Iger-Era Disney Executives Take Their Leave - Inside the Magic

On February 25, 2020, Bob Iger stepped down as CEO of the Walt Disney Company, and with his leave, Bob Chapek stepped in. Although no longer CEO, Iger continues to remain with the company as the Executive Chairman until the end of the year. It seems that with Iger’s leave, many other high-level executives are following in his footsteps.

Zenia Mucha, Senior Executive VP and Chief Communications officer, has been Disney’s chief spokesperson since 2002. Mucha led the company through PR for years, leaving ABC to do so during the last two years of Michael Eisner’s reign as CEO. New York Times reporter Brooks Barnes (@brooksbarnesNYT) shared the news:

Disney’s in-your-face PR chief for 19 years, will retire from the company at year end. Over her long career, she has been referred to as “warrior princess,” “mother crocodile” and “director of revenge.”

Zenia Mucha, Disney's in-your-face PR chief for 19 years, will retire from the company at year end. Over her long career, she has been referred to as "warrior princess," "mother crocodile" and "director of revenge." My story: https://t.co/SMFHLrAJw0

— Brooks Barnes (@brooksbarnesNYT) July 13, 2021

Alan Braverman, Senior Executive Vice President of General Counsel, will also be leaving the company. Braverman noted to Variety that:

“Recently, I have thought more and more about what life after Disney might look like for me – what my days would entail if they were shaped by the pursuit of personal interests that so often get deferred due to the press of work,” he wrote. “To be honest, the thought of having more free time to explore other opportunities and activities is a proposition that is as scary as it is exhilarating. But it is the inevitable next chapter and, in the end, I decided now is the right time in my life to make the transition.”

Alan Horn also recently transitioned from his role as Chairman of Disney Studios Content (which he served jointly with Alan Bergman) and is now only serving as Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Studios. Many high-level executives who were instrumental during Iger’s time as CEO are now making room for a new executive team under Bob Chapek. Chapek was appointed CEO of the Walt Disney Company last year. Bob Iger has been serving as Executive Chairman even after he stepped down as CEO, but his contract with the company expires this year in 2021.

What do you think of the shakeup going on with the executive team at the Walt Disney Company?