WALT DISNEY COMPANY
BASIC INFORMATION:
Address: 500 South Buena Vista Street Burbank CALIFORNIA 91521
Phone: 1 818 560-1000
Fax: 1 818-560-1930
Online Map: click here
Website: click here
PROFILE:
Main Activities: The Group's principal activity is to provide entertainment and information. The Group operates in four business segments: MEDIA NETWORKS operates the ABC Television Network and ABC Radio Networks, which has affiliated stations providing coverage to United States television households. PARKS AND RESORTS operates the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California. STUDIO ENTERTAINMENT produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution to the theatrical, home video and television markets. CONSUMER PRODUCTS licenses the name Walt Disney, as well as the Company's characters, visual and literary properties. The Group operates in the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and other countries. During the fiscal year 2002, the Group acquired Fox Family Worldwide, Inc. Media networks accounted for 38% of fiscal 2002 revenues; parks & resorts, 26%; studio entertainment, 26% and consumer products, 10%. (cbs.marketwatch.com)
Evidence: Because the Walt Disney Company owns sport franchises, radio stations, television stations, and production companies they can easily advertise different products to different groups of people.
FINANCIAL DATA:
Annual Income: 25.3 billion
Number of Employees: 112,000
Ticker Symbol: DIS
Stock Exchange: NYSE
HISTORY:
Walt Disney moved to California in the summer of 1923, to try
to start his career as a cartoon animator. November 1928 Mickey Mouse was
released to the public and widely adored. Christmas time 1932 Walt
released his first feature length cartoon film, Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs. In 1950 Walt released his first all live action feature length
film, Treasure Island. Disneyland was opened July 17, 1955. Sadly
Walt died December 15, 1966. Walt's brother Roy ran the Disney studios and
oversaw the construction of Disney World which opened October 1, 1971. Roy
died later in 1971. The company was then run by a group of animators that
were originally trained by the Disney brothers. EPOCT, Experimental
Prototype Community of Tomorrow, opened to great acclaim October 1, 1982.
Tokyo Disneyland, the first foreign Disney park, opened April 15, 1983, and was
an immediate success. In 1988 Disney opened over 200 highly successful and
profitable Disney Stores and by 1996 there were more than 450 stores
worldwide. Disneyland Paris opened on April 12, 1992. For almost
eight decades the Walt Disney Company has been around making great family
entertainment. For a much more detailed history click
here.
OFFICERS:
Name: Michael Eisner
Age: 60
Position: Chairman and Chief Executive
Salary: 6.0M
Name: Robert Iger
Age: 52
Position: President and Chief Operating Officer
Salary: 5.7M
Name: Thomas Staggs
Age: 41
Position: Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Salary: 1.9M
Name: Roy Disney
Age: 73
Position: Vice Chairman
Salary: N/A
For more information on these and other officers click here.
PLANS:
Disney is in the process of constructing Hong Kong Disneyland. The theme park, which will be the first in China, is set to open sometime in 2005 or 2006. For more information click here.
There has also been talk of making a movie version of "Guys and Dolls" after the huge success of "Chigaco." For more information click here.
The lovable little friend of Winnie the Pooh is also said to have his own movie, "Piglet's Big Movie," is set to open only in theaters March 21, 2003. For more information click here.
Letter to the Shareholders: click here
KEY COMPETITORS:
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March 3, 2003
Ashley Grant