The Bob Iger era at Disney will continue beyond its scheduled end date.
The Walt Disney Co. says that the venerable CEO has signed a contract extension, one that will keep him at the helm of the media and entertainment giant through 2026. The decision by the board was unanimous, and cited the need to transform the company and to execute a transition plan, “which remains a priority for the board,” the company said.
“Time and again, Bob has shown an unparalleled ability to successfully transform Disney to drive future growth and financial returns, earning him a reputation as one of the world’s best CEOs,” said Mark Parker, chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “Bob has once again set Disney on the right strategic path for ongoing value creation, and to ensure the successful completion of this transformation while also allowing ample time to position a new CEO for long-term success,...
The Walt Disney Co. says that the venerable CEO has signed a contract extension, one that will keep him at the helm of the media and entertainment giant through 2026. The decision by the board was unanimous, and cited the need to transform the company and to execute a transition plan, “which remains a priority for the board,” the company said.
“Time and again, Bob has shown an unparalleled ability to successfully transform Disney to drive future growth and financial returns, earning him a reputation as one of the world’s best CEOs,” said Mark Parker, chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “Bob has once again set Disney on the right strategic path for ongoing value creation, and to ensure the successful completion of this transformation while also allowing ample time to position a new CEO for long-term success,...
- 7/12/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney CEO Bob Iger called succession top priority as he moves to turn the company around and, with the board of directors, name a new chief executive before the end of his two-year contract.
His previous pick, Bob Chapek, was pushed out abruptly in November after a rocky reign, and the former longtime chief executive returned for an encore.
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“Succession is pretty much at the top of the list,” Iger told a Morgan Stanley investor conference.
His previous pick, Bob Chapek, was pushed out abruptly in November after a rocky reign, and the former longtime chief executive returned for an encore.
Related Story Disney Being “Very Careful” With Star Wars Movie Development, CEO Bob Iger Says; Marvel Brand Not “Inherently Off,” But “Do You Need A Third Or Fourth” Sequel For Every Character? Related Story Disney Chief Bob Iger Says It Is "Very Tricky" To Assess Hulu's Long-Term Value As Decision Point With Comcast Approaches Related Story Lucasfilm Sued For "Egregious" Axing Of Producer Karyn McCarthy From 'Star Wars' Series 'The Acolyte'
“Succession is pretty much at the top of the list,” Iger told a Morgan Stanley investor conference.
- 3/9/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney’s proxy battle with activist investor Nelson Peltz is over, with the investor saying Thursday morning that he is abandoning his plans to join the company’s board of directors.
“This was a great win for all the shareholders. Management at Disney now plans to do everything that we wanted them to do,” Peltz said on CNBC Thursday morning, adding that the fight was over, and he wished Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger the best.
“We respect and value the input of all our shareholders and we appreciate the decision by Trian Fund announced by Nelson Peltz this morning,” Disney responded in a statement. “We are pleased that our Board and management can remain focused without the distraction of a proxy contest, and we have tremendous faith in Bob Iger’s leadership and the transformative vision for Disney’s future he set forth yesterday.”
Peltz made the comments...
“This was a great win for all the shareholders. Management at Disney now plans to do everything that we wanted them to do,” Peltz said on CNBC Thursday morning, adding that the fight was over, and he wished Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger the best.
“We respect and value the input of all our shareholders and we appreciate the decision by Trian Fund announced by Nelson Peltz this morning,” Disney responded in a statement. “We are pleased that our Board and management can remain focused without the distraction of a proxy contest, and we have tremendous faith in Bob Iger’s leadership and the transformative vision for Disney’s future he set forth yesterday.”
Peltz made the comments...
- 2/9/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company has asked its board to reinstate the dividend by the end of the calendar year. The payouts, beloved by investors, especially Disney’s legion of retail shareholders, were stopped abruptly during Covid to conserve cash.
Iger said the company’s planned cost cutting — of 5.5 billion — will make this possible. Initially, he said, the dividend will be “modest” but increase over time.
The news comes as the company is in the midst of a proxy battle with activist investor Nelson Peltz of Trian Group, who is asking shareholders to vote him onto the board of directors.
“When it comes to investing in growth and returning capital to shareholders, we will take a balanced and disciplined approach as we did throughout my previous tenure as CEO, when we invested in our core businesses and acquired new ones, bought back stock and paid a dividend to our shareholders.
Iger said the company’s planned cost cutting — of 5.5 billion — will make this possible. Initially, he said, the dividend will be “modest” but increase over time.
The news comes as the company is in the midst of a proxy battle with activist investor Nelson Peltz of Trian Group, who is asking shareholders to vote him onto the board of directors.
“When it comes to investing in growth and returning capital to shareholders, we will take a balanced and disciplined approach as we did throughout my previous tenure as CEO, when we invested in our core businesses and acquired new ones, bought back stock and paid a dividend to our shareholders.
- 2/8/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney’s board of directors is firing back against activist investor Nelson Peltz’s proposals to shareholders, issuing a statement to urge investors to reject the Trian Group candidate in the ongoing proxy battle he’s waging against the company and instead vote for their nominated candidate, Michael Froman.
Disney’s board said in a statement Thursday that the company expects to mail its proxy materials, including its white proxy card to shareholders in the “near future,” and is urging shareholders “to take no action at the moment and to simply discard any materials or blue proxy card they may receive from Trian Group.”
Per Disney’s board, “Shareholders should instead give themselves the benefit of voting on a fully informed basis, taking the Board and management team’s important update on its strategy to create value into consideration.”
“The Disney Board of Directors does not endorse Nelson Peltz as a nominee,...
