The Crisis at Disney: Part 1—Bob Chapek’s Blunder Road

The Crisis at Disney: Part 1—Bob Chapek’s Blunder Road
Bob Chapek of Disney talks during the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla., on May 8, 2016. Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus
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Few corporations have generated a more profound impact on the public than the Walt Disney Co. Successive generations have responded with positive emotions to the company’s entertainment, retail merchandise, and travel and hospitality offerings. Indeed, the Disney brand has been less of a corporate entity and more a beloved family member to millions around the world.

But for roughly the past two years, Disney’s goodwill has slowly frayed through a skein of questionable decisions from its leadership, which has created friction and sour relationships both within the company and through sections of the general public. Instead of uniting people through jollity and innovations, it has created controversy and skepticism where none previously existed.

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Disney has a lengthy history of leadership struggles and stumbles. Following the death of co-founders Walt Disney in 1967 and Roy Disney in 1971, the company had trouble focusing on its priorities—theme parks took on a greater emphasis while its cinematic output waned to crummy-silly B-grade live-action films and an occasional animated feature. By 1984, the company’s lack of vigorous leadership resulted in a frayed financial state that invited an attempted hostile takeover by financier Saul Steinberg.