Alas, Chapek fell too deeply in love with the idea of increasing Disney+ subscriber numbers. Disney CEO Bob Chapek gets close to GOP lawmakers ahead of Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. It didnt happen long ago, so we should all remember how they behaved. 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. Meet a Disney Cast Member Advocating for Accessible Technology, Where Was Grogu During The Sequel Trilogy? Questionable decision-making and actions by Disney post-covid may be why a petition to fire Bob Chapek has been brought to fruition. Chapek was replaced by longtime CEO Bob Iger in late 2022. They allegedly alsomade the workplace environment hostile. 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. Greg Abbott on a different front. Chapek wrapped up the session and thanked all of the participants. In that role, he reorganized the business to cut costs and oversaw a number of popular toy crazes from franchises like "Frozen.". 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. In the interim, these shows have filled the void. "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. Occupy Democrats is a political organization and information website that provides a new counterbalance to the Republican Tea Party. Still, if the economy ever suddenly suffered a setback, this unforced error would magnify in scope. Chapek is a liar. Those three acquisitions, which cost Disney roughly $15 billion, combined, turned Disney into an intellectual property behemoth. What Is Bob Chapek Political Party? "Once we did the deal, in fact, in the months before he died he came to he and his wife, Laurene, came to our house. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Ron DeSantis over the pressure he was facing to weigh in against Floridas Parental 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 2024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. We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. Disney CEO Chapek Bob Chapek Tuesday said he doesnt really see Disney as characterizing itself as left-leaning or right-leaning responding to a shareholder who DeSantis, a rumored 2024 presidential hopeful, has not yet announced if he will run. 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. 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. DeSantis published the conversation with Chapek in his memoir, The Courage to be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival, shared with Fox News Digital. New York CNN . News of the postponement came as Disney CEO Bob Chapek conducted a town hall meeting for all employeesMonday. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The bill bars teachers from discussingLGBTQtopics like sexual orientation or gender identity with students until after third grade. We have a multi-language translator on the top left. Park officials reeeeeaaally dont want headlines with racist chant in them. Disney this week said it will work to repeal the legislation in Florida because it's dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of the LGBTQ+ community. 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.. I truly believe we are an infinitely better and stronger company because of our LGBTQ+ community, he wrote. Then, it required many Golden State employees to switch coasts. 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. He did not want Disney to get involved, but he was getting a lot of pressure to weigh in against the bill, DeSantis writes. Many of them have led to price increases. 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. He also played a key role in the commercialization of the studio's film business. Bob Chapek was born Robert Alan Chapek on August 21, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The bias is blatant.. Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was, Chapek wrote. It should never have reached that point, though. Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. That philosophy applies to Disneys park behavior during the pandemic as well. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. And so, its like theres no upside, or our bosses dont see an upside in doing the job were supposed to do, which is to speak truth to power and hold people accountable.. But Chapek stayed positive and dismissed the other criticism, saying ABC News has a stellar track record of being objective and reporting the news and will continue to do so in the future., ABC NEW SUSPENDS MATT GUTMAN FOR FALSELY REPORTING ALL OF KOBE BRYANT'S CHILDREN WERE ON DOOMED HELICOPTER, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss," Danhof told Fox News following the meeting, referencing a famous The Who lyric. 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. Home; Video; Trump Investigations; Right Wing Extremism; Opinion; Impeachment; Corruption; Foreign Policy; Prior to working at the parks, Chapek led Disney's home entertainment business starting in 2009 and led the organization to record-setting performances. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. The company has also given more than $100,000 to the Friends of Ron DeSantis PAC since 2019. Bob Chapek's time as the CEO of Disney has been tumultuous, to say the least. 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 was glad to speak to Bob yesterday afternoon, and we had a very productive conversation about the need for Disney to put real muscle into stopping whats happening to their employees and to their fans.. Florida Gov. He was the The Courage to be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival, Fidelity Finds 401Ks Lost 25% of Their Value in 2022, Biden Says He May Be a White Boy, But Hes Not Stupid, One State Will Make It illegal for Vaccinated Donors to Give Blood, Rumors Are That John Fetterman Is Essentially Brain Dead, Dr. Malone on the Possible US Role in the Development of Coronavirus, They Set Us Up! Bombshell J6 Footage Shows Metro Police Discussion, Prophylaxis Nasal Spray Might Put an End to Vaccines. During the evening, Charlee Corra also took the stage and announced that he along with parents Sheri and Roy P. Disney, the great-nephew of Walt Disney, would match $250,000 in donations to HRC. We've received your submission. Disney employees skew toward the pro-vaccine and anti-Dont Say Gay side, which is California, not Florida. But Im an ally you can count on, and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility and opportunity you deserve.. He knew how to grow the business while adjusting to the changing marketplace, which was intense." I am sorry. 