Iger’s Reality Check: Disney Realizes Families Want Fun, Not Politics

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Disney‘s choice to exclude “Reimagine Tomorrow” from its 2024 SEC filing’s DEI section, which was previously about diversity, equity, and inclusion, is a move long past due. For quite some time now, the company has been promoting identity politics towards children, and this strategy has worn thin for many parents.

The “Reimagine Tomorrow” project, designed to highlight “less heard perspectives and hidden narratives,” served as a notable instance of Disney’s perceived misdirection. This endeavor, however, stirred up controversy, for example, when executive producer Latoya Raveneau openly discussed her supposedly “not-so-secret LGBTQ+ inclusions” in Disney’s productions.

It appears that Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney, has come to understand that Disney’s politically-charged policies have been negatively impacting its financial performance. With approximately a quarter of Americans choosing not to watch Disney films because of political reasons and the streaming service experiencing a decline in subscribers, it’s evident that the public is growing weary of this strategy.

Stefan Padfield, head of the Free Enterprise Project at the National Center for Public Policy Research, posits that this action might indicate a substantial change in Disney’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He explained, “The removal of [Reimagine Tomorrow] from their DEI section could imply they are scaling back their DEI commitments, or it may suggest they are concealing them.

This choice follows a larger pattern in the Hollywood industry, as other significant firms such as Netflix and WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros. Discovery) have been progressively stepping away from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) endeavors. It appears that it’s now Disney‘s turn to adopt this strategy and concentrate more on delivering high-quality family entertainment, rather than advocating for a political viewpoint.

Although some high-ranking employees at Disney might find this action displeasing, it’s crucial to recall that the corporation’s principal duty lies with its shareholders and clientele, not internal activist groups. For Disney to restore its reputation and rebuild audience confidence, it should persist in distancing itself from contentious identity politics and instead focus on returning to its core mission of offering family-friendly entertainment for all ages.

Disney staff members have been voicing their sentiments in industry publications, expressing a sense of being left behind by Iger and worry over Disney’s evolving focus. They asked questions such as, “What’s the next move? Where do we go from here? What are our values now, given that we prioritize MAGA supporters? This is not what I anticipated from Bob; I believed he had our interests at heart.

It’s doubtful their anonymous tears will change his mind.

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2025-02-18 19:30