Apple Names Art Levinson Chairman, Disney's Bob Iger Joins Board of Directors

MacRumors · Nov 15, 2011, 03:45 PM

Apple today announced that Art Levinson has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors. The former Genentech executive has served on Apple's board since 2000 and has been a co-lead director since 2005. In addition, Disney president and CEO Bob Iger has been named to the board.

Quote:

"Art has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "He has been our longest serving co-lead director, and his insight and leadership are incredibly valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders."

"Bob and I have gotten to know one another very well over the past few years and on behalf of the entire board, we think he is going to make an extraordinary addition to our already very strong board," said Tim Cook. "His strategic vision for Disney is based on three fundamentals: generating the best creative content possible, fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology, and expanding into new markets around the world which makes him a great fit for Apple."

Levinson had served on all three of the board's committees, and will continue to serve on the audit committee following his elevation to chairman. Iger will also serve on the audit committee.

Disney and Apple have a relatively close relationship given that Disney had purchased Pixar back in 2006 when it was owned by Steve Jobs. Jobs had subsequently served on Disney's board of directors and was the company's largest individual shareholder.

Article Link: Apple Names Art Levinson Chairman, Disney's Bob Iger Joins Board of Directors

jmthigpen · Nov 15, 2011, 03:48 PM

this sounds like good news

slrandall · Nov 15, 2011, 03:50 PM

From what I read about him in Steve's bio, Art's a great guy. Glad to see this happen.

vitzr · Nov 15, 2011, 03:51 PM

I am familiar with these two gentlemen and they are great additions to the Apple family.

Aldaris · Nov 15, 2011, 03:53 PM

Personally glad to see Apple and Disney still bridging relations.

hobo.hopkins · Nov 15, 2011, 03:55 PM

This should be great news. Having Bob Iger on the board can only help.

macampora · Nov 15, 2011, 03:59 PM

I think Apple may acquire disney, allowing them to expand into the content creation business.

aufmobi · Nov 15, 2011, 04:02 PM

Good move Jobs seems to have really trusted Iger. Wondering... are there any remaining seats still left open on the board?

Rocketman · Nov 15, 2011, 04:08 PM

Steady the ship is the message. With Google screwing Steve (Apple), at least this time they get someone he got along with and is in a sufficiently different businesses he/they (Iger/Disney) won't try to take over Apple's largest future business model.

Google did that, and Steve pledged to deal with that even well beyond the grave.

Good they added a seat to the board, which they can do again anytime the opportunity presents itself.

Rocketman

rdowns · Nov 15, 2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aufmobi

Good move Jobs seems to have really trusted Iger. Wondering... are there any remaining seats still left open on the board?

Apple has a small board (7) compared to other companies. THey could add a person at any time if they wished to.

MCIowaRulz · Nov 15, 2011, 04:12 PM

Maybe...

DIS Mkt cap 64.23B

AAPL Mkt cap 361.38B

https://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ%3AAAPL

https://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE%3ADIS

I think they can afford it

nicroma · Nov 15, 2011, 04:12 PM

I'm still waiting for my invite to join the board.

Designer Dale · Nov 15, 2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicroma

I'm still waiting for my invite to join the board.

PM sent...

J/k

Dale

johncrab · Nov 15, 2011, 04:35 PM

I'm trying to figure why Bill Campbell of Intuit is still on the Apple board. He seems to be running a company that is headed for extinction and they completely blew it when it came to trying to write Quicken for the Mac. I don't see what he brings to the party.

That said, These choices today seem very sound. Iger is neck deep in the media wars and understands content and how it is created, sold and distributed.

FrizzleFryBen · Nov 15, 2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macampora

I think Apple may acquire disney, allowing them to expand into the content creation business.

Note to Noob. When stating your opinion that people disagree with they will -1 you. Restating as "it would be interesting if Apple acquired Disney, that could help them expand into the content creation business...Other than iAd of course"

I think that is actually a very interesting topic you brought up. It's is definitely an expensive purchase that would take 2/3's of Apple's cash. So unlikely...but there may be something in there.

