Ray Keating, an economist and editor of DisneyBizJournal.com, said when companies dive into politics, it rarely turns out and well. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. Disney has *deep breath* eliminated Magical Express, exchanged free FastPasses for paid Lightning Lane experiences, required Park Passes, temporarily removed the dining plan and most annual passes, and raised many food/drink prices. If you dont see your language, email sara@independentsentinel.com we will add it. The controversial Project Veritas is the same group that published footage of ABC anchor Amy Robach claiming ABC News executives killeda story that would have exposed the now-deceased sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinthree years ago. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Iger planned to run for POTUS at one point. Earlier this month, in an email to employees, Chapek apologized to workers for letting you down by not being more of an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 2024 frontrunner: Trump wins CPAC straw poll in a landslide, Ron DeSantis skips CPAC as organization faces scandals, Florida bill would require bloggers writing about DeSantis to share pay info, DeSantis rips other GOPers for acting like potted plants in face of woke ideology fight: report, Chapek, who had stayed silent on the bill, re-evaluate Disneys special tax district, called Reedy Creek, signing a law to strip Disney World of its Reedy Creek control on Monday. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down," Chapek said in a statement on March. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the Eau Gallie High School aviation hangar on March 22, 2021. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File. October 26, 2021 at 5:36 Ron DeSantis over the pressure he was facing to weigh in against Floridas Parental Rights Education bill, known as the Dont Say Gay bill, according to DeSantis new memoir. I havent seen anything like this before.. The task force will develop strategy and action plans to engage with LGBTQ+ employees, community partners and content creators. I feel terrible about it. FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. The more combustible of those situations unfolded over House Bill 1557, the so-called Dont Say legislation. The Courage to be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival, Fidelity Finds 401Ks Lost 25% of Their Value in 2022, Biden Says He May Be a White Boy, But Hes Not Stupid, One State Will Make It illegal for Vaccinated Donors to Give Blood, Rumors Are That John Fetterman Is Essentially Brain Dead, Dr. Malone on the Possible US Role in the Development of Coronavirus, They Set Us Up! Bombshell J6 Footage Shows Metro Police Discussion, Prophylaxis Nasal Spray Might Put an End to Vaccines. We want to hear from you! Prior to working at the parks, Chapek led Disney's home entertainment business starting in 2009 and led the organization to record-setting performances. All of the companys three major content suppliers Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm have been publicly critical of the companys handling of the situation. "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. This story has been shared 151,093 times. This is not just about Bob Chapek and Disney, she told the audience. Chapek added, there is so much more work to be done and said he would continue to engage with the LGBTQ community in the coming weeks. Ron DeSantis over the pressure he was facing to weigh in against Floridas Parental Its bad for business and even worse for the Disney brand. The streaming service launched in November. 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. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. 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 Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Ron DeSantis said he advised former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to stay out of a political battle over legislation in his state limiting discussion of sex and gender in public schools, according to the Republican's forthcoming book. Everyone struggles with adversity. 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? Chapek has a career as an American media executive. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Florida Gov. WebBob Chapek. Disney acquired the majority of Fox's assets in 2019. Chapek allegedly told him he didnt want to get involved but hadnt seen anything like it, but thats not what he said in public. He lied and supported the victimization of children. And Laurene and Steve and [Iger's wife] Willow [Bay] and I sat down at a dinner, and he toasted to the deal we had done some years earlier, convinced that it was the right thing to do for Disney and for Pixar. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. What I suspect is that the people who formerly approved such shows arent with the company now. It fit into the larger corporate campaign known as Reimagine Tomorrow, which aims to emphasize Disneys commitment to diversity and inclusion. Disney CEO Chapek Bob Chapek Tuesday said he doesnt really see Disney as characterizing itself as left-leaning or right-leaning responding to a shareholder who accused Hollywood and the company of a double standard in firing Gina Carano from The Mandalorian because shes a conservative. 