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☆ In a Surprise, Disney+ Becomes Profitable
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Disney reported robust earnings in February, the activist investors then circling the company essentially called it a stunt — a temporary, heat-of-battle effort to fend them off and not, as Robert A. Iger maintained, proof that a struggling Disney had finally “turned the corner.”The Disney chief’s argument just got a lot stronger. Disney blew past Wall Street’s expectations for a second consecutive quarter on Tuesday, in part because its flagship streaming service made money — a first. Disney+ had been expected to lose more than $100 million in the most recent quarter, widening losses since its 2019 arrival to roughly $12 billion. The company had previously predicted that Disney+ would become profitable in September; some investors and analysts have been skeptical about that, putting downward pressure on Disney shares. Disney’s per-share earnings for the most recent quarter rose 30 percent increase from a year ago.

Persons: Robert A, Iger, “, —, ” Hugh Johnston Organizations: Disney

☆ Disney just had its worst day in a year and a half
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Disney managed a rare feat for a legacy media company: Its streaming service actually turned a profit — with some caveats. It was Disney’s worst stock trading day in 18 months. That’s a lot of money, but it is a pretty huge improvement over the $659 million loss the collective streaming business reported in the same period a year ago. Streaming is new(ish) and very different beast from the traditional cable TV model Disney and other media giants like Paramount, Viacom and Warner Bros. “It is a very tough business,” Verna said.

Persons: CNN Business ’, New York CNN — Disney, ” Paul Verna, ” Disney, ” Verna, Bob Iger, It’s, ” “ Indiana Jones, ”, Iger, Brian Mulberry Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Disney, ESPN, Apple, Netflix, Paramount, Viacom, Warner Bros ., Zacks Investment Management Locations: New York, “, India

☆ The ‘Star Wars’ timeline is confusing. Here’s when ‘The Acolyte,’ ‘Ahsoka’ and more take place
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Worry not, padawans: CNN has laid out a comprehensive timeline of the “Star Wars” canon so you can follow all of the franchise’s time-jumps without getting lost in space. These details are pulled from the official “Star Wars” resources “Ultimate Star Wars” and “Star Wars Character Encyclopedia,” as well as a chart of the eras explored throughout the franchise. ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (animated series)Ahsoka is Anakin's padawan in "The Clone Wars," and he lovingly calls her "Snips." ‘Star Wars Rebels’Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren take on the Empire in "Star Wars Rebels." ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’Heroes attempt to find the plans to blow up the Death Star in "Rogue One."

Persons: we’ve, Rey Skywalker, Jin, Anakin Skywalker, Wan, Anakin, who’s, Anakin’s, Darth Maul, Palpatine, Darth Sidious, Obi, “, Padmé, ”, Count Dooku, Warner, Ahsoka Tano, Sidious, Darth Vader, Luke, Leia, Vader, ‘, Han, Chewie, Jonathan Olley, scoundrel Han, Thrillist, frenemy, Lando Calrissian, ‘ Obi, Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren, ‘ Andor, Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, Jyn, ’ Luke, —, Yoda, batty, Lando, Yikes, Jabba, redeems, VI, VII, Grogu, Mando, Boba Fett, Jango Fett, flitted, Boba, Din, ” It’s, Ahsoka, Jabba the, Suzanne Tenner, Ezra Bridger, Hera Syndulla, Thrawn, Rey, Kylo Ren, ” Rey, stormtrooper Finn, Kylo, ’ Finn, Phasma, Ren, Snoke, MacGuffin, Poe, Emperor Palpatine, she’s, Jude, Kerry Condon, Lee Jung, jae, Amandla, Leslye Headland, James Mangold, Indiana Jones, Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley Organizations: CNN, “, “ Star, Lucasfilm, Everett, Lucasfilm Ltd, USA, ‘, Warner Bros, Fox, Empire, Tech, Disney, Walt Disney Studios, ‘ Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Rebels, AV, Pictures, Rebel, Rebels, Galaxy, imperials, Rotten, “ Star Wars Rebels, Force, Rey, C3PO, Jude Law, Variety Locations: Yavin, “, Republic, Hunter, Luke’s, ”, USA, carbonite, New Republic, Endor

