You
may think of Walt Disney as about fun and games and entertainment. Behind that
image projected is a huge company where earning money is serious business. The
man leading Walt Disney Company which is reportedly the world’s largest media
company is chairman and CEO Robert Allen “Bob” Iger.
Bob
was born on February 10,
1951 in Long Island, New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree
in Television & Radio from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of
Communications, magna cum laude. At a local television company Bob started his
career as a weatherman. His destiny was
not to be a successful anchor man but a successful business executive.
Bob
joined ABC in 1974 and worked his way up the corporate ladder. From 1993 to
1994 he was president of ABC Network Television Group after which he was
appointed president and chief operating officer of Capital Cities/ABC, the
corporate parent of ABC. The Walt Disney Company bought Capital/ABC and renamed
it ABC, Inc. in 1996. Bob remained as president until 1999.
While
some top executives become adversely affected by change of company ownership,
it wasn’t the case with Bob. Disney named him president of Walt Disney
International in February 25, 1999. This is the business unit that overseas
Disney’s international operations. Bob was also named chairman of ABC Group.
He
became the president and chief operating officer of Disney in January 25, 2000
effectively becoming the number two man in the company. Bob became the CEO of
Walt Disney Company in March 13, 2005. Among the moves he pledged was to
disband the strategic planning division of the company and restore much of the
decision making-authority to the company’s individual business units.
Bob
also reconciled with former board members Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold who
were critical of the previous leadership.
Under his command Disney acquired
Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009) and Lucasfilm (2012) which have proven to be very
beneficial acquisitions.
Bob
still leads Walt Disney Company providing the world with fun and entertainment
while also taking care of the serious side of business.
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