Disney’s Top Honcho: Robert A. Iger

You don’t have to found your own company to influence its direction and growth. If the company is really large the influence goes beyond it. The influence can reach the industry and even the world.

This is the case Robert A. Iger who rose through the ranks to head one of the largest media company in the world. Early on there were already indications that Iger belonged at the top. He graduated from Ithaca College with a B.S. in Television and Radio, graduating magna cum laude.

While some end up in a career somewhat different from their undergraduate degree course, Iger went straight to television as a weatherman for a local TV station.  Then in 1974 he entered American Broadcasting Company and made his way up the ladder.  He reached the post of president in 1993 of the ABC Network Television Group until 1994 and then became president and COO of the parent company Capital Cities/ABC.

The in 1996 an ownership change came about with Walt Disney Company buying Capital Cities/ABC. Iger though was able to keep the position of president until 1999. In early 1999 he was appointed president of Walt Disney International and chairman of the ABC Group.

It can be said that Iger was an outsider but was good enough to now become part of Disney operations. Although initially some thought the move was just to get him away from the everyday management of ABC which was not faring very well at that time.

Nevertheless Iger’s star continued to shine by 2000 he was named president and COO of Disney making him effectively the number two man in the company. In 2005 he became the CEO. Among the changes he made was to decentralize the structure giving more authority to individual business units.

Under his watch Disney bought animation jewel Pixar in 2006. His move reconciled management with the group of Roy E. Disney who were disillusioned with what Disney had become. It was now getting back its position as the dominant animation movie maker. Under his lead Marvel Entertainment was purchased in 2009 adding more character franchise to the company.

We are seeing today more movie hits that are in the animation category and Disney has played a major role in it. Iger was added the title of company chairman in March 2012.