...Pixar Animations MBA 615 Mickey Langford/Kimberly Horne Spring 2013 Mickey Langford Pixar Animations is our company of choice for this case study analysis. In 2006, Walt Disney acquired Pixar, but before we get to all of that, let us start at the beginning. Before Pixar, there was Lucas Films. George Lucas, of Lucas Films, decided in 1979 to upgrade their computer division (Animations, 2012). Lucas had a desire to see how far they could take computer graphics within the film industry. Lucas Films succeeded by creating Andre & Wally B., in 1984 (Animations, 2012). Andre & Wally B. - First Ever Pixar Short Movie - The Adventures of André and Wally B. [1984 HD] - YouTube, was the first ever computer-generated imagery short movie (Movies, 2009). This was the foundational establishment in the film industry that Steve Jobs was seeking. In 1986, Jobs purchased the Computer Division from Lucas Films and named it Pixar Animations Studios. Walt Disney and Pixar Animation agreed to do a number of films together, the first being Toy Story which was a huge success. The movie debut on November 22, 1995 grossed $192 million domestically and $362 million worldwide (Animations, 2012). Listed below is a table of the gross amounts that Disney/Pixar movies have made: Released | Movie Name | 1st Weekend | US Gross | Worldwide Gross | Budget | 11/22/1995 | Toy Story | $29,140,617 | $191,796,233 | $361,948,825 | $30,000,000 | 11/20/1998 | A Bug's Life | $291,121...
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...Currently, in the world of growing economy and globalization, many businesses on both domestic and international marketplaces struggle to achieve the best market share. Every day business people from top to lower management work to achieve a common goal, being the best at what you do, and getting there as fast as possible. As companies work hard to beat their competitors they accept many tactics to do so. As for my assignment, I have chosen to examine why Disney and Pixar merged as a company. A brief definition of an Acquisition and a merger will be given following with the difference between them. I will be discussing if these two companies were a success or a failure and why and which were their reasons behind this statement. A merger is a combination of two companies, which form a new firm, while an acquisition is the purchase of one company by another in which no new company is formed. Mergers and Acquisitions take place for many strategic business reasons, but most of their reasons are due to economic standards. These are some reasons: Cutting costs: some companies have similar products or services, if they could combine there could be a huge reduce of costs this is an advantage for both firms. Most of the companies, which merge, can combine different opportunities for the best. This economic strategy has to do with economies of scale “reduction in cost per unit resulting from increased production, realized through operational efficiencies” in other words, when the...
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...Walt Disney-Pixar Merger Brief Industry Analysis Because of the technology nowadays, one successful film can be distributed all over the world, which is in a form of motion pictures or DVD. Animation is one media that is spread all over the world; push it to be one of fastest growing industry. The demand for the animation is increasing from the emerging number of cables and satellite TV and the popularity of The Internet. In addition, in the past, the target market of the animation industry was just kids, but now, it expands market to cover all ages of customers. The companies can be range from a big company such as Walt Disney to an individual artist with a PC. The trend of the industry has changed from drawing and photographs, which is labor-intensive, to using computer technology in order to create the realistic and higher quality pictures. However, producing the animation is still labor intensive and take a long time, this push the cost of production to be high. Therefore, now we see the trend of outsourcing the production from North America to Asia Pacific area, which has a lower cost, high quality computer animation production, and lower cost. Walt Disney Company Overview Walt Disney is one of the leading companies in the world that provides entertainment experience since its founding in 1923. Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries and partner have four business segments, which are media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, and consumer...
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...Strategic Management 5301 Walt Disney-Pixar Analysis The Walt Disney-Pixar merger carries a number of convincing advantages for Disney, but Pixar shareholders should be less enthusiastic about such a deal. Pixar’s resources and capabilities have set a standard that is extremely difficult to imitate. Through its highly talented employee pool, culture of creativity and collaboration, and proprietary 3D computer animation software, Pixar has created a competitive advantage in the animation film industry that yielded average total box office sales of $538 million with just six movies. Pixar shareholders should be wary of the potential breakdown of these resources and capabilities, which in essence are its core competencies. While a merger could mean more dollar signs for Pixar, it is more likely to result in the end of a firm whose resources and capabilities lend an advantage in the animation film industry. A renegotiated equity alliance that gives Pixar the chance to earn more than 40% of total profits of a film versus Disney’s 60%.would be a better strategic option for Pixar. Following the VRIO framework, Pixar’s capabilities help exploit opportunities to create value or neutralize threats from the environment. Pixar’s human capital is an extraordinarily valuable asset to the company. With an emphasis on hiring the best and the brightest (most of its technical employees have PhDs) and maintaining a close eye on innovations in the academic world, Pixar positioned itself ahead...
