Bob Iger Shares Advice For Disney CEO Successor

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As Bob Iger plans to pass the torch to a new boss at Disney, he recently reflected on his storied tenure at the media and entertainment giant. The Walt Disney Company CEO discussed the “social responsibility” that comes with the position as his successor will have to “maintain Disney’s position in the word as a beloved company” after his planned exit in 2026. “I think because of the company’s place in the world, I think the person running the company has a special responsibility of sorts to maintain Disney’s position in the word as a beloved company, as an admired company, as a company that entertains really the world,” he said on The Rest Is History podcast. “Everyone of all ages and from all different walks of life. And I think more than anything else, I would want to be known as someone who was given the keys to this kingdom, so to speak, and quite a kingdom it is, and that I brought it to a place that even Walt would be proud of and what that means is more great storytelling to a larger audience, more innovation, more risk-taking, more really creation of of happiness.” Iger continued, “It’s really that simple. At one point I thought, well, okay, you’re now running Disney. What’s the most you want out of it? Well, don’t screw it up, but it’s much more than that. I really have been mindful of the duty that I feel has been handed to me to make it even better than it’s ever been.” Following his 2005 promotion to CEO at Disney, Iger famously gave up the hot seat and retired in December 2021, only to return eleven months later after the dismissal of his successor Bob Chapek. Preparing to release the reins once again, Iger hopes his successor will “be respectful of our past and well aware of the values that really created the value of the company in the first place and carry them forward.” “But not let anything that’s been done in the past get in the way of bringing the company into the future,” he added. “And that’s really constant innovation, a constant exploration, you know, constant essentially desire to reinvent or to invent even. More than anything else, that’s what I’d want. But I think we do occupy a place in the world as great storytellers, perhaps maybe the greatest, and I would hope that that position would continue for years and years, decades ahead.” Whereas many at the company have asked “what would Walt think” when it comes to decision-making, Iger said he’s “not really interested in turning to him for advice, per se, but I would be more interested in showing him what’s become of the great company that he founded. And I wouldn’t mind a bit of a report card, perhaps. It’s cocky of me to think that he would give me all A’s.” Iger, whose influence on modern-day Disney cannot be understated thanks to him leading on acquisitions such as the deal for Marvel in 2009, is set to step down for a second time next year, with the likes of Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden and Disney Experiences boss Josh D’Amaro among the names in the running to replace him. Whoever lands the role is stepping into arguably the highest-profile job in global entertainment.