Bob Iger recently held his first Town Hall meeting as the newly returned CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
Bob Iger ©New York Post
In the meeting, we learned how Iger felt about the Park Pass Reservation System, that the previously announced hiring freeze would continue, and that no, Disney would not be merging with Apple. Now, it looks like Iger is sharing his thoughts on a few of the controversies that have surrounded the company in recent years.
The Walt Disney Company has been no stranger to controversy recently, and now CEO Bob Iger is dealing with whatever fallout remains from it. During a recent Town Hall meeting with Cast Members, Iger was asked about everything from potential mergers to employees returning from remote work, to the company’s relationship with the state of Florida.
©Disney
After confirming that the hiring freeze announced by former CEO Bob Chapek would continue, Iger shared that the rumors surrounding Apple purchasing Disney were “speculation” and that he does not expect to make any acquisitions during his two-year contract.
Iger stated, “Nothing is forever, but I am very, very comfortable with each of the assets that we have,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
Then, Iger was asked about the tumultuous relationship between Disney and the state of Florida since the Parental Rights in Education law (or “Don’t Say Gay” law by critics) was introduced. You might remember that Disney initially didn’t respond to the bill, then the company issued a response followed by a memo from then-CEO Bob Chapek, a later apology from Chapek, and further comments.
In response to Disney’s condemnation of the bill (which has since been signed into law), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pushed a bill through the state legislature that will dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, which gives Disney special taxing status.
©Spectrum News 13
Iger shared, “I had no idea what its ramifications are in terms of the business itself,” in response to the dissolution of the district. “The state of Florida has been very important to us for a long time, and we have been very important to the state of Florida.”
Reedy Creek Trash Cans
He was then asked what the company’s position is when it comes to taking political stances and replied, “I think there’s a misperception here about what politics is.” He continued, “Some of the subjects that have been proven to be controversial as it relates to Disney have been branded political, and I don’t think they are.”
“Do I like the company being embroiled in controversy? Of course not.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline
What exactly Iger plans on doing about the future of Reedy Creek or how the company will handle any potential future controversy remains to be seen, but we’ll keep you updated with the latest!
To read more about the recent changes in the company, check out our posts below:
- Bob Iger Is Back at Disney. Here’s What Can Change (and What Won’t).
- Why Disney Replaced Bob Chapek With Bob Iger
- Celebrities React to Disney’s Decision To Bring Bob Iger Back as CEO
- Bob Iger Announces Kareem Daniel, a Lieutenant of Bob Chapek, Is Leaving Disney
- Disney CEO Bob Iger Salary REVEALED
- Bob Chapek Did “Irreparable Damage to His Ability to Lead,” Disney Board of Directors Reportedly Determined
Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news.
Is Disney CEO Iger on a Collision Course with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis?
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Being gay is not, and should never be, a political issue. Is being straight a political issue? No, it is not. As for Reedy Creek – why ruin a good thing. Sounds like the state would benefit from leaving it as is. I believe the governor felt his ego was injured by Disney’s response and that if he didn’t retaliate, it would make him look weak. Plus, he’s a bully and that’s what bullys do, even if hurts their own agenda.
Disney playing down the Reedy Creek issue as not being a political is a joke. Disney’s woke culture got them into trouble and they lost billions in value on account of this. Disney needs to get back to promoting and protecting wholesome traditional values or it will continue to fail. Maybe DeSantis put some sense into them.