☆ ABC News president Kim Godwin in hot water as Disney-appointed boss conducts review
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —ABC News President Kim Godwin is skating on thinner and thinner ice. OConnell, according to people familiar with the matter, has been astonished by Godwin’s management — or lack thereof — at the network. “She has to take swift moves,” a person familiar with the inner workings of ABC News candidly told me of OConnell. Those lieutenants include Stacia Deshishku, executive editor and senior vice president; Derek Medina, executive vice president; and Jose Andino, vice president of the office of the president and process management. As OConnell’s not-so-subtle evaluation has played out at ABC News, Godwin has privately voiced displeasure about being layered away from Iger and bemoaned Disney’s micromanagement, CNN was told.

Persons: Kim Godwin, Debra OConnell, OConnell, Godwin, Galen Gordon, Jonathan Greenberger, Bob Iger, tepidly, ”, Stacia, Derek Medina, Jose Andino, OConnell’s, Disney’s micromanagement Organizations: New York CNN, ABC, Disney, ABC News, POLITICO, CBS, “, CNN Locations: New York, Burbank, Washington, Iger

☆ Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy file for union vote at Disneyland
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Chris Isidore | Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The group had announced a union organizing effort in February, but very often such campaigns fall short of filing to hold a vote. Union organizing efforts have picked up in the last year, especially in the wake of a number of high profile contract wins by unions that provided union members with large pay raises. There are more than 21,000 Disneyland “cast member” employees, who are represented by more than a dozen unions. But it doesn’t include the performers who dress up as characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy and interact with visitors. Vo said it’s difficult for cast members to afford living on their own, and many have roommates.

Persons: “, ”, Kate Shindle, Mickey, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Disney, Mai Vo, Vo, Zach Elefante, Elefante Organizations: California CNN, Actor’s Equity Association, National Labor Relations Board, Disneyland, Disney, Union, Workers, CNN, showtime, Magic Kingdom Locations: Anaheim, California, Los Angeles, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Southern California, Vo

☆ Premarket stocks: The rally is sputtering. Earnings season could revive it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Investors are hoping the upcoming earnings season will help bring back this year’s banner rally. The first-quarter earnings season could get the stock rally chugging along again, some investors say. Earnings season kicks off next week with quarterly updates from Delta Air Lines, Citigroup, BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. For the millions of recent Latino immigrants in the US, construction jobs have low barriers to entry and the openings are plentiful. The crackdown comes as its rival Netflix has attributed a jump in signups from its recent crackdown on password sharing.

Persons: Stocks, FactSet, ”, Matthew Stith, Wells, Yung, Yu Ma, Francis Scott Key, Ramishah Maruf, Gloria Pazmino, We’re, It’s, Reinaldo Quintero, “, ” Read, Samantha Murphy Kelly, Bob Iger, hasn’t, Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Investors, Bartlett Wealth Management, Delta Air Lines, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, BMO Wealth Management, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN, Disney, CNBC, Netflix Locations: New York, BlackRock, Wells Fargo, Baltimore, America, signups

☆ How Bob Iger vanquished a corporate raider in Disney’s most consequential boardroom battle in decades
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But over the last several months, the Disney chief made significant moves that took the wind out of those sails. Regardless, the course of action taken by Iger had the same effect, pouring cold water on Peltz’s public grievances. On streaming strategy: Iger moved to take full control of Hulu in a major deal with Comcast. Last week, Disney merged the service into Disney+, putting both libraries into a single app in a move once considered unthinkable. Disney investors overwhelmingly moved to elect Disney’s slate of directors, rejecting Peltz and former company exec Jay Rasulo.