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...September 2015 The Disney Pixar Merger In 2006, Disney announced it was going to acquire Pixar for $7.4 billion. Upon doing so, one of the most successful mergers of the past ten years developed. “The merger brings together Disney’s historic franchise of animated characters with Pixar’s stable of cartoon hits” (La Monica). A lot of time and thought went into deciding how this merger would be prosperous and profitable for all parties involved. Disney wanted to guarantee Pixar’s executives that they would still hold positions of power with the ability to make decisions. They hired Steve Jobs, Pixar’s chief executive, as a non-independent director at Disney and made him one of the largest shareholders in the company. John Lasseter, a director and creative voice at Pixar, took the title as their chief creative officer as well as the creative advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering. (Holston) There were also high level statuses given to other directors and executives of Pixar at Disney. Promoting Pixar’s executives to equally powerful positions within the company was not the only requirements of the deal. Pixar also wanted their HR policies to remain intact, a steering committee to oversee animation, and all films produced post-merger branded as “Disney Pixar”. These are all just a few of the steps Disney took to merge with Pixar. There are so many positive results that come to mind when considering this merger. Combining with Pixar will give Disney access to their top of the...
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...The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Inc. To Acquire or Not to Acquire? Andrii Alekseienko Corporate Strategy Case Study 18 September, 2015 The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Inc. To Acquire or Not to Acquire? To answer the main question of the case, we must think of the main problems that it faces. We need to find the solution for Bob Iger. What to do with Disney: to make some improvements in the existed company to compete better with Pixar, or to make a deal with another studio? Or should he work more with Pixar, or maybe just buy the whole company? To answer this questions, I will use two tools: better-off test and ownership test. At first, Disney and Pixar can just stay at the same place, and make some reorganization in the company. But in this case, it’s gonna be hard, because this option requires a big amount of time and finance. Restructuring the company can take place to improve the system of enterprise management, changing economic and financial policies, operations, marketing systems, marketing and human resource management in order to improve the company. It’s a possible, but definitely not the best option. Of course, the acquisition between Disney and Pixar have some advantages for Disney, but it’s not so good for Pixar, because their technology is unique, and different to the other players on the market. Because of company’s corporate culture and the talents of their employees. If we talk about famous animated films and unique solutions, both in technology...
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...The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Inc.: To Acquire or Not to Acquire? Executive Summary: 3D computer-generated (CG) models changed the way the animation industry worked. The traditional 2D animation used frames that were comprised of hand-drawn cels. These required skills of hundreds of people and it took a lot longer to make. On the other hand, 3D computergenerated required less people, films could be made much faster and at a fraction of competitor’s cost. If there was a change needed to be made to a character, 2D would need to change all its subsequent frames, but 3D had mathematical models to redraw each cel and mimic camera angles. Walt Disney is a company that had mastered the traditional 2D animation. Disney’s Feature Animation unit was known as an open, collaborative environment. Leadership relied on all employees to generate story ideas. “Some of the same features that observers credited for Disney Animations’ success – large staff, large budgets, and lots of time – were blamed for its demise” (pg. 2). In the late 1990s, Disney set up a lab to work on their first 3D CG film but it wasn’t as big of a success as their other movies. Because many staff members needed to be retrained for this new technology, movie releases were pushed back. Throughout this period, Disney relied on revenue and characters produced by a company who excelled in 3D CG animation, Pixar. Pixar used its own proprietary computer animation technology that generated incredibly lifelike 3D images and...
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...Identify an episode of strategic change for an organisation of your own choice. How appropriate was the approach to strategic change given the issues faced by the organisation? Critically evaluate the effectiveness of the strategic leadership during the change process. Identify the impact of the change episode upon the key resources and core competencies of your organisation. This paper will analyse a recent period of strategic change at The Walt Disney Company which began in 2005 with the appointment of current CEO Robert Iger. The company began to experience halted growth during the late 1990s. The former CEO Michael Eisner had been successful himself in the late 1980s in changing the company during what is known as the Disney Renaissance. Eisner successfully concentrated the company’s energy back into producing animated films and helped the company to create now-classic names such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin and others. However starting in 1999 share prices began to fall as changes in Disney’s competitive environment, consumer preferences and technology combined to alter its strategic context – which posed problems for the company in aligning its strategic objectives with its organisational structure and culture. Eisner was well known for his micromanagement and top down approach to management (Gunther, 1999), which served the company well during the 1990s when he could focus on single brands. The production of animated feature films...
