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Disney celebrates 100 years of magic

In 1923, Walt Disney left his failing animation company called Laugh-O-gram Films and used his last $40 to buy a train ticket to join his brother, Roy, in Los Angeles, where they began making animated films out of their uncle’s garage. The company they founded would become one of the most influential media and entertainment brands in history.

The Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) turns 100 this month.

The company, which Walt Disney famously observed “was all started by a mouse”, is now a $156 billion behemoth, spanning theme parks, television networks, films and a streaming service that reaches millions of people across continents.

As it marks its centennial, Disney is navigating a tumultuous period for the industry, marked by the decline of the traditional television business, slumping ad revenue, a movie box office that has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels and video streaming services that for the most part have failed to achieve profitability.

Here’s a timeline of Disney’s journey from a small studio in Burbank to a global media behemoth:

Oct 1923
Walt Disney and brother Roy Disney start “Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio” after signing a contract with distributer M.J. Winkler for “Alice Comedies”
March 1924
“Alice’s Day at Sea”, the first short film of the Alice Comedies series, is released
Jan 1926
Renames to “Walt Disney Studio”
Sept 1927
All-cartoon series “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit”, a character created by Walt Disney, is released by the distributor MJ Winkler. However, Disney later has a falling-out with Winkler after realizing he doesn’t own the rights to his work
May 1928
Popular character Mickey Mouse, co-created with Ub Iwerks, debuts in relatively unsuccessful cartoon shows “Plane Crazy” and “The Gallopin’ Gaucho”
Nov 1928
Mickey’s claim to fame, “Steamboat Willie”, premiers. “Minnie Mouse” is introduced
Dec 1929
Company spun off into four unit – Walt Disney Productions, Walt Disney Enterprises, Liled Realty and Investment Co, and the Disney Film Recording Co
1930
Disney merchandising begins, the first Mickey Mouse book and newspaper comic strip are published
1932
One of the first full-color cartoons, “Flowers and Trees”, a part of the “Silly Symphony” series, wins the Academy Award for best cartoon
Feb 1935
First Mickey Mouse cartoon in color, “The Band Concert”, is released
Dec 1937
First feature-length animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, is released
1942
Begins making propaganda and training films for the American military during the Second World War. “Saludos Amigos” is created to promote good relations with South America
Jan 1943
Anti-Nazi film “Der Fuehrer’s Face” is released, wins the Academy Award for Best Cartoon
1945
Releases “Destino”, a film made in collaboration with Spanish artist Salvador Dalí
Dec 1948
Releases “Seal Island”, its first documentary film
Oct 1949
Launches Walt Disney Music Company
July 1950
Release of “Treasure Island”, first completely live-action feature.
Dec 1950
Releases its first television show “One Hour in Wonderland”
Feb 1953
Releases “Peter Pan”
Oct 1954
First airing of “Disneyland” television show
Jul 1955
Opens the first Disneyland theme park
Oct 1955
First program of the “Mickey Mouse Club” television series airs
Aug 1964
Release of “Mary Poppins”
Dec 1966
Walt Disney dies
Dec 1971
Roy Disney dies
Nov 1976
Card Walker named CEO, replacing Donn Tatum
Nov 1977
Roy E. Disney, son of co-founder Roy O. Disney, announces his resignation
1982
Coca-Cola launches a series of unsuccessful attempts to buy Disney
April 1983
First Disney Theme Park outside of the United States opens in Tokyo
1983
Ron W. Miller replaces Walker as CEO; Raymond Watson becomes chairman
April 1983
Disney Channel begins airing
Feb 1984
Launches Touchstone Film label in an attempt to cater to mature audiences
1984
Walt Disney’s nephew Roy Edward Disney and his business partner, Stanley Gold, remove Ron Miller as CEO and president and Raymond Watson as chairman, replacing them with Michael Eisner and Frank Wells in the aftermath of an unsuccessful buyout attempt by investor Saul Steinberg.
Eisner became the first person with no personal connection to Walt Disney to lead Walt Disney Productions. His first 4 years as CEO would see Disney surge from last place to first in box-office receipts among the 8 major studios
1986
Walt Disney Productions renamed The Walt Disney Company
Feb 1989
Launches Hollywood Pictures label to produce comedy films aimed towards mature audiences
1989
Launches Hollywood Records, offering recordings ranging from rap to movie soundtracks
May 1991
Joins the Dow Jones Industrial Average index
Jan 1992
Sets up Disney Publishing Group, which includes Hyperion Books, Hyperion Books for Children and Disney Press
April 1992
Euro Disneyland, now Disneyland Paris, opens in Marne-la-Vallée, France
April 1994
First show from Disney Theatrical Productions – Beauty and the Beast – opens on Broadway
April 1994
Frank Wells, president of the Walt Disney Co, dies in a helicopter crash
July 1994
