Disney News Headlines
March 2004 / General
LPWire: The Disney Princess Brand Continues to Reign (Movies,Coll,General) posted: 3/31/04
"In just three years, the Disney Princess brand has gone from $300 million in global retail sales to $1.3 billion in 2003, making it Disney Consumer Products' fastest growing brand from a revenue perspective," said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products. "With the support of The Walt Disney Company, the Disney Princess brand will continue to cast its spell on consumers, and we expect it will reach an estimated $2 billion in retail sales in 2004."
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Reuters: Disney Sees Princess Toy Sales Rising Over 50 Pct (General) posted: 3/31/04
The March 31st Reuters reports Disney Consumer Products anticipates an 50% increase in sales of its Disney Princess line.
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PhillyInq: Disney indulging in a blame game, Hafer says (General) posted: 3/31/04
The March 31st Philadelphia Inquirer offers comments by Pennsylvania treasurer Barbara Hafer regarding her recent meeting with Disney lobbyists.
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USAToday: Judge pooh-poohs lawsuit over Disney licensing fees (DL,WDW,OD,Movies,Coll,General) posted: 3/30/04
The March 30th USAToday reports the lawsuit against the Disney Company by the Slesinger's has been thrown out.
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NYTimes: After 13 Years, Judge Dismisses Case on Pooh Bear (General) posted: 3/30/04
The March 30th New York Times reports the Disney Company has prevailed in their 13-year legal dispute over Winnie the Pooh royalties.
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BusinessWk: Eisner Gets to Keep Pooh's Honey Pot (General) posted: 3/30/04
Business Week discusses the judge's surprising and scathing dismissal of a long-running royalty suit could save Disney hundreds of millions of dollars.
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LATimes: Disney the Winner in a Hunny of a Lawsuit (General) posted: 3/30/04
The March 30th Los Angeles Times reports Disney's lengthy lawsuit regarding Pooh royalties is over with the judge accusing the Slesinger family of stealing documents.
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CBSMW: Plaintiffs vow to appeal 'Pooh' case (General) posted: 3/30/04
The March 30th CBS MarketWatch discusses the recent turn in the Winnie the Pooh lawsuit.
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LPWire: Slesinger Family Statement in Response to Today's Decision (General) posted: 3/30/04
Statement issued by the Slesinger family regarding Pooh lawsuit.
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LATimes: Mitchell Consult Work Is Criticized (General) posted: 3/30/04
The March 29th Los Angeles Times discusses George Mitchell's continuing collection of fees from various company boards he serves on despite his move to discontinue such fees at Disney.
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SaveDisney Offers Alternatives to Current Disney Operations (General) posted: 3/30/04
SaveDisney.com continues their efforts to oust Disney chief Michael Eisner. They now offer audio clips of Roy Disney and Stan Gold as well as various articles that highlight their efforts and offer criticisms of current Disney management.
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LATimes: Boards Heeding Investor Activists (General) posted: 3/30/04
The March 29th Los Angeles Times discusses the continuing trend of activist shareholders that came to light with the overwhelming no vote of Disney shareholders.
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CNNMoney: Roy Disney seeks Eisner vote data (General) posted: 3/24/04
Reuters reports Roy Disney wants the Disney Co. to release data on how pension plan members voted.
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SaveDisney: Disney and Gold Request 2004 DIS Co. Annual Mtg Voting Info (General) posted: 3/24/04
Roy E Disney and Stanley P Gold continue their efforts to uncover the withhold vote numbers of shares held in the Disney Share Plan.
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LATimes: Running Disney's Word Machine (General) posted: 3/24/04
The March 24th Los Angeles Times takes a look at the career of Disney's chief communications officer, Zenia Mucha.
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PhillyInq: Disney officials, Hafer to meet (General) posted: 3/23/04
The March 23rd Philadelphia Inquirer reports Disney officials will meet with Pennsylvania stat treasurer in hopes of winning back support from the state's pension fund.
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Disney: Disney Company Director Judy Estrin's Presentation from CII's Spring Mtg 2004 (General) posted: 3/23/04
On March 25th at 4:30p EST Disney.com will webcast Disney Company Director Judy Estrin's Presentation from Council of Institutional Investors' Spring Meeting 2004. Re-play of the presentation will be available until 5p PST on April 1, 2004.
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LATimes: Big Pension Funds Ask Disney for a Meeting (General) posted: 3/23/04
The Los Angeles Times reports six of the nation's largest pensionf funds want to meet with the Disney Company Board of Directors.
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NYTimes: : Comcast Awaits Disney Action (General) posted: 3/23/04
The March 23rd New York Times reports Comcast could keep its bid for Disney open for three - six months.
