Walt Disney Ownership
2. The Walt Disney Company owns many mass media and entertainment companies. According to Wikipedia, it owns several television networks including ESPN Inc., Freeform, A+E Networks, and the Disney Channel. It also holds several famous entertainment companies such as The Muppets Studio, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm. Disney owns 14 theme parks including one in Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai (sec. 1).
3. In 1923, The Walt Disney Company (then known as Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio) got its start when Walt Disney signed a contract with film distributor Margaret J. Winkler to distribute his Alice Comedies series. Later in the decade, Disney developed a new character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, which was also distributed
by M.J Winkler Productions. In 1928, however, M.J. Winkler Productions pulled the Oswald contract by taking advantage of a legal loophole. Winkler owned Oswald and tried to take over the Disney Studio. After failing to do so, M.J. Winkler Productions hired away four of Disney’s animators. After Disney’s relatively rough start, he made a comeback with his new cartoon character, Mickey Mouse. He went on to produce many more cartoons until the release of his first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1937. During World War II, Disney made war-related films and propaganda shorts. In 1955, Disney opened Disneyland, a theme park where adults and children alike could have fun (Wikipedia.org sec. 2-4). I find it interesting that Disney had such a rocky start in the 1920’s. His company was almost taken over by M.J. Winkler Productions, but Walt Disney was not going to give in easily. During World War II, box-office profits declined majorly and a lot of Disney’s animators were drafted. In order to stay in business during World War II. Disney accepted a contract from the U.S. governments to create propaganda and training films. I think Disneyland was a genius move on Disney’s part as it allowed him to branch out of just the film business and diversify his then rapidly growing business.
5. According to the Walt Disney Company website, “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” (sec. 3). This shows that The Walt Disney Company’s number one priority is to entertain people all around the world. Profits are also mentioned in this statement because the Company wants to also appeal to stock shareholders. Another interesting item I found was that Walt Disney Company committed one million dollars to the American Red Cross for hurricane Harvey relief (sec. 1). This shows that the company really cares about more than profits
6. The Walt Disney Company is a fascinating company with a long and interesting history. It has a very diverse portfolio mostly in the entertainment industry. I have many thoughts about the Disney Company, most of which have been heavily influenced by my exposure to it from a very young age. I personally love Disney films as well as Marvel and Lucasfilm films. I have also been to Disney World. After learning more about Disney’s history, my overall opinion has not changed, but I am more interested in learning more about the company.
3. In 1923, The Walt Disney Company (then known as Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio) got its start when Walt Disney signed a contract with film distributor Margaret J. Winkler to distribute his Alice Comedies series. Later in the decade, Disney developed a new character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, which was also distributed
by M.J Winkler Productions. In 1928, however, M.J. Winkler Productions pulled the Oswald contract by taking advantage of a legal loophole. Winkler owned Oswald and tried to take over the Disney Studio. After failing to do so, M.J. Winkler Productions hired away four of Disney’s animators. After Disney’s relatively rough start, he made a comeback with his new cartoon character, Mickey Mouse. He went on to produce many more cartoons until the release of his first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1937. During World War II, Disney made war-related films and propaganda shorts. In 1955, Disney opened Disneyland, a theme park where adults and children alike could have fun (Wikipedia.org sec. 2-4). I find it interesting that Disney had such a rocky start in the 1920’s. His company was almost taken over by M.J. Winkler Productions, but Walt Disney was not going to give in easily. During World War II, box-office profits declined majorly and a lot of Disney’s animators were drafted. In order to stay in business during World War II. Disney accepted a contract from the U.S. governments to create propaganda and training films. I think Disneyland was a genius move on Disney’s part as it allowed him to branch out of just the film business and diversify his then rapidly growing business.
5. According to the Walt Disney Company website, “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” (sec. 3). This shows that The Walt Disney Company’s number one priority is to entertain people all around the world. Profits are also mentioned in this statement because the Company wants to also appeal to stock shareholders. Another interesting item I found was that Walt Disney Company committed one million dollars to the American Red Cross for hurricane Harvey relief (sec. 1). This shows that the company really cares about more than profits
6. The Walt Disney Company is a fascinating company with a long and interesting history. It has a very diverse portfolio mostly in the entertainment industry. I have many thoughts about the Disney Company, most of which have been heavily influenced by my exposure to it from a very young age. I personally love Disney films as well as Marvel and Lucasfilm films. I have also been to Disney World. After learning more about Disney’s history, my overall opinion has not changed, but I am more interested in learning more about the company.