Bob Iger (b. 1951)

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Biography

Robert Alan Iger is an American media executive who is chief executive officer (CEO) of the Walt Disney Company. He previously was the president of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) between 1994 and 1995 and president and chief operating officer (COO) of Capital Cities/ABC, from 1995 until its acquisition by Disney in 1996. Iger was named president of Disney in 2000 and succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO in 2005, until his contract expired in 2020. He then was executive chairman until his formal retirement from the company on December 31, 2021. At the request of Disney's board of directors, Iger returned to Disney as CEO on November 20, 2022, following the dismissal of his appointed successor, Bob Chapek. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract until 2026. He will be succeeded as CEO of Disney by Josh D'Amaro on March 18, 2026.

In Their Own Words (1)

I understand any labor organization's desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver. We managed, as an industry, to negotiate a very good deal with the directors guild that reflects the value that the directors contribute to this great business. We wanted to do the same thing with the writers, and we'd like to do the same thing with the actors. There's a level of expectation that they have, that is just not realistic. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.

cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/bob-iger-writers-actors-strike-disney-ceo-1235669169/ |title=Disney CEO Bob Iger Says Writers and Actors Are Not Being ‘Realistic’ With Strikes: ‘It’s Very Disturbing to Me’ |last= |first= |date= 2023-07-13 , 2023

Timeline

The story of Bob Iger, told in moments.

2005 Event

Succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO of Disney. Within his first two years, he acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion. Steve Jobs, who'd feuded with Eisner, became Disney's largest individual shareholder.

Was acquiring Pixar for $7.4 billion obviously right or a gamble? Did Steve Jobs becoming Disney's largest shareholder worry you?

2009 Event

Acquired Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. Industry analysts questioned the price. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has since grossed over $30 billion at the box office alone.

Did $30 billion from the Marvel Cinematic Universe prove the $4 billion was a bargain? Were the analysts who questioned the price embarrassing in hindsight?

2022 Event

Returned as Disney CEO, replacing his handpicked successor Bob Chapek, who was fired after less than three years. Disney's board called Iger on a Sunday night. He started work the next morning.

What was the Sunday night phone call from the board actually like? Was coming back after your handpicked successor was fired awkward?