CEO Bob Iger: The Ultimate Disney Princess?
Mogul. Magnate. Baron.
These are just some of the adjectives assigned to Disney CEO Bob Iger. But Scandal actor Kerry Washington added a new moniker for Disney’s boardroom boss: Princess.
USAToday’s Bill Keveney reported:
In praising Walt Disney Co. CEO Robert Iger, Kerry Washington, offered a unique compliment.
“When you really think about it, Bob is kind of like the ultimate Disney princess,” said Washington, who introduced Iger at the Television Academy’s 25th Hall of Fame ceremony at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood Tuesday…
“He began his career sweeping ashes out of the ovens at Pizza Hut. If that is not a modern-day Cinderella, I don’t know what is,” she said. “Then, just like Cinderella, things changed when he befriended a mouse. Like Merida, he set out to change his fate. Like Moana, he went beyond the reef. Like Tiana, he kissed a few frogs, professionally speaking. Not every new TV show is going to be ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ but that’s the cost of being bold, and it was worth it.”
Founded on Optimism
That’s quite the statement. And wholly accurate from near any point of view.
Even Bob’s, who — while he didn’t address the new adjective — did speak to all of the qualities that Disney’s most famous characters possess.
“Now all of us Hall of Famers have certainly witnessed more profound and more incredible change — in fact, the complete rapid transformation of our industry, one I don’t think any of us could have ever imagined. But as daunting as that all is, it’s consistent with the sweeping changes that the world has seen. In a world that has swirled with change, I think it needs all of us more than ever because of anxiety and uncertainty and contempt seem to dominate the headlines and people’s lives,” said the exec, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter. “And with that in mind and given televisions omnipresence in the world and the ability to reach billions of people every day, I believe we have more than just an opportunity — we have a responsibility to serve the vital needs of people and to make a profoundly positive difference in the world because the story we tell can provide a much-needed escape and they also help people relate to one another, gain a deeper understanding, different perspectives and create a sense of connection and hopefully a sense of optimism, which is something that we at the Walt Disney company strive for every day.”
Optimism. Hey, that’s not a bad thing to base your efforts on each day, no?