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...Disney-Pixar Mickey and Nemo. Pinocchio and “Toy Story.” Cinderella and “Cars.” The merger of legendary Walt Disney and everything-we-create-kids-adore Pixar was a match made in cartoon heaven. Disney had released all of Pixar’s movies before, but with their contract about to run out after the release of “Cars,” the merger made perfect sense. With the merger, the two companies could collaborate freely and easily.Did the merger work? Well, take a look at the successful movies that Disney and Pixar have put out since: “WALL-E,” “Up,” and “Bolt.” Pixar has plans for twice-yearly films, unthinkable before the merger, and has certainly gained the expert advice from Disney when it comes to advertising, marketing plugs, and merchandising. When it comes to marketing to children, no one does it better than Disney. Even pre-merger cartoon “Cars” got the Disney treatment and remains a top seller in merchandising amongst 4 year old boys (just ask my nephew). irius/XM radio merger On July 29, 2008, satellite radio officially had one provider when Sirius Satellite Radio joined forces with rival XM Satellite Radio. The merger was officially announced over a year before, in February 2007, but the actual merger was delayed due to one tiny problem – when satellite radio first began in 1997, the FCC granted only two licenses under one condition: that either of the holders would not acquire control of the other.Oops. So Sirius and XM filed the proper paperwork with the FCC, allowed the FCC to...
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...acquired by another company, evaluate the strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Justify your opinion. The merger I choose to research was the acquisition of Pixar by Disney. The merger between Disney and Pixar was a very successful one. They worked together in the past and their contract was running out after the release of Cars. This was the perfect opportunity and sensible move for these two companies to merge. The merger would allow the companies to work together conveniently. This merger was very rewarding allowing the company to put out very successful movies such as WALL-E, Up, and Bolt. They both have high expectations including plans for twice-yearly films. This was not possible before the merger. Disney has been able to give Pixar a boost in the field of advertising, marketing plugs, and merchandising. Disney is the best in the business when it comes to marketing to children. Disney spent $ 7.4 billion to acquire Pixar from Apple’s head Steve Jobs (Monica, 2006). The strategy behind this merger is to continue creating innovative stories, characters, and films that pleases viewers worldwide (Monica, 2006). The acquisition improved Disney’s animation which helps stimulates its growth throughout its businesses. This was a very smart strategic deal that will benefit its theme parks, consumer products, and cable. Disney also obtained ownership of the world’s most famous computer animation...
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...Area Assessment 9 Internal Environment Financial Position of Disney 14 Assorted Financial Ratios 14 IFE Matrix 17 External Environment Key External Forces 19 EFE 23 Competitive Analysis 28 CPM 30 Objectives Short Term 32 Long Term 33 Grand Strategies 34 Initial Findings 36 Company Profile Company History The Walt Disney Company, originally known as Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, was formed by Walt and Roy Disney in 1923 with the creation of a cartoon named Alice’s Wonderland. With the start of that popular cartoon, the Disney brothers had unknowingly created a legacy that would live for generations. Since the creation of the Walt Disney Company, it has produced hundreds of chart topping animated films, put on dozens of Broadway plays, acquired TV and radio stations, and has created the most magical place on earth on three continents. Even after the deaths of the founders, the company has thrived for several decades every intent to continue growing. Organizational Mission and Culture Mission Statement The original mission of the Walt Disney Company was to “nurture the imaginations of children around the world as well as to celebrate American values.” This was a very simple mission statement for an originally simple company. As the Walt Disney Company has grown and changed over the years, the mission statement has...