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LPWire: Disney Brings the Magic of Friendship to the U.S. with the Launch of W.I.T.C.H. Books (General) posted: 3/23/04
An emerging girl property, W.I.T.C.H. is already the fastest growing girls' comic magazine in the world, published monthly in over 64 markets and in 27 languages.Will. Irma. Taranee. Cornelia. Hay Lin. Together they are W.I.T.C.H. - five ordinary friends with an extraordinary secret - they each have the power to control a natural element.
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Reuters: ABC News inks video-on-demand deal with Insight (General) posted: 3/23/04
Reuters reports ABC TV will provide Insight with 20 hours of its programming.
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Reuters: Public funds want Disney meeting,not Eisner ouster (General) posted: 3/22/04
The March 22nd Reuters reports six major US public pension funds has asked for a joint meeting with Disney's Board of Directors and dropped calls for Eisner's ouster.
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Reuters: Eisner's Book on Camp Delayed a Year (General) posted: 3/22/04
The March 20th Reuters discusses the postponement of Michael Eisner's book recounting his summer camp experiences.
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PhillyInq: Comcast and Disney can take time (General) posted: 3/22/04
The March 21st Philadelphia Inquirer reports both Comcast and Disney could benefit from waiting on a merger.
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LATimes: New Thrills, and Risk, for Theme Parks (General) posted: 3/22/04
The March 21st Los Angeles Times discusses the various new attractions coming to Southern California theme parks.
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LPWire: Disney Online is Honored with Three 2004 Parents' Choice Awards (General) posted: 3/22/04
Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group and creator of the number one kids' entertainment and family community destination (http://www.disney.com), has been awarded three Parents' Choice Awards by the Parents' Choice Foundation. The awards recognize Disney.com, FamilyFun.com and SurfSwellIsland.com for product excellence.
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SaveDisney: Continuing Coverage of Efforts to Oust Eisner (General) posted: 3/22/04
SaveDisney offers links to a variety of articles that showcase the continuing effects of the shareholders vote.
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LPWire: Walt's Barn to Host "Disney Author Day" March 21st (DL,Movies,General) posted: 3/19/04
The public is invited to meet & greet several authors who have written books on the subject of Disney, who will be the Special Guests of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society at Walt Disney's Barn in Griffith Park on Sunday, March 21 from 11a - 3p. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and bring their cameras.
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LPWire: NFFC's Studio Chapter To Tour Disney Hall (General) posted: 3/19/04
The Studio Chapter of the NFFC - the club for Disney Enthusiasts is going downtown for Disney at its next meeting on Sunday, March 28th! We'll be taking a trip to Downtown Los Angeles to visit the new Walt Disney Concert Hall, which has been wowing fans of classical music and architecture since its grand opening earlier this year.
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BWOnline: Will Eisner Survive to Tell This Tale? (General) posted: 3/18/04
Business Week discusses the delay of Michael Eisner's leadership book about lessons learned as a boy at summer camp.
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CartoonBrew: Dad, Can I Borrow the Car? (General) posted: 3/18/04
CartoonBrew plays tribute to Ward Kimball and discusses his delightful live-action episode Dad, Can I Borrow the Car?.
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LATimes: Harvey Weinstein Is in Talks Over Memoir, Source Says (Movies,General) posted: 3/18/04
The Los Angeles Times reports Miramax films co-chairman Harvey Weinsten is in negotiations with publishers to write memoir with his brother, Bob.
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LPWire: Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry Unveils Action! An Adventure in Moviemaking (Movies,General) posted: 3/18/04
In cooperation with Paramount Pictures, the Museum has designed and developed Action! to include two thrilling environments totaling 12,000 square feet. The first, "Meet the Moviemakers," presents the inside story of filmmaking as told by the actual top professionals who collaborate to bring a picture to the big screen. In the second half of the exhibit "The Soundstage Experience" guests literally get to make their own movie on a live soundstage consisting of three sets. Moviegoers can either play the leading role or get behind the camera and direct their very own adventure movie.
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ESPN 25 :: Season of the Fan (General) posted: 3/18/04
Sports fans of all shapes and sizes will have the opportunity to express their fanaticism as part of the year-long The Season of the Fan campaign celebrating ESPN25. This begins with the launch of ESPN25.com, a multi-faceted, interactive website dedicated to celebrating all the elements of sports fanaticism. The site will almost entirely be devoted to the thoughts, feelings, rituals and images of sports fans worldwide who will be the primary contributors to ESPN25.com.