Benjamindaines · Nov 15, 2011, 04:44 PM

So after Steve's death all this dude's done is change the company all over. I'd be kinda pissed if I owned stock. Comment doesn't really relate to this event, just that we keep seeing these stories again and again.

3N16MA · Nov 15, 2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCIowaRulz

Maybe...

DIS Mkt cap 64.23B

AAPL Mkt cap 361.38B

https://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ%3AAAPL

https://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE%3ADIS

I think they can afford it

Apple's Market Cap has nothing to do with whether they can afford to acquire Disney.

bretm · Nov 15, 2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamindaines

So after Steve's death all this dude's done is change the company all over. I'd be kinda pissed if I owned stock. Comment doesn't really relate to this event, just that we keep seeing these stories again and again.

Well see, they kinda have to do that due to the fact that their leader and chief visionary died. And since Tim can't do it all himself, plus he had other duties before, I think some rearranging is to be expected. He's in charge. Is not supposed to make any decisions? This is stuff that went on day in and day out even without the shake up if Steve's death.

mdriftmeyer · Nov 15, 2011, 05:00 PM

Steve's requests are clearly being honored by all parties involved.

rdowns · Nov 15, 2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrizzleFryBen

Note to Noob. When stating your opinion that people disagree with they will -1 you. Restating as "it would be interesting if Apple acquired Disney, that could help them expand into the content creation business...Other than iAd of course"

I think that is actually a very interesting topic you brought up. It's is definitely an expensive purchase that would take 2/3's of Apple's cash. So unlikely...but there may be something in there.

Apple doesn't do big acquisitions like that. I don't see where it would make any sense at all. Disney has big businesses that Apple would want no part of (theme parks, travel, toys). I also don't see Apple benefiting from Disney classics which is a huge part of their revenue from content. If Apple wanted to be in content creation, why didn't Jobs sell Pixar to Apple?

Aldaris · Nov 15, 2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer

Steve's requests are clearly being honored by all parties involved.

He left this world with a 4+ year product pipeline, surely he left with a decent long term/short term leadership strategy as well.

atomwork · Nov 15, 2011, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdowns

Apple doesn't do big acquisitions like that. I don't see where it would make any sense at all. Disney has big businesses that Apple would want no part of (theme parks, travel, toys). I also don't see Apple benefiting from Disney classics which is a huge part of their revenue from content. If Apple wanted to be in content creation, why didn't Jobs sell Pixar to Apple?

Disney also owns various ABC network devisions, EPSN, Disney channel and has co-ownershio with Lifetime, A&E, .... Plus various movie studios (Pixar, Disney, Touchstone, Buena Vista Studios...

Full list is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...wned_by_Disney

I was not necessary for Apple to buy Disney as long as Steve hold 9% of the company and was on their board.

Not sure what going to happened to his stake and voting interest.

D

ViPhone · Nov 15, 2011, 05:31 PM

It is clear to me after nearly completing his bio, that this is exactly the type of thing Steve would want for his baby.

Good choice.

Now how long until Jony Ive takes over?

Aldaris · Nov 15, 2011, 05:32 PM

@ Atomwork: Good faith between Apple and Iger.

FrizzleFryBen · Nov 15, 2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdowns

Apple doesn't do big acquisitions like that. I don't see where it would make any sense at all. Disney has big businesses that Apple would want no part of (theme parks, travel, toys). I also don't see Apple benefiting from Disney classics which is a huge part of their revenue from content. If Apple wanted to be in content creation, why didn't Jobs sell Pixar to Apple?

You are totally right there. I was simply thinking along the lines of how an expanded relationship could be interesting. Certainly not that they would make such an investment. On the other hand, Pixar and Disney are different beasts. Disney are marketing geniuses while Pixar are production geniuses. Did I just contradict myself? I was trying to agree that it's like comparing apples to badgers. I need a vacation.

