Disney Becomes a Little Less Evil
Walt Disney
Earlier this month, Disney became a little less evil.
In my Random Links, you might have noticed SaveDisney.com (link no longer works) pop up every so often. The site was geared toward explaining the problems with Disney (and especially with Eisner) and especially with the problems Walt Disney would have had with the company as it is today. It was run by Roy Disney and Stanley Gold.
On July 8, the Disney company and Roy Disney agreed to "put aside the differences that have characterized their relationship over the past several years." Roy Disney will be named as a consultant and Director Emeritus. Of course, I'm sure part of the agreement is that Roy Disney has to basically take back all the not-so-nice things he said about the company. As a result, SaveDisney.com will be closing on August 7. Roy wrote a message for site visitors:
A Message from Roy E. Disney…
To all the faithful visitors to our site here at SaveDisney:First of all, please accept my most sincere thanks for your faith and trust in us, and for sticking with us through thick and thin during this campaign. You have been our biggest help in the tough times, and the good times… and there is no way to say "thank-you" any more sincerely than I do now.
It's been a while since last I wrote to you about how much nicer Disneyland has been looking lately, and as you probably know, a lot has happened in that time… maybe the single most important thing being that we here at SaveDisney have come to an agreement with the new management at the Walt Disney Company regarding our mutual relationship.
Accordingly, on August 7th, we will permanently close down this website… with regrets, of course, but also with the satisfaction that it has served its purpose… to inform and educate all of you about the future of the Disney legacy.
One result, which pleases me personally, and my family (which has endured these months alongside me), and of course Stanley Gold and many others here at Shamrock, is that I have been asked to rejoin the Company, as a Consultant, and as Director Emeritus, and to take part in whatever way I can help as a part of the Company, its art and its business. It is my intent to fully be a part of the Company again, to the best of my ability, and I can never fully describe what a joy it is that I will soon be re-connecting with so many friends - - from my past, from my present, and from my future.
There is so much more that can not be addressed here, but there are plenty of encouraging signs toward the future vision of the Walt Disney Company, visions that we share and have shared through these difficult times.
So for the moment, let me thank each of you and all of you for sharing your emotions and your ideas and your passion for what my Father and Uncle Walt created. Join with us as we enter into this new era, and its promise for a "great big, beautiful tomorrow."
On a purely personal note, I only hope than I can come close to living up to all your hopes and dreams, and maybe even play a part in creating some new dreams!
Roy E. Disney
Part of me is thrilled that Disney has finally come to its senses (at least to a degree) and agreed to bring Roy Disney back on board as a consultant and Director Emeritus. Another part of me, however, is saddened by Roy Disney's selling out to get back on board. The press release ends with some chilling statements: "Disney and Gold expressed confidence in Mr. Iger's leadership, and as Mr. Eisner retires after 21 years with the Company, they acknowledged his contribution to the Company over the years." FYI, Eisner officially steps down on September 30, 2005.
The Southern Baptists called for an end to their eight-year boycott of the Walt Disney Company. This happened a few weeks before Roy Disney's move, however, so I believe that may have been unrelated.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, July 23rd, 2005 at 20:04 by Novac and is filed under All, Children, Culture, Media, Movies, People, Pop Culture, Religion, Television.
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July 23rd, 2005 at 23:07
[...] I am not as upbeat about this development as Novac is…however, as long as Eisner is gone and Roy Disney is back, there will at least be hope. But Stanley Gold has to go and Iger cannot stay. Disney has to find itself again…and it isn't in Hollyweird. [...]