Persons: Bob Iger, Nelson Peltz, shoring, Peltz, “, Iger, ” Iger, Ron DeSantis, ”, Bob Chapek, Morgan Stanley, James Gorman, Jay Rasulo, ” Trian, It’s Organizations: New York CNN, Disney, ESPN, Florida Gov, Hulu, Comcast, CNBC, Google, Partners, Company, Dow Jones Industrial Locations: New York, Magic, —, refocusing

Disney fended off the activist investor Nelson Peltz for the second time in two years, as its shareholders rejected his effort to win two seats on its board. The House of Mouse claimed a “substantial” margin of victory, after a bitterly fought contest with Peltz and his major backer, the former Marvel chair Ike Perlmutter. Based on preliminary results from Wednesday’s annual investor meeting, Disney’s board candidates won the backing of 75 percent of individual shareholders, an outsize investor base. But like any good Disney tale, the board fight provided a series of lessons for the future — for companies and activists alike. That included cost-cutting efforts, an investment in the video game giant Epic Games and a shake-up in the struggling movie division.

Persons: Iger, Nelson Peltz, Mouse, Peltz, Ike Perlmutter, Bob Iger Organizations: Disney, Marvel, Wall Street

☆ Disney reveals more on huge Magic Kingdom expansion, one part of a $60 billion investment
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Glendale, California CNN —Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the “wildest ride in the wilderness,” sits at one edge of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park, the most visited theme park in the world. “It’s probably the largest expansion ever at Magic Kingdom,” Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World site portfolio executive, said Tuesday during a rare media event previewing new Disney attraction designs and technology at its Walt Disney Imagineering facility in California. Disney’s 10-year investment planThe Magic Kingdom expansion is one part of a $60 billion investment Disney has said it’s planning for its parks, cruises and experiences over the next decade. But any plans for expanding the theme park footprint at the Disneyland resort would need Anaheim city approval because of zoning issues. This is really a wild experience.”Charita Carter, executive creative producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, worked on the project from its inception about four years ago.

Persons: “ It’s, ” Michael Hundgen, Walt, Walt Disney, Bob Iger, Josh D'Amaro, Iger, “ it’s, Disney, ” Iger, ”, Mike Pucher, Walt Disney Imagineering Iger, Imagineers, Darth Vader, Imagineer Lanny Smoot, ” Smoot, Smoot, Christian Thompson, Stella Reese Chase, Leah Chase, Chase, “ I’m, I’ve, ” Charita Carter, Walt Disney Imagineering, Carter, “ Organizations: California CNN, Railroad, Disney, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney, Walt, CNN, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal, Comcast, Anaheim City Council, National Inventors Hall of Fame, Research, Walt Disney Imagineering Research, Disneyland’s Locations: Glendale, California, ”, Central Florida, Disney’s Florida, Florida, Anaheim, New Orleans

☆ Disney+ will crack down on password sharing in June
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Disney is curbing password sharing for its Disney+ streaming service as part of a larger effort to boost signups and revenue. CEO Bob Iger, in a CNBC interview on Thursday, said its popular Disney+ streaming service will start cracking down on password sharing in June in some countries and more broadly in September. Although Disney+ and Disney’s other streaming services’ terms of service explicitly prevent customers from impersonating someone else by using their username or password, it hasn’t been broadly enforcing its policy. The crackdown comes as its rival Netflix has attributed a jump in signups from its recent crackdown on password sharing. The password crackdown had been expected for months.

Persons: Bob Iger, hasn’t, Iger, “, ” Iger, Disney, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Disney, CNBC, Netflix Locations: New York, signups

☆ Bob Iger may prevail in Disney’s boardroom showdown, but the battle has not left him unscathed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —The battle for the future of Disney is about to reach its epic conclusion. Nelson Peltz, founder and chief executive officer of Trian Fund Management, has continually criticized Disney CEO Bob Iger. The forces that have tormented Iger will be banished to the shadows, exiled outside of the Magic Kingdom for now. The "Partners" statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, at Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, at Walt Disney World. The future of Disney is up for grabs in the proxy-fight between Iger and Peltz.