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...DAVID COLLIS MARY FUREY The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Inc.: To Acquire or Not to Acquire? In November 2005, Robert Iger, the newly appointed CEO of the Walt Disney Company, eagerly awaited the box office results of Chicken Little, the company’s second computer-generated (CG) feature film. He knew that, for Disney as a whole to be successful, he had to get the animation business right, particularly the new CG technology that was rapidly supplanting hand-drawn animation.1 Yet the company had been reliant on a contract with animation studio Pixar, which had produced hits such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo, for most of its recent animated film revenue. And the co-production agreement, brokered during the tenure of his predecessor, Michael Eisner, was set to expire in 2006 after the release of Cars, the fifth movie in the five-picture deal. Unfortunately, contract renewal negotiations between Steve Jobs, CEO of Pixar, and Eisner had broken down in 2004 amid reports of personal conflict. When he assumed his new role, Iger reopened the lines of communication between the companies. In fact, he had just struck a deal with Jobs to sell Disneyowned, ABC-produced television shows—such as “Desperate Housewives”—through Apple’s iTunes Music Store.2 Iger knew that a deal with Pixar was possible; it was just a question of what that deal would look like. Did it make the most sense for Disney to simply buy Pixar? Walt Disney Feature Animation Walt Disney Feature Animation began with the...
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...班級：國企三甲 姓名：吳宇綸 學號：D0131292 Walt Disney When we hear the world Disney, what is the first thing that comes up in our minds? Most people think about Disney and relate it to magical, exciting and large attractions parks and hotels, and the famous Mickey Mouse. However, they missed to see how big and influential this organization really is. Walt Disney Company is one of the World largest communications organizations. Everyone knows Disney! It is everywhere in our lives, from TV, radio and movies, to parks, clothing, accessories and toys. Owning diverse media markets, Disney has build a tradition of culture and niche by efficiently managing its markets and products, allocating them among different cultures, age groups and preferences. A Little Bit of History Walter Elias Disney founded the Walt Disney Company in 1923 as a dream to create a movie studio, which hosted short film comedies. Few years later, in 1928, the presentation of the company iconic character, Mickey Mouse, was a reality at the Colony Theater in New York. Immediately after this, Walt Disney won his first Academy Award and continued this trend for more than the following decade. His first business product consolidation started when a man offered the company $300.00 to earn the right to apply figures of Mickey Mouse to paper towels for school children. During the 1940s most of their main films were created, including Pinocchio, Snow White, Dumbo and others. In 1955, the first Disneyland park opened its doors...
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...continues to be the essence of Disney, even as our businesses expand across borders and media platforms, it is the foundation for almost everything we do, the source of our strength and our success, and the fuel that will power us into the future” - Robert Iger, President and CEO - When we hear the word Disney, what is the first think that comes up in our minds? Most people think about Disney and relate it to magical, exciting and large attractions parks and hotels, and the famous Mickey Mouse. However, they missed to see how big and influential this organization really is. Walt Disney Company is one of the World largest communications organizations. Everyone knows Disney! It is everywhere in our lives, from TV, radio and movies, to parks, clothing, accessories and toys. Owning diverse media markets, Disney has build a tradition of culture and niche by efficiently managing its markets and products, allocating them among different cultures, age groups and preferences. In this report I will be analyzing some of the major managerial decisions within the Company, its influences over the market and the way it has established across the years in our culture. We are now about to discover all the financial numbers, facts, operational activities and responsibilities of the Walt Disney Company, the “Happiest Celebration in World.” Let the Magic of Disney to begin… A Little Bit of History Walter Elias Disney founded the Walt Disney Company in 1923 as a dream...
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...Sara Odette Battikh Walt Disney Company Report COMM 387 – Spring 2011 Walt Disney Company Report Note that all information and graphs below are obtained from the websites sited on the reference sheet at the end of the paper. “Creativity continues to be the essence of Disney, even as our businesses expand across borders and media platforms, it is the foundation for almost everything we do, the source of our strength and our success, and the fuel that will power us into the future” - Robert Iger, President and CEO - When we hear the word Disney, what is the first think that comes up in our minds? Most people think about Disney and relate it to magical, exciting and large attractions parks and hotels, and the famous Mickey Mouse. However, they missed to see how big and influential this organization really is. Walt Disney Company is one of the World largest communications organizations. Everyone knows Disney! It is everywhere in our lives, from TV, radio and movies, to parks, clothing, accessories and toys. Owning diverse media markets, Disney has build a tradition of culture and niche by efficiently managing its markets and products, allocating them among different cultures, age groups and preferences. In this report I will be analyzing some of the major managerial decisions within the Company, its influences over the market and the way it has established across the years in our culture. We are now about to discover all the financial numbers, facts, operational...
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