Disney CEO Bob Iger Makes Desperate Deal With Investors to Save Disney From $70 Billion Loss
Disney CEO Bob Iger reveals the company has made a deal with the San Fransisco-based investment firm ValueAct Capital Management.
The investment deal comes at a troublesome time for Disney, whose stock value has lost billions in just over a year.
ValueAct Become Large Disney Investors
According to reports, ValueAct has invested significant capital in Disney, yet the full amount is undisclosed.
![Jeffrey Ubben, co-founder of ValueAct Capital, pictured wearing a pin-striped suit during a recent interview](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/6fe1ea52-screenshot-2024-01-06-151913.jpg)
Source: @thomsonreuters/X
ValueAct representatives went on the record during their 2024 meeting, where they agreed to do all they could to support Bog Iger and the Disney board as they try to revive the media empire.
Confidentiality Agreement With ValueAct
Disney revealed they have signed a rare agreement with their new activist investors.
![A board meeting at a large company takes place in an office that overlooks the city](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/27f401ca-screenshot-2024-01-06-151938.jpg)
Source: Freepik
As per the agreement, ValueAct will be allowed to consult on strategic matters, meet with board executives and directors, and even receive information about the company.
Iger Confident With the Deal
Bob Iger recently spoke about the deal in a press conference, claiming that he is very hopeful the partnership with ValueAct can revitalize the company.
![Bob Iger photographed at an event wearing a black suit jacket and white shirt](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/dd152c5c-screenshot-2024-01-06-152002.jpg)
Source: @kerrloud/X
“ValueAct Capital has a track record of collaboration and cooperation with the companies it invests in, and its Co-CEO Mason Morfit has been very constructive in the conversations we’ve had over the past year. We welcome their input as long-term shareholders,” said Iger.
Last Ditch Attempt
Bob Iger’s deal with ValueAct is a last-ditch attempt to hold off the critics who are upset with Disney following a poor financial year.
![Financier Nelson Peltz speaks at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Honors Award to Rupert Murdoch](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/e2e4916a-screenshot-2024-01-06-152022.jpg)
Source: Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Disney is also stuck in the midst of a proxy war with some of its largest investors, including Trian Fund Management, owned by Nelson Peltz, and the former executive of the company Issac Perlmutter. Between them, they own over 44 million Disney shares.
ValueAct Invests Only Invest in the Best
ValueAct Capital was co-founded by the American businessman Jeffery Williams Ubben. He currently sits as the chairman of the hedge fund.
![Jeffery Williams Ubben poses for a photograph wearing a light blue shirt and jeans](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/ea092e33-screenshot-2024-01-06-152039.jpg)
Source: @Forbes/X
Since its founding in the mid-2000s, ValueAct has invested in some of the largest growing companies of modern history, including 21st Century Fox, Microsoft, New York Times, Adobe, and Nintendo.
Disneys Recent Downfall
Disney has been under fire during recent years as its stock price continues to plummet.
![Woman holds her head as she stares at her screen, which shows a drop in stock prices](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/8eaf1657-screenshot-2024-01-06-152101.jpg)
Source: Freepik
While some experts believe the recent “woke” identity lost them a large fan base, others surmise poor leadership skills and under-qualified executives and chairmen ultimately brought about the mess the company currently finds itself in.
Disney Cut 5,000 Employees
Last August, Disney’s share hit a nine-year low, forcing the company to look at various ways to cut the losses.
![A young man kneels at the edge of his desk after being informed he no longer has a job](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/fac735b7-screenshot-2024-01-06-152125.jpg)
Source: Freepik
Pressure from shareholders forced Disney to reduce its workforce by around 5,000; in total, the company cut around $7.5 million in costs across the board.
Trian Continues to Fight for Seats
Trian Fund Management, one of Disney’s largest shareholders, claims the recent cuts are insufficient.
![The Board of Directors for a large company gathers around a wooden table to discuss business](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/5b270083-screenshot-2024-01-06-152148.jpg)
Source: Freepik
Under the command of Nelson Peltz, the investment firm is currently fighting to obtain two seats on Disney’s board. They are extremely unhappy with the recent drop in share price and argue that a board with more media experience is required to bring Dinsey back to its former greatness.
Blackwell Urges Trian to Take a Step Back
Another hedge fund firmly invested in Disney’s future is Blackwell Captial, which also plans to nominate three people to sit as directors on the media company’s board.
![A logo for The Walt Disney Company is displayed on a trading post during the opening bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/d8df53c5-screenshot-2024-01-06-152220.jpg)
Source: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The investment firm recently took aim at Trian and Peltz. “We call on Mr. Peltz to end his peacocking so that Disney can focus on its bright future and not be dragged backward in time,” said Jason Aintabi, Blackwell’s chief investment officer.
Disney Can Lead the Industry Forward
Mason Morfit, co-CEO and chief investment officer for ValueAct, believes with the correct help, Disney could once again become a media industry pioneer.
![Black and white photo of Mason Morfit, ValueAct Co-CEO](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/5eec0758-screenshot-2024-01-06-152244.jpg)
Source: @lecho/X
“As legacy technologies transition to digital platforms, we believe Disney can lead the media industry forward. We could not be more excited to partner with Bob and the board to help create long-term sustainable shareholder value,” said Morfit.
Iger Goes Back on Plan to Sell Assets
Over a year ago, Iger claimed that Disney assets such as ABC, TV stations, and cable networks may be sold off as they don’t fit into Dinsey’s core plan.
![In this photo illustration, the Disney+ logo is displayed on the screen of a TV while a woman sits in a chair holding a TV remote](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/01/826231f1-screenshot-2024-01-06-152310.jpg)
Source: Chesnot/Getty Images
However, he quickly went back on this idea following the announcement of Disney’s plan to combine streaming platforms Hulu and Disney Plus into one platform that aims to compete with Netflix.