...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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...public limited company can grow through the process of either organic growth or internal growth or through the process of merger and acquisition. In the following pages two different public limited companies listed in the United States are taken. One of the animation companies has international exposure and a history of merger and acquisition and other solely operating in USA with no history of merger and acquisition. Discussion Walt Disney Company which is commonly known as Disney is an American diversified multinational company that is headquartered at Walt Disney studio in Burbank California. In terms of revenue the company is largest in the world. The business was established by Disney brothers namely Walt and Roy Disney in the year 1923. The company was a leader in the animation industry before it diversified into other ventures. Pixar on the other hand was formed in 1979 by George Lucus and his recruit Ed Catmull. The company was renamed as Pixar when Steve Jobs acquired majority stake in the company in the year 1986. After the demise of Walt and Roy Disney the company lost the initial success that it had with animation films. It was in this time that a series of animation films that were produced by the company did not farewell at the box office and the company suffered losses. On the other hand Pixar’s computer division was also suffering string of losses and the company was about to go bankrupt. This led to the animation department of the company producing animated...
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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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...Q2 :Provide the details about the sale of Pixar to Disney – again, who got what? How well did the talent of Pixar do in the sale – Lasseter, Stanton, Bird, Catmull, etc? How well did Steve Jobs do? What was his return on investment? There were articles about this in the press. Timeline * 1975, Ed Catmull put together a team of people who formed the basis of Pixar. * 1979 hired by director George W. Lucas and developed as a graphics division for Lucas Films * 1985, Catmull turned to Steve Jobs with the view to making full length feature films using computer animation. * 1986, Steve Jobs bought Computer Graphics Division from George Lucas for $5 million and renamed it Pixar. * 1991, Disney entered into an agreement with Pixar for developing and producing three computer animated feature films * 1997 - a co-production agreement signed, under which Pixar agreed to produce five original computer-animated feature films * 2004, amid reports that the relationship between Pixar CEO Steve Jobs and his counterpart Michael Eisner had broken down, potentially threatening contract renewal negotiations, Disney resolved to replace Eisner with Robert Iger in an effort to preserve the relationship - A clear indication that Disney valued Pixar’s contributions. * In 2006, Disney bought Pixar for $7.4 billion. Key points * Unique advantage Pixar has over other studios is its three proprietary (patented)technologies: RenderMan, Marionette, and Ringmaster...
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...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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...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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...Abstract There are some companies that have been around for many years and are so uniquely American that they have become part of our culture as a nation. Such companies are Ford, Coca-Cola, and McDonalds. Another one of these companies is the Walt Disney Company. Disney was started by the visionary Walt Disney and his legacy lives on in Disney’s employees and Leadership. Bob Iger was handed the reins of Disney in 2005 and he has transformed the company into an even larger influence in our nation and abroad. His leadership and vision has escalated Disney to new heights that Walt could have only dreamed about. Bob Iger, Giving the Mouse a Hand Just saying the name of some companies automatically brings up feelings and images that define them. When you say Coca-Cola the red and white script logo and the curvy glass bottle automatically pop into your head. Companies work hard to reinforce and grow their brand. The leaders of these companies put an immeasurable amount of time in to building that image and they reinforce it again and again. The Walt Disney Company fits this this bill in every way. The slight mention of Disney harkens images of Mickey Mouse and majestic castles surrounded by the happiest place on earth. Disney leadership knows this and works very hard to reinforce this image and grow its brand even further. The Walt Disney Company was started by Walt Disney and his brother Roy Disney on October 16, 1923. Disney has been an innovator...
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...The Fluidity of Disney. Gender Norms & Racial Bias in the Study of the Modern “Disney” The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is an American diversified multinational mass media corporation headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. It is the world's second largest broadcasting and cable company in terms of revenue, after Comcast. Disney was founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, and established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production, television, and theme parks. The company also operated under the names The Walt Disney Studio, then Walt Disney Productions. Taking on its current name in 1986, it expanded its existing operations and also started divisions focused upon theater, radio, music, publishing, and online media. In addition, Disney has created new corporate divisions in order to market more mature content than is typically associated with its flagship family-oriented brands. The company is best known for the products of its film studio, the Walt Disney Studios, which is today one of the largest and best-known studios in Hollywood. Disney also owns and operates the ABC broadcast television network; cable television networks such as Disney Channel, ESPN, A+E Networks, and ABC Family; publishing, merchandising, and theatre divisions; and owns and licenses 14 theme parks around the world. It also has a...
