. He used to be no longer arrange for good fortune, and used to be thrown headfirst right into a state of affairs that will’ve been tough for even a talented and skilled government. Having Iger breathe down his neck handiest exacerbated this. Possibly issues would’ve performed out in a different way if Iger didn’t step down in 2020, however as an alternative stayed during the hurricane, started the succession procedure then, and left the corporate in early 2022.
Individually, I believe the method would’ve been the other–and a lot better–however the finish outcome nonetheless would’ve been the similar. Chapek don’t have been CEO via the top of 2022. As a result of he by no means would’ve been selected as CEO within the first position; Bob Iger would’ve learned the mistake of his tactics and selected anyone else had been he no longer in the sort of rush to call a successor in early 2020.
A few random tidbits from the object. It confirms that Iger demanded former CFO Christine McCarthy’s resignation. Disney’s respectable line when this came about used to be that she used to be taking scientific go away, however we speculated that she used to be being compelled out.
Any other merchandise of hobby: Josh D’Amaro’s identify doesn’t seem within the article in any respect. It’s almost certainly excellent for his long run potentialities that he’s no longer swept up on this drama, nevertheless it’s additionally fascinating that one of the vital heads operating an instrumental department throughout this time-frame didn’t advantage even a passing point out. The parks arise so much, however D’Amaro, on no account.
There’s additionally extra colour statement that cements Iger opting for Chapek as his successor because the “worst mistake” of his occupation. There’s one March 2020 anecdote of Chapek sitting via himself at the corporate jet clear of everybody else throughout what will have to’ve been a briefing. It culminates on this: “Mr. Iger all at once felt as though he had been on the wedding ceremony altar with the bride strolling down the aisle. He learned he’d made a horrible mistake. But it surely used to be too past due.”
It’s obtrusive that Iger had purchaser’s regret with Chapek. Then again, it’s additionally transparent that he used to be a recognized amount! Each Bobs knew that Chapek lacked Iger’s air of mystery and wasn’t a herbal communicator. Even Chapek said that he had low “E.Q.,” or emotional intelligence. Iger steered him to paintings in this, and recommended he time table one-on-ones with the board to increase rapport and lay out his imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Disney.
One in every of my favourite strains from all of the NYT piece is in fact a photograph caption: “Mr. Chapek incessantly informed pals that he had low ‘E.Q.,’ or emotional intelligence. To come back throughout as extra personable, he interacted extra incessantly with theme park visitors and petted a hippo.”
There’s simply one thing barely absurd but absolute best concerning the CEO of one in every of The usa’s maximum iconic and public-facing firms overtly admitting this after which seeking to cope with the problem in the ones tactics. An actual chef’s kiss caption.
Suffice to mention, it’s tough to consider that Iger didn’t know precisely what he used to be getting with Bob Chapek. It seems like an eternity in the past, however Bob Chapek used to be well known amongst Disney theme park enthusiasts and used to be extensively disliked even sooner than 2020. That is regardless of Chapek presiding over Parks & Inns throughout an period of growth. That is particularly at odds with fan reaction to different executives–Bob Iger used to be loved on the time, as had been the person lodge advanced presidents and park VPs.
A few of this will also be hand-waved away as enthusiasts having an interloper view of the corporate, and viewing issues in simplistic and reductionist phrases. It’s simple for enthusiasts to view issues as a excellent/dangerous dichotomy, and bosses as heroes and villains. However truthfully, that’s kinda the purpose right here. All of us noticed that Chapek lacked emotional intelligence, air of mystery and beauty.
This could also be why it’s tricky to be sympathetic against Bob Chapek. I’m no longer going to belabor the incalculable x-factors he lacked right here, as that’s one thing he up to now mentioned at duration in Bob Chapek Did Now not “Get” Disney. Then again, I can upload that it wasn’t merely superficial. There are lots of different causes, together with substantive tales about Chapek’s shortcomings and errors even sooner than he was CEO.
All of that is the root for our lengthy held unfavourable opinion of Chapek. Even if he appeared to relish insulting and antagonizing enthusiasts, there also are legitimate bases for the variations in how Iger, D’Amaro, and different contributors of Disney management are perceived as contrasted with Chapek. It’s no longer simply an issue of them being higher at manicuring their public symbol and Chapek no longer being concerned.
It’s additionally tough to really feel too badly for Bob Chapek given the wear and tear he inflicted on Disney and its enthusiasts, a few of which has since been undone however numerous which by no means will probably be. There’s additionally the truth that Chapek used to be paid $20 million in severance to move kick rocks. (Cash smartly spent via Disney, in case you question me!)
As for the NYT piece, an unlucky quantity of this reads as center college drama–the juvenile nicknames, useless jabs, and all the gossip. It’s tough to stroll away with anything else however the sense that everybody right here sucks. It’s going to almost certainly make you admire the Walt Disney Corporate and its management over the past ~5 years a bit (or so much) much less. That’s one reasonably unavoidable conclusion.
With that mentioned, there are two paragraphs that stand out to me against the top. The primary is set Chapek: “On the identical time, he undoubtedly contributed to his personal dying. Quickly after he used to be named leader government, he stopped ingratiating himself with Mr. Iger. And, via the top, just about his complete government workforce had grew to become towards him, even folks he’d employed and promoted. So did the board — no longer simply Ms. Catz, skeptical of him from the outset, but in addition Ms. Arnold, as soon as his most powerful defender.”
Distinction with this, about Iger: “Present Disney executives say Mr. Iger has restored morale and taken wanted balance to the control ranks…Mr. Iger used to be greeted via enthusiasts with delirious applause when he gave the impression onstage at this summer season’s D23 fan collecting in Anaheim, Calif. Mr. Iger used to be so moved that he needed to combat again tears sooner than talking.”
In the end, that’s essentially the most insightful a part of this for me–and it’s almost glossed over: even Chapek’s personal folks grew to become towards him via the top. As we identified again when Chapek used to be fired, there used to be an amazing top-to-bottom growth in worker morale on the Walt Disney Corporate when Bob Iger returned. The largest distinction between the 2 Bobs is in management, and that’s paramount to environment the tone at an artistic corporate like Disney.
The NYT piece is an outstanding long-read, nevertheless it doesn’t trade anything else. It simply provides anecdotes and reiterates that there are not any heroes or villains right here. Neither Iger nor Chapek are utterly responsible or are utterly innocent. Even after listening to Chapek’s facet of the tale and feeling ever-so-slightly sorry for him, I’m nonetheless firmly on Iger’s facet and am very happy that he returned.
I care for that Iger used to be and is the one one that might navigate the Walt Disney Corporate during the tough waters of the previous few years–and that he will have to’ve stayed during the pandemic. However I’m additionally in a position to look him move. Bob Iger is a hero grew to become arsonist grew to become firefighter. I’m hoping he will get his glad finishing and emerges as a hero another time–as a result of I’m a Disney fan and the opposite approach one thing terrible for the corporate. Past that, it’s time to show the web page and for contemporary blood and new management.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your ideas on Chapek no longer suing Iger or the corporate as a result of he’s a part of a “Disney circle of relatives”? Do you’re feeling extra sympathetic to Chapek now? The rest so as to add concerning the timeline and occasions that prompted Disney’s Bob Change™️, changing Chapek with Iger? What about the rest coated right here? Agree or disagree with the firing of Chapek? Listening to your viewpoint–even whilst you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas under within the feedback!
