Theme_Park_Insider
11-13-2009, 10:00 AM
By Robert Niles: Following yesterday's news that Thomas Staggs would replace Jay Rasulo (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200911/1538/) as head of the Walt Disney Company's theme parks, it's time to evaluate the job that Jay did during his time. (Rasulo will take Staggs' old job as Disney's Chief Financial Officer, so he's not leaving the company.)
Ultimately, this is a question about how the Disney theme parks, overall, did over the past four years. I see three criteria:
Financial performance: Did the theme parks make money for their corporate parent, and its shareholders?
Market share: Did the parks provide enough value - entertainment and customer service at a fair price - to keep and win over a growing number of visitors?
Creativity: Theme parks are, ultimately, a performing art. Did the Walt Disney theme parks serve and advance that art over the past four years? Yes, that's ultimately Imagineering's responsibility, but as Imagineering's "customer," if you will, Rasulo ultimately determined what Imagineering would be enabled to do in the parks. Remember as well, we're judging Rasulo's tenure as much for what as ordered as what was installed under his watch.
You might have your own criteria - ignoring some of mine, or adding others. Regardless, please tell us in the comments why you voted the way you did.
And, yes, I'm pushing the leaners here. No wishy, washy, "well, he was okay in this, but not in that" answers. Success or failure. You tell us.
poll by twiigs.com (http://www.twiigs.com/)
Have a great weekend, and thanks again for reading Theme Park Insider!
More... (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200911/1541/)
Ultimately, this is a question about how the Disney theme parks, overall, did over the past four years. I see three criteria:
Financial performance: Did the theme parks make money for their corporate parent, and its shareholders?
Market share: Did the parks provide enough value - entertainment and customer service at a fair price - to keep and win over a growing number of visitors?
Creativity: Theme parks are, ultimately, a performing art. Did the Walt Disney theme parks serve and advance that art over the past four years? Yes, that's ultimately Imagineering's responsibility, but as Imagineering's "customer," if you will, Rasulo ultimately determined what Imagineering would be enabled to do in the parks. Remember as well, we're judging Rasulo's tenure as much for what as ordered as what was installed under his watch.
You might have your own criteria - ignoring some of mine, or adding others. Regardless, please tell us in the comments why you voted the way you did.
And, yes, I'm pushing the leaners here. No wishy, washy, "well, he was okay in this, but not in that" answers. Success or failure. You tell us.
poll by twiigs.com (http://www.twiigs.com/)
Have a great weekend, and thanks again for reading Theme Park Insider!
More... (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200911/1541/)