Persons: Nelson Peltz, Bob Iger, Peltz, Jay Rasulo, Rasulo, Disney’s “, Marco Bello, Iger, Bob Chapek, ” Barton Crockett, CNN’s, Samantha Delouya, George Lucas, Laurene Powell Jobs, Morgan, Jamie Dimon, Walt, Roy Disney, Abigail Disney, Ike Perlmutter, Trian, they’ll, Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, Joe Burbank, ”, it’s, King, Hollywood, “ Iger Organizations: New York CNN, Disney, Trian, Management, Netflix, Trian Fund Management, Bloomberg, Rosenblatt Securities, “, Former Marvel Entertainment, Services, Magic Kingdom, Magic, Walt Disney World, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune, Service Locations: New York, Iger

☆ Disney trounces activist shareholders in a major win for Bob Iger
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Allison Morrow | Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Disney won a hard-fought proxy battle against a group of activist investors who sought to secure seats on the company’s board of directors. Disney’s board triumphed by what the company called “a substantial margin” over the nominees put forward by Trian Fund Management and Blackwells Capital at its annual shareholder meeting. Iger didn’t just beat Trian’s Nelson Peltz, but trounced him, according to a person familiar with the vote count. Jay Rasulo, the former Disney finance chief who joined Peltz’s attempt, also lost by a wide margin, the person said. Retail shareholders, which hold roughly 35% of Disney stock, also voted overwhelmingly – 75% – for Disney’s candidates.

Persons: New York CNN — Disney, Bob Iger, Disney’s, —, Trian, didn’t, Trian’s Nelson Peltz, Jay Rasulo, Peltz’s, Peltz, ”, ” Iger, ” Peltz, Iger, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, Samantha Delouya, Oliver Darcy Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trian Fund Management, Blackwells, Disney, Retail, Financial Times, Republicans, Marvel, CNBC, Trian Partners Locations: New York, refocusing, Trian

☆ Disney’s Annual Meeting Will Include a Thrill Ride
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

“Disruptive and destructive.” That is how Disney has referred to the activist investors who are pushing for seats on its board and influence over its strategy. In return, the activists have called Disney “stupid” and mocked its purported turnaround as “a fanciful tale.”Which side will prevail? One of the largest, priciest and nastiest proxy contests in history will come to a head on Wednesday, when Disney is scheduled to virtually host its annual shareholder meeting. A smaller activist investor, Blackwells Capital, is seeking three seats. Disney has put forward its own slate of 12 directors and has said its get-out-the-vote campaign would cost up to $40 million.

Persons: Nelson Peltz, — Organizations: Disney, Trian Partners, Blackwells

☆ The battle over Disney’s future is about to be decided in a high stakes board vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Hadas Gold | Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Two competing slates of board seats are now up for a vote against Disney’s. Peltz has criticized Disney’s recent theatrical flops and said the company should reach “Netflix-like margins” with its Disney+ streaming service, among other issues. If Peltz is successful, he and Rasulo could gain up to two seats on the board, displacing Disney’s picks. More than 35% of Disney’s shares are held by these individuals, who could seriously sway the vote. The influential advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Service and Egan-Jones have also thrown their support behind Peltz for at least one seat on the board.

