January 31, 2011 42 Comments

Interview with Bob Iger

I shot a video interview with Disney CEO Bob Iger aboard the Disney Dream (more about that here). We talked about technology and social business and what those are doing for the world at large. Behind the scenes, I just want to say that this was huge. Bob Iger is a busy man, and the fact that my friend, Leanne Jakubowski, got me this time was very cool. Bob was personable, friendly, asked me some questions about my background and the like, and definitely made me feel happy for being on his ship. Why do I mention this? Because he was very human and personable at the top of a huge business, and I respect that.

Without further delay, here’s the interview:

Can’t see the video? Click here.

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  • Dara Bell

    Hi Chris,

    I think Trust Agents and Human Business is one that presents a powerful modality. I think that large corporations like Disney know this makes good business sense. Its not enough to do just Corporate Responsibility. They have to have a culture, I think your ideas help large corporations do this. (specifically bridge trust issues).

    Looking at comments a company gets on Youtube videos to see it a real and present danger. I think times are changing as Bob once said and corporations are trying to get closer to us. Shit perhaps the US and THEM idea is outdated. Now that I say it!

    I just got off the phone with Glaxo Smith Kline and was happy they had a human element in there phone conversations, also they have taken the time to uddate the website with projects that help third world communities.

    I think Human Business might be the as powerful and idea as say Zappos culture or Comcast cares. Culture has to count for something! Very few are giving us the how-tos of creating such a culture.

    Dara

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I think that’s the whole Trust Agents mindset, Dara. I think that we’re thinking that cutting out that barrier is a good thing. But it’s also tricky to do, I imagine.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I think that’s the whole Trust Agents mindset, Dara. I think that we’re thinking that cutting out that barrier is a good thing. But it’s also tricky to do, I imagine.

  • http://www.GreatEntrepreneurship.com Patrick McEvoy

    Human Business is a powerful, powerful concept.

    You don’t have to be Disney or Zappos to do it.

    The best run small businesses (500 employees) I’ve ever seen have powerful employee cultures coupled with big mission staements.

    Not being a “Disney or a Zappos” is just an excuse for failure!

    Patrick

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I agree that it requires the DNA all the way down to the core. You’ve got that right.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I agree that it requires the DNA all the way down to the core. You’ve got that right.

  • David Siteman Garland

    Look at you and your video interviews, Chris ;0)

    • http://twitter.com/LotusAmy Amy Miyamoto

      Seriously David! Between you and Chris – you are both giving me great fodder and models for creating something new in video in 2011. ;)

  • Kradr2

    Morning Chris, Thich Nhat Hanh said : “There are more possibilities in each moment than we realize” I believe we avail ourselves to the best possibilities when we present each and every moment our full presence .

  • Terry Brock

    Very good interview, Chris. I like the way Bob Iger is so appreciative of Disney. It reflects the culture of what they’re doing. You did a great job interviewing him. Looking forward to more like this in the future. Terry Brock, Chief Skype Enterprise Blogger

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Thanks, Terry. I had practice hanging out with a professional like yourself. : )

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Thanks, Terry. I had practice hanging out with a professional like yourself. : )

  • http://ajleon.me ajleon

    Wow, Chris! That’s so great that you had the opportunity to interview him! Great interview :)

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Thanks. I was really pleased to have the chance. : )

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Thanks. I was really pleased to have the chance. : )

  • http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

    Awesome video! Being a huge Disney fan reading about their history avidly it is great to see Bob Iger talking with someone I admire like you Chris.

    Although I do think there are so difficult days at Disney I guess looking at other companies Disney has many fans like me which become protectors of the brand. Everyone that does visit any of Disney’s projects ( Movie, Play, Park, or Ship) goes there for the experience and Disney always gives you more than what you expect.

    That is probably the secret of not having many bad days.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I think that’s a tricky thing, eh? It’s really hard to stay positive in the light of more and more haters, but you get more haters as you acquire more fans. Makes sense, right?

      • http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

        I need to write comments with clearer message. But in the Case of Disney is very different from other brand. Disney has been able to connect at many levels so people might feel more passionately to defend Disney that let’s say a Supermarket brand for example. But I think going back to my 3 words for the year.. Focus helps them not leave what they want. I think going back to Walt Disney himself how he paid his employees (when most of his movies flopped) when he was not taking any profit and really seeing the big picture to create a legacy.

        But it does make sense. Thanks for your insight.

