Bob Iger has been CEO of The Walt Disney Company from 2005-2020 and then again in 2022 after seizing control back from the infamous Bob Chapek. Iger has had a long and decorated career, but many would agree that bringing back one of Disney's old guard only partially mended fences with fans.
Iger has been with Disney for a grand total of 30 years, and has given fans some of the studio's most iconic fixtures. He brought Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm into the Disney family, established many park icons, and made bank at the box office with multiple films. However, some would say he's dropped the ball after his return. Is it time for someone else to take a swing at the House of Mouse?
Disney fans demand a voice
There are many hardcore fans (this writer included) who would say that Disney's trademarked magic has been almost non-existent in the past few years. With theme park prices soaring, creative conflicts at the studio, and critical discourse with its audience, it's easy to understand why some fans aren't feeling heard.
Matthew Rizzo is an artist, animator, composer, and content creator who (like many of us), feel that the magic of Disney has almost been forgotten. As a response, Rizzo has recently announced his campaign for the Disney CEO position.
At the time of writing, Disney is indeed auditioning Iger's replacement, as he is set to retire in 2026. However, can Rizzo truly stand toe-to-toe with competition from Disney Parks maestro Josh D'Amaro and entertainment dynamo Dana Walden?
It's a massive stretch, but Rizzo certainly has one element going for him that many on Disney's corporate team lack: audience attunement. Rizzo is one of many voices that believe Disney has gotten out of touch with its consumers.
In one of his recent TikTok videos, Rizzo makes the following statement that truly hits the nail on the head.
"This was a company that once believed in creative greatness, that didn't compete within the existing industry but created new industries. Disney Parks workers once made livable wages, the company had an innovative spirit driven by its founder, and took on a cultural responsibility to ensure that beauty, kindness, and enchantment weren't just fictional but existed in the real world too!"
Rizzo promises in his personal-led campaign to bring these values back to the company and reignite the spark left by Walt decades ago. While it's uncertain whether or not he will be a success, he certainly speaks for the consumer better than most in the running.
I managed to reach out to Matthew Rizzo, and he was kind enough to provide the following statement.
"While I am fully aware that this is a wildly unorthodox idea, I believe that if enough people rally behind it, the board will have to treat it as something with weight, and it has the potential to fix a problem that the vast majority of people are tired of."
In this writer's opinion, Disney darling Josh D'Amaro is going to be the man to beat. His work with the parks is practically a linchpin. However, Rizzo's heart and soul are undeniably in the right place, and he speaks for countless fans who share the same perspective. If anything, Disney should at least keep their mouse ears open to what he and other dedicated fans have to say.
We can only wish Rizzo the best of luck on his journey, and hope to reignite that spark of classic Disney magic.