Persons: Nelson Peltz, Jay Rasulo, Peltz, Ike Perlmutter, Bob Iger, ” Barton Crockett, Disney, ” Trian, Rasulo, Iger, Bob Chapek, Peltz —, —, It’s, ” Peltz, Perlmutter, ”, “ They’ve, ’ ” Crockett, Anna, Elsa, Ludwig Von Drake, “ Disney, George Lucas, Jamie Dimon, Michael Eisner, Laurene Powell Jobs, Abigail E, they’ve, ” Jessica Reif Ehrlich, “ Nelson Peltz, Neuberger Berman, Egan, Jones, ” Crocket, CNN’s Liam Reilly, Krystal Hur Organizations: CNN, Disney, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s, Trian Fund Management, Blackwells, Marvel, Netflix, Rosenblatt Securities, ESPN, ABC, Google, JPMorgan Chase, BofA Securities, California, Service Locations: Trian

☆ Vanguard likely to support Disney in board vote, says 13D Monitor's Ken Squire
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailVanguard likely to support Disney in board vote, says 13D Monitor's Ken SquireKen Squire, founder of 13D Monitor and CNBC contributor, joins ‘Closing Bell’ to discuss the outlook for Disney’s board, activist investing, and more.

Persons: Ken Squire Ken Squire, Bell Organizations: Vanguard, Disney, Monitor, CNBC

☆ Why do we toss coins into fountains?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —All over the world, and for centuries, people have thrown coins into fountains, wishing wells and rivers for good luck. Some fountains collect thousands, or even millions, of dollars worth of coins each year. George Rose/Getty ImagesWhere the money goesSome well-known fountains can collect thousands of dollars in coins each year. According to an NBC report from 2016, the Trevi Fountain accumulated about $1.5 million in coins that year. A spokesperson for the Mall of America in Minneapolis told CNN the fountains collect about $25,000 each year.

Persons: It’s, “, Trevi, Bill Maurer, Maurer, “ It’s, ”, Stefan Krmnicek —, —, Pen Rhys, Ganesha, George Rose, Basil E, ” Maurer Organizations: CNN, UC Irvine, University of California Irvine’s School of Social Sciences, Century Fox, University of Tuebingen, Bellagio, Casino, NBC, Trevi, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, of, Disney Parks Locations: Rome, England’s Northumberland County, England, Turkey, Rome's, Germany, East Asia, Shanghai, Oxford, Las Vegas , Nevada, New York, of America, Minneapolis, America

☆ The S&P 500 just turned in its best first quarter since 2019
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The S&P 500 index rose 10.2% during the first three months of the year, its best first-quarter performance since 2019. The S&P 500 on Thursday logged its 22nd record-high close of the year. Companies in the S&P 500 saw earnings grow 4.3% during the fourth quarter of 2023 from the prior year, according to FactSet data. Analysts polled by FactSet expect S&P 500 earnings to grow by more than 10% for all of 2024. About 140,000 cars a day traversed the I-35W bridge that once stood more than 100 feet above the Mighty Mississippi.

Persons: Bell, Bitcoin, What’s, Leslie Thompson, Warren Buffett’s, Zachary Hill, ”, Elisabeth Buchwald, Samantha Delouya, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Disney’s, Bob Chapek, “ Don’t, ” Chapek, ” DeSantis, “ I’m, Read, Francis Scott Key, Alicia Wallace, ” Christopher Phelan, ” Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New, New York CNN, Traders, Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Investment Research, Dow, Apple, Nvidia, Meta, Microsoft, Spectrum Wealth Management, Companies, FactSet, Research, Horizon Investments, Disney, Central, Republican Gov, Central Florida Tourism, Twin, University of Minnesota, CNN Locations: New York, China, Florida, Central Florida, Central Florida Tourism District, Orlando, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Mississippi, Twin Cities, Mighty Mississippi, Minnesota

The Walt Disney Company and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida have reached a settlement over control of a special tax district that includes the Disney World theme park in Orlando, the company said on Wednesday. “We are pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court in Florida,” Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World, said in a statement. Disney and Mr. DeSantis have been fighting for two years over Disney World, the 25,000-acre theme park and resort complex south of Orlando and one of the state’s largest employers. In response to Disney’s criticism of a Florida education law that opponents called “Don’t Say Gay,” Mr. DeSantis took over the tax district, appointing a new board and ending the company’s long-held ability to self-govern Disney World as if it were a county.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, “, ” Jeff Vahle, DeSantis, ” Mr Organizations: Walt Disney Company, Gov, Disney, Walt Disney Locations: Florida, Orlando

