", Nathanson said the selection of Chapek was not a surprise and a "win-win for the company.". Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Wright then expounded at length on his political views. The pressure from the WOKE cancel culture was vicious. In addition to pausing political donations to all Florida state representatives pending a review, Chapek also told employees in a company-wide memo that Disney would increase its support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states and is working on a new framework for its political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values.. Disney CEO Chapek Bob Chapek Tuesday said he doesnt really see Disney as characterizing itself as left-leaning or right-leaning responding to a shareholder who Then, Chapek prioritized Disney+ as the core business model for the entire company. or redistributed. A Complete Timeline of the Battle Between Gov. Ron DeSantis and After weeks of internal strife and external controversy surrounding the Walt Disney Companys lack of public response to the Dont Say Gay legislation in Florida, The Wrap has reported that Imagineers have campaigned for Disney to reconsider. Still, if the economy ever suddenly suffered a setback, this unforced error would magnify in scope. "Heres a suggestion for Disney CEO Bob Chapek: Get back to business, that is, excellence in storytelling, and stop wasting shareholders' money on political crusades that have nothing to do with Disneys business," Keating told Fox News Digital. Chapek has a career as an American media executive. Some folks took offense at that, which isdefinitely a take. In November 2022, longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger announced he was replacing Chapek after two years away from the company. It sounds about right. He was the chief executive officer (CEO) of The Walt Disney Company from 2020 to 2022. Disney shows off its post-Iger politics | CNN Business WebBob Chapek. Under pressure from LGBTQ activists and progressive employees some of whom who have walked out of the job in protest Disney's Chapeks eventually criticized the Florida legislation, paused all political giving in Florida and apologized to employees. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A Division of NBCUniversal. Ron DeSantis said that ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek complained to him about the pressure he was under from the left [WOKEs] to join in on the Governors new education bill restricting gender identity lessons, PK-3. Still, DeSantis has continued to claim that Chapeks opposition is only because he hadnt bothered to read the bill, according to a DeSantis campaign email sent Thursday. Bob Chapek Disney chief executive Bob Chapek speaks during a ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015, at Hong Kong Disneyland. This year, Mr. Chapek contended with one crisis after another, some of his own making. Read More. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek last year complained to Florida Gov. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The Florida bill hasnt factored into investors views as of yet, though the companys stock has been languishing near a 52-week low. Bob Chapek was tapped on Tuesday to succeed long-time Disney CEO Bob Iger. ABC Newsrecently suspended veteran Washington correspondent David Wright for remarks he made that were captured on video byProject Veritas. Unfortunately, theresnothing inclusive about the Dont Say Gay bill. I am sorry. But as he reflected on his answers, he realized "times change," and said he was saying no too quickly. 2023 CNBC LLC. Here are CEO Bob Chapeks worst five mistakes thus far. The tech companies and entertainment companies here who have an influential presence across the country and around the world have an important role to play in fighting state-sanctioned discrimination wherever it exists., Madison said the country is at a tipping point, similar to the 2016 HB2 anti-trans bathroom legislation, or the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, in North Carolina and pointed to how companies that refused to expand business in the state, they pulled out of conferences, they canceled events impacted the fate of that bill. The political mistake ties back to a previous choice. We want to hear from you. However, in the wake of the Dont Say Gay legislation, such a move feels like a betrayal of their values. "Bob [Chapek] is going to address them probably differently perhaps than I may have. The Democrat Party was visibly angry, and the media spread lies about the bill being a Dont Say Gay bill. I am sorry.. Thats what has happened, though. 2016 Election Cycle. Disney CEO Bob Chapek has had private phone calls this year with House Republican leaders including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. However, one of them provedregrettable. He agreed that the company should stand up more for the LGBTQ+ community in pursuit of more meaningful and lasting change. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You will be redirected back to your article in, David Lindley Dies: Session Star And Multi-Instrumentalist With Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan Was 78, Film Independent Spirit Awards: Livestream + Latest Winners List, Will Moviegoers Lend An Ear To Children Of The Corn Remake? New York CNN . The original town hall event was announced on March 2, and then on Friday was moved to today so people could attend Tuesdays walkout if they so chose. Bob Chapek Bob Chapek As a new CEO, he was easily victimized. News Analysis. VIDEO 3:58 03:58. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. As the controversy over the Parental Rights in Education bill was coming to a head, Chapek called me, DeSantis writes, he did not want Disney to get involved, but he was getting a lot of pressure to weigh in against the bill.. Chapek allegedly told him he didnt want to get involved but hadnt seen anything like it, but thats not what he said in public. Disney employees skew toward the pro-vaccine and anti-Dont Say Gay side, which is California, not Florida. Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was, Chapek wrote. Original story, Wednesday morning: Disney CEO Bob Chapek said during the companys shareholders meeting on Wednesday that he will be meeting with Florida Gov. While the Walt Disney Company and its executives had a right to indulge in woke activism, Florida did not have to place the company on a pedestal while they do so especially when the companys activism impacted the rights of parents and the well-being of children, DeSantis added. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. Disney acquired the majority of Fox's assets in 2019. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File. Republicans argued the bill protects parental rights, while Democrats and LGBTQ groups contend it was intentionally vague and could have a chilling effect on teachers and students. Disney had already been under fire from the bills critics over its contributions to the bills GOP sponsors, including $11,000 over the last 12 years to GOP state Sen. Dennis Baxley of Ocala. Bob Chapek Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. I think my role is not to take the strategic pillars he's so well established over the last 15 years and continue to work on those and implement those in the marketplace, most importantly our direct-to-consumer initiatives, but at the same time look around the corner for what disruption might be going on in the marketplace that would necessitate a fresh look at those things.". Critics have cited specific concerns over sections of the bill, including the vague wording about banning classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity that isnt age appropriate that goes beyond the language about kindergarten through third grade. HB 1557/SB 1834, dubbed the Dont Say Gay bill,would seek to ban classroom discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and has been labeled a government censorship bill by the ACLU of Florida. In it, the Disney leader said the company had not released a public statement condemning the bill, which was passed by the state legislation Tuesday and has been sent to DeSantis desk to be signed, because they are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame., Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Chapek began his Disney career in 1993 as the marketing director for the company's Buena Vista Home Entertainment division, which at that time was focused on VHS tapes. March 7th, 2022 Then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments further on the matter via an internal Disney memo. Disney Chairman Bob Iger is leaving the company at the end of the month. It hasnt gone away. Chapek is a liar. We want to hear from you! A Disney shareholder is speaking out against the company's involvement in Florida politics by actively opposing the Republican-led "Parental Rights in Education" bill championed by Republican Gov. Bob Iger, the former Disney CEO whose decades-long tenure at the company ended in December, tweeted his opposition to the legislation weeks ago. Bob Ron DeSantis, who accused the company of being woke a day earlier for opposing the bill. Californias governor has similarly stated his desire to keep Disney on the West Coast in a place that actually represents the values of your workers.. He is the guilty party. Ron DeSantis. If signed by DeSantis, the bill would prohibit discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools up to the third grade and limits it to age-appropriate students in higher grades. (Getty Images. DeSantis published the conversation with Chapek in his memoir, The Courage to be Free: Floridas Blueprint for American Revival, shared with Fox News Digital. Employees were walking out in protest and ranting to the media. The Walt Disney Company Halting Political Contributions in 2021 2023 CNBC LLC. DeSantis cements takeover of Disney's special Florida district, While Iger didn't speak about specific decisions, he said he was increasingly invalidating points from co-workers because he'd "heard every argument before." Pushaw did not immediately return a request for comment Friday. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. During the evening, Charlee Corra also took the stage and announced that he along with parents Sheri and Roy P. Disney, the great-nephew of Walt Disney, would match $250,000 in donations to HRC. Human Rights Campaign interim president Joni Madison says the LGBTQ organization has already been in touch with Bob Chapek after the Disney CEO committed to pausing all political donations in Florida following internal backlash over its initial silence around the Dont Say Gay bill. Carano last month raised the issue of a double standard in an interview with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, noting that Pascal was not fired for a 2018 tweet comparing undocumented children in cages in the U.S. to Jews in concentration camps. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via / Getty Images). Justin Danhof, the general counsel for the National Center for Public Policy Research, cited data showing ABC News is overwhelmingly negative toward President Trump and mentioned other scandals that have come out of the news division in recent memory when speaking to Chapek at the company's annual investor's meeting. It sounds about right. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. DeSantis signs bill placing Disney district u Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Prince Harry says psychedelics are fundamental part of his life, Inside Scheana Shay, Raquel Leviss heated confrontation about Tom Sandoval affair, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss planned to tell Ariana Madix about affair. He got played here. Disney CEO Bob Chapek gets close to GOP lawmakers ahead of Wright was recently disciplined by higher-ups at ABC News. I was glad to speak to Bob yesterday afternoon, and we had a very productive conversation about the need for Disney to put real muscle into stopping whats happening to their employees and to their fans.. Look no further! Disney has since stated it will no longer donate to political campaigns. DeSantis signed the bill into law last March 28, which prompted Disney to publicly rip the new law and stand with Disneys LGBTQ employees and advocates in Florida. He states his positions situationally for his personal profit. Specialty Preview, Ozy Media Closes In Wake Of Founder Carlos Watson Scandal, TikTok Introduces New Feature To Limit Screen Time For Teens, Prolific Actor Dies At 61 After Aneurysm; Hollywood Reax + Career In Photos, Eyes $51M+ Opening In U.S., A Record For Rocky Spinoff Franchise & Amazon, SAG-AFTRA And Casting Directors Weigh In On Self-Tape Controversy, Oscar Winner Guillermo del Toro On The Films That Lit His Fuse. The decision by the largest employer in Central Florida could have a major impact on election fundraising for both parties, and it escalates in his war of words with Gov. Bob Chapek FLORIDIOT: DeSantis Disney lackey thinks tap water makes you gay. In totality, its one problematic mistake, though. Earlier this month, in an email to employees, Chapek apologized to workers for letting you down by not being more of an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Political Party Stances; 51% : Florida Gov. Bob Chapeks Worst Five Mistakes as Disney CEO The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers. All Rights Reserved. Got a confidential news tip? At another point in the town hall, the companys HR chief addressed the Florida situation and also affirmed that the company would oppose an effort by Texas Gov. At Corporate Pep Rally, Disney CEO Pitches Warmer, Fuzzier Side Everyone was attacking Governor DeSantis with bald-faced lies, and he was the one who stood for what he believed. If passed, this bill will put vulnerable, young LGBTQ people in jeopardy., Biden had tweeted his opposition to legislation designed to attack LGBTQI+ kids.. FAQ - New Privacy Policy, New York Posts Karol Markowicz discusses how Disney is pushing back against Floridas parental rights bill and how she is quitting the park on Fox Business Tonight.. He was the executive, he executes policy, no one else. Disney this week said it will work to repeal the legislation in Florida because it's dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of the LGBTQ+ community. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. He has a microbiology degree from Indiana University Bloomington and received his MBA from Michigan State University.