Disney Gaming

As referenced many time on this blog, Disney, especially under CEO Bob Iger, is very into spreading a franchise over as many platforms as possible for optimum return on little new content and creativity.

Lately, noticeable in the anticipated Epic Mickey game, Iger's noticing the rise in "casual gaming." This leads to speculation on if Disney will attempt to acquire some game companies. Groups like Electronic Arts are Take-Two Interactive are vulnerable for takeover after huge falls in shares.

Iger only somewhat plays into this speculation saying, "we need to make sure we are structured... to take advantage of all elements of the game business."

Yea, Iger, work those franchises.

More Ross Administration

Rich Ross has been listening in on Business of Media or something because now he's trying to convince Hollywood they have to completely rethink traditional distribution methods to compensate for the internet as a growing platform for entertainment. This involves more targeted marketing (as we've seen with Facebook and Hulu) and a shorter window between theater release and home-viewing. (I'm still ambivalent and curious for the future on this last point. Will a shorter window mean higher DVD-or in the future, KeyChest- sales as the movie will be fresh in audiences minds? Will this be at the expense of box office sales since audiences know they won't have to wait long to just own the movie? Will exhibitors than have to fight to stress the importance of a theater-going experience? Stay tuned.)

More changes come from the previously mentioned staff changes. The booting of Daniel Battsek (of specialty label Miramax) exemplifies Ross and Bob Iger's growing emphasis on safe family-friendly movies and franchises/sequels which are more easily recognizable and marketable. Unfortunately, they seem to know and don't care that this will come at the expense of original ideas and stories, which is extremely disappointing. (If only there were more people like my man, John Lasseter who'd try to make them see the light.)

Now, according to Ross, "it's brand over everything else." Sad.

More marketing recognition* comes to the need for "more movies that appeal to women." Given their stereotypical penchant for doing things in groups (like trips to the bathroom), it seems to make more sense that women are more likely to want to see a movie in theaters. At least online, women 25 to 54 are "heavy online ticket buyers" and movie ticket purchasers are 39% more likely to be female." This is why we have Twilight movies.

*This should count as like, 3 blog posts right? :]

Rich Ross Restructuring

Continuing the thread of changes under Rich Ross, the new chairman of Walt Disney Studios has already made some changes.

• Greg Brandeau, vice president of Pixar Studios, will be chief of technology at Walt Disney Studios
• Alan Bergman, still president of WDS, will get added responsibilities of managing studio franchises, to reflect Ross' "focus on brands that can be utilized by other divisions within the company"
• Oren Aviv will still oversee live-action movies
• Bob Chapek, president of home entertainment, is now also head of distribution for "all outlets for Disney movies, including theaters, DVD, pay television and new media"
• New marketing head TBA

Unfortunately a handful of executive have already be left by the wayside or have left due to the changes including Jim Gallagher (former marketing head), Dick Cook (chairman replaces by Ross), Daniel Battsek (former president of Miramax), and Mike Zoradi (formerly oversaw world wide distribution and marketing).

It seems many positions will now report directly to Ross, Chief Executive Bob Iger, or Chapek. Part of the reason they're using is that these interconnected responsibilities will help promote inter-division coordinating on marketing. Some are citing higher-ups' disatisfaction with the marketing of their recent big budget, computer animated, A Christmas Carol.

Disney thinks of more creative ways to interconnect their marketing and advertising than actual creative content. It seems they've become all about stretching everything out of what little they come up with and make the most money possible simply out of franchises.

I wish they'd stop shuffling around and listen to my man, John Lasseter about how people really care about good content.

Mark Zoradi Leaves Movie Studios

Mark Zoradi has left his position as president of Disney's motion picture studios following the departure of his former boss Dick Cook, succeeded by Rich Ross.

Since Bob Iger's appointment of Ross, there have been talks of restructuring Disney's distribution techniques. They plan to shorten the window between theater release and DVD release to keep up with consumers wanting movies on demand, now, anywhere.

Personally, this doesn't seem like a great idea. In the age of video on demand, movies online, etc, movie theaters still have a surprising amount of business. Going to the theater is an event and a way to see the movie as soon as possible. Closing the gap between theater release and DVD release seems to just make less incentive to go to the movie since you don't have have as much time to wait.

Re: Epic Mickey, Mouse's New Look

As I mentioned in the last post, with Disney Interactive Studio's upcoming Epic Mickey game, they seem to be capitalizing on the retro trend by redesigning the iconic mouse to more closely resemble his Steamboat Willie roots with longer, more slender limbs.

Upcoming Disney Sequels

Oy vey..