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Reuters: S&P may still cut Walt Disney's debt ratings (General) posted: 3/18/04
The March 18th Reuters reports "Standard & Poor's remains concerned about eroding shareholder support for management, related to effective leadership and performance of the company."
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PhillyInq: Clearing the record (correction) (General) posted: 3/18/04
The Philadlephia Inquirer offers a correction to last week's article about shareholders' efforts to oust Eisner.
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DowJones: Fox Kids Takes $6 Million Charge To Move UK,French (Movies,General) posted: 3/17/04
Dow Jones reports Fox Kids Europe is relocating their UK and French operations to Disney premises as part of a continuing process to identify and capture synergies between FKE and Disney, their majority shareholder.
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LPWire: Kingdom Hearts Ships 4 Million Units Worldwide (Coll,General) posted: 3/17/04
KINGDOM HEARTS, the blockbuster hit video game which was released worldwide in 2002 for the PlayStation ®2 computer entertainment system has shipped more than 4 million units worldwide, underscoring the title's continuing popularity. More than 2 million units have shipped in North America, 1.23 million units in Japan, and Europe rounds out the number with 820,000 units.
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OrlSen: Vivendi makes upbeat earnings report (General) posted: 3/17/04
The March 17th Orlando Sentinel reports Vivendi's entertainment businesses, which include the Universal theme parks in Orlando and the movie studios, saw operating profit jump.
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LATimes: Ex-Actor, Chumash Plan Community (Movies,General) posted: 3/17/04
The March 16th Los Angeles Times reports Fess Parker who portrayed Davy Crockett in the 60's may enter into a joint venture with Chumash Indians.
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HR: Radio Disney targets tween rock (General) posted: 3/16/04
The Hollywood Reporter takes a look at Radio Disney's success and impact on tween radio habits.
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AP: Disney Intl Pres Says He Likes Idea Of Expanding in India (General) posted: 3/16/04
The March 16th Associated Press reports Disney International is interested in expanding their presence in India.
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Forbes.com: Walt Disney (Movies,General) posted: 3/16/04
Forbes.com in their ongoing stories featuring the "most influential businessmen" highlights Walt Disney who "founded the first modern media conglomerate, exploiting the ripeness of the children's market as no one had before."
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CBS: Top Ten Ways Disney Is Improving Its Image (Movies,General) posted: 3/16/04
Each week CBS' Late Show with David Letterman allows readers to try their hand at comedy-writing by submitting jokes for their top ten. Last week's contest focus was "Top Ten Ways Disney Is Improving Its Image"
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LPWire: "Finding Nemo" Videogames Finish 2003 as the Best-Selling Family Game of the Year (Movies,General) posted: 3/16/04
"Finding Nemo" is one of the first third-party titles based on a family license to be recognized on Xbox as a top seller. "Finding Nemo" for Xbox and Nintendo GameCube
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NYTimes: For Disney's Embattled Chief, a Double Rebuke From (General) posted: 3/15/04
The March 15th New York Times discusses the double-edged message of Fidelity's withhold vote and reports the Disney Company has not yet released the figures of how many employees withheld their vote from Eisner.
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CBSMW: Disney falls as Comcast rumor discounted (General) posted: 3/15/04
Shares of Walt Disney Co. dropped more than 3 percent Monday, after rumors circulated Friday Comcast Corp. would raise its bid for the media giant over the weekend - a rumor that never came to life.
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LATimes: Always Be Sweet ... if You Can Manage That (General) posted: 3/15/04
The March 15th Los Angeles Times offers advice to business leaders in light of the recent situations facing Martha Stewart and Michael Eisner.
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CBSMW: Disney's shares takes hit on rumor, terror (General) posted: 3/15/04
Shares of Walt Disney Co. took a hit Monday after a rumored increase in Comcast's hostile takeover bid failed to materialize and in the wake of the terrorist bombings in Spain that killed 201 people and wounded 1,500.
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BWOnline: Can Michael Eisner Hold the Fort? (General) posted: 3/15/04
Business Week takes a look at the continuing focus on Disney's CEO Michael Eisner.
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CitizenOnline: Mitchell back in the middle (General) posted: 3/15/04
The Citizen Online offers a brief overview of George Mitchell's career.
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HR: 'GMA' braves Janet Jackson concert (General) posted: 3/15/04
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Janet Jackson will perform on ABC's Good Morning America.
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Reuters: Disney's Mitchell Says Board to Watch Management (General) posted: 3/12/04
Reuters is reporting that the new Chairman of the Board of The Walt Disney Company, George Mitchell, that the company's board would help develop company strategy and planning for a successor to current CEO Michael Eisner's whose contract expires in 2006. Former Senator Mitchell spoke at a luncheon sponsored by the Georgetown University Law Center and said that the boards decisions would be validated by future performance.
