More exploitation of Walt?

[Donnyabear]

I much rather see a tshirt with Walt Disney on it in Disneyland. Tshirts of bob marley in adventureland? Now that's tacky. I can't find a shirt with the jungle cruise on it but I can buy quicksilver junk and bob marley shirts? Every time I see those my Disney bubble bursts just a tiny bit.

[Disneymike]

What was it that made Walt's standards so high?

Taken from A Strategic Planning group article in 2007
Great read:http://www.tspg-consulting.com/print...principles.pdf

A few excerpts:

Walt Disney’s Nine Business Principles
1. Know what you value and why
2. Demonstrate the courage of leadership
3. Strive for perfection and don’t compromise quality
4. Money is a means, not an end
5. Exceed customer expectations
6. Create valued experiences through business design
7. Minds create value so treat them with respect
8. Let creativity work for you
9. Think deeply and from all directions

Walt Disney was a perfectionist in the best sense of the word. He set the standard for quality high because he knew
that high standards are achievable and are a demonstration of moral virtue. But he didn’t just leave matters to
chance or to the whims of others. He defined the attributes of the standards he demanded, and he
took into account both the cost of achieving those high standards and the cost of failing to achieve them.
Walt Disney believed that operating to the highest quality standards was good business because it promoted the creation
of long-term value, and yet it was a standard that very few others in his business accepted as valuable and
dared to achieve.

[DisneylandTraveler]

Taken from A Strategic Planning group article in 2007
Great read:http://www.tspg-consulting.com/print...principles.pdf

A few excerpts:

Walt Disney’s Nine Business Principles
1. Know what you value and why
2. Demonstrate the courage of leadership
3. Strive for perfection and don’t compromise quality
4. Money is a means, not an end
5. Exceed customer expectations
6. Create valued experiences through business design
7. Minds create value so treat them with respect
8. Let creativity work for you
9. Think deeply and from all directions


Walt Disney was a perfectionist in the best sense of the word. He set the standard for quality high because he knew
that high standards are achievable and are a demonstration of moral virtue. But he didn’t just leave matters to
chance or to the whims of others. He defined the attributes of the standards he demanded, and he
took into account both the cost of achieving those high standards and the cost of failing to achieve them.
Walt Disney believed that operating to the highest quality standards was good business because it promoted the creation
of long-term value, and yet it was a standard that very few others in his business accepted as valuable and
dared to achieve.

A show of hands who believe this is required reading and the operating principles of senior Disney management and executives.

[Disneymike]

A show of hands who believe this is required reading and the operating principles of senior Disney management and executives.

[Mr Wiggins]

Walt Disney’s Nine Business Principles
1. Know what you value and why
2. Demonstrate the courage of leadership
3. Strive for perfection and don’t compromise quality
4. Money is a means, not an end
5. Exceed customer expectations
6. Create valued experiences through business design
7. Minds create value so treat them with respect
8. Let creativity work for you
9. Think deeply and from all directions

The Disney Corporation's Nine Business Principles
1. Know what you value -- and if it doesn't have a profit attached to it, have your head examined
2. If you greenlight anything that's not a pre-proven profit generator, you're fired
3. "Just Good Enough" is already too much
4. Profit rules, all else drools
5. Ignore customer expectations, they'll spend money anyway
6. See #5
7. Employees are a dime a dozen (oh and... the Christmas Party is canceled)
8. Creatives are wrists for hire
9. Marketing pre-proven brands is Job One

[LordVader]

Hey, what's a cheesy Walt shirt without an even cheesier Walt hat?

Oh god it burns.

[Disneytwins]

Holy crap. Make me want to vomit.

[Pizzapants]

I don't see how the Walt shirt violates any of those business principles. I really want to buy one. Then when someone asks me who is on my shirt, I will sit them down and tell them.

[Disneymike]

I don't see how the Walt shirt violates any of those business principles. I really want to buy one. Then when someone asks me who is on my shirt, I will sit them down and tell them.

