The Transition of Power at Disney: Bob Chapek Takes the Helm from Bob Iger

The Transition of Power at Disney

On the evening of February 25, 2020, at 5 p.m., Bob Chapek and Bob Iger took their places in matching director’s chairs on the expansive Disney studio lot for a series of highly anticipated media interviews. The announcement that had just sent shockwaves through the industry revealed that the relatively unknown Mr. Chapek would be stepping into the sizeable shoes of the immensely popular Mr. Iger as the new chief executive of the company.

The contrast between the two Bobs was immediately apparent. Mr. Chapek, bald and stocky, and Mr. Iger, who sported a distinguished gray mane, both wore navy suits and open-collared white shirts, yet their differing personas were hard to ignore. To help clarify the situation, some in the media playfully referred to them as “Bob One” and “Bob Two” or even “Big Bob” and “Little Bob,” despite Mr. Chapek being the taller and heftier of the two. Others took to calling them “Handsome Bob” and “Boring Bob,” a commentary on their contrasting charisma.

During an interview with Julia Boorstin from CNBC, Mr. Chapek expressed his admiration for his predecessor, stating, “I obviously have huge shoes to fill,” with a sense of wide-eyed humility. He lauded Mr. Iger’s extraordinary leadership, referring to it as a kind of “magic” that had propelled Disney forward. Mr. Iger’s remarkable 15-year tenure as CEO was marked by unprecedented success, so much so that he had even contemplated a run for president as a Democrat. His contributions to the company were so significant that Queen Elizabeth II honored him with knighthood shortly before her passing.

In the same breath, Mr. Iger praised their collaborative efforts, noting that he and Mr. Chapek had worked together “extremely well.” However, he quickly added a qualifier: “Actually, our senior management team has worked together quite well.” This moment seemed to signal a subtle distancing, as Mr. Chapek listened, perhaps hoping for a more personal acknowledgment of their partnership.

As the focus of the interviews shifted entirely to Mr. Chapek, the usually relaxed demeanor of Mr. Iger appeared to stiffen. His gaze fell away from Mr. Chapek, and he seemed increasingly uncomfortable, crossing his arms as the spotlight shone brightly on his successor.