Reuters is reporting that the new Chairman of the Board of The Walt Disney Company, George Mitchell, that the company's board would help develop company strategy and planning for a successor to current CEO Michael Eisner's whose contract expires in 2006. Former Senator Mitchell spoke at a luncheon sponsored by the Georgetown University Law Center and said that the boards decisions would be validated by future performance.
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Reuters: Campaign to Oust Disney's Eisner Mulls Next Move (General) posted: 3/12/04
Reuters is reporting that the SaveDisney.com team of Roy Disney and Stanley Gold are considering their next move after getting a 43% no-confidence vote in Michael Eisner at last weeks shareholder meeting. Roy Disney asked supports on Thursday to e-mail Michael Eisner and the board telling him to leave.
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Bloomberg: Judge Bars Testimony in Suit Against Disney (General) posted: 3/12/04
A Delaware Judge ruled that a corporate governance expert, Deborah A. DeMott could not testify that Disney directors did not properly oversee the hiring and firing of former Disney President Michael Ovitz. Mr. Ovitz received a $140 million severance package, after his 15 month stay with Disney, which sparked controversy.
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Reuters: Disney Plan to Sell Stores, Ducks Presses Forward (General) posted: 3/12/04
Reuters reports that Disney's plan to see the money losing Disney Stores and Might Ducks hockey club are going ahead after a delay due to the Comcast bid. The company plans to make an announcement on the future of The Disney Stores in May and is said to have one serious bidder for the North American stores and several for the European operation.
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Reuters: Disney Self-Destructing DVDs Rolling into Florida (General) posted: 3/12/04
Reuters is reporting that Buena Vista Home Entertainment is expanding the self-destructing EZ-DVDs in to new markets in April. Currently 7-11 and Papa Johns are carrying the EZ-DVDs, developed by Flexplay Technologies, and with the expansion more than 2,500 outlets will carry the disposable DVDs.
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BelfastTele: My Amazing Life as a Disney Skater (Movies,General) posted: 3/12/04
The Belfast Telegraph profiles American skater Anne Ramos who performs in the 100 Years of Magic, Disney on Ice show
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NYTimes: When Media Giants Get Bigger (General) posted: 3/11/04
The New York Times has an editorial about the consolidation in the media industry. This includes the Walt Disney Company which owns Disney, ABC, and ESPN.
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NYTimes: Disney Chairman's Role (General) posted: 3/11/04
The New York Times received a letter to the editor from Disney's Chairman of the Board George J. Mitchell commenting on the March 5, 2004 New York Times Story entitled, For a Diplomat, Task Is Quelling Disney's Unrest
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Fool: Disney disses Shareholders (General) posted: 3/11/04
The Motley Fool has a transcript from The Motley Fool Radio Show on NPR where David and Tom Gardner interviewed Kim Masters, author of The Keys to the Kingdom: How Michael Eisner Lost his Grip, regarding the recent shareholder vote and the company's reaction to it.
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OrlSent: SEC Proposal Draws Threat of Lawsuit (General) posted: 3/11/04
The Orlando Sentinel reports that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has threatened legal action against the SEC if it adopts a proposal to increase the power of shareholders in selecting board members. The proposal, brought attention by the recent Disney vote, would allow shareholders to put nominees for directors names on the ballots that are mailed to all shareholders.
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CNBC: Why Are Shareholders so Powerless? (General) posted: 3/11/04
CNBC's Jubak's Journal asks why after the protest vote at The Walt Disney Company's annual meeting virtually nothing changed. Jim Jubak also discuses why the vote could actually hinder change in Disney's board.
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SocialFunds.com: DIS Vote and CA Bill May Affect SEC Shareowner Director Nomination Rule (General) posted: 3/11/04
SocialFunds.com, an advocacy website dedicated to socially responsible investing, reports that the recent Disney vote and a bill in the California state legislature have a bearing on the proposed SEC rule that would allow shareholder director nominations. The proposed California state law goes further than the proposed SEC rule by not requiring a percentage of votes to be withheld or to wait a year after the no vote is cast.
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LATimes: Corporate Interests Widely Decry SEC's Plan on Proxy Reform (General) posted: 3/11/04
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Martin Lipton, a lawyer acquired by Disney to fend off a takeover, told the SEC on Wednesday that giving investors a bigger voice in board struggles would be a mistake. Three of the five SEC commissioners support the new regulations which indicate it will probably be approved.
