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Tag Archives: The Walt Disney Company

May 12

Posted on May 12, 2017 by disneydetail

May 12, 1967 – Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. Signs Disney Bill

On May 12, 1967, then-Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. signed special legislation that allowed Walt Disney Productions’ the ability to run the operations for Walt Disney World. Before the legislation, there were concerns that Florida taxpayers would have to pay for the construction of the new Disney park. This legislation allowed the formation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District with two cities: Bay Lake and Reedy Creek (now known as Lake Buena Vista). The creation of these cities allowed Disney to issue tax-free bonds, as well as remain unaffected by any current or future state land-use laws.

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May 3

Posted on May 3, 2017 by disneydetail

May 3, 1994 – Disney Announces Intention to Start a Cruise Line

“Operating our own cruise line will allow us to bring a new dimension of entertainment to our guests.” – Michael Eisner, then-Disney CEO

On May 3, 1994, the Walt Disney Company publicly announced their intention to create a cruise line, with their first ship estimated to be ready to sail in 1998. This announcement came on the heels of some recent announcements of expansions of the Disney brand, including the renovation of the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City, plans to build a historical theme park in Virginia, and the first professional season of the Mighty Ducks hockey team. Disney had licensed its characters to be a part of the Florida-based Premiere Cruise Lines, but had recently ceased the eight-year agreement with the company. The first ship in the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Magic, sailed out on its maiden voyage on July 30, 1998.

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April 25

Posted on April 25, 2017 by disneydetail

April 25, 2008 – Former Disney CEO is Honored on Hollywood Walk of Fame

“So, I accept this for Frank [Wells], for Bob [Iger], and John [Travolta], and for all the cast members of the Walt Disney Company, and I thank you all for coming out on not too hot a day.”

On April 25, 2008, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner was honored with the 2,361st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his part in Disney’s comeback in the era known as the Disney Renaissance. Eisner, whose tenure at Disney lasted from 1984 to 2005, was joined at his ceremony by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler, current CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger, actor John Travolta, and Mickey Mouse.

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March 23

Posted on March 23, 2017 by disneydetail

March 23, 2011 – Shareholders Elect 13 Directors of the Walt Disney Company Board

“2010 was a great year for The Walt Disney Company. It was a year of excellence – creatively, strategically, and financially.”

On March 23, 2011, Disney announced that shareholders had elected 13 members of the Board of Directors, re-electing members such as Steve Jobs, Bob Iger, and Sheryl Sandberg. The shareholders also supported recommendations from the Company’s auditor, as well as the stock incentive plan and the frequency of votes on executive compensation. Shareholders also agreed to the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the independent accountants for Fiscal Year 2011.

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March 13

Posted on March 13, 2017 by disneydetail

March 13, 1928 – Walt Disney Telegrams Roy Disney After Losing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

“Don’t worry everything ok will give details when arrive”

On March 13, 1928, Walt Disney traveled back to California from New York with his wife Lillian, after negotiations with Charles Mintz about the character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit had failed. Before leaving, Walt sent a telegram to his brother Roy reading: “LEAVING TONITE STOPPING OVER KC ARRIVE HOME SUNDAY MORNING SEVEN THIRTY DON’T WORRY EVERYTHING OK WILL GIVE DETAILS WHEN ARRIVE. WALT.” This telegram is usually associated with the myth of the creation of Mickey Mouse, as Disney announced when he got back to California that he lost Oswald but they would start a new series. Walt, Roy, and friend Ub Iwerks quickly set to work on the first Mickey Mouse cartoon Plane Crazy, which was shown in a nearby movie house on May 15, 1928, though they would not have their first real hit on their hands until Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928.

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March 12

Posted on March 12, 2017 by disneydetail

March 12, 1987 – Robert J. Fitzpatrick is Named President of Euro Disneyland

“In the years I have known him…I have found Bob to be a tireless worker for civic, educational and cultural causes and a person of outstanding managerial ability.” – Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner

On March 12, 1987, the Walt Disney Company publicly announced that president of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) Robert J. Fitzpatrick would be appointed as the president of Euro Disneyland. Fitzpatrick had served as president of CalArts since 1975, and directed the Olympic Arts Festival in Los Angeles. He was chosen through his connections with Disney through CalArts, and for his knowledge of French culture, along with a wide background of interest in art and entertainment. Fitzpatrick would serve as the head of Euro Disney through its development, and left his position in 1993, the year after the park opened.