2016 Election Cycle. Its only temporary and has nothing to do with the content of the comments. He was the executive, he executes policy, no one else. Critics have depicted the bill as hurtful to LGBTQ inclusiveness and dubbed it the "Don't Say Gay" bill. "It's development of a relationship," Iger said. Disney CEO Bob Chapek has had private phone calls this year with House Republican leaders including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. Im a devout believer that the least excusable mistakes stem from self-inflicted wounds and unforced errors. He will officially give up his chairman role at the end of the year. Human Rights Campaign interim president Joni Madison says the LGBTQ organization has already been in touch with Bob Chapek after the Disney CEO committed to pausing all political donations in Florida following internal backlash over its initial silence around the Dont Say Gay bill. 2023 CNBC LLC. A roundtable of eight Disney employees who represented many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community also shared their perspectives during the town hall. We want to hear from you! This priority caused him to lose sight of the challenges in working with Hollywood talents. In his book, the Florida governor says the Disney sagas lesson is that in an environment of woke capital where large companies employ their influence to advance left-wing political agendas, old-guard corporate Republicanism is not up to the task at hand.. Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. So, Disney purchased nearly 60 acres of land in Lake Nona, Florida. 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. Occupy Democrats is a political organization and information website that provides a new counterbalance to the Republican Tea Party. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. 2016 www.independentsentinel.com. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. It sounds about right. 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. In a second memo to Disney workers, Chapek said Disney was suspending all political donations in Florida. WATCH: Disney's Bob Iger turns CEO job to Chapek. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Unfortunately, theresnothing inclusive about the Dont Say Gay bill. Ron They left for other gigs. Chapeks ill-considered ruling last year would force those people to move to a place where they already feel unwelcome. Chapek's promotion comes at a time when Disney is facing challenges from the global coronavirus outbreak. Contribution (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via / Getty Images). The task force will develop strategy and action plans to engage with LGBTQ+ employees, community partners and content creators. "He was very, very concerned about Lucasfilm - in many respects his baby, his legacy and there was a trust there too that I think we demonstrated, that we could be trusted," Iger said about Lucas. 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. The Mickey-Shaped Treats Trending Right Now! ", FLORIDA REPUBLICANS CONDEMN 'WOKE' DISNEY, URGE MORE BOYCOTTS BY CONSERVATIVES AGAINST THE 'ACTIVIST MACHINE'. Disney Chairman Bob Iger is leaving the company at the end of the month. The more combustible of those situations unfolded over House Bill 1557, the so-called Dont Say legislation. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. Feature Image: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images, Tags: Bob ChapekBob IgerChapekDisneyLake NonaThe Walt Disney Company. 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 Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. The bills Republican sponsors have also been more openly vocal about LGBTQ students, with Baxley complaining about everybody now all about coming out when youre in school.. Legal Statement. WebOn Monday, Chapek sent a Morrell-approved company-wide email claiming that he preferred to speak through Disney content and behind-the-scenes machinations. 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. He said the company was increasing support for advocacy I feel that the truth suffers, the voters are poorly informed, and people also have the opportunity to tune into whatever they want to hear, Wright said in the video, which also featured an ABCNews producer. Chapeks initial responses to the bill were tepid at best, as he wanted to maintain solid relationships with the legislators. We need Disneys partnership in getting the bills heading to [Gov. All rights reserved. CEO Bob Chapek is less willing than Bob Iger to take public political stands including LGBTQ (The PAC splits its gifts equally between the parties.) Change isn't necessarily bad.". But that's neither good nor bad. Here are CEO Bob Chapeks worst five mistakes thus far. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. watch now. He lied and supported the victimization of children. 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. Ron DeSantis said he advised former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to stay out of a political battle over legislation in his state limiting discussion of sex and gender in public schools, according to the Republican's forthcoming book. Chapek and his team had decided that Florida made more sense as a home base. And if that doesnt happen, to get these bills repealed, she added. Chapek cared too much about his needs and not enough about those of others. The nearly century-old company has been dragged for becoming too politically correct, famously clashing with Republican Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. 