![]() We're offering a 2-week trial of WrapPRO for $1. If you’ve been wanting to check out our full coverage, now’s the time. Greetings!There's no question Bob Iger has made his mark on the Walt Disney Co. As Iger hands over the CEO reins to Josh D'Amaro, our Drew Taylor takes a look back at the legacy he leaves behind. Taylor says Iger's stewardship of Disney over the last two decades has been more like a portfolio manager than a creative vision. He's built the current iteration of the media giant by assembling a collection of powerhouse franchises, from Pixar to Star Wars, topped off by the mega acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019. The results are undeniable – a rundown of his accomplishments during his tenure includes surpassing $4 billion in global box office revenue for four consecutive years; creating a robust and profitable streaming portfolio with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN; and generating $10 billion in operating income in fiscal 2025 for the Experiences division (which includes the parks and cruise ships), nearly 50% above pre-pandemic levels, a feat many imagined would not be impossible. Since he took over in October 2005, Disney shares have risen nearly sevenfold when adjusted for stock splits. Notably, its $100 trading price is up only 7% from when he reassumed his CEO title in November 2022, with shares largely staying within a tight band. But, as Taylor writes, Disney went from a company known for technological innovation and fearless storytelling instincts to one that's so safe that "it's antiseptic." That includes more of a reliance on sequels, spinoffs and remakes that bring in lots of box office revenue, even if they don't leave much of a cultural imprint. D'Amaro, taking questions from investors during today's annual shareholder meeting, seemed to double down on Iger's approach to building up its franchises — even if it's an original film or show. "What really differentiates Disney is what happens after a great story is created," he said. "Everything we create ... each of these are amplified and reinforced across the whole Disney network. It's pretty powerful." But in discussing his approach to the company, he also acknowledged its deeper legacy. "As we continue to innovate, we feel that tremendous responsibility to never compromise on what makes this brand so special," he said. "It's something important to me, Walt's legacy." Roger Cheng Before we move on, be sure to follow me on my socials linked below for the latest updates. DMs are open for tips.
The key theme of Iger's time at Disney has been the assembling of franchises, and then making sure those characters and worlds inhabit the rest of the company's theme parks, shows, cruise ships and other experiences...
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