Disney’s board said in a statement Thursday that the company expects to mail its proxy materials, including its white proxy card to shareholders in the “near future,” and is urging shareholders “to take no action at the moment and to simply discard any materials or blue proxy card they may receive from Trian Group.”
Per Disney’s board, “Shareholders should instead give themselves the benefit of voting on a fully informed basis, taking the Board and management team’s important update on its strategy to create value into consideration.”
“The Disney Board of Directors does not endorse Nelson Peltz as a nominee,...
- 2/2/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The Walt Disney Company responded to Nelson Peltz’s latest demands Thursday with a resounding “No.” The company released a letter in response to materials released by the Trian Group.
Peltz is now requesting that he, or his son if need be, serve on the Walt Disney board of directors instead of Mastercard executive Michael Froman. Froman has served on the board since 2018. In his statement, Peltz argued “the current board has failed to instill a “culture of accountability,” by overpaying executives even as the business has performed poorly; failing to align incentives with shareholders by personally owning stock and failing to heed “constructive shareholder input.”
“The Disney Board of Directors does not endorse Nelson Peltz as a nominee,” stated the official company response. “[Disney] believes the election of either Mr. Peltz or his son would threaten the strategic management of Disney during a period of important change in the media landscape.
Peltz is now requesting that he, or his son if need be, serve on the Walt Disney board of directors instead of Mastercard executive Michael Froman. Froman has served on the board since 2018. In his statement, Peltz argued “the current board has failed to instill a “culture of accountability,” by overpaying executives even as the business has performed poorly; failing to align incentives with shareholders by personally owning stock and failing to heed “constructive shareholder input.”
“The Disney Board of Directors does not endorse Nelson Peltz as a nominee,” stated the official company response. “[Disney] believes the election of either Mr. Peltz or his son would threaten the strategic management of Disney during a period of important change in the media landscape.
- 2/2/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Disney’s activist investor has found his target.
Nelson Peltz, the Trian Management founder who is leading a proxy fight against the entertainment company, is targeting Disney board member Michael B.G. Froman in the battle.
On Thursday, Peltz’s firm released a proxy form and began messaging Disney shareholders, urging them to withhold votes for Froman, and to vote for Peltz instead.
Trian also released a new open letter to Disney shareholders, tweaking its messaging in a subtle but critical way: In its initial presentation, Trian focused on the performance of Disney CEO Bob Iger and his predecessor Bob Chapek. In the new letter, Trian is targeting Disney’s board, calling out Disney’s declining stock price and Eps in 2022, as well as its decision to cancel its dividend, adding that “it is clear the Board of Directors has caused this recent destruction of value.
“As the owners of this great company,...
Nelson Peltz, the Trian Management founder who is leading a proxy fight against the entertainment company, is targeting Disney board member Michael B.G. Froman in the battle.
On Thursday, Peltz’s firm released a proxy form and began messaging Disney shareholders, urging them to withhold votes for Froman, and to vote for Peltz instead.
Trian also released a new open letter to Disney shareholders, tweaking its messaging in a subtle but critical way: In its initial presentation, Trian focused on the performance of Disney CEO Bob Iger and his predecessor Bob Chapek. In the new letter, Trian is targeting Disney’s board, calling out Disney’s declining stock price and Eps in 2022, as well as its decision to cancel its dividend, adding that “it is clear the Board of Directors has caused this recent destruction of value.
“As the owners of this great company,...
- 2/2/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Was Disney right to pay 71 billion for Fox’s entertainment empire? The sprawling properties it brought in-house helped fuel Disney+ and have given returning CEO Bob Iger a much-needed box office hit with “Avatar: The Way of Water” as he settles back into his old chair.
But investors are scrutinizing spending much more closely than they used to. Disney still carries a hefty debt load from the Fox deal and Iger’s rebound tenure has a time limit as he searches once again for a successor.
As adult-skewing movies struggle in theaters and Wall Street changes the rules in the streaming war, Disney’s purchase of Fox’s studio properties may prove to be Iger’s biggest blunder, dealing lasting damage to the company’s reputation among shareholders for media-merger magic. The idea that Disney could take any given property, get audiences to associate it with its megabrand and make...
But investors are scrutinizing spending much more closely than they used to. Disney still carries a hefty debt load from the Fox deal and Iger’s rebound tenure has a time limit as he searches once again for a successor.
As adult-skewing movies struggle in theaters and Wall Street changes the rules in the streaming war, Disney’s purchase of Fox’s studio properties may prove to be Iger’s biggest blunder, dealing lasting damage to the company’s reputation among shareholders for media-merger magic. The idea that Disney could take any given property, get audiences to associate it with its megabrand and make...
- 1/31/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
In 2004, Roy Disney — Walt’s nephew — summoned Disney shareholders to the company’s annual meeting, asking them to oust then-chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, who had been running the place for 20 years. Roy had Walt’s face and his “Save Disney” movement brought emotional Disney-loving individual shareholders of all ages to chilly Philadelphia, some leaning on canes and others with babies in strollers. After a stunning 43 percent voted against re-electing Eisner to the board, a new chairman was named immediately and Eisner, despite vowing to remain as CEO until the end of his contract in 2006, departed in 2005.
At age 80, Nelson Peltz is old enough to remember one of the most successful shareholder revolts in corporate history. Presumably he also knows that he is no Roy Disney and CEO Bob Iger, back on the job only since November 21, is nothing like the increasingly imperious and isolated Michael Eisner of 2004.
But together...
At age 80, Nelson Peltz is old enough to remember one of the most successful shareholder revolts in corporate history. Presumably he also knows that he is no Roy Disney and CEO Bob Iger, back on the job only since November 21, is nothing like the increasingly imperious and isolated Michael Eisner of 2004.
But together...