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AP: Six Flags Hopes Sale Thrills Investors (General) posted: 3/11/04
Disney competitor Six Flags Inc. is selling Six Flags Worlds of Adventure in Ohio to the owners of Cedar Point, They are also selling seven of its eight European parks in a separate deal that together will bring in $345 million. This deal was announced after two straight years of attendance drops and after its debt has grown to $2.3 billion.
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DowJones: Eisner's Foes Keep Pressure on at Walt Disney (General) posted: 3/10/04
Dow Jones is reporting that even though the Walt Disney Company split the titles of CEO and Chairman of the Board, Roy Disney, CalPERS, and Comcast are still looking to replace him
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LATimes: Walt Disney's Daughter: Eisner Should Quit (General) posted: 3/10/04
Diane Disney Miller, in an interview with the L.A. Times says that it is time for Eisner to leave, but that her cousin's campaign to oust him was "ill-timed" and might result in a takeover. Diane does not own any stock, but her children, grandchildren, trusts, and foundation own about 2 million shares.
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BizJournals: Disney redrafting Eisner's contract (General) posted: 3/10/04
The Los Angeles Biz Journal is reporting that the Disney's Board of Directors is renegotiating Michael Eisner's contract so he can retain his $1 million salary after losing the title of chairman. Sources also say that the board wants to remove a clause that says he can leave if he loses the title of chairman, because the board is worried his departure could make the company vulnerable to a takeover.
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Fool.com: Disney on Ice (General) posted: 3/10/04
The Motley Fool offers its analysis on whether Disney is for sale or not. The discussion includes an analysis of whether the marriage of content and distribution can work.
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SMH: News Man not Going to Disney (General) posted: 3/10/04
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that News Corp's president and COO Peter Chernin is renegotiating his contract with News Corp. and would like to remain there. Mr. Chernin has often been mentioned as a possible successor to Michael Eisner
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NYTimes: Eisner Vote Forces Disney to Catch-Up (General) posted: 3/10/04
The New York Times offers analysis on Disney renegotiating Michael Eisner's contract.
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JHM: Enough with the "micro-managing" argument already!!! (General) posted: 3/10/04
Jim Hill says that it's high time that the "Save Disney" folks came up with another reason to criticize Michael Eisner. After all, if it's wrong when Disney's current CEO micro-manages ... wouldn't that mean that Walt was also wrong when he micro-managed Disney Studio affairs from 1928 - 1967?
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LATimes: Disney's Eisner E-Mails Upbeat Message to Staff (General) posted: 3/9/04
The L.A. Times is reporting that Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner sent an e-mail Monday to approximately 70,000 cast members and employees. He supported current management and tried to keep morale up after last weeks no-confidence vote in Michael Eisner at the annual shareholder meeting.
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LATimes: Eisner Comment on Disney Grave Site Raises Questions (General) posted: 3/9/04
The L.A.Times reports that Eisner's comments on Larry King Live regarding the difficulty of finding Walt Disney's grave are being called into question. He made those comments after a caller from Canada asked whether or not Walt Disney was frozen.
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Disney: Replay of Bob Iger's 3/9/04 presentation (General) posted: 3/9/04
Disney Investor relations is offering a replay of Bob Iger's presentation to the Bear Steams 17th Annual Media, Entertainment & Information Conference. The replay will be available until 5:00 pm.PST on March 16, 2004
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AP: Comcast Says Disney Not a 'Must-Have' (General) posted: 3/9/04
The Associated Press is reporting that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has said that acquiring Disney is not a necessity. This is in contrast to AT&T Broadband which Roberts said was a must-have. Roberts did say that the proposed acquisition would create value at both companies.
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Variety: Comcast gives Disney a digital dig (General) posted: 3/9/04
Brian Roberts sent a message to Disney at media investors conference that technology is going to transform Disney's business. He said, "Join us now or the revolution may overwhelm you, even if our financial proposal hasn't. "
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NYPost: Disney Insiders Expect Iger-Cide: Will Prez Resign? (General) posted: 3/9/04
The New York Post is reporting that Disney insiders say that President and COO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, may be scape-goated by CEO Michael Eisner.
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OrlSent: Disney president thinks Comcast will try again (General) posted: 3/9/04
Disney's President and COO, Bob Iger, spoke to an investors conference today where he predicted that Comcast would come back with a more lucrative offer. He said he could envision the marriage between a content company and a distribution company but said that the relationship was not essential. Yesterday, at the same conference, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said he would not return with a higher offer.