Asian productions or nominees with a predominantly Asian cast have been making headway at the Academy Awards in recent years. South Korean thriller “Parasite” made history in 2020 as the first non-English language movie to win best picture, alongside three further awards. "The Boy and the Heron" producer Toshio Suzuki speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles on March 11, 2024. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty ImagesFor others, the award offered Japan a boost after a rough start to the year. Kelts, the Japan-based author, said the second Oscar win showed the Academy had recognized Miyazaki’s artistic genius and that Japanese animation is far from solely entertainment.

Persons: CNN —, Hayao Miyazaki, ”, Huy Quan, Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh, Heron ”, Ghibli’s, “, Roland Kelts, Miyazaki, Richard Harbaugh, Toshio Suzuki, ‘, ’ Suzuki, Suzuki, ” Suzuki, Richard A, Brooks, Tatsuji Nojima, “ Oscar, Takashi Yamazaki, Fumio Kishida, Yamazaki, ” Kishida, Hideaki Omura, Godzilla’s, Chris Hemsworth, Anya Taylor, Joy, Patrick T, Fallon, Kelts Organizations: CNN, Academy, Sony Pictures, Culture, Oscar Academy, Ghibli, Japan’s, NHK, Getty, Japan, Sunday, Gov, Hollywood, American, Waseda University Locations: Japan, America, Vietnam, ” Tokyo, Hollywood, Los Angeles, AFP, Aichi prefecture, Miyazaki, Japanese, Ishikawa, Tokyo

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The court fight between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointees over control of Walt Disney World's government won't be decided until at least this summer, provided the two sides don't reach a settlement beforehand. A hearing over whether the state court case should move forward or be decided without the need for a full trial was set last week for July 25 in Orlando. Disney claims the Republican governor and his appointees took over the district, which provides government services like planning and firefighting at Disney World, in retaliation for the company opposing Florida's so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. DeSantis and his appointees to the governing district had a first-round victory in the multiple court fights over the takeover when a federal judge in Tallahassee in January dismissed Disney’s free speech lawsuit against them.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Walt Disney, DeSantis, Disney’s, Mike Schneider Organizations: Disney, Florida Gov, Republican Locations: ORLANDO, Fla, Orlando, Tallahassee

☆ With the Oscar-nominated ‘Barbie,’ Mattel has arrived in Hollywood. What’s next for the toy company?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Driven largely by benefits associated with the “Barbie” movie, Mattel finished last year strong with 24% fourth-quarter growth. Before the “Barbie” movie was released, the Barbie brand already had a 99% rate of global brand awareness, selling more than 100 dolls every single minute, according to Mattel. What’s next for Mattel Films? Mattel Films, which is headed by Oscar-nominated producer Robbie Brenner, faces a lot of pressure to live up to “Barbie” with its second go-around. When asked about the possibility of an R-rated film at Mattel, Kreiz says, “I wouldn’t rule out different scenarios.

Persons: CNN — Barbie, “ Barbie ”, Fisher Price, Barbie, J.J . Abrams, Vin Diesel, ”, Lena Dunham, Lily Collins, “ Barney, Daniel Kaluuya, Bob, Jennifer Lopez, Anthony Ramos, “, Matt Mason, Tom Hanks, KELLY CLARKSON, Jennifer Lopez Weiss Eubanks, Mattel, Ynon Kreiz, Kreiz, ” Kreiz, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie’s “ Barbie ”, Chris Pizzello, Lisa McKnight, ” Barbie, “ Barbie, Robbie, Amy Schumer, Anne Hathaway, ” McKnight, Barney ’, Oscar, Robbie Brenner, Gerwig, Mark Ronson, Barney, BARNEY, “ It’s, ‘ Barbie, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Academy, Hollywood, American, Warner Bros . Pictures, Marvel, Mattel, UNO, KELLY CLARKSON SHOW, Fox Kids Europe, Endemol, Hasbro, Universal, Sony, Mattel Films, Entertainment, Everett, haven’t Locations: Hollywood, J.J, ”, Arizona, Los Angeles, Cold