Edit: I did not -1 BTW

Nov 15, 2011, 03:53 PM	#5
Aldaris macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Salt Lake	Personally glad to see Apple and Disney still bridging relations. __________________ Ø Aldaris The ones who see things differently...
	0

Nov 15, 2011, 03:55 PM	#6
hobo.hopkins macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008	This should be great news. Having Bob Iger on the board can only help. __________________ Think morality requires religion? Name me an ethical statement made or an action performed by a believer that could not have been made or performed by a non-believer. I'm waiting...
	1

Nov 15, 2011, 03:59 PM	#7
macampora macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2011	I think Apple may acquire disney, allowing them to expand into the content creation business.
	-20

Nov 15, 2011, 04:02 PM	#8
aufmobi macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2008	Good move Jobs seems to have really trusted Iger. Wondering... are there any remaining seats still left open on the board? __________________  Mac Hash - Up to the minute Apple News
	0

Nov 15, 2011, 04:08 PM	#9
Rocketman macrumors 601 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Claremont, CA	Steady the ship is the message. With Google screwing Steve (Apple), at least this time they get someone he got along with and is in a sufficiently different businesses he/they (Iger/Disney) won't try to take over Apple's largest future business model. Google did that, and Steve pledged to deal with that even well beyond the grave. Good they added a seat to the board, which they can do again anytime the opportunity presents itself. Rocketman __________________ Think Different-ly! The President campaigned against Congress. D Sen is led by D Sen ML Reid and D VP and Sen Pres Biden, under orders of D Pres Obama. http://www.gop.gov/indepth/jobs/tracker
	3

Nov 15, 2011, 03:48 PM	#2
jmthigpen macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charleston, SC	this sounds like good news
	3

Nov 15, 2011, 03:50 PM	#3
slrandall macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011	From what I read about him in Steve's bio, Art's a great guy. Glad to see this happen.
	5

Nov 15, 2011, 03:51 PM	#4
vitzr macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: California	I am familiar with these two gentlemen and they are great additions to the Apple family.
	1

Nov 15, 2011, 04:12 PM	#11
MCIowaRulz macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2009	Maybe... DIS Mkt cap 64.23B AAPL Mkt cap 361.38B https://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ%3AAAPL https://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE%3ADIS I think they can afford it __________________ Dell Optiplex 3.06 Ghz 1.5 GB Ram 512Mb GeForce 8400 GS (soon) 250GB HD XP Pro: 64 GB iPod Touch
	-7

Nov 15, 2011, 04:12 PM	#12
nicroma macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Midwest, USA	I'm still waiting for my invite to join the board. __________________ 2009 iMac 27" w/ i7, 16GB RAM, 2TB HDD, 128GB SSD iPhone 5
	0

Nov 15, 2011, 04:35 PM	#14
johncrab macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ	I'm trying to figure why Bill Campbell of Intuit is still on the Apple board. He seems to be running a company that is headed for extinction and they completely blew it when it came to trying to write Quicken for the Mac. I don't see what he brings to the party. That said, These choices today seem very sound. Iger is neck deep in the media wars and understands content and how it is created, sold and distributed.
	1

Nov 15, 2011, 04:44 PM	#16
Benjamindaines macrumors 68030 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A religiously oppressed state	So after Steve's death all this dude's done is change the company all over. I'd be kinda pissed if I owned stock. Comment doesn't really relate to this event, just that we keep seeing these stories again and again. __________________
	-13

Nov 15, 2011, 05:00 PM	#19
mdriftmeyer macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pacific Northwest	Phenomenal News Steve's requests are clearly being honored by all parties involved.
	0

Nov 15, 2011, 05:31 PM	#23
ViPhone macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Miami, Florida	It is clear to me after nearly completing his bio, that this is exactly the type of thing Steve would want for his baby. Good choice. Now how long until Jony Ive takes over? __________________ iPhone 4, Apple TV2, iPad 1, Macbook Pro 15", Macbook 13" Let's go HEAT'.
	-1

Nov 15, 2011, 05:32 PM	#24
Aldaris macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Salt Lake	@ Atomwork: Good faith between Apple and Iger. __________________ Ø Aldaris The ones who see things differently...
	0

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