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An Analysis of The Walt Disney Company
Kendall Forward
TELE 3310
October 29, 2013
An Analysis of The Walt Disney Company
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Overview & History
The Walt Disney Company is a leading American diversified multinational entertainment and mass media conglomerate, headquartered in Burbank California. Founded on October 16,
1923 by Walt Disney and his brother Roy as a small cartoon animation studio, the company struggled through years of unsuccessful creations but turned around after the debut of Mickey
Mouse, the official mascot of the company. Now headed by CEO Robert Iger, Disney is one of the largest entertainment corporations in the world with approximately 166,000 employees and annual revenues approaching the $45 billion mark (Walt Disney).
For eight decades, Walt Disney has entertained people around the world with its theme parks, resorts, cruises, movies, TV shows, radio programming, and memorabilia. Before diversifying into live-action film production, television and travel, the company established itself as a leader in the American animation industry. The company went public in 1940 and was reincorporated under its current name in 1986 and expanded operations and also started divisions focused on theatre, radio, music, publishing and online media (Cohesion Case).
Mission Statement
The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to be one of the world 's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information. Using our portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services and consumer products, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world (Walt Disney).
Organizational Structure
Walt Disney operates using a strategic business unit (SBU) organizational structure that consists of five diverse family-entertainment segments:
Cited: (2012). Web. Walt Disney. "Investor Relations." The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney. Web. 25 Oct. 2013.