☆ The Oscars Give Hollywood a Chance to Celebrate. After That? It’s Grim. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Mark Harris | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The Oscars are the climax of an awards season that’s a prolonged exercise in collective congratulation, and in early March the rest of the year still looks bright. The Sundance Film Festival and its attendant bidding wars have wrapped up, offering nothing but promise and excitement. At the box office, the biggest bets of the year have typically not yet opened and thus have not yet bombed. For Hollywood, 2023 was not so much a disaster as a preview of disasters to come. That fury persists: Each new headline about the huge compensation package for Robert Iger, Disney’s chief executive, or decisions by David Zaslav, the chief executive of Warner Bros.

Persons: that’s, blithely, Robert Iger, David Zaslav Organizations: Sundance Film, Hollywood, Warner Bros

☆ Disney Heirs Line Up Against Activist Investors
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It’s a classic Disney movie plot: A family comes together to fight an enemy. Only this time it is happening in real life, with the grandchildren of Walt and Roy Disney, who founded the company in 1923, joining forces to oppose Nelson Peltz, the activist investor who is waging a proxy battle for board seats. The heirs — nine in total, including Abigail E. Disney, who has at times been a harsh critic of Robert A. Iger, Disney’s chief executive — publicly lined up behind Mr. Iger and the current Disney board on Thursday. “These activists must be defeated,” Roy P. Disney, 66, said by telephone. Trian invests in great companies like Disney and helps them grow and thrive for the long term — and we have the track record to prove it at companies like P&G, Heinz and Mondelez.”

Persons: Walt, Roy Disney, Nelson Peltz, Abigail E, Robert A, —, Iger, “, ” Roy P, Peltz, Disney, Trian, Heinz, Mondelez, ” Organizations: Disney, Trian Partners

☆ Nita Ambani is now the most powerful woman in Indian media
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New Delhi CNN —Just a few months ago, Nita Ambani stepped away from frontline business to focus on philanthropy. Now, the wife of Asia’s richest man is back with the biggest job in the ferociously competitive world of India media. Nita Ambani will not be steering the media giant alone. Nita Ambani first stepped into the business limelight 10 years ago, becoming the first woman director on the board of Reliance Industries. With her new job title, Nita Ambani has become the most powerful woman in Indian media and entertainment sector, which is worth over $25 billion and growing rapidly.

Persons: New Delhi CNN —, Nita Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, Uday Shankar, “, ”, Ambani’s, Nita Mukesh Ambani, Bikas Das, —, Isha, Anant, Akash —, Akash, ” Nita Ambani, National Stock Exchange —, EY, Mihir Shah Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, Disney’s, Reliance Industries, Disney’s Asia, Disney, Reliance Foundation, Indian Premier League, IPL, Reliance, Music, International Olympic Committee, Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Stock Exchange, Media Partners, Netflix Locations: New Delhi, India, Mumbai, Disney India, New York, Viacom18

☆ Disney and Reliance Industries Announce Media Mega Deal in India
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Alex Travelli | Sameer Yasir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Walt Disney Company had an India-sized twinkle in its eye as early as 1993, when it first came to the country of now 1.4 billion potential media consumers. Along with India’s market, Disney’s ambitions grew bigger. Last year EY, the accounting and consulting firm, estimated that India’s media landscape would be worth $100 billion by 2030. On Wednesday, Disney announced it would merge its Indian operations under those of Viacom18, a part of Reliance Industries, India’s biggest conglomerate. Reliance will fork over $1.4 billion to consolidate its control.

Organizations: Walt Disney Company, Disney, Reliance Industries, India’s, Reliance Locations: India

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