The legacy of Bob Iger as he steps down as Disney CEO
In an announcement, the Disney CEO announced that he will step down from his role. Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO since 2005 is choosing to focus on other creative projects of the company.
In an official statement, Iger explained that he felt that it was a good time to transition to a new CEO. Bob Chapek, the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman will be Iger’s successor. It’s still too early to see how Bob Chapek’s leadership will change Disney’s business. However, it seems that he has started to follow in Iger’s footsteps. For 15 prosperous years, Bob Iger paved the way for Disney’s success today. Iger is credited for moves that helped the company accumulate powerful assets such as Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. These key acquisitions, as well as revamping Disney theme parks, are Iger’s legacy in his 15-year tenure as Disney CEO.
Perhaps one of the most important moves Iger did as CEO was helping create Disney+, an online streaming service that lets subscribers access all-original Disney content.
Iger’s vision of Disney+
In November 2019, under Iger’s leadership, Disney launched Disney+, a direct-to-consumer streaming app. Subscribers now have a wider range of original content to choose from, thanks to Iger’s multiple acquisitions throughout the years. Disney+ offers content from Marvel, Pixar, Fox, ESPN, and Lucasfilm, and also classic Disney content. For the past couple of years, users are moving towards streaming as their preferred choice to consume content.
By making Disney+, Iger extends the power of Disney from traditional forms of media like film and TV to the platform of the future in online streaming. At the Disney+ launch,subscribers flocked in, garnering 10 million subscribers in the first few hours.
While there’s plenty of shows currently offered in Disney+, there is one that subscribers love more than the rest, “The Mandalorian.” As the newest Disney+ Star Wars series, it currently stands at the forefront of the franchise. This “Star Wars” flagship show in Disney+ is crucial for the streaming app’s success, as most subscribers are first and foremost, “Star Wars” fans.
"The Mandalorian"
Bob Iger reports that an estimate of 65% of Disney+ subscribers that saw “The Mandalorian” stayed to watch other shows available. This data shows that those who have seen “TheMandalorian” not only loved the show but loved it so much they stayed to see what else Disney+ has to offer. Needless to say, the show was a big hit to both new and old fans of Star Wars.
“The Mandalorian” is a show that follows Star Wars fans’ favorite clan of bounty hunters. Fortunately for Disney, the show’s first season is a huge hit and subscribers cannot wait for season two. “The priority in the next few years is television with The Mandalorian season 2 coming in October 2020, and then more coming from The Mandalorian thereafter, including the possibility of infusing it with more characters and the possibility of taking those characters in their own direction,”Iger said in an interview.
The show’s formula for success is the fresh storytelling with appealing characters, both new and old.The characters of the show played a big part in the show’s success but one stands out among the others, Baby Yoda.
Baby Yoda’s impact in “The Mandalorian”
Iger stated in an interview that Baby Yoda’s success didn’t surprise them but definitely exceeded their expectations. Majority of subscribers who have seen “The Mandalorian” are very pleased with what the show has to say about these other supporting characters. The show focuses its story on the minor characters compared to the usual Jedi – Sith storyline which gives the show a fresh new feel. There’s a lot of things fans love about the show but their favorite is the introduction of Baby Yoda.
Baby Yoda’s role outside the show is as important as his role in it. Baby Yoda helps expand the show’s reach by capturing the interest of people who are not even “Star Wars” fans to begin with. Because of Baby Yoda, the show garnered more buzz from more people as he appeals to a much broader demographic.
Due to popular demand,Hasbro has announced its newest merchandise line-up for “The Mandalorian” show,and Baby Yoda is one of them. Hasbro’s Baby Yoda will be having, “over 25 sound and motion combinations, including happy and excited sounds, giggles, babbles,and more, while the toy’s head moves up and down, ears move back and forth, and eyes open and close.”
The future and Season 2
Fans of “The Mandalorian” are anticipating season 2 and Bob Iger acknowledges its huge success and ensures the release of season 2 in October 2020. Iger also said that there will be, “more coming from The Mandalorian there after,” hinting the possibility of other spin-off shows connected to “The Mandalorian.”
Season 2 of “The Mandalorian” was already in production when they released season 1 on Disney+ and the story will focus more on the origin of Baby Yoda, among other things. Season 2 will also explore the mystery of Baby Yoda’s real name. Iger confirms this in an interview in The Star Wars Show and said that he knows the real name of Baby Yoda. For now, fans continue to theorize the true identity of Baby Yoda.
Iger’s legacy
Bob Iger’s tenure as Disney CEO saved the company as he inherited Disney when it was in disarray. Iger turned things around for Disney when they purchased Pixar, re-establishing them as an animation powerhouse. Moving forward, Iger added Marvel and eventually Lucasfilm under Disney’s banner, making Disney the biggest player in the entertainment industry. With all the properties they accumulated under Iger’s leadership, Disney currently owns eight of the top ten films in the worldwide box office charts.
Right now, Disney sits at the top, owning roughly 27% of the film industry. Disney’s continuous path to success is largely due to Iger’s effort to transform Disney by consistently producing high-quality content that resonates to a large audience.
Other than dominating the airwaves, Iger further extended Disney’s reach into the entertainment streaming industry.
Under Iger’s 15 year leadership, Disney became entertainment tsars acquiring every big franchise in TV and film history. His understanding on business as well as animation and high-quality content helped Disney establish a strong position towards the future.
Bob Iger understands that good business is not just about making money, it’s also about creating content that people can love and believe in. Despite Bob Iger’s departure in Disney as CEO, his legacy is well-established and will continue moving forward.
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