This site uses different types of cookies. Bob Chapek was tapped on Tuesday to succeedlong-time Disney CEO Bob Iger. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. I havent seen anything like this before.. Disney is still evil and still pushing CRT. Disney CEO Bob Chapek admitted at Disneys 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders that he had been actively opposing the bill through back channels despite previously sending out an email to his employees claiming the company would not be taking a stance on the bill. He also played a key role in the commercialization of the studio's film business. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. Critics have cited specific concerns over sections of the bill, including the vague wording about banning classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity that isnt age appropriate that goes beyond the language about kindergarten through third grade. Back in 2018, Danhof confronted then-CEO Iger about ABC News Joy Behar, who was under fire at the time for comments that mocked Vice President Pences Christian faith. Ron DeSantis said he advised former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to stay out of a political battle over legislation in his state limiting discussion of sex and gender in public schools, according to the Republican's forthcoming book. Chief executive Bob Chapek doesnt think so. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Ron DeSantis. As you might imagine, some of them are LGBTQ+ or friends/family members of those who are. The event concluded with a fireside chat from Nadine Smith of Equality Florida and Latondra Newton, Disneys Chief Diversity Officer. He agreed that the company should stand up more for the LGBTQ+ community in pursuit of more meaningful and lasting change. Critics have depicted the bill as hurtful to LGBTQ inclusiveness and dubbed it the "Don't Say Gay" bill. ABC NEWS' AMY ROBACH CAUGHT ON HOT MIC SAYING NETWORK SPIKED HER EPSTEIN BOMBSHELL, Danhof asked Chapek directly, What steps can you take to return objectivity to ABC and when can we expect to see balanced coverage return?. Iger acknowledged Chapek likely won't make the same decisions he would have made as future problems arise. Ron DeSantis. Despite the acrimony this month and a rare public clash last summer with an A-list star, Scarlett Johansson the company has been rebuilding after the depths of the pandemic and posted stellar financial results in February for its most recent quarter. In November 2022, longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger announced he was replacing Chapek after two years away from the company. Unclassified cookies are cookies that we are in the process of classifying, together with the providers of individual cookies. Chapek has a career as an American media executive. They allegedly alsomade the workplace environment hostile. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. And if that doesnt happen, to get these bills repealed, she added. Disney this week said it will work to repeal the legislation in Florida because it's dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of the LGBTQ+ community. Ever since Chapek spoke up, critics on the right have condemned Disney as being too "woke" and even talked of boycotting the resort. Many of them have led to price increases. Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. People are questioning DeSantiss comments. ABC News declined to comment when reached by Fox News. As the controversy over the Parental Rights in Education bill was coming to a head, Chapek called me. Feature Image: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images, Tags: Bob ChapekBob IgerChapekDisneyLake NonaThe Walt Disney Company. Bob Chapek at the Pinocchio premiere in December 2022. The exec is continuing to try to put the company on more stable footing after its response to Floridas Dont Say Gay bill met with fierce backlash internally and in influential pockets of the talent community. Now, you could argue that inflation is real during the pandemic. Source: Everyone was attacking Governor DeSantis with bald-faced lies, and he was the one who stood for what he believed. Specialty Preview, Ozy Media Closes In Wake Of Founder Carlos Watson Scandal, TikTok Introduces New Feature To Limit Screen Time For Teens, Prolific Actor Dies At 61 After Aneurysm; Hollywood Reax + Career In Photos, Eyes $51M+ Opening In U.S., A Record For Rocky Spinoff Franchise & Amazon, SAG-AFTRA And Casting Directors Weigh In On Self-Tape Controversy, Oscar Winner Guillermo del Toro On The Films That Lit His Fuse. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. People like me will say, Gee, how come Disney has never said anything about China, where they make a fortune? DeSantis told Chapek, according to the book. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. Iger said he's felt himself become increasingly dismissive of other people's ideas, a sign he should let someone else lead Disney. A Disney shareholder is speaking out against the company's involvement in Florida politics by actively opposing the Republican-led "Parental Rights in Education" bill championed by Republican Gov. Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. Chapek has not commented on the DeSantis report. All Rights Reserved. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek privately complained to Florida Gov. After weeks of internal strife and external controversy surrounding the Walt Disney Companys lack of public response to the Dont Say Gay legislation in Florida, The Shanghai and Hong Kong Disney parks have been shuttered until the outbreak can be contained and there are concerns from analysts that upcoming Disney film releases like "Mulan" could be disrupted because cinemas are currently closed in China. Its only temporary and has nothing to do with the content of the comments. Florida Gov. Colleagues perceive former CEO Bob Iger as a highly political person with an acute mind for such situations. Iger told Disney staffers in November that he didnt like that the Mouse House was embroiled in controversy and that he would work to quiet things down.. A source familiar with the situation told The Hollywood Reporter that HRC is still in active discussions with Disney around Chapeks initial financial pledge as well as the companys ongoing action around state legislation. It wasn't the reason I left, but it was a contributing factor.". Bob Chapek (C) Chairman of Parks, Experiences, and Products for the Walt Disney Company speaks during the dedication ceremony for the "Rise of the Resistance" attraction opening at Galaxy's Edge at Disneys Hollywood Studios on December 04, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Disney allowed the drill team to perform based on an audition tape it had sent. Occupy Democrats is a political organization and information website that provides a new counterbalance to the Republican Tea Party. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Carano last month raised the issue of a double standard in an interview with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, noting that Pascal was not fired for a 2018 tweet comparing undocumented children in cages in the U.S. to Jews in concentration camps. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. TV. Danhof, who has shown up to Disney shareholder meetings to ask fiery questions in the past, told Chapek that he had been imploring former CEO Bob Iger to address ABC News issues for years. Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek apologized to employees at the company for the companys handling of Floridas so-called Dont Say Gay bill and said that it would Wright was disciplined after higher-ups at ABC News reviewedfootagein whichWright described himself as a "socialist" and criticized the network for the way in which it chooses to present the news. Most of the decisions appear understandable in isolation. Fridays move came after Chapek announced in a Disney shareholder meeting Wednesday that the company would pledge $5 million to LGBTQ organizations focused on legal protections for the community a donation HRC rejected the same day. "Bob is probably the best qualified person in the company to take this job," Michael Nathanson, senior research analyst at MoffettNathanson, said on CNBC's "Closing Bell" Tuesday. I think change, I think generally speaking, change is good. Greg Abbott on a different front. All Rights Reserved. "Right now, the course that Bob has laid is one that we fully intend to follow and I think will pay dividends for our shareholders for years to come," he said. Parents would be able to sue school districts over the issue. He stepped down last year as CEO, succeeded by Bob Chapek, but has stayed on as chairman through the coronavirus pandemic. Disney employees skew toward the pro-vaccine and anti-Dont Say Gay side, which is California, not Florida. Thats not even a dig on Chapek. Disney Chairman Bob Iger is leaving the company at the end of the month. The Mickey-Shaped Treats Trending Right Now! Beliefs like that hurt the brand. ", Nathanson said the selection of Chapek was not a surprise and a "win-win for the company.". Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 02:35. All Rights Reserved. Many of the workers who have agreed to go to Florida remain in California for the time being. Ron DeSantis said he advised former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to stay out of a political battle over legislation in his state limiting discussion of sex and gender in public schools, according to the Republican's forthcoming book. Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. ", FLORIDA REPUBLICANS CONDEMN 'WOKE' DISNEY, URGE MORE BOYCOTTS BY CONSERVATIVES AGAINST THE 'ACTIVIST MACHINE'. Many speculated about Bob Igers future plans after his shocking decision to resign as CEO of The Walt Disney Company in February, including whether he intended to run for president. If signed by DeSantis, the bill would prohibit discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools up to the third grade and limits it to age-appropriate students in higher grades. Disney did not return requests for comment. After two tumultuous years, on November 20, Iger stepped back into the spotlight and Chapek was out. So, Disney had to do many of these things, and I would agree with you. All rights reserved. Florida Gov. Iger, 70, is leaving Disney after running the company from 2005 to 2020. Wright was recently disciplined by higher-ups at ABC News. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Chapek seems content to stick his head in the sand when it comes to the pervasive anti-conservative bias across ABC News, just as his predecessor Mr. Iger always was. Chapek is far less publicly political than his predecessor, who once considered a run for the Democratic nomination for president. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 2023 CNBC LLC. Robert ChapekPolitical Campaign Contributions2016 Election Cycle. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. As a new CEO, he was easily victimized. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. Its gut-check time for every CEO and company [in] America. We want to hear from you. Kathleen Kennedy Cites Impact Of Women, Artists Of Color And LGBTQ On Industry Amid Disney Dont Say Gay Backlash PGA Awards. The debut of "Disney Enchantment" during "The World's Most Magical Celebration" Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom on Sept. 30, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. Pixar deal completed to show Disney employees it was a new day, says former CEO Bob Iger, Disney's Bob Iger: Leaving during Covid was unfortunate timing, Charley Gallay | Getty Images; Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | Getty Images, App-based entertainment is replacing linear channels like traditional media, says fmr. Disney CEO Bob Chapek is pausing all of the companys political donations in Florida following the passage of the Dont Say Gay bill, a major escalation in his feud DeSantis signed the bill into law last March 28, which prompted Disney to publicly rip the new law and stand with Disneys LGBTQ employees and advocates in Florida. A 27-year veteran of the Walt Disney Company, Chapek, 60, has a proven track record with consumers having been instrumental in the growth of the company's parks, consumer products and studio film businesses. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. Disney CEO Bob Chapek now claims he wants the company to be everything for everyone after he caved to the woke mob and fought the anti-grooming law in Florida. Initially, complaints arose about the fact that Disney wasnt letting the drill team wear their headdresses. It fit into the larger corporate campaign known as Reimagine Tomorrow, which aims to emphasize Disneys commitment to diversity and inclusion. Thats what has happened, though. (Gerardo Mora / Getty Images) Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest Ron DeSantis over the pressure he was facing to weigh in against Floridas Parental When everything is fine, but you unintentionally create your own drama, thats a sign that youre your own worst enemy. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. We cant say if he told DeSantis, but why wouldnt he tell him? We want to hear from you! Conversely, Chapek believes that his best approach is to avoid politics altogether, a legitimate impossibility for a company like Disney. Prior to working at the parks, Chapek led Disney's home entertainment business starting in 2009 and led the organization to record-setting performances. Legal Statement. Earlier this month, in an email to employees, Chapek apologized to workers for letting you down by not being more of an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Then, Chapek prioritized Disney+ as the core business model for the entire company. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 2024 frontrunner: Trump wins CPAC straw poll in a landslide, Ron DeSantis skips CPAC as organization faces scandals, Florida bill would require bloggers writing about DeSantis to share pay info, DeSantis rips other GOPers for acting like potted plants in face of woke ideology fight: report, Chapek, who had stayed silent on the bill, re-evaluate Disneys special tax district, called Reedy Creek, signing a law to strip Disney World of its Reedy Creek control on Monday. Thanks to a reportedly massive payment Disney sent to Johansson, the two parties have since made up. During the pandemic, Disney has ramped up its usage of high school performers at theme parks, especially Magic Kingdom. Chapeks statement comes after a week of criticism from fans and employees about his delayed reaction to the bill, which he opposed only after it passed both houses of the Legislature and was sent to DeSantis for his signature. All Rights Reserved. Iger said he had to convince founders that he wouldn't disappoint them after completing an acquisition. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. Disney has since stated it will no longer donate to political campaigns. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. This year, Mr. Chapek contended with one crisis after another, some of his own making. That argument is correct, independent of where you may fall on the political spectrum. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. Chapek has also personally condemned the bill most vigorously, albeit a week too late. Contribution Chapek released Black Widow on Disney+ without checking whether the films star, Scarlett Johansson, minded. Theyve invested millions of dollars in donations to political parties and more over the last 25 years, theyve given in-kind donations (like tickets to the parks and hotel Disney had already been under fire from the bills critics over its contributions to the bills GOP sponsors, including $11,000 over the last 12 years to GOP state Sen. Dennis Baxley of Ocala. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek privately complained to Florida Gov. Chapek cared too much about his needs and not enough about those of others. However, in the wake of the Dont Say Gay legislation, such a move feels like a betrayal of their values. This choice cost her tens of millions of dollars, as her contract rewarded her with a split of box office revenue. Timing 'surprising' says senior analyst on Bob Iger stepping down. Wright then expounded at length on his political views. The more combustible of those situations unfolded over House Bill 1557, the so-called Dont Say legislation. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via / Getty Images). This is not just about Bob Chapek and Disney, she told the audience. In his book, the Florida governor says the Disney sagas lesson is that in an environment of woke capital where large companies employ their influence to advance left-wing political agendas, old-guard corporate Republicanism is not up to the task at hand.. Chapek wrapped up the session and thanked all of the participants. With Jobs, Iger said he "was never disappointed" with Disney's integration of Pixar. At this point, I felt confident he knew what he was doing because that was the right move. FAQ - New Privacy Policy, New York Posts Karol Markowicz discusses how Disney is pushing back against Floridas parental rights bill and how she is quitting the park on Fox Business Tonight.. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. Alas, Chapek fell too deeply in love with the idea of increasing Disney+ subscriber numbers. I want to be crystal clear: I and the entire leadership team unequivocally stand in support of our LGBTQ+ employees, their families, and their communities. Disney named Chapek the new CEO last month after Iger abruptly stepped down. "Look, the world is changing dramatically, and it's important for the CEO of a company to address all of those changes rapidly," Iger said. ", Florida Gov. You can look at the comments section for any Disney discussion, and its an inevitable statement from some. All rights reserved. Disney CEO Bob Chapek has had private phone calls this year with House Republican leaders including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. In a letter sent to Disney workers, Chapek said the bill was not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights., You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down, he wrote. In addition to what all Americans witness on a daily basis, Project Veritas has recently exposed numerous examples of ABC journalists admitting that the network bosses repeatedly spike positive stories on President Trump, Danhof said. Here are Disney's major milestones under Bob Iger's leadership. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. 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The controversial Project Veritas is the same group that published footage of ABC anchor Amy Robach claiming ABC News executives killeda story that would have exposed the now-deceased sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinthree years ago. He was the I can assure you of that. 02:12. Before joining Disney, Chapek worked in brand management at ketchup maker H.J. Iger will assume the role of executive chairman. Chapek is a liar. In it, the Disney leader said the company had not released a public statement condemning the bill, which was passed by the state legislation Tuesday and has been sent to DeSantis desk to be signed, because they are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame., Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. pic.twitter.com/eJnZMpKIXT. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. News Analysis. Many of them chose to retire or find other jobs rather than move to Florida. Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest Disney's Chapeks eventually criticized the Florida legislation, paused all political giving in Florida and apologized to employees. We've received your submission. This performance should never have gone forward. Got a confidential news tip? Disney has given about $55 million to Republicans, Democrats and political committees in the state over the past 28 years, including about $5 million in 2020 and more than $2 million so far in 2022, state records show. At the time, I dismissed those concerns, as Chapek had headed Disneys lucrative home video division. Theyve invested millions of dollars in donations to political parties and more over the last 25 years, theyve given in-kind donations (like tickets to the parks and hotel stays) to political parties, and theyve hired lobbyists. Californias governor has similarly stated his desire to keep Disney on the West Coast in a place that actually represents the values of your workers.. VIDEO 3:58 03:58. In the interim, these shows have filled the void. Madison addressed The Walt Disney Companys latest pledge during the LGBTQ advocacy groups annual Los Angeles dinner, held Saturday night at the JW Marriott LA Live Hotel. Disney CEO Denies Political Leanings Following Gina Carano Firing During annual shareholder call, CEO Bob Chapek maintains the media giant isnt left leaning or right leaning, but instead stands for the universal values of respect, decency, integrity, and inclusion. Those three acquisitions, which cost Disney roughly $15 billion, combined, turned Disney into an intellectual property behemoth. Disney Chairman and former CEO Bob Iger told CNBC he began thinking about stepping down as chief executive after feeling he was becoming too dismissive of other people's opinions.