Case Studies
CASE STUDY
Pixar: Animated Geniuses
1.) Problem: Pixar maintaining its position in the movie animation industry despite the forging alliance of major production companies.
2.) Facts of the Case: a.) Wild Brain inked a five-picture deal with Dimension Films, a unit of Miramax (owned by, of all companies, Disney). b.) Perhaps Pixar’s closest competitor is Dreamworks, headed by former Disney impresario Jeffrey Katzenberg and backed by media luminaries Steven Spielberg and David Geffen. c.) Disney entered into talks to buy Pixar. d.) He invested more than $50 million in keeping the company afloat, refusing to concede defeat and even releasing Alvy Smith after repeated personality conflicts. e.) But a good part of Pixar’s success stems from its ability to generate intriguing stories that warm the hearts of audiences.
3.) Objectives: To find out if Pixar can still be on top of the animated movie industry now that it is under Disney.
4.) Assumptions: a.) Pixar will still be able to do well in the industry. b.) Pixar will be able to come up with movies better than their previous ones.
5.) Alternative Actions: a.) Not investing that much money to keep the company afloat b.) Lowering the price of the software
6.) Conclusion: I therefore conclude that Pixar will still be able to reign the movie industry when it comes to animation.
Discussion Questions:
1.) For Steve Jobs, with all his wealth and success, how can the needs theories explain his motivation? The needs theories helped him to be motivated to do what’s best for their company. He didn’t consider failure to be his option. He wants to be satisfied with his decisions.
2.) When Pixar was struggling and Jobs was investing more and more money to keep it afloat, he could have made the decision to sell and go off to invest his money and time in other pursuits.
Pixar: Animated Geniuses
1.) Problem: Pixar maintaining its position in the movie animation industry despite the forging alliance of major production companies.
2.) Facts of the Case: a.) Wild Brain inked a five-picture deal with Dimension Films, a unit of Miramax (owned by, of all companies, Disney). b.) Perhaps Pixar’s closest competitor is Dreamworks, headed by former Disney impresario Jeffrey Katzenberg and backed by media luminaries Steven Spielberg and David Geffen. c.) Disney entered into talks to buy Pixar. d.) He invested more than $50 million in keeping the company afloat, refusing to concede defeat and even releasing Alvy Smith after repeated personality conflicts. e.) But a good part of Pixar’s success stems from its ability to generate intriguing stories that warm the hearts of audiences.
3.) Objectives: To find out if Pixar can still be on top of the animated movie industry now that it is under Disney.
4.) Assumptions: a.) Pixar will still be able to do well in the industry. b.) Pixar will be able to come up with movies better than their previous ones.
5.) Alternative Actions: a.) Not investing that much money to keep the company afloat b.) Lowering the price of the software
6.) Conclusion: I therefore conclude that Pixar will still be able to reign the movie industry when it comes to animation.
Discussion Questions:
1.) For Steve Jobs, with all his wealth and success, how can the needs theories explain his motivation? The needs theories helped him to be motivated to do what’s best for their company. He didn’t consider failure to be his option. He wants to be satisfied with his decisions.
2.) When Pixar was struggling and Jobs was investing more and more money to keep it afloat, he could have made the decision to sell and go off to invest his money and time in other pursuits.