- 1/17/2023
- by Kim Masters and Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney published a detailed breakdown of the timeline of events that led to Bob Chapek’s exit as CEO, former CEO Bob Iger’s return to the position, and activist investor Nelson Peltz’s attempt to join the company’s board in a proxy filing Tuesday, which also revealed 2022 compensation for Chapek, Iger and other Disney execs.
The timeline, which Disney released ahead of its upcoming annual meeting of shareholders, which is typically held in March, “details the significant contacts” between Disney and Peltz’s Trian Group beginning in July 2022 and running through Jan. 11. According to Disney’s recounting of events, last summer, Peltz met Chapek for lunch at Disneyland Paris last July, and a few days later followed up to inform Chapek of his interest in joining Disney’s board, even though at the time the Trian Group CEO was not a Disney investor.
Per Disney, Marvel Entertainment chairman...
The timeline, which Disney released ahead of its upcoming annual meeting of shareholders, which is typically held in March, “details the significant contacts” between Disney and Peltz’s Trian Group beginning in July 2022 and running through Jan. 11. According to Disney’s recounting of events, last summer, Peltz met Chapek for lunch at Disneyland Paris last July, and a few days later followed up to inform Chapek of his interest in joining Disney’s board, even though at the time the Trian Group CEO was not a Disney investor.
Per Disney, Marvel Entertainment chairman...
- 1/17/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The latest beat in Disney’s proxy battle against activist investor Nelson Peltz, who is seeking a board seat at the company, has the Mouse House calling out the Trian Management CEO as lacking a “basic understanding of our industry by his own admission.”
“Nelson Peltz does not understand Disney’s businesses and lacks the skills and experience to assist the board in delivering shareholder value in a rapidly shifting media ecosystem,” Disney said in a slideshow presentation filed with the SEC Tuesday entitled “The Current Disney Board Is the Right Board for Shareholders,” which laid out its rebuttal against Peltz’s case for waging a proxy war point by point.
On another slide, Disney stated: “Peltz wants to ‘adapt strategies to address changing industry dynamics.’ Yet he lacks a basic understanding of our industry by his own admission.”
The company laid out how the current board, which includes outgoing...
“Nelson Peltz does not understand Disney’s businesses and lacks the skills and experience to assist the board in delivering shareholder value in a rapidly shifting media ecosystem,” Disney said in a slideshow presentation filed with the SEC Tuesday entitled “The Current Disney Board Is the Right Board for Shareholders,” which laid out its rebuttal against Peltz’s case for waging a proxy war point by point.
On another slide, Disney stated: “Peltz wants to ‘adapt strategies to address changing industry dynamics.’ Yet he lacks a basic understanding of our industry by his own admission.”
The company laid out how the current board, which includes outgoing...
- 1/17/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Nelson Peltz’s broadside against the Walt Disney Co., and the prospect of a rare proxy fight at the media giant, stunned media circles this week — and a flurry of SEC filings over the past few days suggest plenty more fireworks to come.
Related Story Bob Iger’s Christmas Carol & The Ghosts Of Past, Present & Future Related Story Disney Seeks To Soothe Fans' Ruffled Feathers With New Theme Park Perks Related Story International Box Office 2022: Gains & Growing Pains Amid Product Gaps; Global Studio Rankings
The activist investor’s demand for a seat on the company’s board and criticism of management have drawn the full attention of a Wall Street already on tenterhooks about how returned CEO Bob Iger will right the ship. The famed exec’s encore run as Disney’s chief already faces a series of challenges, some industrywide, others self-inflicted.
Peltz isn’t quite a household name,...
Related Story Bob Iger’s Christmas Carol & The Ghosts Of Past, Present & Future Related Story Disney Seeks To Soothe Fans' Ruffled Feathers With New Theme Park Perks Related Story International Box Office 2022: Gains & Growing Pains Amid Product Gaps; Global Studio Rankings
The activist investor’s demand for a seat on the company’s board and criticism of management have drawn the full attention of a Wall Street already on tenterhooks about how returned CEO Bob Iger will right the ship. The famed exec’s encore run as Disney’s chief already faces a series of challenges, some industrywide, others self-inflicted.
Peltz isn’t quite a household name,...
- 1/14/2023
- by Dade Hayes and Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Walt Disney has named a new chairman of the board, and indicated it’s also in for a proxy fight as Nelson Peltz’ Trian Group seeks a director’s seat for the activist investor in opposition to the company’s slate.
“The Board does not endorse the Trian Group nominee, and recommends that shareholders not support its nominee, and instead vote For all the Company’s nominees,” Disney said.
Disney’s said its board has elected Mark Parker chairman, effective following the annual meeting of shareholders. A Disney director for the past seven-years and Executive Chairman of Nike as well, he will succeed Susan E. Arnold, who will not stand for re-election pursuant to the 15-year term limit under Disney’s Board Tenure Policy. As a result, the board will be reduced to 11 members.
Disney has a September fiscal year and usually issues its proxy statement — which, among other things,...
“The Board does not endorse the Trian Group nominee, and recommends that shareholders not support its nominee, and instead vote For all the Company’s nominees,” Disney said.
Disney’s said its board has elected Mark Parker chairman, effective following the annual meeting of shareholders. A Disney director for the past seven-years and Executive Chairman of Nike as well, he will succeed Susan E. Arnold, who will not stand for re-election pursuant to the 15-year term limit under Disney’s Board Tenure Policy. As a result, the board will be reduced to 11 members.
Disney has a September fiscal year and usually issues its proxy statement — which, among other things,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney Proxy Fight: Board Shakes Up As Activist Investor Claims “Self-Inflicted” Woes Plague Company
The Walt Disney Co. is shaking up its board of directors, tapping Nike executive chairman Mark Parker to be chairman, effective as of its next annual meeting.
