CEO Bob Iger Discusses His “Prime Responsibility” at Disney

What do Drew Barrymore, Lionel Messi, Doja Cat, and Bob Iger all have in common? They’re…humans? True, but there’s something else. They…live on Earth? Again, true but not quite what we’re going for.

Done racking your brain about it? Well, it turns out these famous folks have one very specific thing in common right now…

…they’ve all been included in TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people for 2023. TIME has officially revealed its list of the most influential people for this year and it spans a wide variety of subject areas and includes a very mixed group of people.

Iger is listed under the “Innovators” section (other sections include artists, titans, leaders, icons, and pioneers).

An article on the TIME website by Mary Barra (CEO of GM and a member of Disney’s Board of Directors) explains why Iger is a good fit. According to Barra, “Bob Iger has guided the company to success for nearly two decades and is one of the best leaders I know.”

Why has Iger remained one of the most admired CEOs around the world? Barra shares that he’s got that position for many reasons — “He has led landmark acquisitions, championed culture-defining films, launched innovative distribution platforms, and delivered strong financial results, all while never forgetting the people—the employees and the fans—who make it all possible.”

And it’s only just beginning. According to Barra, Iger’s return to the CEO position has “ushered in a new era of transformation and creative excellence for the most magical company on earth.”

But for Barra, it’s Iger’s authenticity and pragmatism that really set him apart. Iger was once quoted as saying, “True authority and true leadership comes from knowing who you are and not pretending to be anything else.”

A full interview with Iger now appears on the TIME website and covers everything from Iger’s thoughts about his return to Disney to his response to the political battles in Florida.

Want to see Iger’s full thoughts on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his explanation of Disney’s “sole goal in Florida” — click here.

Reedy Creek Improvement District offices

Some argue that Disney has strayed from its core values or the things Walt Disney would have wanted. Can Iger manage to change the Company (and lead it into its future) while sticking to Disney’s “core values?” Iger has some thoughts on this as well — which you can see here.

In terms of other key things, Iger shared that his “prime responsibility” at Disney is really focusing on giving the Company “stability.” Iger shared, “I was brought back for a reason…the company needed stability, needed to establish a set of priorities and focus on them. The only way you end up getting to success is by deciding what the opportunities are, and then organizing your people and your company to go after them.”

Iger had previously shared that his “number one priority” at Disney is streaming and really ensuring enduring growth and profitability when it comes to streaming. But it seems like in this latest interview he’s defining his “prime responsibility” at Disney a bit broader, though it could surely include streaming as a part of that focus.

What about the major reorganization at Disney that has essentially done away with a strategy Chapek had put in place that separated some creative and financial decision-making? Iger shares, “There’s nothing I’m more sure about than the decision that we made and the need to tie accountability—and to some extent, a degree of control—over the business side of our business with the creative side of our business.” So it seems that is one change he has no regrets about at the moment.

In terms of the spending cuts Disney is making (to the tune of $5.5 billion), Iger said that the reductions they’re making are “designed to invest the right amount of money in great creativity. The more efficient you are at running a company, the more you can spend on what is the most necessary. In this case, it’s quality and creativity.”

When it comes to sports betting (something Chapek had really championed at Disney), Iger noted that his view has changed over time. He wants to make sure the Company continues to serve its customers without distancing itself from its core values. But, ultimately, Iger has said that Disney would not actually be “causing the bets to be made.” They’d just be “enabling people to link to companies that do that.”

And moving forward, it looks like (according to Iger) the “primary priority” of Disney’s Board of Directors is to find Disney’s NEW CEO. Iger shared that they’re meeting on a regular basis about this and “given the events of the last couple of years,” are giving this lots more time and attention than they did before.

What do you think about Iger’s latest comments? Tell us in the comments. For more Iger news, click here to see his response to accusations about Disney’s “woke agenda,” and stay tuned for more news.