Disney Names New CEO

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Disney release.PNG

After 14 years as CEO, Bob Iger will be replaced by Bob Chapek, who has led the company’s parks and resorts division. The Wall Street Journal reports that insiders didn’t see the change coming.

A press release states that Iger will stay on as executive chairman through 2021. The release includes the typical quotes from the exiting and incoming leaders, and both men are complimentary toward each other and the company. But this release also includes a rather lengthy quote from Susan Arnold, the lead director of the Disney Board. She begins by describing the board’s process:

“The Board has been actively engaged in succession planning for the past several years, and after consideration of internal and external candidates, we unanimously elected Bob Chapek as the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “

Image source.

Discussion:

  • Analyze the press release: audiences, communication objectives, organization, content, and writing style.

  • What are the main points you take away from reading the release?

  • Assess the quotes, particularly the ones from Arnold. Why do you think the company is emphasizing certain points?