Susan Arnold, who has been chair since Bob Iger retired from the company at the end of 2021 (and who asked him to return last year), will step down from the board at that time. The company says her departure is consistent with Disney’s 15-year board term limit.
“Mark Parker’s vision, incredible depth of experience and wise counsel have been invaluable to Disney, and I look forward to continuing working with him in his new role, along with our other directors, as we chart the future course for this amazing company,” said Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, in a statement. “On behalf of my fellow Board members and the entire Disney management team, I also want to thank Susan for her superb...
Susan Arnold, who has been chair since Bob Iger retired from the company at the end of 2021 (and who asked him to return last year), will step down from the board at that time. The company says her departure is consistent with Disney’s 15-year board term limit.
“Mark Parker’s vision, incredible depth of experience and wise counsel have been invaluable to Disney, and I look forward to continuing working with him in his new role, along with our other directors, as we chart the future course for this amazing company,” said Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, in a statement. “On behalf of my fellow Board members and the entire Disney management team, I also want to thank Susan for her superb...
- 1/11/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney has named board member Mark Parker, Nike’s executive chairman, as its new chairman of the board, succeeding Susan Arnold, the company announced Wednesday.
Parker’s appointment is effective following Disney’s upcoming annual meeting of shareholders, which usually takes place in March, with Arnold unable to stand for re-election in her position due to the board’s 15-year limit. As a result, the board will be reduced to 11 members upon Arnold’s exit.
Additionally, the board has responded to a letter from activist investor group Trian Partners recommending that Disney shareholders vote for all of its recommended board nominees rather than Trian’s Nelson Peltz, who is out the outset of a proxy fight with Disney in his effort to join the board.
Two months ago, Trian began seeking a board seat after taking approximately an 800 million stake in Disney. In a letter sent to the Disney board last week,...
Parker’s appointment is effective following Disney’s upcoming annual meeting of shareholders, which usually takes place in March, with Arnold unable to stand for re-election in her position due to the board’s 15-year limit. As a result, the board will be reduced to 11 members upon Arnold’s exit.
Additionally, the board has responded to a letter from activist investor group Trian Partners recommending that Disney shareholders vote for all of its recommended board nominees rather than Trian’s Nelson Peltz, who is out the outset of a proxy fight with Disney in his effort to join the board.
Two months ago, Trian began seeking a board seat after taking approximately an 800 million stake in Disney. In a letter sent to the Disney board last week,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The day after Disney shocked Hollywood by unceremoniously dispatching Bob Chapek as CEO, sources with ties to the company say discontent among some board members had been building to the point that there was discussion about replacing Chapek as far back as the directors’ late June meeting in Florida.
At that time, sources say, some on the board wanted to replace Chapek and appoint one of their own, Nike chairman Mark Parker, as interim CEO while conducting a search for a new permanent leader. But a source says Parker declined the role even as the idea arose more than once. Aside from Parker, these sources say, General Motors executive Mary Barra also advocated replacing Chapek at the June meeting. (Neither Parker nor Barra responded to requests for comment.)
By that point, Chapek had already piled up a set of widely derided moves. Aside...
The day after Disney shocked Hollywood by unceremoniously dispatching Bob Chapek as CEO, sources with ties to the company say discontent among some board members had been building to the point that there was discussion about replacing Chapek as far back as the directors’ late June meeting in Florida.
At that time, sources say, some on the board wanted to replace Chapek and appoint one of their own, Nike chairman Mark Parker, as interim CEO while conducting a search for a new permanent leader. But a source says Parker declined the role even as the idea arose more than once. Aside from Parker, these sources say, General Motors executive Mary Barra also advocated replacing Chapek at the June meeting. (Neither Parker nor Barra responded to requests for comment.)
By that point, Chapek had already piled up a set of widely derided moves. Aside...
- 11/22/2022
- by Kim Masters
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“I’m just not used to be chased around a mall in the middle of the night by killer robots.”
Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival Brings Frightfully Fun Feature And Short Films To You On Filmocracy.Com October 15-17, 2021. Visit www.SleepyHollowFilmFest.com For Programming & Tickets. Tickets On-sale .
“Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in continual reverie.” —Washington Irving, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
After its thrilling inaugural year in 2019, the Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival (Shiff) returns this October 15-17, 2021, in the comfort of your very own hollow, virtually bringing you a provocative and exhilaratingly eclectic selection of noteworthy feature films and short films via Filmocracy.com !
In the creative spirit of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the actual town that inspired it,...
Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival Brings Frightfully Fun Feature And Short Films To You On Filmocracy.Com October 15-17, 2021. Visit www.SleepyHollowFilmFest.com For Programming & Tickets. Tickets On-sale .
“Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in continual reverie.” —Washington Irving, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
After its thrilling inaugural year in 2019, the Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival (Shiff) returns this October 15-17, 2021, in the comfort of your very own hollow, virtually bringing you a provocative and exhilaratingly eclectic selection of noteworthy feature films and short films via Filmocracy.com !
In the creative spirit of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the actual town that inspired it,...
- 10/11/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The self-lacing Nike Mag shoes from “Back To The Future Part II” are officially here. In a video released today, Nike CEO Mark Parker announced that the popular footwear brand would be raffling off limited-edition Nike Mag shoes, equipped with individually responsive “power laces,” which were first imagined nearly 30 years ago with the release […]...
