Costco Connection - November 2005

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_CASTLE ILLUS TRATION: CHRIS RUSNAK

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At Disney, second-in-command
Bob Iger becomes top mouse
BAy Tim Talevich

T THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, it’s a

small world after all. Exit stage left longtime

CEO Michael Eisner and enter stage right

Bob Iger, who has been at Disney since 1996,

including five years as president and chief

operating officer. As new CEO, Iger oversees the world’s sec-

ond-largest media company and an American icon since 1923.

Disney’s vast empire consists of its movie studio, parks and

resorts, merchandising arm and media network, including

ABC, ESPN and Hyperion Books. The Connection recently

caught up with Iger via phone, shortly after the opening of

Hong Kong Disneyland in mid-September and days before he

officially became CEO. Here, he discusses past successes, plans

for domestic and international growth, the role new technol-

ogy will play at Disney and more.

26 The Costco Connection NOVEMBER 2005

The Costco Connection: First, how did the opening in China go?

Bob Iger: The opening in Hong Kong was fantastic on a lot of levels. First of all, it was extremely smooth in terms of the operational side. But most importantly, it was a real cultural moment. The theme park is such a multidimensional product that, when it is brought into a different culture, it’s that much more meaningful than, say, a movie or a book or a toy or a television show.

And watching Chinese children watching a Disney parade for the first time or going on one of our attractions or seeing our fireworks was quite an experience.

CC: The opening brings up a timely question. Internationally, we live in troubled times. Given this backdrop, how will Disney products and projects succeed?

BI: One of the great things about Disney is just how universal we are. We tell stories and create characters and experiences that are loved the world over by people of all races and ages and religions. So we’ve never really had a problem traveling across borders, and that was certainly evident this past week.