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Newsweek: The Magic is Gone (General) posted: 3/9/04
In the March 15th issue of Newsweek there is a report focusing on why there was a shareholder revolt in Philadelphia. The article examines factors, including Michael Eisner's focus on marketing that may have led to shareholder disapproval
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Newsweek: Will He Survive? (General) posted: 3/9/04
Newsweek examines the likelihood of whether or not Walt Disney Company CEO will survive the vote of no-confidence he received in Philadelphia.
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LATimes: Museum will animate Alex Theatre (Movies,General) posted: 3/9/04
In November, the Alex Theatre will host a three-day animation festival organized by the executive committee of the Animation Bank museum which is expected to open in 2006. The museum is dedicated to the history of animation.
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CBS: Letterman's Top Ten Contest: Top Ten Ways Disney Is Improving Its Image (General) posted: 3/9/04
Try your hand at the comedy-writing craft in our weekly Top Ten Contest. If your joke makes our Top Ten, you'll win a high-tech LATE SHOW Mousepad. This week's topic is: Top Ten Ways Disney Is Improving Its Image.
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LATimes: Disney Remains Eisner's Kingdom (General) posted: 3/8/04
A March 8th Los Angeles Times columns focuses on Eisner's survival as the CEO of the Disney Company suggesting to readers that for "the next year, every development at Disney will be viewed through the prism of Eisner's fate."
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NYTimes: ABC Under Disney: Kingdom, Yes. Magic, No. (General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 8th New York Times reports ABC was the first network offered the breakout hit The Apprentice but producer Mark Burnett took the show to NBC when the alphabet network made efforts to force down the price in negotiations.
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CNNMoney: Disney board to ponder Eisner's future (General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 8th CNN/Money reports Disney's oard of directors will gather next month at a two-day strategy session to possibly discuss the long-term succession of current CEO Michael Eisner. The Disney Company is denying that Eisner's future is on the agenda.
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PhillyInq: Sequel to Eisner panned (General) posted: 3/8/04
The Philadelphia Inquirer suggests Disney Board of Directors "wiped out much" of their growing credibility in their efforts to develop more independence by declaring the night following the unprecendented vote against Eisner that "The board has unanimously elected former Sen. George Mitchell to serve [as chairman]."
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SaveDisneyEssay: It's Not Enough...and It Isn't Over (General) posted: 3/8/04
Our message to the board is simple, clear, and exactly the same as it was last week: You hold the company in trust for us and you have failed. You hold the parks, the movies, and the magic in trust for all the World, and you have failed. What you have done isn't enough, and our fight isn't over.
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LATimes: Anxiety Reigns at Disney (General) posted: 3/8/04
The Los Angeles Times describes the anxiety among Disney employees following last week's vote against Eisner and the ongoing takeover bid by ComCast.
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OrlSen: Disney's brand is potential gold mine (General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 8th Orlando Sentinel offers analysts view that the Disney Company's gilded history and its various household names are immeasurable assets,
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PhillyInq: Stockholders don't share fairy-tale (General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 7th Philadelphia Inquirer discusses the difficulties facing shareholders who wish to oust board members under the current SEC structure.
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LATimes: Animated Shareholders (General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 6th Los Angeles Times discusses the "embarrassing comeuppance for longtime Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Eisner."
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LATimes: SEC Split on Aiding Investor Challenges (General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 8th Los Angeles Times reports the Disney Company shareholders vote has "increased pressure on the Securities and Exchange Commission to move ahead with a plan to give investors a louder voice in elections throughout corporate America."
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DowJones: Comcast CEO Stands Behind Original Disney Offer (General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 8th Dow Jones reports Comcast CEO Brian Roberts once again stated they will not raise their bid for the Disney Company.
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OrlSen: Eisner's ability to lead doubted (General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 7th Orlando Sentinel reports an analyst view that shareholders "have really cut his knees out from under him."
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TIME: One Ear Down (General) posted: 3/8/04
TIME reports about two weeks prior to the vote, Disney contacted the ISS to determine if it would change its no-confidence recommendation if the board split the Chairman, CEO roles. ISS said it didn't even entertain the idea.
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LATimes: Piracy Fears Limit Film Downloads (Movies,General) posted: 3/8/04
The March 7th Los Angeles Times talks about studio-backed Movielink, which allows people to download movies and view them at home.
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NYPost: It's Round Two (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th New York Post reports if enough investors join a "written consent" lobbying group, Disney Co. would be required to call another gathering and adds that CalPERS, the NY state pension system and Roy Disney have started panning a written consent campaign.
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PhillyInq: Message to Disney board: Eisner Goes (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Philadelphia Inquirer explains shareholders disgust may not be as attached to the share prices as to the perceived deterioration of the value of the Company's characters and the "kinship" felt with them.