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. He knew how to grow the business while adjusting to the changing marketplace, which was intense." this site provides a list of businesses that are too woke and could cancel a client or a contract just for ones opinions on LGBTQ or race or something like that. Chapek has been overseeing the company's parks, experiences and products division since those divisions were combined in 2018. 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. There is no question that Chapek was under tremendous pressure. Disney has given about $55 million to Republicans, Democrats and political committees in the state over the past 28 years, including about $5 million in 2020 and more than $2 million so far in 2022, state records show. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Disney Chairman Bob Iger is leaving the company at the end of the month. 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. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. New Disney CEO Bob Chapek was confronted by an investor about ongoing issues at ABC News on Wednesday, but the high-powered executive brushed off the criticism, and the investor then blasted him for having his "head in the sand when it comes to the pervasive anti-conservative bias across ABC News.". 2016 www.independentsentinel.com. Most of the decisions appear understandable in isolation. As such, he should have known how Hollywood works. 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.. All Rights Reserved. Initially, complaints arose about the fact that Disney wasnt letting the drill team wear their headdresses. As you might imagine, some of them are LGBTQ+ or friends/family members of those who are. 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. WebCanada Disney CEO Bob Chapek Apologizes to LGBTQ Employees, Announces Pause for Political Donations in Florida variety This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast 29K 7 1.6K Related Topics Politics 1.6K comments Best AutoModerator 1 yr. ago As a reminder, this subreddit is for civil discussion. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek last year complained to Florida Gov. Chapek began his Disney career in 1993 as the marketing director for the company's Buena Vista Home Entertainment division, which at that time was focused on VHS tapes. Earlier in the week, Chapek said DeSantis had agreed to meet with him to ensure the bill wouldnt be weaponized against the LGBTQ community. And so, its like theres no upside, or our bosses dont see an upside in doing the job were supposed to do, which is to speak truth to power and hold people accountable.. Ron DeSantis said he advised former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to stay out of a political battle over legislation in his state limiting discussion of sex and gender in public schools, according to the Republican's forthcoming book. Bob Chapek was tapped on Tuesday to succeedlong-time Disney CEO Bob Iger. In addition to addressing Disney directly, Madison also acknowledged that the issue is much larger than the single company. A recent CNBC article referenced Chapeks perceived lack of emotional intelligence. And if that doesnt happen, to get these bills repealed, she added. 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. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. Copyright 2021, Launchpad Digital Network, LLC. He then transitioned to the company's consumer products team in 2011 as president of Disney consumer products. REUTERS. So, Disney had to do many of these things, and I would agree with you. (Gerardo Mora / Getty Images) Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest Thats what has happened, though. Keating, who has written about how Disney's activism is bad for business, said Disney's decisions on the Florida bill has meant the company is catching heat from both sides of the political spectrum. The company has also given more than $100,000 to the Friends of Ron DeSantis PAC since 2019. It closed todays trading at $138.62, down 1%. The actress was let go from the popular Lucasfilm and Disney series on Disney+ after she took to social media to, as Lucasfilm described it, post abhorrent material that compared the current divided political climate in the U.S. to Nazi Germany. Iger acknowledged Chapek likely won't make the same decisions he would have made as future problems arise. Still, if the economy ever suddenly suffered a setback, this unforced error would magnify in scope. 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?. Bob Chapek was tapped on Tuesday to succeed long-time Disney CEO Bob Iger. We need you to be there for us when it is hard and when it counts.. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. At another point in the town hall, the companys HR chief addressed the Florida situation and also affirmed that the company would oppose an effort by Texas Gov. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. ABC News declined to comment when reached by Fox News. I consent to the use of following cookies: Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. All rights reserved. He was the chief executive officer (CEO) of The Walt Disney Company from 2020 to 2022. In totality, its one problematic mistake, though. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Someone will be now, though. All Rights Reserved. He got played here. He also played a key role in the commercialization of the studio's film business. Home; Video; Trump Investigations; Right Wing Extremism; Opinion; Impeachment; Corruption; Foreign Policy; The Florida bill hasnt factored into investors views as of yet, though the companys stock has been languishing near a 52-week low. In truth, the only decision I believe Disney shouldnt have made is the removal of Magical Express. As many of its LGBTQ+ employees get set for a full-day walkout Tuesday, Disney has decided to postpone a management retreat set for next week as it continues efforts to calm internal waters. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, 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.. The bias is blatant. 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. DeSantis signs bill placing Disney district u Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Inside Scheana Shay, Raquel Leviss heated confrontation about Tom Sandoval affair, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. Disney is still evil and still pushing CRT. However, its not what Chapek said at the time. Carano last month raised the issue of a double standard in an interview with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, noting that Pascal was not fired for a 2018 tweet comparing undocumented children in cages in the U.S. to Jews in concentration camps. By Laurn Alexa | Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 12:02pm Bob Chapek was initially silent on Floridas controversial bill barring discussions of gender identity in school classrooms. This site uses different types of cookies. Kathleen Kennedy Cites Impact Of Women, Artists Of Color And LGBTQ On Industry Amid Disney Dont Say Gay Backlash PGA Awards. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. It sounds about right. It hasnt gone away. Squawk Box. Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. Some folks took offense at that, which isdefinitely a take. ", WATCH: Disney's Bob Iger turns CEO job to Chapek. Got a confidential news tip? Its going to be a recurring theme here. 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. 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.. REUTERS. Alas, Chapek fell too deeply in love with the idea of increasing Disney+ subscriber numbers. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was, Chapek wrote. Ever since Chapek spoke up, critics on the right have condemned Disney as being too "woke" and even talked of boycotting the resort. 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. Meet a Disney Cast Member Advocating for Accessible Technology, Where Was Grogu During The Sequel Trilogy? WebOn Monday, Chapek sent a Morrell-approved company-wide email claiming that he preferred to speak through Disney content and behind-the-scenes machinations. (Gerardo Mora / Getty Images). 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. Additionally, the outbreak continues to threaten the global economy and worldwide travel. Iger said he spent months personally getting to know Apple and Pixar founder Steve Jobs, Star Wars' creator George Lucas, former Marvel Chairman Ike Perlmutter and Fox controlling shareholder Rupert Murdoch. He said he was overwhelmed by professionalism and objectivity of the news division but admitted Wright said some things on the Project Veritas video to make the company question his objectivity. Chapek's promotion comes at a time when Disney is facing challenges from the global coronavirus outbreak. The kind of people who were the jokes on Portlandia are now in charge of producing childrens entertainment in America https://t.co/auyihRcdnO, SCOOP: Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware says the company has eliminated all mentions of ladies, gentlemen, boys, and girls in its theme parks in order to create that magical moment for children who do not identify with traditional gender roles. DeSantis signed the legislation into law this week that bars instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Im with the President on this! Igerwrote. "Im totally fine with reining in corporations, I think theyre too many billionaires, and I think theres a wealth gap thats a problem. Bob Iger, the former Disney CEO whose decades-long tenure at the company ended in December, tweeted his opposition to the legislation weeks ago. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. You can look at the comments section for any Disney discussion, and its an inevitable statement from some. In lieu of the management retreat, the plan is for the leadership of the media company to go on a listening tour with employees, according to a person familiar with the strategy. It sounds about right. While Iger didn't speak about specific decisions, he said he was increasingly invalidating points from co-workers because he'd "heard every argument before." 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. FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. 