- 10/4/2016
- by Cat Williams
- ET Canada
Kanye West called out Nike CEO Mark Parker during his Wednesday Yeezus tour stop in Nashville over a shoe The rapper complained about his pet sho project with Parker and the company, the Associated Press reports. "Do you know who the head of Nike is?" West asked the audience. "No, well let me tell you who he is: His name is Mark Parker, and he just lost culture. Everyone at Nike, everyone at Nike, Mark Parker just let go of culture." The shoe in question is the planned Air Yeezus shoes from 2009, but the relationship between West and the company has since deteriorated.. West complained publily that the beef was over toyalties and that the company would deny...
- 11/28/2013
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
Babies are now able to polish the floor as they crawl. Us company BetterThanPants.com are hoping to sell out with their invention which they are calling the Baby Mop. The product will cost £25 and was inspired by a spoof Japanese advert for a similar invention. The product promises to "teach your baby a strong work ethic early on in their life". It continues saying that the babies "will get a nice workout, burn off energy, and do muscle toning. And sleep better too." Mark Parker, a spokesperson from BetterThanPants.com, said: "We have sold about 100 in just one month since adding it to our site. "So far all the (more)...
- 11/6/2012
- by By Alice Stewart
- Digital Spy
Nike is cutting one of its last remaining ties to Joe Paterno -- removing his name from the child care building on the corporation's campus.The move comes just hours after independent investigators revealed the late Penn State coach helped cover-up facts about the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal. Nike President Mark Parker said in a statement, "With the findings released today, I have decided to change the name of our child care center at our World Headquarters.
- 7/12/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Donning the Nike Mag name, Marty McFly’s signature Nike shoes are making the move from greatest shoe never made to greatest shoe ever made. The Nike Air Mag aka “Marty McFly” shoe has captured every eye in the sneaker community within the past 24 hours. Earlier today, we notified you that Mr. Marty McFly himself, Michael J. Fox will appear on David Letterman tonight with some details regarding this highly anticipated release; however, we have just learned from Nike CEO Mark Parker that there will be 1500 pairs auctioned on eBay. All of the proceeds will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Stay tuned for the official date of the eBay auction. **Note**: 1500 pairs of the 2011 Nike Mag will be auctioned on eBay with all net proceeds going directly to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Each day...
- 9/8/2011
- by Pietro Filipponi
- The Daily BLAM!
Today, Fast Company was named a finalist for a National Magazine Award, the magazine industry's highest honor, by the American Society of Magazine Editors, in the General Excellence category.
Fast Company's 2010 July/August, September, and November issues were highlighted. When Apple surpassed Microsoft to become the world's most highly valued tech company, the magazine revealed what really makes Apple Nation distinctive (beyond Steve Jobs's never-changing attire). Fast Company took readers to the most unusual corner office in the land--Nike CEO Mark Parker's art-gallery-like lair--and shared his colorful, private sketchbook (as well as his plan for how Tiger, Kobe, and graffiti artists like Mr Cartoon drive Nike's business). The magazine both inspired and informed readers by illuminating how Livestrong has become the world's most innovative cancer foundation--and how founder Lance Armstrong's troubles could put his greatest achievement at risk. These three cover articles set the tone for coverage that is provocative,...
Fast Company's 2010 July/August, September, and November issues were highlighted. When Apple surpassed Microsoft to become the world's most highly valued tech company, the magazine revealed what really makes Apple Nation distinctive (beyond Steve Jobs's never-changing attire). Fast Company took readers to the most unusual corner office in the land--Nike CEO Mark Parker's art-gallery-like lair--and shared his colorful, private sketchbook (as well as his plan for how Tiger, Kobe, and graffiti artists like Mr Cartoon drive Nike's business). The magazine both inspired and informed readers by illuminating how Livestrong has become the world's most innovative cancer foundation--and how founder Lance Armstrong's troubles could put his greatest achievement at risk. These three cover articles set the tone for coverage that is provocative,...
- 4/5/2011
- by Jocelyn Hawkes
- Fast Company
At last year's Innovation Uncensored event, former Facebook president Sean Parker explained why MySpace should have beaten Facebook, ad man Alex Bogusky explained why you should stop learning from failures, Expert Labs' Anil Dash showed how digital tools are transforming government, and Nike CEO Mark Parker told a story about the advice he got from Apple's Steve Jobs. We've just announced the lineup for Innovation Uncensored 2011, and it's guaranteed to yield the same kind of unexpected insight. It includes Hulu CEO Jason Kilar, Oprah Winfrey Network CEO Christina Norman, Pepsi Cmo Jill Beraud, and Students First founder and CEO Michelle Rhee.
The event takes places April 28 in New York City. You know how this part works: Register before March 4th for a discounted price. As in the past, the size of the event is limited because we want all the innovators in the room to have direct access to one another and foster inspiration.
The event takes places April 28 in New York City. You know how this part works: Register before March 4th for a discounted price. As in the past, the size of the event is limited because we want all the innovators in the room to have direct access to one another and foster inspiration.
- 1/20/2011
- by Noah Robischon
- Fast Company
When it comes to companies concerned with managing their brand image online, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has some advice: "Make stuff that doesn't suck."
"More than ever before, people like to talk about stuff that sucks," Wales told Fast Company following a recent talk at the Digital Hollywood conference in New York City. "There's nothing to be done about it, except making a better product."
Wales attended the conference to introduce his own better product: Wiki 2.0, the latest set of collaborative publishing tools for his for-profit venture Wikia. The site, essentially Wikipedia-without-limits, receives roughly 36 million monthly visitors, and now offers a slew of new and improved social features, from polls and top 10 lists to video content and achievement badges.
Wikia has also evolved into a unique online platform for brands, much different than traditional social media outlets. On company Facebook and Twitter pages, the brands control the content; on Wikia,...
"More than ever before, people like to talk about stuff that sucks," Wales told Fast Company following a recent talk at the Digital Hollywood conference in New York City. "There's nothing to be done about it, except making a better product."
