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Bob Iger is certainly one of the most prominent figures in the entertainment industry. The former and current CEO of Disney is widely recognized for his transformative leadership during his tenure. Known for his strategic acquisitions, including Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, Mr. Iger played a pivotal role in expanding Disney’s portfolio and solidifying its position as a global entertainment powerhouse.
His vision and business acumen have left a lasting impact on the company and the industry as a whole. In his many years in the role of CEO, Iger has shaped the company and left an irreplaceable mark on it. As the company now looks to a future beyond Iger, members of the company are left to discuss possible replacements.
Related: Bob Iger Admits to Major Disney+ Screw Up
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Iger’s Succession Debacle
Iger’s shoes are massive to fill, and the board is taking its time discussing numerous impressive prospects for CEO within the Walt Disney Company. While the discussion of finding those candidates is thrilling on its own, there also lies another conversation to be had about not repeating past mistakes. Several “failures” do taint Iger’s reputation at Disney, but perhaps no mistake has been worse than his decision for his replacement as CEO years ago.
The transition from Mr. Iger to Bob Chapek marked a significant shift in leadership style at Disney. While Bob Iger was praised for his bold decision-making and creative excellence, Bob Chapek was considered money-hungry by customers. Chapek’s run as CEO was made more difficult thanks to global factors like the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Iger eventually stepped in to reclaim the role as CEO after Chapek admitted defeat and stepped down.
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Recently, when discussing Iger, Bank of America analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich went as far as to say, “Bob Chapek may be the biggest mistake Bob Iger made in his career.” Now that the company looks forward to new contenders, reminders of this mistake are resurfacing.
CEO’s Selection Process Will Never Be the Same
While Iger was able to hand-select his replacement last time, it is evident that that won’t be the reality this time. The Walt Disney Company board will be taking the selection of the next CEO incredibly seriously due to the massive stakes that are at hand. In actuality, the company cannot afford another Chapek-level error.
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While the choice for CEO still remains a mystery, it seems that Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro, Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro are the frontrunners for the job. Now, only time will tell who will inherit the throne and take over Iger’s entertainment dynasty.