  • Kradr2

    How often are the CEO a reflection of the companies and industry? … How often are companies and industries the reflection the CEO’s? …. Take Bob Iger and Disneyland and juxtapose them to the equivalent on the other end of the spectrum, How and why are they different over time and circumstance?

  • Kradr2

    How often are the CEO a reflection of the companies and industry? … How often are companies and industries the reflection the CEO’s? …. Take Bob Iger and Disneyland and juxtapose them to the equivalent on the other end of the spectrum, How and why are they different over time and circumstance?

  • Anonymous

    Great interview. The next time you do something like that, put the subject of the interview on the righthand side….

  • http://www.BettermentBlog.com Doug Isenberg

    Nice interview, but the last exchange reminds me of the lawyer/journalist’s line: “I heard what you said, but I didn’t hear the answer to my question.”

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Exactly true. Were I trying to be badass, I could have tried to reframe and go back.

  • http://www.corporatefashionista.com Kristina Moore

    Fantastic job, Chris! Such a wonderful opportunity that you created for yourself, your brand, and for all of us. So…thank you! Keep the video interviews coming. Love them and want more! ;)

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      Happy I could share a bit with you. : )

  • Stephanie St. Martin

    I really loved the “bad day” question, Chris. It was a great question. One thing I love about Disney is how “happy” it is always is, and I did love his response about being a cast-member (although it doesn’t answer the question completely, it truly captures the Disney spirit). Great video–it’s amazing to see that social media is everywhere. Congrats!

  • Stephanie St. Martin

    I really loved the “bad day” question, Chris. It was a great question. One thing I love about Disney is how “happy” it is always is, and I did love his response about being a cast-member (although it doesn’t answer the question completely, it truly captures the Disney spirit). Great video–it’s amazing to see that social media is everywhere. Congrats!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I kinda wanted him to answer a little more candidly, but I get it. : )

  • http://www.theunblogger.com Marnie

    So inspiring! I too love the bad day question. Isn’t that the life we all crave – when we can honestly say that bad days are a rarity?

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  • Anonymous

    Great interview Chris. I guess the “bad day” answer was to be expected. Disney cast members no doubt have as many bad days as the rest of us but not letting it show is the key!

    Good also to see someone “very human and personable at the top of a huge business”, definitely, as you say, to be respected. I was recently fortunate enough to interview one of the top guys at Merlin Entertainments, Mark Fisher, and over and above the fact that he had a lot of great stuff to say, was struck by how grounded and personable he was.

    No doubt, just like Bob Iger, he has had tough decisions to make along the way – cracking eggs to make an omelette – but it does seem that in the theme park industry nice guys often finish first…

  • http://www.magento-themes.jextn.com Magento Themes

    Great interview with much insight and domain understanding. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

  • http://twitter.com/DavidBaeza David Baeza

    Hey Chris. The size of their community “100 million…” wow! I’m curious how they manage a community of that size. If even a small percentage contribute, it’s significant. Any insight on this?

    Thanks,

    David

  • Pingback: The Mouse Gets Social | SCOTT PARENT

  • http://www.designussion.com Designussion

    I remember I met with Mr. Bob Iger at some conference meeting,he have a very clear vision for his business and for his personal life..

  • http://newforeclosureonline.com New Foreclosure Online

    I go through above video,Bob Iger CEO of the Disney Dream is really great guy who have a busy schedule but after have a tight schedule he gave you proper interview,His interview describes his personality…

  • http://newforeclosureonline.com New Foreclosure Online

    I go through above video,Bob Iger CEO of the Disney Dream is really great guy who have a busy schedule but after have a tight schedule he gave you proper interview,His interview describes his personality…

  • http://newforeclosureonline.com New Foreclosure Online

    I go through above video,Bob Iger CEO of the Disney Dream is really great guy who have a busy schedule but after have a tight schedule he gave you proper interview,His interview describes his personality…

  • http://zenedy.com/total-protect-home-warranty-explained Home Protect Home Warranty

    I think going back to Walt Disney himself how he paid his employees (when most of his movies flopped) when he was not taking any profit and really seeing the big picture to create a legacy.

  • http://zenedy.com/total-protect-home-warranty-explained Home Protect Home Warranty

    I think going back to Walt Disney himself how he paid his employees (when most of his movies flopped) when he was not taking any profit and really seeing the big picture to create a legacy.

  • http://www.AppraiserNow.com AppraiserNow.com

    I was recently fortunate enough to interview one of the top guys at Merlin Entertainments, Mark Fisher, and over and above the fact that he had a lot of great stuff to say, was struck by how grounded and personable he was.

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     The video is really good and I liked it very much.