Wales attended the conference to introduce his own better product: Wiki 2.0, the latest set of collaborative publishing tools for his for-profit venture Wikia. The site, essentially Wikipedia-without-limits, receives roughly 36 million monthly visitors, and now offers a slew of new and improved social features, from polls and top 10 lists to video content and achievement badges.
Wikia has also evolved into a unique online platform for brands, much different than traditional social media outlets. On company Facebook and Twitter pages, the brands control the content; on Wikia,...
- 11/23/2010
- by Austin Carr
- Fast Company
Nike asked Wieden+Kennedy to get young people excited about running. W+K said forget ads, let's make a game.
Nike has turned the city of London into a game board for a two-week competition called the Grid which the shoe manufacturer hopes will ultimately encourage young people who already jog for exercise to start identifying themselves as "runners."
The company has broken the city down into its 48 zip codes. Each zip code (or "postal code" as they say in England) has four traditional phone boxes. Players compete by doing runs, which they start by going to one of the phone boxes, dialing a specific number, entering their unique identifier, and then following the instructions they're given, which send them to other phone boxes in the city.
The first Grid competition was held back in April, around the time of the London Marathon. In an essay that ran in a British advertising magazine,...
Nike has turned the city of London into a game board for a two-week competition called the Grid which the shoe manufacturer hopes will ultimately encourage young people who already jog for exercise to start identifying themselves as "runners."
The company has broken the city down into its 48 zip codes. Each zip code (or "postal code" as they say in England) has four traditional phone boxes. Players compete by doing runs, which they start by going to one of the phone boxes, dialing a specific number, entering their unique identifier, and then following the instructions they're given, which send them to other phone boxes in the city.
The first Grid competition was held back in April, around the time of the London Marathon. In an essay that ran in a British advertising magazine,...
- 10/29/2010
- by E.B. Boyd
- Fast Company
In this excerpt from The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs, author Carmine Gallo recounts what Steve Jobs told Nike CEO Mark Parker, and provides a glimpse into Apple's strategy of focused simplicity.
On April 21, 2010, Fast Company magazine sponsored a conference called Innovation Uncensored. Nike president and CEO Mark Parker was one of the featured speakers. Parker told the story of what transpired when, shortly after he became CEO, he got a call from Steve Jobs.
"Do you have any advice?" Parker asked Jobs.
"Well, just one thing," said Jobs. "Nike makes some of the best products in the world. Products that you lust after. Absolutely beautiful, stunning products. But you also make a lot of crap. Just get rid of the crappy stuff and focus on the good stuff."
Parker told his audience, "I expected a little pause and a laugh. There was a pause but no laugh. He was absolutely right.
On April 21, 2010, Fast Company magazine sponsored a conference called Innovation Uncensored. Nike president and CEO Mark Parker was one of the featured speakers. Parker told the story of what transpired when, shortly after he became CEO, he got a call from Steve Jobs.
"Do you have any advice?" Parker asked Jobs.
"Well, just one thing," said Jobs. "Nike makes some of the best products in the world. Products that you lust after. Absolutely beautiful, stunning products. But you also make a lot of crap. Just get rid of the crappy stuff and focus on the good stuff."
Parker told his audience, "I expected a little pause and a laugh. There was a pause but no laugh. He was absolutely right.
- 10/8/2010
- by Carmine Gallo
- Fast Company
Nike's research lab has sensors under the running track, a gym in a freezer, and elite lab rats.
The Innovation Kitchen shares the Mia Hamm Building with the Nike Sports Research Lab, a place where biomechanics experts test people and products to better understand what athletes need to enhance performance and prevent injuries. This is also where elite athletes come to be studied for their specialty shoes. What the experts learn here trickles down to the rest of us. The lab was run, until recently, by Mario Lafortune. As a Penn State grad student, he helped conduct the first big biomechanical study of running in the 1970s. Both Mark Parker and his future wife, Kathy, also a champion runner, were test subjects -- an experience that led Parker to help establish Nike's first sports research lab in 1980.
For senior reseacher Jeff Pisciotta, the lab is a biomechanist's playground with a running track and basketball courts.
The Innovation Kitchen shares the Mia Hamm Building with the Nike Sports Research Lab, a place where biomechanics experts test people and products to better understand what athletes need to enhance performance and prevent injuries. This is also where elite athletes come to be studied for their specialty shoes. What the experts learn here trickles down to the rest of us. The lab was run, until recently, by Mario Lafortune. As a Penn State grad student, he helped conduct the first big biomechanical study of running in the 1970s. Both Mark Parker and his future wife, Kathy, also a champion runner, were test subjects -- an experience that led Parker to help establish Nike's first sports research lab in 1980.
For senior reseacher Jeff Pisciotta, the lab is a biomechanist's playground with a running track and basketball courts.
- 9/1/2010
- by Fast Company Staff
- Fast Company
Photograph by Patrik Giardino
Nike's Mark Parker brings together extreme talents, whether they're basketball stars, tattooists, or designers obsessed with shoes.
"It still has moon-dust on it." Mark Parker sounds like a happy kid as he points to an astronaut manual from the Apollo mission inside his glass-topped desk at Nike's Beaverton, Oregon, headquarters. Over his shoulder, Keith Richards, at least the version of the Rolling Stones guitarist by German artist Sebastian Krüger, feigns a boozy disinterest. "And here," says Parker, swinging around in his chair, "is Jimi Hendrix's guitar."
It is astonishing to see this shoe designer turned CEO in his natural habitat, surrounded by artwork he has commissioned or collected, mixed in with bits of Nike history, such as the boots Michael Keaton wore in the 1989 hit Batman. Next to Keith Richards is a bas-relief by Missouri sculptor Kris Kuksi. Parker owns three of his pieces, one a blank-check commission.
