Mickey Mouse 1928 - 2022

The Wall Street Journal features Asad Ayaz, recently appointed Disney chief brand officer, as the force field to conjure back up the pixie dust.

For Disney, things have been going downhill for a while but intensified since 2022. The Google Snippet provides a summary:

"Disney's noticeable downward stock trajectory and business challenges intensified around early 2022, driven by streaming losses, high content costs, declining linear TV, slowing park demand post-pandemic, and investor concerns over profitability and asset management"

Media coverage of Bob Iger's supposed sharp-elbowed ways also darkened that branding of the happiest place on earth. In addition, when Iger clawed his way back for a second time as CEO he was stuck in old-media time. It took him too long to get it that the landscape has changed.

Most of the 126 comments to the WSJ article are not bullish on a Disney comeback. Here is just one and it hits directly at the current key Americana issue of affordability:

"Disney got too big and started charging families with high prices, for lodging, long lines, to receive bad service and mediocre food ... The Disney experience includes paying off your credit card debt months or years later for many low income people."

Mickey Mouse got to where he was because we Boomer kids, growing up before the post-war economic boom really took off, could afford all the merchandise associated with that beloved character. We put on our Mouse ears when we watched the "Mickey Mouse" show. I learned to tell time with my Mickey Mouse watch. 

Now Mickey symbolizes corporate greed and stupid strategic mistakes. Creativity? I haven't picked up too much of that in its films.

Essentially Ayaz has been given a big title and probably big compensation for a job on the Titanic. If he fails, his reputation could go down with the ship.

As a coach I wonder why he took the job. Just as I wonder why Bari Weiss decided to mount the glass cliff. The answer is usually: The belief that they are special and can overcome the odds.

Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being done in by the “committee” in your head.

Together, we reprogram your thinking. Then we change your story.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

Don’t give up before the miracle.

 

 




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