Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company
Thursday, October 24, 2019
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Moderator:
Diane Sawyer, ABC News Anchor
Robert A. Iger is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. As Chairman and CEO, Mr. Iger is the steward of one of the world’s largest media companies and some of the most respected and beloved brands around the globe. His strategic vision for The Walt Disney Company focuses on three fundamental pillars: generating the best creative content possible; fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology; and expanding into new markets around the world.
Mr. Iger has built on Disney's rich history of unforgettable storytelling with the acquisitions of Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), Lucasfilm (2012) and 21st Century Fox (2019), as well as the landmark 2016 opening of Disney's first theme park and resort in Mainland China, Shanghai Disney Resort. Always one to embrace new technology, Mr. Iger has made Disney an industry leader through its creative content offerings across new and multiple platforms, most recently leveraging cutting-edge direct-to-consumer technology to successfully launch ESPN+ in 2018, which will be followed by the highly anticipated Disney+ streaming service in late 2019.
Disney's exceptional entertainment experiences, widely diverse content, and unique skill in managing businesses in an integrated manner have led to strong results. During Mr. Iger's tenure, The Walt Disney Company has been recognized as one of the "Most Reputable Companies" in both America and the world by Forbes magazine (2006-2019); one of the "Best Employers" in both America and the world by Forbes magazine (2019 and 2018, respectively); one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" by Fortune magazine (2009-2019); one of the "World's Most Respected Companies" by Barron's (2009-2017); one of the "Best Places to Launch a Career" by BusinessWeek magazine (2006-2010); and as "Company of the Year" by Yahoo Finance (2013).
Prior to his current role, Mr. Iger served as President and Chief Executive Officer beginning October 2005 and President and Chief Operating Officer from 2000-2005. Mr. Iger officially joined the Disney senior management team in 1996 as Chairman of the Disney-owned ABC Group and in 1999 was given the additional responsibility of President, Walt Disney International. In that role, Mr. Iger expanded and coordinated Disney's presence outside of the United States, establishing the blueprint for the Company's international growth today. As Chairman of the ABC Group, Mr. Iger oversaw the broadcast television network and station group, cable television properties, and radio and publishing businesses and also guided the complex merger between Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. and The Walt Disney Company. During Mr. Iger's years with ABC, he obtained hands-on experience in every aspect of the television business—including news, sports, and entertainment—as well as in program acquisition, rights negotiations, and business affairs. He began his career at ABC in 1974.
Mr. Iger has been named one of the "World's Most Powerful People" by Forbes magazine (2018); one of Fortune magazine's "25 Most Powerful People in Business" (2006, 2007); one of the "Top Gun CEOs" by Forbes magazine (2009); one of the "Best CEOs" by Institutional Investor magazine (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011); MarketWatch CEO of the Year (2006); and "CEO of the Year" by Chief Executive (2014).
Mr. Iger joined the Apple board of directors in November 2011. He also serves on the boards of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Bloomberg Philanthropies. In 2012, Mr. Iger became a member of the Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation's most prestigious honorary societies, which recognizes some of the world's most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists, and civic, corporate, and philanthropic leaders.
Mr. Iger is a graduate of Ithaca College.
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