Nike's Mark Parker brings together extreme talents, whether they're basketball stars, tattooists, or designers obsessed with shoes.
"It still has moon-dust on it." Mark Parker sounds like a happy kid as he points to an astronaut manual from the Apollo mission inside his glass-topped desk at Nike's Beaverton, Oregon, headquarters. Over his shoulder, Keith Richards, at least the version of the Rolling Stones guitarist by German artist Sebastian Krüger, feigns a boozy disinterest. "And here," says Parker, swinging around in his chair, "is Jimi Hendrix's guitar."
It is astonishing to see this shoe designer turned CEO in his natural habitat, surrounded by artwork he has commissioned or collected, mixed in with bits of Nike history, such as the boots Michael Keaton wore in the 1989 hit Batman. Next to Keith Richards is a bas-relief by Missouri sculptor Kris Kuksi. Parker owns three of his pieces, one a blank-check commission.
- 8/11/2010
- by Ellen McGirt
- Fast Company
There's an episode of 30 Rock in which Jack Donaghy takes a job with Homeland Security and gives a stirring speech to Congress so that his office can get pens. Finally, a large box of pens arrives--but it's filled with only the caps. Government is, by its nature, slow and bureaucratic. But network technology can cut through that, and at the same time amplify our access to elected officials and Washington's entire decision-making process. That is the goal of Expert Labs, an incubator created to fund technologies that bring citizens and the government closer together. This nonprofit, non-partisan project is led by Anil Dash, who gave a stirring presentation at Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference on April 21 in New York City (which is presented here in full for everyone who was unable to get a ticket to the sold out event).
Later in the day, Dash put a challenge to another Innovation Uncensored speaker,...
Later in the day, Dash put a challenge to another Innovation Uncensored speaker,...
- 5/5/2010
- by Noah Robischon
- Fast Company
What's the difference between a CEO with a management background and one with a design DNA? Nike's president and CEO Mark Parker is the answer. He began his career as a designer inside the company, where he would often modify and customize shoes for himself (a practice he continues to this day). Creative innovation has been essential to his success, and he gives design a seat at the table "with senior management at the company helping to shape strategy and direction for the company."
Mark Parker was among the guests at Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference held on April 21, 2010, in New York City. For those who didn't score a ticket to the sold-out event, we're offering highlights.
Mark Parker was among the guests at Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference held on April 21, 2010, in New York City. For those who didn't score a ticket to the sold-out event, we're offering highlights.
- 4/30/2010
- by Noah Robischon
- Fast Company
Nike's unwavering support of Tiger Woods in the wake of his scandalous affairs was not entirely surprising, the company has a track record for sticking with athletes through troubled times. But even some of Woods' most ardent fans were taken aback by the first post-scandal TV commercial that aired during the Masters. Created by longtime Nike collaborators Wieden + Kennedy, the spot shows Woods with a solemn face as the voice of his deceased father Earl speaks in voice over. Here, Nike's CEO Mark Parker explains the reasoning behind the ad, and says it is "one of the most polarizing ads I think that we've had out in awhile."
[youtube 5NTRvlrP2NU]
Parker was one of the guests at Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference held on April 21, 2010, in New York City. For those who didn't score a ticket to the sold-out event, we're offering highlights. More to come tomorrow.
[youtube 5NTRvlrP2NU]
Parker was one of the guests at Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference held on April 21, 2010, in New York City. For those who didn't score a ticket to the sold-out event, we're offering highlights. More to come tomorrow.
- 4/27/2010
- by Noah Robischon
- Fast Company
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is among the greatest innovators of our time. And yet his genius for understanding business is rarely explained in any public way. Rarer still is to hear the advice he would give to the CEO of another hugely successful company: Nike. But that's exactly what you'll learn from this video, in which Nike president and CEO Mark Parker tells about the advice that Jobs gave him shortly after the release of the Nike+ product line. It's a simple bit of wisdom that any entrepreneur can relate to: "Get rid of the crappy stuff."
Easy to say, hard to do.
"I expected a little laugh," Parker says of the exchange. "But there was a pause and no laugh at the end."
The setting here is Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference on April 21, 2010, in New York City. It was a tough ticket to score, but for those who didn't,...
Easy to say, hard to do.
"I expected a little laugh," Parker says of the exchange. "But there was a pause and no laugh at the end."
The setting here is Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference on April 21, 2010, in New York City. It was a tough ticket to score, but for those who didn't,...
- 4/26/2010
- by Noah Robischon
- Fast Company
No joke: this is your last chance to get a ticket to attend Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference on April 21.
Who will be there? Along with the editors and writers from this magazine (which is being honored as a finalist for Asme's Magazine of the Year), you'll get direct access to people from the inspired companies that you read about in Fast Company and FastCompany.com every day. Here's the lineup:
Mark Parker, CEO, NIKESusan M. Lyne, CEO, Gilt GROUPESean Maloney Evp/Gm, Intel Architecture GROUPDave Stewart, Singer, Songwriter, Cofounder, EURYTHMICSTero Ojanperä, Evp, NOKIAMcG, Founder, Wonderland Sound And Vision (and director of Terminator: Salvation)Alex Bogusky, Chief Creative Insurgent, Mdc Ashton Kutcher, Actor and Co-Founder, Katalyst Matt Kistler, Svp of Sustainability, Walmart Anne Globe, Head of Worldwide Marketing and Consumer Products, DreamWorks Noreena Hertz, Professor, Cambridge University
The conference is going to be intimate enough to give you access...