Those were Walt's principles, not the present day Walt Disney Company. And nobody
is stopping you from buying one..

[GhostHostJeff]

I believe that the plastering of Walt's image on cheap looking merchandise like this is upsetting and wouldn't be endorsed by Mr. Disney. I think a great example of what can happen is the use of Marilyn Monroe on numerous cheap shot glasses, tin purses, etc available at any Ross store near you. The Marilyn estate is now trying to reverse that trend and the use of her likeness. I hope this isn't the beginning for Walt. I think using his image on classier merchandise such as art is more appropriate.

[calsig31]

I believe that the plastering of Walt's image on cheap looking merchandise like this is upsetting and wouldn't be endorsed by Mr. Disney. I think a great example of what can happen is the use of Marilyn Monroe on numerous cheap shot glasses, tin purses, etc available at any Ross store near you. The Marilyn estate is now trying to reverse that trend and the use of her likeness. I hope this isn't the beginning for Walt. I think using his image on classier merchandise such as art is more appropriate.

I bet it is... Just wait. Coming soon: Walt beer mugs and fuzzy dice to hang from your mirror.

[doppio]

I need a Walt antenna topper.

[Retrocool]

This thread is incredible. Somehow, in between the combination of Walt, exploitation, "ghetto," and Jimi Hendrix, an idea popped into my kooky brain.

Exploitation of Walt = Waltsploitation. (Ladies & germs, we have a new catchphrase.)

Now I'm picturing Walt being inserted into various Blaxploitation movies of the '70s. Walt with a big white Afro, fringe leather vests, heart-shaped sunglasses, bellbottoms, platform shoes...and a gun. Isaac Hayes playing his theme song. Walt being a baaaaad motha-SHUT YO MOUTH (but I'm talkin' about Walt!). Walt's not gonna take it from the Man anymore; he's kicking butt and takin' names!

Ahhh, don't mind me. It's after midnight and I'm exhausted. Just thinkin' goofy....

[KellyMcG86]

This thread is incredible. Somehow, in between the combination of Walt, exploitation, "ghetto," and Jimi Hendrix, an idea popped into my kooky brain.

Exploitation of Walt = Waltsploitation. (Ladies & germs, we have a new catchphrase.)

Now I'm picturing Walt being inserted into various Blaxploitation movies of the '70s. Walt with a big white Afro, fringe leather vests, heart-shaped sunglasses, bellbottoms, platform shoes...and a gun. Isaac Hayes playing his theme song. Walt being a baaaaad motha-SHUT YO MOUTH (but I'm talkin' about Walt!). Walt's not gonna take it from the Man anymore; he's kicking butt and takin' names!

Ahhh, don't mind me. It's after midnight and I'm exhausted. Just thinkin' goofy....

Hahahaha wow! Quite the creative mind! I have to say I don't really mind the shirt... I'm not a big fan of any shirt that has a giant face on it, but I really don't think I'd call it "exploitation". As someone pointed out earlier, he named the company after himself, used his signature as the logo, made public appearances, recorded speeches... His whole life seems to have been documented, or at least since he began his business, and it seemed like he actively participated in this.

That hat, however, is INSULTING! lol

[Stormy]

Saw the shirt in DCA & actually kinda liked it. Not something I would wear personally, but thought it was rather cool. Now what was funny was that while I felt the t shirt was OK to sell on Buena Vista St or DTD, I would have felt differently if I saw it for sale on Main St. (if it was there, I didn't see it) Why, who knows. I guess we all have gut reactions to things that we just can't explain.

While I respect other opinions, especially from those who look up to Walt as an icon or hero, I don't think the shirt denigrates Walt. It's a pretty simple design and the picture of a younger Walt is a nice, attractive one. It doesn't seem to 'shill' for Disney Co (buy the t shirt, see the movie, now run & get the vinylmation Walt). Now, of course if we begin to see cheap, tacky merch with his face plastered all over it at DLR, I'll certainly change my opinion!

Question: Who has the 'license' over Walt's image? Disney Co or Walt's surviving family?