Disneys decision to fold under the pressure of the lying-Left is disappointing.. As you might imagine, some of them are LGBTQ+ or friends/family members of those who are. The Wrap has reported that Imagineers have campaigned for Disney to reconsider. Legal Statement. Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. People that do something very wrong then make excuses are evil. Ron DeSantis said that ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek complained to him about the pressure he was under from the left [WOKEs] to join in on the Governors new education bill restricting gender identity lessons, PK-3. He has a microbiology degree from Indiana University Bloomington and received his MBA from Michigan State University. DeSantis backs down from his commitment to doing whats best for Floridas children and parents. "I am sorry. When Chapek took the job as head of Disney, critics lamented his lack of experience with the Hollywood studio system. Got a confidential news tip? The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers. Park officials reeeeeaaally dont want headlines with racist chant in them. The segment includes Disney's travel and leisure businesses, including six resort destinations and a cruise line, its consumer products operations, including all of its licensing of apparel, toys, home goods, digital games, apps, publishing and retail locations, as well as all of its theme parks globally. This story has been shared 151,093 times. Chapek has a career as an American media executive. Disneys CEO transition from Bob Iger to Bob Chapek marked a shift from an outspoken, famous CEO with political ambitions, to a largely unfamiliar name whose "Parks is the only business they have, before [streaming], that's direct to consumer.". The head of Disney's parks, experiences and products is now its new CEO. Its bad for business and even worse for the Disney brand. "I obviously have huge shoes to fill," Chapek told CNBC's Julia Boorstin on "Closing Bell" Tuesday. Disney has been able to build a robust library of kids movies while using the IP to churn out spinoffs and sequels, adding new content to its flagship streaming service, Disney+, to keep people paying month after month. Ever since Chapek spoke up, critics on the right have condemned Disney as being too "woke" and even talked of boycotting the resort. The bills Republican sponsors have also been more openly vocal about LGBTQ students, with Baxley complaining about everybody now all about coming out when youre in school.. This is not just about Bob Chapek and Disney, she told the audience. DeSantis cements takeover of Disney's special Florida district, Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. Disney CEO Bob Chapek downplayed criticism of ABC News. 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Now, of course, taking Chapek has not commented on the DeSantis report. 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. October 26, 2021 at 5:36 Contribution I feel terrible about it. 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. "Parks is a business where they use data to drive pricing and engagement," Nathanson said. Bob Chapek That has become increasingly important as streaming video slowly replaces linear pay TV and movie theaters as the dominant form of entertainment distribution. Many of the calls Parents would be able to sue school districts over the issue. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I was glad to speak to Bob yesterday afternoon, and we had a very productive conversation about the need for Disney to put real muscle into stopping whats happening to their employees and to their fans.. Bob Chapek ABC News declined to comment when reached by Fox News. If Disney had merely maintained the status quo, a multi-coastal business operation, none of these headlines would dominate the media. As the controversy over the Parental Rights in Education bill was coming to a head, Chapek called me. Bob Chapek at the Pinocchio premiere in December 2022. All Rights Reserved. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek privately complained to Florida Gov. I think change, I think generally speaking, change is good. Bob Chapek When you face challenges and screw up, thats totally understandable. The thought process here stems from the high cost of real estate in California relative to Florida. DeSantis in new book says Disney CEO complained of pressure Disney hasnt brought back all its union-based performers yet, although it has taken recent steps to do so. At Corporate Pep Rally, Disney CEO Pitches Warmer, Fuzzier Side Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek is pausing all of the companys political donations in Florida after the passage of the dont say gay bill and apologized to employees for his silence during the months-long debate on the measure. In the interim, these shows have filled the void. Iger sat down for an exclusive interview with CNBC's David Faber. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. Iger credited his ability to get founders to sell him assets to his intense focus on building personal relationships. It sounds about right. Apparently, a Texas high school doesnt know what year it is and still performs a routine featuring Indianettes.. So, Disney purchased nearly 60 acres of land in Lake Nona, Florida. ", Nathanson said the selection of Chapek was not a surprise and a "win-win for the company.". You will be redirected back to your article in, Paramount To Pay $122.5M To Settle 2019 Shareholder Lawsuit Over Viacom-CBS Merger, Film Independent Spirit Awards: Livestream + Latest Winners List, posted stellar financial results in February, 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. Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. All Rights Reserved. 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. Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. The political mistake ties back to a previous choice. News Analysis. He will be the seventh CEO in Disney's nearly 100-year history. He will officially give up his chairman role at the end of the year. Its gut-check time for every CEO and company [in] America. Chapek and Disneys past public silence on the controversial HB 1557/SB 1834 bill ignited an internal revolt among the companys LGBTQ employees and their allies, leading to the CEO apologizing Friday for not being a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights., You may have seen the news earlier this week that HRC is not going to take any funding from Disney until we see them take real action to defeat hateful legislation in Florida, the HRC interim leader said during her speech at the Saturday event. During the evening, Charlee Corra also took the stage and announced that he along with parents Sheri and Roy P. Disney, the great-nephew of Walt Disney, would match $250,000 in donations to HRC. DeSantis published the conversation with Chapek in his memoir, The Courage to be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival, shared with Fox News Digital. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "Im totally fine with reining in corporations, I think theyre too many billionaires, and I think theres a wealth gap thats a problem. 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. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. watch now. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Chapek has a career as an American media executive. Period. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. Now, you could argue that inflation is real during the pandemic. 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. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. Bob Chapek 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. During the town hall, Chapek repeated his expression of regret about the companys decision not to take a public stance against the bill, given the large number of its employees it affected. Bob Chapek - Wikipedia He was the executive, he executes policy, no one else. Bob Chapek Asked about Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy, Chapek said he is absolutely thrilled with her and the company looks forward to having Kathy directing the activities of the entire Lucasfilm operation for many years to come.. 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. But, thus far, theyve had no impact on the bottom line, as Disney just claimed its second-best park performance ever for a fiscal quarter. The event concluded with a fireside chat from Nadine Smith of Equality Florida and Latondra Newton, Disneys Chief Diversity Officer. 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 Bob Chapek was tapped on Tuesday to succeed long-time Disney CEO Bob Iger. 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. Chapek allegedly told him he didnt want to get involved but hadnt seen anything like it, but thats not what he said in public. Bob Chapek Bob Chapek was born Robert Alan Chapek on August 21, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. 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 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. What Is Bob Chapek Political Party? DeSantis retaliated by signaling publicly that he would be willing to re-evaluate Disneys special tax district, called Reedy Creek, and favorable corporate agreements due to its insistence on woke political activism. Its just a bit more subtle. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. CEO Denies Political Leanings Following Gina Carano Disney CEO Bob Chapek gets close to GOP lawmakers ahead of When everything is fine, but you unintentionally create your own drama, thats a sign that youre your own worst enemy. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Bob Chapek Corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds, he wrote, and are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide. So what Disney says means nothing? Disney CEO Bob Chapek is facing a crisis of confidence in his leadership that is fueling an atypical level of turmoil at the top of the worlds largest entertainment company.. The Parental Rights in Education bill has passed the Florida Legislature and awaits the signature of Gov. This story has been shared 102,949 times. Dave Filoni Answers, Relieve the Battle of Hoth With This Star Wars Mystery Pin Set, Dining / Disney California Adventure / Disneyland, Must-Try Menu Items at Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. All Rights Reserved. (ABC/ RANDY SAGER). Chapek Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Chapek A rep for ABC News toldFox News he would be reassigned after serving his suspension and an insider said he was hoodwinked into making the statements oncamera. Disney CEO Told DeSantis He Didnt Want to Do It Its even possible that nobody was seriously vetting at all. "I didn't do the deal myself, but it was singular in terms of the pursuit one on one in some cases being as candid as I possibly could be, and I think as authentic as I could be, and developing a relationship, even if it was developed over a relatively brief period of time.". People are questioning DeSantiss comments. "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. ABC NEWS SUSPENDS DAVID WRIGHT FOR REMARKS MADE IN PROJECT VERITAS VIDEO. HB 1557/SB 1834, dubbed the Dont Say Gay bill,would seek to ban classroom discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and has been labeled a government censorship bill by the ACLU of Florida. Chapek took on the role of CEO back in February of 2020 from Bob Iger, right before the entire world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney did not return requests for comment. As the controversy over the Parental Rights in Education bill was coming to a head, Chapek called me, DeSantis writes, he did not want Disney to get involved, but he was getting a lot of pressure to weigh in against the bill.. Read More. We cant say if he told DeSantis, but why wouldnt he tell him? The more combustible of those situations unfolded over House Bill 1557, the so-called Dont Say legislation. Ousted Disney chief executive Bob Chapek is set to receive a hefty paycheck following his exit. Occupy Democrats is a political organization and information website that provides a new counterbalance to the Republican Tea Party. As a new CEO, he was easily victimized. A growing number of participants in the retreat were expressing reluctance with pressing ahead given the climate at the company. An amendment from GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes that would have widened the classroom instruction ban to human sexuality, and not specifically orientation and identity, failed to pass. Chapek is far less publicly political than his predecessor, who once considered a run for the Democratic nomination for president. I feel that the truth suffers, the voters are poorly informed, and people also have the opportunity to tune into whatever they want to hear, Wright said in the video, which also featured an ABCNews producer. 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. Then, Chapek prioritized Disney+ as the core business model for the entire company. 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?. In "The Courage to Be Free," the governor describes a conversation with former CEO Bob Chapek about Disney's political activities. Bill Mahers Real Time Questions The Paths Taken By Disney, TLC, A&E & History Channel. Disney employees skew toward the pro-vaccine and anti-Dont Say Gay side, which is California, not Florida. Disney suspends political contributions in Florida as CEO WebBob Chapek. According to Fox News, in his book, The Courage to Be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival,which will be released Tuesday, DeSantis recounts a private conversation he had last year with Chapek, who had stayed silent on the bill. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 2023 CNBC LLC. 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. The bill bars teachers from discussingLGBTQtopics like sexual orientation or gender identity with students until after third grade. New York CNN . Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. In addition to pledging to enlist an outside adviser to guide the companys efforts, Chapek also is creating a companywide task force led by studios SVP Global Communications Paul Roeder and Disney Parks marketing executive Lisa Becket. Behind the scenes, I was not, as a father of children ages five, four, and two, comfortable with the continuation of Disneys special arrangement, DeSantis wrote in his memoir. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. We've received your submission. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. To my fellow colleagues, but especially our LGBTQ+ community, thank you to all who have reached out to me sharing your pain, frustration and sadness over the companys response to the Florida Dont Say Gay bill, Chapek said in his letter. REUTERS. What Is Bob Chapek Political Party? - vimbuzz.com Mutual Fund and ETF data provided byRefinitiv Lipper. 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.. News Analysis. And if that doesnt happen, to get these bills repealed, she added. It fit into the larger corporate campaign known as Reimagine Tomorrow, which aims to emphasize Disneys commitment to diversity and inclusion. On top of the stock woes, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has become a punching bag for cultural critics. The company did this after adding a Fifth Key last year, Inclusion. "Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that. He agreed that the company should stand up more for the LGBTQ+ community in pursuit of more meaningful and lasting change. 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.. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. We have a multi-language translator on the top left. Disney has intentionally left some fans behind, but it may need them later. While Chapek was positive and largely avoided Danhofs criticism, his comment that Wrights objectivity is questionable coincides with the networks decision to suspend the veteran reporter. He states his positions situationally for his personal profit. Conversely, Chapek believes that his best approach is to avoid politics altogether, a legitimate impossibility for a company like Disney. Iger, 69, will remain with the company through 2021 to handle Disney's content initiatives such as Disney+, with the expectation that Chapek will eventually take control of all roles. It wasn't the reason I left, but it was a contributing factor.". Meet a Disney Cast Member Advocating for Accessible Technology, Where Was Grogu During The Sequel Trilogy? Greg Abbott on a different front. The tech companies and entertainment companies here who have an influential presence across the country and around the world have an important role to play in fighting state-sanctioned discrimination wherever it exists., Madison said the country is at a tipping point, similar to the 2016 HB2 anti-trans bathroom legislation, or the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, in North Carolina and pointed to how companies that refused to expand business in the state, they pulled out of conferences, they canceled events impacted the fate of that bill. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek last year complained to Florida Gov. https://1792exchange.com/spotlightreports/. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File. That philosophy applies to Disneys park behavior during the pandemic as well. 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. 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. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Chapek had apologized multiple times to the LGBTQ community and vowed to suspend all political donations in Florida as a result. In truth, the only decision I believe Disney shouldnt have made is the removal of Magical Express. However, its not what Chapek said at the time. This caused #FireGinaCarano to trend and eventually, she was. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. Chapek has also personally condemned the bill most vigorously, albeit a week too late. Pushaw did not immediately return a request for comment Friday. Some folks took offense at that, which isdefinitely a take. Disney shareholder tells CEO Chapek to stop wasting money on Bob Chapek downplays ABC News' scandals Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. November 21, 2022 by Mary Bob Chapek was born Robert Alan Chapek on August 21, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Abbott issued an order, which was blocked by a state judge, to have parents investigated for potential child abuse charges if their transgender children receive hormone blockers. But that's neither good nor bad. Disneys queer characters wont hide its funding of real villains 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. In November 2022, longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger announced he was replacing Chapek after two years away from the company. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, Interim president Joni Madison confirmed she and Bob Chapek "had a very productive conversation about the need for Disney to put real muscle into stopping what's happening to their employees and to their fans.". I havent seen anything like this before.. Earlier this month, Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out on the pro-Trump mob attack on the US Capitol. Original story, Wednesday morning: Disney CEO Bob Chapek said during the companys shareholders meeting on Wednesday that he will be meeting with Florida Gov. Human Rights Campaign interim president Joni Madison says the LGBTQ organization has already been in touch with Bob Chapek after the Disney CEO committed to pausing all political donations in Florida following internal backlash over its initial silence around the Dont Say Gay bill. Bob Chapek Whether Disney CEO Bob Chapek had considered this before multiple shareholders pressed him about this bill this week during Disneys annual investors call isnt clear. In short, this debacle was totally avoidable. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com In totality, its one problematic mistake, though.