New Chairman of Parks and Resort (Merged Threads)

[aimster]

I have a friend who works at the studios in Burbank. I'm waiting to see what she knows about Staggs. Will keep you guys posted.

[Baloo]

Originally Posted by KevinYee

My first thought, based on Iger's comments, is that this is about grooming and succession plans. Nothing immediate, but for the very long term health of the company, having one or two REALLY well cross-trained executives makes sense, especially if anything were to happen to Iger.

My second thought, though, is that this can't be right. Two accountants in the running for future CEO? In a job that screams for a creative? Could this be a demotion? (but of whom? My guess would be Staggs, since CFO is a more important job for the company's bottom line than Parks and Resorts).... this is all too speculative (but oh so fun)

I was thinking the same thing, I am sure that Iger is being pushed by the board to start grooming someone for CEO in case he needs to leave or something happens to him. I am sure the board does not want another Michael Eisner decision to just keep putting things aside until he was basically forced out and someone else pushed in

[BassBone]

Well, depending on how this pans out I may have to let my annual pass lapse.

[GhostHost2]

Originally Posted by WestsideCM99

Sooooo...

Hulu - The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Disney Cutbacks

?

That was hilarious, thanks for the link .

Let us not forget that Rasulo has always been a financial officer over anything else.

Also, Frank Wells would be considered a financial person, but everything good that happened under Eisner is likely thanks to him.

[FloridaChris]

Fans,

#1. Succession Planning is obvious.
#2. Neither of these gentlemen are Paul Pressler, they have made 20 plus year commitments to the company..Where is Mr. Pressler? Last sighted driving the Gap into the ground!
#3. Neither are unknown quantities, so nothing too shocking should occur.
#4. There has always been a balance between the Creative Guy and the Money Guy at Disney. I'm not saying that the balance is as it should be, but the company needs the WDI creative and the CFO financial piece.

[AliKzam]

The new president of Disneyland is someone who cares about the resort, right? So as FloridaChris is saying, this could be a decent balance, at least for the west coast.

[Eagleman]

I trying to understand is this a upgrade for Jay Rasulo or down grade ?
I do not understand ....?

[BassBone]

We won't know for a while, Eagle.

[Eagleman]

Originally Posted by BassBone

Well, depending on how this pans out I may have to let my annual pass lapse.

I also with about my pass ,
I have not like the way been going at Disneyland it been way to crowed
and lest enjoyable.......
I Just Hopeing some way things would get better....
I am sorry ,I deeply feel Jay Rasulo hurt the parks than help!
My OPINON

[IMAGINE]

As with all things Disney, only time will tell. Yet never the less, I truly believe this "swap" is neither good nor bad for the gentlemen involved. I see it as being more suitable to their essence. Mr. Rasulo is quite talented in the business world, but what he lacks for this company is what makes it so successful, Passion. I spoke with him once, asking hard hitting questions that others wouldn't dare. He saw me as insignificant, but never the less his answers didn't seem thoughtful, or much less he cared. Not to bad mouth him, but to say rather I think his new financial office will be more of his cup of tea.

As for Mr. Staggs, I have not spoke to him like I had with Jay, but from what I hear, he is quite pleasant and possesses what Jay didn't, Passion. I can only hope for the best like we all can, but a little faith trust and pixie dust hasn't done me wrong yet. So congrats to them both in their new endeavors and here's to hoping they bring success to our Beloved Company...

[bfdf55]

Originally Posted by SnorkletsMom

I know that Disney is a multi-faceted, giant monolith of a corporation. And I know that the finance side has an important job. But bean-counters just don't belong at the top of the rung, or even close...if there's any imagineering left at the company. Because nothing kills good ideas faster than somebody in the background constantly yelling "that will cost too much!"

That's pretty much the situation that happened after Frank Wells died. Eisner surrounded himself with MBAs as guidance, they, in turn, DID constantly advise Eisner that projects were too expensive, resulting in poor results for many projects.

It just seems puzzling that Iger would feel that he can just switch these two extremely different positions. The stated reason that he wanted Staggs to get some theme park experience in preparation for taking on the role of president of the company may sound rational (in some minds), but it doesn't really make sense in that no other executive has had to go through such "training'.

And that doesn't explain Rasulo's new CFO gig.

[Aladdin]

Iger definitely needs someone more creative, that close to his position. However the switch doesn't necessarily look bad. Both should be able to adjust to their new positions relatively well. But neither of them being real break-outs in imagination, that is my main concern.

[DL_CRAZE]

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE CHANGES

THOMAS O. TOM STAGGS TO BECOME CHAIRMAN, DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS

JAMES A. JAY RASULO TO BECOME SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Wellthis says it all, Jay Rasulo has switched places with Tom Staggs and I for one am glad because I always thought Jay had such cheesy and cheap ideas, hopefully he will do better in his new position. Im hoping Tom Staggs does a better job than Rasulo did and really helps Disneyland the park in the next couple of years.

[GummiBears_Rock]

well...
okie dokie
i do hope things turn out better for Disneyland

[animagusurreal]

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, what do we know about this Staggs guy?

Hopefully Staggs won't only care about saving the company bucks. (It's a deer pun )