Walt Disney & Steve Jobs

I.  Case 3 - 1 Walt Disney Co. (75 Points)

Overview

Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs sold Pixar Animation Studios to Disney, making him the largest shareholder of Disney.  The deal is noteworthy not only for the potential future benefits entailed in an Apple-Hollywood link, but also because it immediately vaults Disney back to the top of the industry it all but invented.  Jobs, who co-founded Apple in the 1970s, returned to the company when Apple acquired his company NeXT Software Inc.  Disney CEO Robert A. Iger succeeded long time Disney chief Michael D. Eisner in late October  2005 and quickly began working with Jobs during the launch of Apple's new video iPod.  This new relationship has many people pondering the next move will Jobs play a key role with Disney?

Major Issues in the Case

* Illustrates Jobs’ management style, which makes him insistent on controlling all aspects of a product – from hardware and software to the service that comes with it.

* Considers Jobs’ selective approach to outsourcing and his belief that small teams of top talent will outperform better than higher-funded projects.

* Discusses recreating Disney’s marketing approach.

* Indicates the challenges of convincing conservative executives that technological change will increase profits for Walt Disney.

* Examines Jobs’ ability to balance his position at Apple and new his role at Walt Disney without losing his focus or energy on either front.

Assignment

1. Discuss how Disney’s future vision and strategies may be influenced by the alliance between Steve Jobs and Disney.

The alliance between Disney and Steve Jobs could have more thrills than a trip to Disneyland (Cravens & Piercy 2010). Steve Jobs is notorious for perfecting the right product. Ideas are just that, ideas, however Jobs has been able to take ideas and make those ideas into something special through focus and religious faith in his strategy. Jobs belief is that a killer product...