Who will be there? Along with the editors and writers from this magazine (which is being honored as a finalist for Asme's Magazine of the Year), you'll get direct access to people from the inspired companies that you read about in Fast Company and FastCompany.com every day. Here's the lineup:
Mark Parker, CEO, NIKESusan M. Lyne, CEO, Gilt GROUPESean Maloney Evp/Gm, Intel Architecture GROUPDave Stewart, Singer, Songwriter, Cofounder, EURYTHMICSTero Ojanperä, Evp, NOKIAMcG, Founder, Wonderland Sound And Vision (and director of Terminator: Salvation)Alex Bogusky, Chief Creative Insurgent, Mdc Ashton Kutcher, Actor and Co-Founder, Katalyst Matt Kistler, Svp of Sustainability, Walmart Anne Globe, Head of Worldwide Marketing and Consumer Products, DreamWorks Noreena Hertz, Professor, Cambridge University
The conference is going to be intimate enough to give you access...
- 3/12/2010
- by Noah Robischon
- Fast Company
We've just added four new speakers to the lineup for Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored conference on April 21:
Ashton Kutcher, Actor and Co-Founder, Katalyst Matt Kistler, Svp of Sustainability, Walmart Anne Globe, Head of Worldwide Marketing and Consumer Products, DreamWorks Noreena Hertz, Professor, Cambridge University
They'll be joined by the already impressive lineup of people from the inspired companies that you read about in Fast Company and FastCompany.com every day, along with the magazine's writers. Here's a sample:
Mark Parker, CEO, NIKESusan M. Lyne, CEO, Gilt GROUPESean Maloney Evp/Gm, Intel Architecture GROUPDave Stewart, Singer, Songwriter, Cofounder, EURYTHMICSTero Ojanperä, Evp, NOKIAMcG, Founder, Wonderland Sound And Vision (and director of Terminator: Salvation)Alex Bogusky, Chief Creative Insurgent, Mdc
The conference is going to be intimate enough to give you access to the business visionaries in attendance, so that provocative thinking and collaboration can take place. But that also means space is limited.
Ashton Kutcher, Actor and Co-Founder, Katalyst Matt Kistler, Svp of Sustainability, Walmart Anne Globe, Head of Worldwide Marketing and Consumer Products, DreamWorks Noreena Hertz, Professor, Cambridge University
They'll be joined by the already impressive lineup of people from the inspired companies that you read about in Fast Company and FastCompany.com every day, along with the magazine's writers. Here's a sample:
Mark Parker, CEO, NIKESusan M. Lyne, CEO, Gilt GROUPESean Maloney Evp/Gm, Intel Architecture GROUPDave Stewart, Singer, Songwriter, Cofounder, EURYTHMICSTero Ojanperä, Evp, NOKIAMcG, Founder, Wonderland Sound And Vision (and director of Terminator: Salvation)Alex Bogusky, Chief Creative Insurgent, Mdc
The conference is going to be intimate enough to give you access to the business visionaries in attendance, so that provocative thinking and collaboration can take place. But that also means space is limited.
- 2/23/2010
- by Noah Robischon
- Fast Company
What, another conference? Yes, and you'll want to reserve your spot for this one early, because it will take you inside the innovative companies that you read about in Fast Company and FastCompany.com every day. Here's a sample of who will be there:
Mark Parker, CEO, NIKESusan M. Lyne, CEO, Gilt GROUPESean Maloney Evp/Gm, Intel Architecture GROUPDave Stewart, Singer, Songwriter, Cofounder, EURYTHMICSTero Ojanperä, Evp, NOKIAMcG, Founder, Wonderland Sound And Vision (and director of Terminator: Salvation)Alex Bogusky, Co-chairman, Crispin Porter + Bogusky
The conference is going to be small, still intimate enough to give you access to the business visionaries in attendance. Our goal is to start conversations and debate, and most of all inspire more of you to create groundbreaking businesses for us to write about.
Innovation Uncensored takes place on Wednesday, April 21, at the Edison Ballroom on West 47th Street in New York City. You can buy tickets right here.
Mark Parker, CEO, NIKESusan M. Lyne, CEO, Gilt GROUPESean Maloney Evp/Gm, Intel Architecture GROUPDave Stewart, Singer, Songwriter, Cofounder, EURYTHMICSTero Ojanperä, Evp, NOKIAMcG, Founder, Wonderland Sound And Vision (and director of Terminator: Salvation)Alex Bogusky, Co-chairman, Crispin Porter + Bogusky
The conference is going to be small, still intimate enough to give you access to the business visionaries in attendance. Our goal is to start conversations and debate, and most of all inspire more of you to create groundbreaking businesses for us to write about.
Innovation Uncensored takes place on Wednesday, April 21, at the Edison Ballroom on West 47th Street in New York City. You can buy tickets right here.
- 1/26/2010
- by Noah Robischon
- Fast Company
From right: Among the people who made the Nike-sponsored "Stages" exhibition possible: artists Futura, Jules de Balincourt, Dustin Yellin, Eric White, Tom Sachs, and Shepard Fairey; gallerist Jeffrey Deitch; cyclist Lance Armstrong; Nike’s C.E.O., Mark Parker; and artists Geoff McFetridge, Rosson Crow, José Parla, and Dzine. Courtesy of Nike. Lance Armstrong was in town as New York City was gearing up for yesterday’s marathon, but the cyclist wasn’t running the race—he was here for Friday night’s opening of his Nike-sponsored “Stages” art exhibition, which just made its way to the Big Apple from Paris before it heads to Miami, in December. The show features colorful works by a wide variety of top-notch artists, including Richard Prince (of ubiquitous Louis Vuitton after-dark-handbag fame), Kaws (who designed Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak album cover), and Futura (the legendary New York City graffiti artist). Commissioned to tackle the subject of cancer,...
- 11/2/2009
- Vanity Fair
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