The Differing Styles of Bob Iger and Walt Disney

As we are watching the Disney brand sink deeper and deeper into the morass, I thought it would be interesting to analyze the differing styles of its founder (Walt) and its current leader, Bob Iger. Enjoy:

Walt Disney's leadership style was that of a pioneering visionary and a creative genius who transformed animation from a novelty to an art form that could tell emotionally gripping stories. He was known for his imaginative prowess and an inexhaustible drive to innovate. Disney’s approach was hands-on and detail-oriented, often involving himself in the creative process from concept to completion.

Key aspects of Walt Disney's leadership style include:

• Innovative Creativity: Disney was relentless in his pursuit of new ideas and wasn't afraid to take risks. This is epitomized by his creation of Disneyland, an unprecedented project that established the theme park industry. Disney repeatedly "bet the farm" and won on his creative endeavors. Snow White wasn't even the first time. And after having lost everything on Oswalt, Walt seemingly had little fear of losing again. Perhaps that's why he was a winner?

• Inspirational Motivation: He had a charismatic ability to inspire his staff to achieve more than they thought possible. Disney's enthusiasm for pushing creative boundaries was infectious and set the tone for the company’s culture.

• Emotional Connection: Walt Disney excelled at storytelling that connected with audiences on an emotional level, which remains a core strategy of Disney’s branding. Uncle Walt, despite the deconstruction efforts, remains very popular with broad swaths of the American public.

Bob Iger: The Strategic Expansionist

Bob Iger, who became CEO in 2005, brought a markedly different style of leadership to the company, focusing on strategic growth and brand expansion. His tenure is noted for the acquisition of major brands such as Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, which have been integral to Disney's growth strategy in the new millennium.

Key aspects of Bob Iger's leadership style include:

• Strategic Acumen: Iger is a strategic thinker. His decisions to acquire Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm were based on long-term visions for content synergy and market expansion, significantly strengthening Disney’s portfolio. The problem with this strategic thinking plan, however, is that it moves forward with out defending the flank. Politically-engaged efforts within the company have emptied out the wonderful acquisitions of their creative power... often around a decade after purchase.

• Calm Under Pressure: Unlike Disney's hands-on, emotionally driven style, Iger's approach is known for being calm and composed, even under pressure. This has helped him steer the company through multiple challenges, including the digital revolution in media consumption. This is also likely what caused such a rift between Iger and Chapek during the divorce stage -- Iger wanted a clean removal of Chapek; Chapek wanted to say f*** you on the way out the door.

• Emphasis on Brand and Market Expansion: Iger expanded Disney’s global presence, focusing not just on creative content but also on how it could be leveraged across platforms, including new digital mediums and international parks. The issue now is that the domestic parks and cruises are largely subsidizing nearly all of it.

Comparative Analysis

While Walt Disney’s style was rooted in creative control and pioneering new ideas, Bob Iger's focused on leveraging existing Disney strengths and expanding them through strategic acquisitions and market expansion. Disney's approach was very much about dreaming and doing the impossible, often with a personal touch in every project. In contrast, Iger’s style was more about broadening the company’s horizons and ensuring its dominance across new and emerging media landscapes. And that's why the Walt Disney Company isn't the same as the new Bob Iger Company. It's Main Street USA versus Wall Street.