More Trouble at the Tragic Kingdom, as Major Recent Executive Hire at Disney Takes Fall – Opinion

Following Florida’s move to rescind Disney’s exclusive self-governing provisions, a key executive falls on the sword.

For the world’s most magical corporation, it has been an uphill struggle for the past few months. It was for no apparent reason that the House of Mouse decided it would take on the battle with Florida’s governor over the parental rights bill. Now, one of the most prominent names at the entertainment conglomerate has made a decision to leave the chaos.

Geoff Morrell has resigned as head of corporate relations at the Disney Company. This is an important move considering that Morrell was considered a communication wizard with strong credentials in the field and the ability to connect the required contacts for government relations. The company has been plagued by controversies in recent months, making it appear that Morrell may have turned into a sacrifice lamb.

Morrell joined Disney Company in January and has been with the company for three months. While the announcement delivered the expected boilerplate language in such departures – he is said to be “leaving the company to pursue other opportunities” –There are signs that he felt he was being made a scapegoat in the new setting. He emailed staff to say that he was addressing a more direct problem within the company. 

“After three months in this new role, it has become clear to me that for a number of reasons it is not the right fit.”

Given his years of experience as the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, this seems odd. His ability to do the job at his current level seems highly unlikely. Another indicator is that part of his duties are being handed to Kristina Schake (Clinton-Obama player, who was appointed in April as communications director).

There have been questions about CEO Bob Chapek. He is the source of all this turmoil. Chapek, who initially refused to take a position on legislation, has now been criticized for initially making a mediocre comment in his workers’ minds. 

NEW: Disney addresses protests over Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” and says, in part, that “the greatest impact we can make in making a world more inclusive is through the inspirational content we create.”

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This did not satisfy. Disney employeesHe was firm in his opposition to the bill. Actually, apologizeFor not being firmer or speaking out against the bill earlier. Disney declared that it would reduce political donations, and pledged to support efforts to repeal the law. However, by now, the bill had passed through the legislature. Chapek was criticized from both sides. Opponents believed he was meddling with political affairs. However, some workers and others were upset at Chapek’s inaction. 

Video footage has been shown of internal management promising to impose a LGBTQ agenda on their content. Polls support the law and indicators indicate that people will turn away. The legislature then passed the new law stripping the company its Reedy Creek exemption status. Disney has had a lot of success.A significant fall in stock pricesThis week, the 52-week low reached a new high. 

Not helping Capek’s cause Bob Iger was chirping about this issue, making it seem as if he disagreed with Chapek’s initial hesitance to enter the fray. It can be argued that nothing the company has done in regards to this law has worked, and now it appears one executive had to take the fall to preserve Chapek’s standing. 

Long-standing tradition has taught that it is the best thing for companies to avoid political issues. You are representing part of your customer base by taking a stand. Disney has not been able to participate in Florida’s law. They had no involvement in any way with Disney and have succeeded to discredit a large number of core customers, including parents.

The New York Post featured Chapek’s incorrect play. A source inside the company appears to have identified the root cause of the problem.

“I don’t think this would have happened under Iger,” said a source who has worked for both men. “Disney now finds itself in the middle of a culture war and it shouldn’t have been there.”

The bottom line is that Disney has gotten into controversy in opposition to a law. In the end the company’s content follows this standard. It is important that children in the youngest grades are taught the appropriate curriculum. The same ratings system Disney follows, which indicates when content might be necessary. Parental guidance – the exact same thing the law calls for in schools.

For Disney to oppose this very same standard is not only foolish in appearance, but it has also angered a key component of its audience – the parents. It has now become a cultural disaster. There was much more it could do as a company and far more successful. The company could simply have done nothing.