Releases animated musical “The Lion King”
July 1995
Announces acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC Inc for $19 billion
1996
Acquires Jumbo Pictures
1997
Enters a 10-year distribution partnership with Pixar
2000
Bob Iger becomes president
Dec 2003
Walt Disney’s nephew Roy Disney resigns as chairman of Feature Animation division and as vice chairman of the company’s board.
In a letter to then-CEO Michael Eisner, he alleged that the company failed under Eisner during the previous seven years, citing low attendance at theme parks and “loss of public trust” among other reasons.
After his resignation, he helped establish the website called SaveDisney.com aimed at ousting Eisner.
May 2003
“Finding Nemo” releases.
July 2003
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” releases.
2004
Comcast (CMCSA.O) launches an unsolicited $54.1 billion takeover offer for Disney in February, triggering a battle to keep the entertainment company independent. The cable TV provider abandoned its bid two months later, after it became apparent that it was too low to succeed.
March 2005
Eisner announces that he would resign that September, one year before his contract expired.
Oct 2005
Iger becomes CEO
Jan 2006
Announces acquisition of “Toy Story” creator Pixar Animation Studios in a $7.4 billion deal
Feb 2006
Announces merger of its ABC Radio stations with Citadel Broadcasting in a $2.7 billion deal
Aug 2009
Announces acquisition of Marvel Entertainment in $4 billion deal
Jan 2012
Acquires controlling interest in Indian entertainment firm UTV
Oct 2012
Announces acquisition of “Star Wars” producer Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion
Feb 2013
Achieves $100 billion in market capitalization
Nov 2013
Releases “Frozen”, one of its top-grossing animated movies
Dec 2015
Releases “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, the first Lucasfilm titled release under the new owner
2016
Shanghai Disney Resort opens, the first Disney theme park in mainland China
Aug 2017
Acquires majority stake in BAMTech
Dec 2017
Announces a deal to buy 21st Century Fox’s film and television studios, entertainment networks and international TV businesses, for $52.4 billion. Comcast launches a competing bid of $65 billion for Fox, driving up the price Disney paid for the assets. The acquisition closed in 2019 at a raised bid of $71.3 billion.
Nov 2019
Launches Disney+ streaming service
Jan 2020
Hong Kong Disneyland closes, as the region deals with the rising threat of COVID-19. The spread of the deadly virus causes the company to shutter all its theme parks. The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, remained closed for 412 days – the longest closure in its history
Feb 2020
Elevates parks head Bob Chapek to CEO of Disney
March 2022
Disney issues statement opposing Florida’s law that banned classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. Opponents labeled the measure the “don’t say gay” bill, saying it would hurt LGBTQ children.
April 2022
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs a bill that strips Disney of self-governing authority at its Orlando-area parks in apparent retaliation for its opposition to the Parental Rights in Education law.
Aug 2022
Activist investor Third Point discloses stake worth $1 billion, recommends changes at Disney
Sept 2022
Disney announces truce with activist investor Third Point, appoints tech and media veteran Carolyn Everson to the board of directors
Nov 2022
Iger reinstated as CEO, replacing Chapek
Dec 2022
Launches ad-supported subscription tier on its streaming service Disney+
Jan 2023
Activist investor Nelson Peltz of Trian Fund Management formally launches a battle for a board seat at Disney to rescue the entertainment giant from what he called a “crisis” of overspending on the streaming business, the purchase of 21st Century Fox and failed succession planning.
Feb 2023
Announces a sweeping restructuring, including 7,000 job cuts, in an effort to save $5.5 billion in costs and to make its streaming business profitable
Feb 2023
Peltz ends his quest for a board seat
April 2023
Disney sues Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in federal court, claiming he was “weaponizing” state government in retaliation for the company’s criticism of a law that banned classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children
May 2023
Thousands of film and television writers go on strike after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) called its first work stoppage in 15 years after failing to reach an agreement with major studios such as Disney and Netflix over payment and limits on the use of artificial intelligence
July 2023
Hollywood actors go on strike after talks with studios break down, joining film and television writers who have been on picket lines since May and deepening the disruption of scores of shows and movies
Oct 2023
Activist investor Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management amasses roughly $2.5 billion worth of shares in Disney, and is expected to ask the company for multiple board seats
Oct 2023
Hollywood writers union ratifies three-year labor contract after strike

Reuters

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