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. Change isn't necessarily bad.". pic.twitter.com/OWsGTUoeCA, Christopher F. Rufo (@realchrisrufo) March 29, 2022, SCOOP: Ive obtained video from inside Disneys all-hands meeting about the Florida parental rights bill, in which executive producer Latoya Raveneau says her team has implemented a not-at-all-secret gay agenda and is regularly adding queerness to childrens programming. (It was fully repealed in December 2020. ), The HRC president went on to say that companies need to deliver more than inclusive employment policies and a clever Pride campaign and that corporate values should be guiding principles in how a company shows up for the marginalized, instead of being marketing materials., I promise you, states lucrative tax laws wont matter much to your employees and consumers who are being criminalized for supporting their kids and being pushed back in the closet by the legal system, she said. The bill bars teachers from discussingLGBTQtopics like sexual orientation or gender identity with students until after third grade. After weeks of internal strife and external controversy surrounding the Walt Disney Companys lack of public response to the Dont Say Gay legislation in Florida, Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. But Im an ally you can count on, and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility and opportunity you deserve.. It sounds about right. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Chapeks statement comes after a week of criticism from fans and employees about his delayed reaction to the bill, which he opposed only after it passed both houses of the Legislature and was sent to DeSantis for his signature. Many of them have led to price increases. 02:12. A Division of NBCUniversal. 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 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.. Shares of the company fell less than 2% in extending trading Tuesday. Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. Political Campaign Contributions. All rights reserved. Im a devout believer that the least excusable mistakes stem from self-inflicted wounds and unforced errors. Chapek learned a harsh lesson that potential political allies behind closed doors are all too happy to attack Disney in the media for personal gain. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. He will be the seventh CEO in Disney's nearly 100-year history. ", Florida Gov. However, once the show started, well, it got awkward fast. Now, of course, taking I think change, I think generally speaking, change is good. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. Bob Chapek was born Robert Alan Chapek on August 21, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. ", FLORIDA REPUBLICANS CONDEMN 'WOKE' DISNEY, URGE MORE BOYCOTTS BY CONSERVATIVES AGAINST THE 'ACTIVIST MACHINE'. Who would have ever thought Walts dream would be so screwed up. Asked if the Florida GOP wanted to comment about Disneys decision to pull contributions, Helen Aguirre Ferre, executive director of the party, wrote in an email: There is no world in which Gov. Market data provided byFactset. CEO Bob Chapek is less willing than Bob Iger to take public political stands including LGBTQ (The PAC splits its gifts equally between the parties.) 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. "Parks is the only business they have, before [streaming], that's direct to consumer.". Disney CEO Bob Chapek recently responded to accusations of a company double standard during the Q&A portion of Disneys annual shareholder meeting.One shareholder held that Gina Carano was fired due to her conservative views, rather than the offensive nature of her fateful post, noting, as others have, that left-leaning co-star Pedro In March, Disney became entangled in a heated dispute with Gov. The award winning agents at MickeyTravels are ready to help you book a truly magical vacation! What about the Disney black list? he asked. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Read More. A roundtable of eight Disney employees who represented many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community also shared their perspectives during the town hall. That explains the inconsistency. ABC Newsrecently suspended veteran Washington correspondent David Wright for remarks he made that were captured on video byProject Veritas. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek privately complained to Florida Gov. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. "Mr. Chapek seems content to stick his head in the sand when it comes to the pervasive anti-conservative bias across ABC News, just as his predecessor Mr. Iger always was. They left for other gigs. Iger and the Disney board's decision to give Chapek the job surprised Wall Street and Disney executives, especially after Iger had repeatedly pushed off his retirement to stay as Disney's CEO. New Trailer Drops For Olaf Short Once Upon A Snowman, Wine Bar George at Disney Springs Offering Brunch Starting March 30th. I am sorry.. Chapek is credited for bringing Disney's home entertainment division into the digital ag 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. Parents would be able to sue school districts over the issue. What Is Bob Chapek Political Party? ABC News anchor Amy Robach was recorded on a hot mic claiming the network spiked a story exposing Jeffrey Epstein three years ago. All Rights Reserved. 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. Fridays move came after Chapek announced in a Disney shareholder meeting Wednesday that the company would pledge $5 million to LGBTQ organizations focused on legal protections for the community a donation HRC rejected the same day. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. When everything is fine, but you unintentionally create your own drama, thats a sign that youre your own worst enemy. He states his positions situationally for his personal profit. or redistributed. All Disney employees were invited to attend the town hall this morning, which Deadline was told was part of an ongoing conversation series that began in 2020.
Viva Chicken Plantains, Articles B