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February 17

Posted on February 17, 2017 by disneydetail

February 17, 2004 – Disney Signs Agreement with Jim Henson Company for the Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House

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“As such, the deal we announced today is the realization of my father’s dream, and ensures that the Muppet characters will live, flourish and continue to delight audiences everywhere, forever.” – Brian Henson

On February 17, 2004, the Walt Disney Company and the Jim Henson Company announced that an agreement had been reached where Disney would acquire the Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House properties. This deal had gone back to the 1990s, when Jim Henson was working on a deal with Disney before his untimely death. The deal had gone south, and the Jim Henson Company was purchased by the German media company EM.TV in 2000. The Henson family bought the company back in 2003, and reopened negotiations with Disney soon after. The deal included all characters classified under the Muppet banner, including Kermit, Fozzie, and Miss Piggy, as well as all characters, copyrights, trademarks, and television library entities of Bear in the Big Blue House; the deal did not include Sesame Street entities, or Jim Henson’s Create Shop assets.

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February 12

Posted on February 12, 2017 by disneydetail

February 12, 2016 – Disney CEO Bob Iger is Named to the Toy Industry Hall of Fame

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“Mr. Iger has done an impressive job of building on Disney’s rich history and growing their storytelling portfolio, creating new experiences and unforgettable memories for generations of kids to come.” – Toy Industry Association President and CEO Steve Pasierb

On February 12, 2016, the Toy Industry Association inducted the newest member of the Toy Industry Fall of Fame: CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger. Iger was added thanks to his contributions to the toy industry, as well as the “impact his work has had on the lives of children worldwide.” Iger was also recognized for growing the Disney portfolio with the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, and creating new creative platforms for each of them. He was inducted in a special presentation at the 16th annual Toy of the Year Awards ceremony at the 113th North American International Toy Fair, which also celebrated the Toy Industry Association’s centennial.

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February 5

Posted on February 5, 2017 by disneydetail

February 5, 2015- Tom Staggs is Named Chief Operating Officer of The Walt Disney Company

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“It’s a privilege to step into this role, and I am humbled and honored by the opportunity.”

On February 5, 2015, the Walt Disney and Parks and Resorts chairman Tom Staggs was announced to be the new Chief Operating Officer of The Walt Disney Company. Staggs was chosen thanks to his track record in running the parks, his background in investment banking, and his ability to handle complex deals for the company, including the investment in the MagicBand system used in Walt Disney World. Staggs joined Disney in 1990 as the manager of strategic planning after working at Dain Bosworth and Morgan Stanley. He soon moved up the corporate ladder, being named a senior VP in 1995, and was shortly after named an executive VP and Chief Financial Officer. Although concerns arose around Staggs’ ability to handle the strategic management of a company as vast as Disney, his success with the Disneyland Shanghai project seemed to quell any doubts. However, Staggs stepped down from his position and left the company in 2016, after he was unable to secure a commitment that he would succeed Bob Iger after Iger’s retirement in 2018.

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February 3

Posted on February 3, 2017 by disneydetail

February 3, 1930 – Disney Signs First Merchandising Contract

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“…figures and toys of various materials, embodying design of comic Mice[sic] known as Minnie and Mickey Mouse, appearing in copyrighted motion pictures.”

On February 3, 1930, Roy Disney signed The Walt Disney Company’s first merchandising contract of what was to become a multi-million dollar merchandising empire. The contract was with the George Borgfeldt Company of New York, giving them the right to create figurines and toys of Mickey and Minnie Mouse; the first license that the Borgfeldt Company made was with a Swiss firm that created handkerchiefs with the characters’ likenesses. The returns on the products were not great for Disney, as they only received a 2.5% royalty on items that were 50cents or less (about $8.00 today), and 5% royalty on more expensive items.

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