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...Business The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries, is a diversified worldwide entertainment company with operations in five business segments: Media Networks, Parks and Resorts, Studio Entertainment, Consumer Products and Interactive Media. For convenience, the terms “Company” and “we” are used to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted. On December 31, 2009, the Company completed an acquisition of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (Marvel). See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Marvel businesses are reported primarily in our Studio Entertainment and Consumer Products segments. Information on the Company’s revenues, operating income, and identifiable assets appears in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof. The Company employed approximately 156,000 people as of October 1, 2011. MEDIA NETWORKS The Media Networks segment is comprised of international and domestic cable networks and our broadcasting business, which consists of a domestic broadcast television network, television production operations, domestic and international television distribution, domestic television stations, domestic and international broadcast radio networks, domestic radio stations, and publishing and digital operations. Cable Networks Our cable networks group operates the ESPN, Disney Channels Worldwide, ABC Family and SOAPnet networks. The cable networks group...
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...The Walt Disney Company: A Corporate Strategy Analysis Written by Carlos Carillo, Jeremy Crumley, Kendree Thieringer and Jeffrey S. Harrison at the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond. Copyright © Jeffrey S. Harrison. This case was written for the purpose of classroom discussion. It is not to be duplicated or cited in any form without the copyright holder’s express permission. For permission to reproduce or cite this case, contact Jeffrey S. Harrison (RCNcases@richmond.edu). In your message, state your name, affiliation and the intended use of the case. Permission for classroom use will be granted free of charge. Other cases are available at: http://robins.richmond.edu/centers/center-‐for-‐active-‐business-‐education/research/case-‐network.html November 2012 "Walt was never afraid to dream. That song from Pinocchio, 'When You Wish Upon a Star,' is the perfect summary of Walt's approach to life: dream big dreams, even hopelessly impossible...
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...For more than nine decades, the name Walt Disney has been preeminent in the field of family entertainment. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to today's global corporation, The Walt Disney Company continues to proudly provide quality entertainment for every member of the family, across America and around the world. The Birth of a US Icon October 16, 1923 Walt signed a contract with M. J. Winkler to produce a series of Alice Comedies — this date is considered the start of the Disney company first known as The Disney Brothers Studio. In 1923, Disney joined his brother Roy O. Disney in Hollywood. By the time he arrived on the West Coast, word came from New York that a company wanted to purchase the rights to a series of Disney's live-action cartoon reels, ultimately titled Alice Comedies. A distributor named M.J. Winkler offered $1,500 per reel, and Disney joined her as a production partner. November 18, 1928 Steamboat Willie is released at the Colony Theatre in New York -- this marks the release of the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon, and the first appearance by Minnie Mouse. Taking on Television: 1950s In 1954, the "Disneyland" television series premiered. The show included an introduction by Walt Disney and incorporated film clips from Disney productions with live action and coverage of Disneyland. Some four million people tuned in each week. Disney also made a national folk hero out of Davy Crockett when he devoted a three-part program to coverage...
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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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...Andy Cook Nick Miller Hillary Hughes Elizabeth Schaible Table of Contents Company Profile History 3 Organization, Mission, and Culture 3 Functional 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...
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...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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...Walt Disney: Media Introduction/Random Information The Walt Disney Company is the world’s largest media conglomerate. The company has the ability to be a successful conglomerate due to its Board of Directors, content theme of quality, as well as customer ordination in all its operating segments. The company has television holdings in ABC and ten other broadcasting stations, as well as cable networks including; ABC Family, A&E (37%), and ESPN (80%). Each of these divisions that Disney owns and operates are leaders in their respective industries and capitalize multiple channels that have been created to additional products and other tangible goods account for 10% of Walt Disney’s revenue. Media Networks - $17,162,000,000 is up 6% InteractiveMedia- $761,000,000 is up 7 % ABC/Disney’s Target Market Based on the statistics we gathered. The average age is 44.5 years old, Female, $75,000+ household income, 42% have 1+ child per household, home owners, 32% have some sort of education, median household income is $42,360.00. Children are the base but the parents are the deciding factor. Therefore, Disney aims at the parents. Political – Legal Court Judgments Many broadcasters and advertisers dodged a bullet when the NFL solved its labor issues, however, this was not the case with the NBA. With over half of the NBA season being postponed due to negotiations and court hearings are causing billions of dollars worth of losses for broadcasters and advertisers such as one of...
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