Disney Angles for Cash, Loyalty†

New Web Portal Is Aimed at Bringing in Subscriber Fees, Holding On to Fans

Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2009 — Walt Disney Co. moved to bolster its online business by introducing a new Web portal it hopes will attract paying subscribers and encourage fan loyalty.

The new venture, called D23, will allow subscribers who pay a roughly $75 annual fee full access to a range of Disney news, online entertainment and other features. Part of the Web site will be available to the public free of charge.

Disney Focuses on Boys†

Toon Disney Is Rebranded in Push to Conquer New Market

Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2009 — Walt Disney Co. is making a push to crack a market that few media companies have been able to conquer — boys aged 6-14.

Next month, the company will launch a boy-focused entertainment brand called Disney XD, consisting of a new cable television channel, a comprehensive Web site with games, music, videos and social networking.

For Disney, the move marks a new push designed to replicate some of the success it has scored in recent years with its largely girl-targeted entertainment franchises such as Hannah Montana, High School Musical and the Jonas Brothers.

Animators Envision 3-D TV at Home†

Wall Street Journal, January 5, 2009 — Animation giants have vowed this year to turn three-dimensional technology from a curiosity to a fixture in theaters. Now comes the attack on homes.

The quest to deliver 3-D versions of television shows, movies and videogames to the living room will be a hot topic at this week's Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off Wednesday night in Las Vegas. The offerings face some big challenges — including a grim economy and the difficulty of persuading users to wear special glasses associated with most 3-D technologies.

Bob Iger rocks Disney

In revitalizing the Magic Kingdom, the CEO has built a compelling case that integrated, cross-platform media leviathans like Disney still make sense in the Digital Age.

FORTUNE, January 5, 2009 — Bob Iger is inside the Royal Festival Hall in London on a September afternoon, geeking out with some young guys about two of his favorite things: tunes and technology. The CEO of Walt Disney Co. pulls out his iPhone and thumbs through his playlists, looking for a particular live U2 track from an Italian concert. Briefly the conversation is drowned out by the squeals of teen girls standing behind a nearby barricade of security guards and velvet ropes. "They're screaming for me," Iger says, glancing up.

He's joking, well aware that they're really screaming for his companions: Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas, a.k.a. the Jonas Brothers. The collectible-lunchbox-cute trio, with a median age of 18, are pop heartthrobs who a few weeks earlier became the first... continue reading

Disney, Verizon to turn the cellphone into a theme-park visitor's tool

Wireless software promises to help mobile phone users navigate the parks and make the most of their visits. But there are privacy implications.

Los Angeles Times, November 12, 2008 — The Happiest Place on Earth will soon know where in the world you are.

Walt Disney Co. has struck a deal with Verizon Wireless that will allow it to remain in wireless contact with its theme park visitors — even when they step outside the turnstiles in Anaheim and Orlando, Fla.

Disney and Verizon bill it as a way to enhance the "theme park experience," enabling parkgoers to use their mobile phones for tasks such as saving a spot in line at a popular ride and zeroing in on where Cinderella can be found signing autographs.

Disney, by Design

From couture to jewelry to designer furniture, building a ‘lifestyle brand’ that isn’t cartoonish

New York Times, November 6, 2008 — THE most expensive piece of clothing sold by the Walt Disney Company six years ago was a $75 sweatshirt embossed with a mug shot of Mickey Mouse. By Magic Kingdom decree, home furnishings were required to exhibit at least one Disney character, leading to children’s play rugs ($65, in Pluto) and nightlights ($9.95, in Winnie the Pooh).

Disney still peddles all those things. But now the company also sells $3,900 designer wedding gowns — no characters in sight — and women’s cashmere sweaters “inspired by Tinker Bell.” Interior design offerings include $2,800 leather club chairs and $6,000 chandeliers patterned after the Art Deco décor in Mr. Disney’s former office. One of the company’s new products: couture soap.

Welcome to Disney, the... continue reading

Web Site’s Formula for Success: TV Content With Fewer Ads

New York Times, October 29, 2008 — “THUMBS up” and “thumbs down” ratings for commercials. Choose-your-own-advertisement options before shows begin. Interactive games during advertising breaks.

In the last year these online advertising innovations have been popularized by Hulu, the online video Web site that will celebrate its first anniversary on Wednesday. For all that has been written about Hulu’s easy-to-use, aesthetically pleasing interface, the advertising experience is equally important.

In the place of the long commercial pods that TV viewers have become accustomed to, only one ad is shown during each segment break on Hulu. Fewer ads make the ones on the site more memorable, Hulu executives say, allowing the site to charge higher prices for the ad units.

Sorcerers' apprentices concoct new adventures

Disney interns peek behind the magic and help brainstorm

Los Angeles Times, September 26, 2008 — Every childhood visit to Disneyland provoked the same argument between Patricia L. Caplette and her brother over which ride to hit first. He wanted to head straight for the Haunted Mansion; she insisted on Pirates of the Caribbean. So they bargained: If she could start the day with her favorite scurvy crew, he could end it getting spooked.

Where Do the Best Ideas Come From? The Unlikeliest Sources†

Peers, Suppliers Can Spark Some Great Innovations for Marketers

Advertising Age, July 17, 2008 — There's a "secret sauce," as a friend would put it, to creating a recipe that works for serving up innovation success. But if businesses have trouble getting it quite right, it's because they're short on a critical ingredient: inspiration.

Dispelling the Myths about Open Innovation

Prophet, June 24, 2008 — When it comes to seizing the power of innovation to drive business growth, one of the best routes to success — based on practices of leaders on this front — is through Open Innovation. But while the concept is increasingly familiar and many organizations are eager to position themselves to harness its potential, considerable confusion exists around what Open Innovation is and what it isn’t.