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. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. Instead, DeSantis blasted the company as woke and in bed with Chinese communists at an exclusive event publicized on Fox News. He agreed that the company should stand up more for the LGBTQ+ community in pursuit of more meaningful and lasting change. Its bad for business and even worse for the Disney brand. The debut of "Disney Enchantment" during "The World's Most Magical Celebration" Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom on Sept. 30, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. It hasnt gone away. 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?. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. In addition to addressing Disney directly, Madison also acknowledged that the issue is much larger than the single company. In totality, its one problematic mistake, though. This caused #FireGinaCarano to trend and eventually, she was. The thought process here stems from the high cost of real estate in California relative to Florida. Source: After two tumultuous years, on November 20, Iger stepped back into the spotlight and Chapek was out. If Disney had merely maintained the status quo, a multi-coastal business operation, none of these headlines would dominate the media. I feel terrible about it. ABC NEWS SUSPENDS DAVID WRIGHT FOR REMARKS MADE IN PROJECT VERITAS VIDEO. Read More. "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.". A recent CNBC article referenced Chapeks perceived lack of emotional intelligence. Iger decided to remain as chairman for nearly the past two years after giving up his CEO role to Chapek in February 2020. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. But, thus far, theyve had no impact on the bottom line, as Disney just claimed its second-best park performance ever for a fiscal quarter. The company did this after adding a Fifth Key last year, Inclusion. Conversely, Chapek believes that his best approach is to avoid politics altogether, a legitimate impossibility for a company like Disney. During the pandemic, Disney has ramped up its usage of high school performers at theme parks, especially Magic Kingdom. Then, Chapek prioritized Disney+ as the core business model for the entire company. Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill placing Disney district u Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Inside Scheana Shay, Raquel Leviss heated confrontation about Tom Sandoval affair, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com This year, Mr. Chapek contended with one crisis after another, some of his own making. For the past 18 months, Disney has fallen into the latter category as leadership has accidentally caused as many screw-ups as it has fixed. ABC News anchor Amy Robach was recorded on a hot mic claiming the network spiked a story exposing Jeffrey Epstein three years ago. TV. "I became a little bit more dismissive of other people's opinions than I should have been," said Iger. 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.". It closed todays trading at $138.62, down 1%. Chapek responded by saying that his very first trip after being named the new CEO was to visit ABC News. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Period. 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. Disneys CEO transition from Bob Iger to Bob Chapek marked a shift from an outspoken, famous CEO with political ambitions, to a largely unfamiliar name whose Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek is pausing all of the companys political donations in Florida after the passage of the dont say gay bill and apologized to employees for his silence during the months-long debate on the measure. Disney CEO Bob Chapek now claims he wants the company to be everything for everyone after he caved to the woke mob and fought the anti-grooming law in Florida. Ever since Chapek spoke up, critics on the right have condemned Disney as being too "woke" and even talked of boycotting the resort. Ron DeSantis over the pressure he was facing to weigh in against Floridas Parental Rights Education bill, known as the Dont Say Gay bill, according to DeSantis new memoir. Thats what has happened, though. Everyone knew that was a lie. 02:12. If passed, this bill will put vulnerable, young LGBTQ people in jeopardy., Biden had tweeted his opposition to legislation designed to attack LGBTQI+ kids.. Iger acknowledged Chapek likely won't make the same decisions he would have made as future problems arise. News Analysis. Disney has gotten too expensive.. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, Interim president Joni Madison confirmed she and Bob Chapek "had a very productive conversation about the need for Disney to put real muscle into stopping what's happening to their employees and to their fans.". Bill Mahers Real Time Questions The Paths Taken By Disney, TLC, A&E & History Channel. That has become increasingly important as streaming video slowly replaces linear pay TV and movie theaters as the dominant form of entertainment distribution. Market data provided by Factset. FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. Iger credited his ability to get founders to sell him assets to his intense focus on building personal relationships. "His history in all the divisions that really matter really is very supportive of him taking on that role. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Market data provided by Factset. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek last year complained to Florida Gov. It fit into the larger corporate campaign known as Reimagine Tomorrow, which aims to emphasize Disneys commitment to diversity and inclusion. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "I obviously have huge shoes to fill," Chapek told CNBC's Julia Boorstin on "Closing Bell" Tuesday. 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. A source familiar with the situation told The Hollywood Reporter that HRC is still in active discussions with Disney around Chapeks initial financial pledge as well as the companys ongoing action around state legislation. At first, Chapek tried to remain on the sidelines, but LGBTQ employees and advocates pressured the exec to take a stand last March, asserting that the bill was a human rights issue. You can look at the comments section for any Disney discussion, and its an inevitable statement from some. 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.. Disney named Chapek the new CEO last month after Iger abruptly stepped down. There is no question that Chapek was under tremendous pressure. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. By Laurn Alexa | Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 12:02pm Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. The Wrap has reported that Imagineers have campaigned for Disney to reconsider. He was the chief executive officer (CEO) of The Walt Disney Company from 2020 to 2022. Timing 'surprising' says senior analyst on Bob Iger stepping down. ), The HRC president went on to say that companies need to deliver more than inclusive employment policies and a clever Pride campaign and that corporate values should be guiding principles in how a company shows up for the marginalized, instead of being marketing materials., I promise you, states lucrative tax laws wont matter much to your employees and consumers who are being criminalized for supporting their kids and being pushed back in the closet by the legal system, she said. And today we are opposing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review.. The Human Rights Campaign echoed Pixar staff on the political contributions issue and said it wouldnt accept the donation, putting egg on Disneys face. A Division of NBCUniversal. When Chapek took the job as head of Disney, critics lamented his lack of experience with the Hollywood studio system. News Analysis. 11. ABC News anchor caught on hot mic claiming network killed Jeffery Epstein bombshell. Chapek has a career as an American media executive. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek privately complained to Florida Gov. On Monday, Disney and CEO Bob Chapek sent an internal memo following reports that the company had donated thousands of dollars to Florida representatives that supported and voted for the Parental Rights in Education bill. The political mistake ties back to a previous choice. In a span of a month, Disney went from hiring the actress for a Tower of Terror movie to calling her ungrateful and selfishthe week she was having a baby. Chief executive Bob Chapek doesnt think so. (Gerardo Mora / Getty Images) Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest Some folks took offense at that, which isdefinitely a take. Disney CEO Denies Political Leanings Following Gina Carano Firing During annual shareholder call, CEO Bob Chapek maintains the media giant isnt left leaning or right leaning, but instead stands for the universal values of respect, decency, integrity, and inclusion. Bob Iger, the former Disney CEO whose decades-long tenure at the company ended in December, tweeted his opposition to the legislation weeks ago. The pressure from the WOKE cancel culture was vicious. John Oliver Calls Bob Chapeks Explanation For Disney Donations To Dont Say Gay Politicians Actively Insulting. "Mr. 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. Ron] Desantis desk vetoed. Squawk Box. As you might imagine, some of them are LGBTQ+ or friends/family members of those who are. Chapek allegedly told him he didnt want to get involved but hadnt seen anything like it, but thats not what he said in public. Look no further! I thought of this belief in combination with the recent political dust-up Disney experienced. But DeSantis pushed on, signing a law to strip Disney World of its Reedy Creek control on Monday. Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest Disney's Chapeks eventually criticized the Florida legislation, paused all political giving in Florida and apologized to employees. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the Eau Gallie High School aviation hangar on March 22, 2021. Got a confidential news tip? (AP Photo/Kin Cheung / AP Newsroom). 02:35. Chapek is far less publicly political than his predecessor, who once considered a run for the Democratic nomination for president. In November 2022, longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger announced he was replacing Chapek after two years away from the company. In that scenario, someone less experienced with vetting is in charge. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. ", Nathanson said the selection of Chapek was not a surprise and a "win-win for the company.". On top of the stock woes, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has become a punching bag for cultural critics. Bob Iger, the former Disney CEO whose decades-long tenure at the company ended in December, tweeted his opposition to the legislation weeks ago. Disney CEO Bob Chapek is facing a crisis of confidence in his leadership that is fueling an atypical level of turmoil at the top of the worlds largest entertainment company.. After weeks of internal strife and external controversy surrounding the Walt Disney Companys lack of public response to the Dont Say Gay legislation in Florida, Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. October 26, 2021 at 5:36 I am sorry.. Disney CEO Bob Chapek is pausing all of the companys political donations in Florida following the passage of the Dont Say Gay bill, a major escalation in his feud