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LATimes: Corporate Version of a Recall Is Difficult, Costly and Rare (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Los Angeles Times discusses corporate life's version of the recall.
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LPWire: Westly Calls for Shareholder Committee to Monitor Disney Reforms (General) posted: 3/5/04
Recognizing that shareholder concerns extend beyond Eisner's leadership, State Controller Steve Westly proposed establishing an Ad Hoc Shareholder Committee to monitor progress by the Disney Board of Directors, reforming audit and compensation policies and practices, and separating the roles of Board Chair and CEO.
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SaveDisney: A Personal Note From Roy Disney (General) posted: 3/5/04
Roy Disney begins the note stating, "I want to let all of you know how very grateful I am to you for all your support leading up to the Walt Disney Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Philadelphia." He concludes by inviting readers to "stay with us here at savedisney.com. We'll keep you informed and make sure you know how you can help again when the time is right."
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OrlSen: Eisner blames corporate governing, an interview with Disney's CEO (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Orlando Sentinel sat down with Michael Eisner for an interview with the paper. They describe him as "confident and unapologetic" but highlight changes from his "Nightline" interview.
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USAToday: Disney fails to appease critics (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th USA Today offers reponses by the various state funds that withheld votes from Eisner, to the decision to place George Mitchell as Chairman and leave Michael Eisner as CEO.
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BWOnline: Now It's Time to Say Goodbye (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 15th Business Week Online offers three steps the Disney Board should take to restore investor confidence: Find a Successor - Fast, Continue the Board Shakeup, and Take Comcast Seriously.
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BWOnline: Eisner: Richer Than Scrooge McDuck (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Business Week reports Michael Eisner will leave Disney a well-compensated man, all told, between now and 2011, he could bag around $375 million.
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NYTimes: For a Diplomat, Task Is Quelling Disney's Unrest (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th New York Times reports George J Mitchell who has little business experience, sees his main job in his new role as Disney Chairman as negotiator among the factions of unhappy investors.
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OCReg: George Mitchell profile (General) posted: 3/5/04
The Orange County Register offers a brief profile of Disney's new chairman former Senator George Mitchell.
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NYTimes Op-Ed: If You Don't Like the Ride, Get Off (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th New York Times op-ed encourages digruntled shareholders to exercise their ultimate right, the right to sell their stock.
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LATimes: Investors See Reason to Keep Holding (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Los Angeles Times reports Disney investors continue to hold their shares despite growing anger at Disney's Board.
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PhillyInq: Upheaval at Disney (General) posted: 3/5/04
The Philadelphia Inquirer discusses the collection of strange bedfellows the "no-confidence" vote has united.
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OrlSen: Dissidents blast new chairman (General) posted: 3/5/04
The Orlando Sentinel reports George Mitchell's appointment to chairman of Disney's Board has received a lot of criticism.
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OCReg: The fall of Eisner falls partly on Eisner (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Orange County Register reports the shareholder revolt comes after a year-long rebound of Disney Company stock.
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AP: Eisner focus may mask bigger Disney issue (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Associated Press discusses Disney's frustration that the focus of Disney's shareholders on ousting Eisner clouded the news of the company's growth.
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Philly: Comcast bid may shield Eisner (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Philadelphia Inquirer reports some analysts view that Comcast's bid was a factor in keeping Eisner at CEO while stripping him of the chairman title.
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TheStreet: The Five Dumbest Things on Wall Street This Week (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th TheStreet.com discusses Disney's decision to place former Senator George Mitchell in the Chairman position. He received a 24% withhold vote on Wednesday.
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OCReg: Direction in doubt (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 5th Orange County Register reports Disney shareholders are not satisfied by Disney's move splitting the Chairman and CEO positions and continue their campaign for major changes within the Disney Board.
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HR: Tollin / Robbins Heads to Disney (General) posted: 3/5/04
According to the March 5th Hollywood Reporter, Tollin/Robbins Prods. has signed a multiyear first-look feature film deal with Walt Disney Studios, expanding its relationship with the company.
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WashTimes: Disney voters' intent vague (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 4th Washington Times offers the analysis of Richard Greenfield, an analyst at Fulcrum Global Partners who stated, "Disney is not a broken company.P
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Newsweek: A Desperation Move for Disney? (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 4th Newsweek asks Nell Minow, editor of the Corporate Library, an investment research firm, whether Disney's new leadership structure will mean real change.
