BrianL
Doom Buggy Driver
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2013
I've said since practically day one this is what is happening. Remember Josh worked for Chapek and was used to "following his orders" and he knew him well enough to know he would not be able to shoulder CEO for too long. When COVID hit I think it wrote Chapek's obituary because he wasn't going to be able to carry the company which is why Iger hung around. Josh knew him well, he wasn't good for long term, he was a retail guy who thought seasonally. I doubt Josh pushed back, he just hunkered down and waited. His job was SO BROAD that I think he could look the other way from some he didn't like to focus on the good parts that he had more control over.
NOW had he had more power would some things still go through, yes. Just because we don't like them doesn't mean they wouldn't happen. Some were likely on plan from Iger days. Maybe they would have happened in a different way that would be more palatable or have a change that complimented the change rather than make it cumbersome. The question is will Josh now be in a position for fight for the parks more? If he has a solid long term plan, a way to adjust without losses and proof that something big is good for them .... I think so. He has Epic Universe to help him sell some things. I think he might be a listener type. He walks among the commoners, he talks to people. Fingers crossed the "future plans" thrown out there now have more weight to them.
One difference is that Iger does tend to let his managers manage - though he may change who some of them are. If Josh is seen as too close to Chapek, he may be on the way out too. It's hard to know at this point.
I kinda hope Iger can bring back Alan Horn. If you want to fix the studio, he's the guy!