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[joyjoy]

Or maybe not. I dunno. We were in WDW all last week. On our trip to AKL from MCO, we had Keith as our TTC driver. He's one of the owners of the company. His father worked in Disney HR for 30 years until his death in Feb. He worked directly with Bob Walters, who is head of HR. SO. Keith said Michael Eisner is about to be gone and this Bob Walters guy is stepping up as big kahuna. He told me this as I was asking him about how to get in the HR door, me being in HR and all. He said I should hurry and contact Bob, and even give him Keith's name because they are such pals. Do I believe him? Not sure. But if a guy named Bob Walters is suddenly the big cheese (well, the other big cheese) at Disney, I'll be wanting to get some credit for this hot rumor. [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Oh. If this is common knowledge, please disregard the entire inane post. [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[LilMarcieMouse]

What a scoop if it's true. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Haven't heard that one Melanie [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] You get the credit if it proves to be true [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[statelady01]

Keith was our driver as well, and come to find out his dad signed my paychecks when I worked at WDW!

Wow, that's hot news!!

[Dave Marx]

It'd be odd for the head of HR of any company to leapfrog the President and COO (Robert Iger) to become chairman. Stranger things have happened, but I wouldn't count on this one.

There are five other names beside's Eisner's on the list of Corporate Executive Officers (2002 Annual Report). Walters isn't among 'em. There are also 18 Presidents of key operating units listed on that same page. Again, the chief of HR is not among them, either.

[Wendyismyname]

Okay, dumb question, but what in the world is HR? Human Resource?

thanks!
WEndy

[simbarel]

Originally posted by Wendyismyname:
Okay, dumb question, but what in the world is HR? Human Resource?

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Yup. Some other places call it "Personnel."

But what does this mean? And would Eisner be retiring, or would it be involuntary?

[mattjs]

There's been a lot written recently about disatisfaction with Mr. Eisner. Some of it just on Disney boards, some of it in the news. Unfortunately, understanding exactly what's going on (other then the fact that the stock has declined and people are rarely happy about that) it's probly impossible to get the whole picture. But, lets just say the corporate politics of any departure would be complex to say the least. And far above my experience or knowledge.

You can bet a change in the reigns of a corporation the size of Disney though would be a well orchestrated event/plan (whether friendly or otherwise). And a new head would presumably be hand picked for all kinds of reasons. My gut instinct would say they'd want someone Wall Street would be comfortable with.

One of the things I always wonder about when I read people dissing Eisner (which isn't happening in this thread and doesn't really happen here...but is done quite a bit elsewhere on the net) is what's the answer? Who's gonna take over if he goes? And, would things be any different? Better or worse? Mostly though, I'd like to see it start with a name. Someone who could reasonably be expected to get the support of the board. I rarely ever see detractors throw a name out there and then back it up as to why that would be the person for the job.

And speaking of jobs...hopefully joyjoy gets to the "inside" and then we'll really have somebody in the know [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] You gotta promise me all the big scoops for the rumors board though [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 09-08-2003, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: mattjs ]

[coffeechef]

How do you find a replacement for Walt Disney himself. I read Eisners book & it was quite interesting & he certainly has/had what it takes to run this Gigantic Place. I often wonder how Walt would run his COmpany today were he alive & well. WOuld " touch stone Pictures" exist? Some of their Movies have not been very Disney. I think there are many Movies & attractions he would be very proud of. I think there are thing that he would be dissapoointed in. I think Eisner has the Heart of Disney in mind most times, though I feel he is hidiously over payed as are most CEO's. He was the right Person for the Job. But so much has changed in the past 10-15 yrs. The parks are not as clean as they once where, though they are better than every other Park. I think budget cuts have come to the wrong places so that Stockholders can get their share of $$. Is it Eisners Fault? I don't know,its hard to manage the Company when you are cowtowing to everyone except the People who pay your salary... the guests. Hey It happens Everywhere. But if this rumor is true that Eisner will be leaving soon, it will be interesting to see who takes over.

[mattjs]

Very well said. I read Eisners book recently too and agree. He at least gets "it" to some degree. And the big question is, can anyone run Disney in 2003 the way some folks on the internet feel it ought to be? Don't have the answer. And would Eisner leaving automatically be a good thing? Could the perceived problems be even worse? They certainly could. Eisners book would be a good one for PassPorter Disney book club (in the "library" board here). Everybody join in if you have the time. We're just gettin started.

And for the record, I've still got my rose covered glasses. The magic's alive and well for me [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 09-08-2003, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: mattjs ]

[Dumbo]

Wow!!!

[WillCAD]

Rumors of Eisner leaving/getting ousted/retiring have been floating around for a couple of years now, especially in online Disney communities like this one, where people express thier displeasure with the decline of the Disney parks and the outrageous price gouging that has gone on in the past 5 or 6 years.

I'm not sure I believe any of the rumors. If somebody on a message board posts, "I think Eisner ought to be ousted and #### should take over!" somebody invariably reads it wrong ans thinks it's going to happen, then posts about it later as if it's going to happen. It's just like playing telephone in jr. high school; what people hear isn't always the same as what the other guy said.

Until Eisner's retirement is announced on national TV, I won't buy it.

[ 09-09-2003, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: WillCAD ]

[BostonTeaParty]

Whenever someone is in a position of power, such as Eisner is, there will be those that like to see said person take a fall. If the detractors took a good look at Eisner's record, perhaps they would be less quick to point-the-finger. It's got to be a tough job, and he's been doing it for a lot of years now. Perhaps he's ready to let someone else with fresh ideas take the reins.

I too, have wondered how Walt would feel about a lot that has gone on. Especially, after reading his bio! Maybe for the top executives at Disney it should be required reading. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Then they could re-commit themselves to Walt's dreams and exacting standards.

Matt, I think the idea of reading Eisner's book for our second book is a great idea. Let's suggest the idea to the bookclub after we discuss Walt's bio.

[Joy J]

Melanie, what a hot tip if it turns out to actually happen. It may sound unlikely but in the strange world of business and particularly the business end of show business, anything can and frequently does happen. In any event, it will be interesting to see what unfolds in the future.

Joy

[Shell_of_the_South]

JoyJoy, I hope Keith's name at least gives you a foot in the door at WDW!

As far as Eisner leaving, everything I have read seems to lean towards him going nowhere no time soon. And Disney's stock is picking up slightly, so he may be still on track. I think Eisner has done some good things in his time: MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom to name 2. But the yearly bonuses he received when the company's stock was so down was outrageous!