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LATimes: Disney's Corporate Drama Turns Into a Blockbuster (General) posted: 3/5/04
The March 4th Los Angeles Times reports Disney's shareholder meeting drew long lines and offered anger, whimsy -- and even some quips from the headliner, Eisner.
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FabDISBabe: Behind the Scenes at Michelle Smith's Deborah Norville Taping (General) posted: 3/5/04
Fab takes readers behind the scene when she films a segment for the popular MSNBC show.
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HR: ESPN leads Sports Emmys (General) posted: 3/5/04
According to the March 5th Hollywood Reporter, ESPN has earned 26 nominations at the 25th annual Sports Emmy Awards.
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CBSMW: Investors wonder: What's changed at Disney? (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th CBS Marketwatch reports investors were left wondering Thursday whether any meaningful change has taken place now that the Walt Disney Co. board gave Michael Eisner's chairmanship to George Mitchell.
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LPWire: Disney and Gold Call Action By DIS Co Board A Blatant Rejection of Shareholder Will (General) posted: 3/4/04
Roy Disney and Stanley Gold today called the decision by The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors naming George Mitchell as Chairman, while allowing Michael Eisner to remain CEO, "a blatant rejection of shareholder will, a betrayal of trust and a significant step backwards for substantive governance reform in America's capital markets."
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USAToday: Disney strips chairmanship from Eisner (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 3rd USA Today offers a synopsis of yesterday's outcome at the Disney Shareholders meeting.
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NYTimes: Eisner Out as Disney Chairman but Remains as Chief (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th New York Times calls the move to appoint George J Mitchell as Disney's Chairman could further stoke the campaign against Mr. Eisner.
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CBSMW: TIAA-CREF says withheld support of Disney board (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th CBSMarketWatch reports pension giant TIAA-CREF withheld reelection support from the entire Disney board.
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CBSMW: NY's Hevesi says a vote a "wake-up call" to Disney (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 3rd CBS MarketWatch offers New York Comptroller Alan Hevesi's response to the vote against Eisner's reelection.
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NYTimes: Corporate Democracy and the Power to Embarrass (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th New York Times reports "in corportate democracy where competing candidates almost never get onto ballots for director, it is deemed embarrassing to have even 5 percent of the votes withheld. By that standard, Mr. Eisner suffered a great humiliation..."
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CBSMW: Disney shareholders not likely to be mollified (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th CBS MarketWatch reports Disney's decision to split the positions of chairman and chief executive, reducing the role of Michael Eisner, doesn't go far enough to satisfy disgruntled shareholders, who will likely demand -- and get -- further changes, analysts said Thursday.
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Forbes.com: Off With Half His Head (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th Forbes calls Disney's response of splitting the Chairman and CEO positions to the shareholder vote "amazingly half-hearted"
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DowJones: Mitchell A 'Stop Gap' At Disney (General) posted: 3/4/04
Peter Mirsky, media analyst with Oppenheimer during an appearance on CNBC stated, "No disrespect to Senator Mitchell; he's obviously very accomplished, but he does not have a track record on Wall Street. I think the Street would like them to put in someone who is highly respected on the Street for having had run a business."
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PhillyInq: Disney strips Eisner of chairman's role (General) posted: 3/4/04
The Philadelphia Inquirer discusses yesterday's events including financial experts opinions of the Chairman - CEO split.
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TheStreet: Disney Foes Still Gunning for Eisner (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th TheStreet.com describes Michael Eisner as "firmly on the defensive" following the shareholders vote.
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AP: Disney, dissidents puzzled after meeting (General) posted: 3/4/04
The Associated Press explores the results of yesterday's contentious shareholders' meeting.
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Reuters: Gates Swats Disney Rumors (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th Reuters reports Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has stated he will be a part of the Comcast bid.
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AFP: HK Disney says Eisner upheaval won't affect theme (OD,General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 5th Agence France Presse reports Hong Kong Disneyland doesn't anticipate the turmoil at the top of the Disney Company to affect their opening in 2005.
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OrlSen: Big decision for shareholders (General) posted: 3/4/04
The Orlando Sentinel focuses on the process Harry Gensemer, age 10 took in deciding on how to vote.
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OrlSen: Back in 1993, shareholders idolized Eisner (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th Orlando Sentinel highlights the atmosphere at this year's shareholders meeting in Philadelphia and contrasts it with the 1993 meeting held in Anaheim.
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OrlSen: Disney execs give selves a positive report card (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th Orlando Sentinel offers highlights from the presentations given to shareholders at yesterday's meeting.
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Fool: Notes From the Disney Shareholders Mtg (General) posted: 3/4/04
The March 4th Fool.com offers highlights from the Disney Company's shareholders mtg.