Wow. Okay, so it’s been fairly obvious that Disney isn’t what it once was (how many recent Disney movies can you think of that were really worthwhile that weren’t Pixar productions with the Disney logo stamped on them?), but this is still a fairly amazing development. Roy Disney himself has left the Walt Disney company, and includes a call for Michael Eisner’s resignation or retirement in his letter of resignation.
It is with deep sadness and regret that I send you this letter of resignation from the Walt Disney Company, both as Chairman of the Feature Animation Division and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
You well know that you and I have had serious differences of opinion about the direction and style of management in the company in recent years. For whatever reason, you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations and activities to you. I find this intolerable.
…I believe your conduct has resulted from my clear and unambiguous statements to you and the Board of Directors that after 19 years at the helm you are no longer the best person to run the Walt Disney Company. You had a very successful first 10-plus years at the company in partnership with Frank Wells, for which I salute you. But since Frank’s untimely death in 1994, the company has lost its focus, its creative energy, and its heritage.
[…]
In conclusion, Michael, it is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me. Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement. The Walt Disney Company deserves fresh, energetic leadership at this challenging time in its history just as it did in 1984 when I headed a restructuring which resulted in your recruitment to the Company.
I have and will always have an enormous allegiance and respect for this Company, founded by my uncle, Walt, and father, Roy, and to our faithful employees and loyal stockholders. I don’t know if you and other directors can comprehend how painful it is for me and the extended Disney family to arrive at this decision.
(via aeire)
I had heard that Roy was forced out of the company, as he had passed mandatory retirement age or some such nonsense.
People have been calling for Eisner’s resignation for years, but the unanswered question remains – if Eisner is forced out, who can take over the company? Of course, one can blame Eisner for this very problem because he hasn’t named a successor, but any “kick Eisner out” advocate has to address the issue. In my uneducated view, Jeffrey Katzenberg was the best of the candidates, but the opportunity to give Disney to Katzenberg has long since passed.
Bob Eiger could keep it going until some one was found. Currently it’s pretty much on autopilot now. Also Eiger is pretty sharp. He’s the one who managed to finally talk Eisner into shutting down most of the Internet operation.
That was just a measly $3 billion over two years that went nowhere.
Ever notice how that little factoid hasn’t come up in any of the news stories?
Eisner is a son-of-a BITCH and if he knows what’s good for him, HE’LL STEP THE FUCK DOWN!. I’ll Make him if I have to!
Vengence!
Hey Eisner…
Take a long walk on a short diving board… and take all those screwballs with you! We want the real Disney back… not some greedy, two-faced, back-stabbin’, money-grubin’ loser! SQUEEK! SQUEEK! SQUEEK!
Well, now at least one company (Comcast) is trying to acquire Disney. If nothing else, this offers Eisner a face-saving way out. Long-term, he might be able to claim “OK, so I was penny-pinching, but at least I wasn’t a cable operator.”
Does anyone know where I can find more information about Bob Eiger? It appears that I may be a distant relative of him.