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.

Return to Hand Drawn Animation

"I've never understood why the studios were saying people don't want to see hand-drawn animation.

What people don't want to watch is a bad movie."

Oh, John Lasseter, you get me every time.

Back in 2003, Disney converted to all digital animation after they had a couple hand-drawn flops (Treasure Planet, Brother Bear) while other studios made out great with their CG works (Shrek, Finding Nemo). Now they're probably realizing, as Lasseter points out, the problem was the stories, not the animation and are therefore kickin it old school style with their next princess movie, The Princess and the Frog. Also, traditional animation may come out cheaper than computer versions, as upcoming The Princess and the Frog managed.

Of course this means Disney had to refurbish half of their production department to accommodate their old, stored hand animation desks and equipment. In a heartwarming move, this also involves rehiring old Disney employees that had been booted at the dawn of CG animation.

This move was brought on in part by Pixar's Ed Catmull and John Lasseter, ironically, the men pretty much responsible for computer animated feature films.

The fact that Disney's The Princess and the Frog, due out this December, is very traditional - both in animation style and it's "Broadway-style" musical numbers - comes as a great selling point for those interested in animation, nostalgic for old Disney films, and a new generation of kids that haven't fully experienced such a Disney Princess movie.

Another tactic to create buzz for the movie should come from word-of-mouth after advanced screenings in NYC and LA with special events held afterwards.

Regular US Release Date: December 11, 2009.

"Keychest" Plans - Multi-Platform Access to Movies

Disney has sneakily shared info with a couple companies about its plans for "Keychest."

Mickey Money

I kind of feel like my friend after she used a meal swipe to get some homeless guy some food only to come back and catch him on his cell phone.

The theme of many recent Disney articles is their desire for more revenue - from parks, new content, etc. - seemingly negatively affected by the recession and crying about it.
Looking at they're annual revenues from 1991 - 2008 (yes, it's Wikipedia, but they're cited), their revenue increases by a greater margin each year.

Last year's annual revenue topped at nearly $38 billion.

You're really suffering guys.

Anyway, the more interesting point is that nearly $16 billion of that is from Disney Media Networks. This isn't surprising when you realize this includes ESPN as well as Disney channels, ABC channels, and Radio Disney.

Here's yet another reason they moved up someone from their TV department - it's been the their most successful area.

With Rich Ross now heading the movie studios, all the additions to Disney World, revamps to all the Disney Stores and more, looks like Disney's trying to get each of it's sectors up to the level of it's Media Networks.

Mouse Round-Up

Getting you up to date on random Disney company projects and going-ons:

Disney Channel head now to lead Movie Studios

latimes.com

Rich Ross, President of Disney Channel Worldwide, is credited with saving the tv network since the 1990's with shows like Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Sonny With A Chance. He's also largely responsible for the rise of Disney's current star franchises - Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.

And Chief Executive Rob Iger loves some meaty franchises. Mm mmm

Disney Creativity Recession

According to a recent article in The New York Post, Disney is facing some troubles in vision and finance, citing the fact they've fairly recently acquired Pixar and Marvel while also financing Dreamworks. They see this as a dire need for new content.

Follow the jump.

Mickey Mouse meet Mighty Mouse

Marvel.com

I know, old news at this point, but better late than never.

The $4 billion deal of Disney buying Marvel isn't as confusing as many bloggers/vloggers seem to think considering Disney also owns networks ABC and ESPN; already fairly removed from the wholesome, 1950's sterile image they traditional attempt to keep.

Much, much more under the jump.