Disney Saved?!?

Interesting e-mail showed up in my box this evening...

***Roy Disney and The Walt Disney Co. Resolve Differences***

JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY AND ROY E. DISNEY AND STANLEY P. GOLD


BURBANK, Calif. (July 8, 2005) -- The Walt Disney Company, Roy E. Disney and Stanley P. Gold announced today that they have agreed to put aside the differences that have characterized their relationship over the past several years. Messrs. Disney and Gold have agreed not to run a rival slate of directors or submit shareholder resolutions for the next five years. Messrs. Disney and Gold have also agreed to dismiss all their pending lawsuits against the Company. In reestablishing ties with him and his family, the Company has named Roy E. Disney Director Emeritus and a consultant. The Company also reaffirmed its commitment to the rotation of committee members and chairpersons on its Board committees as currently required by the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines. In putting aside their differences, the Company noted Mr. Disney's long time devotion to the Company and welcomed the reestablishment of a relationship with him and his family. Messrs. Disney and Gold expressed confidence in Mr. Iger's leadership, and as Mr. Eisner retires after 21 years with the Company, they acknowledged his contribution to the Company over the years.

Guess I can take SaveDisney off the link list, eh? Is this a buyoff, or have they really come to an agreement? I think and hope that this is positive news. With the rumours of reestablishing the traditional animation and reestablishing a relationship with Pixar swirling, and with the positive press surrounding the 50th Celebration (minus the Mission:Space death), things are starting to look up for the Company. Hopefully this will all spin off into better product down the line.

I still hold my beef for the cancellation of feature animation projects, the deluge of direct-to-video crap, and the lessening of training and emphasis on show in their current cast, but my former employer is still near and dear to my heart, and I really want for them to succeed. I hope that this is the first step in moving towards a renaissance in the company's product.