Robert A. Iger: Leading Disney

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. 

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.