Unsurprisingly, speculation is rampant over Steve Jobs' future.
... [A]s soon as Apple announced on Jan. 14 that CEO Steve Jobs was taking a medical leave of absence through June, speculation about Jobs' condition and the future of [Apple] began appearing—from screeds against the company for allegedly not being up-front about the seriousness of Jobs' health to speculation that Jobs has had a recurrence of cancer and is dying.
I've got no idea what Mr. Jobs' prognosis is, and given his long habit of keeping information tucked tightly under his arm, I doubt anybody will know until he's ready to say something ... or forces beyond his control make that decision for him.
There will be a sizable impact at Apple and Disney if the man never comes back to work.
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He's already come out about what it is, unless something new was diagnosed since 10 days ago? Turns out its some hormonal imbalance that restricts his nutrient absorption
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/05/steve-jobs-missing-macworld-due-to-health/
More has come out.
Seems to be more than a hormone problem.
I hope steve will be back soon ! Apple needs him !
"There will be a sizable impact at Apple and Disney if the man never comes back to work."
Yeah, how will I ever get my shots done without Steve? And how will John Lasseter know what makes an audience happy without the be-turtle-necked one?
All snark aside, to think that the ill health of someone who is Disney's major shareholder, a Disney board member, part of a six-person animation steering committee, and the 'benevolent benefactor' of Pixar will have no effect on Disney/Pixar animation is plain silly.
Here's a nice description of the kind of pancreatic cancer Jobs had (it's not the usual andenocarcinoma that is rapidly fatal) and what might be behind his recent health problems:
Fortune Article.
First off Jobs is not involved in the day to day stuff of Disney or Pixar so his health is not going to affect them.
Apple is his baby.
From an investor point of view if you own apple stock or are considering in purchasing Apple stock you will need to assume that he is not coming back. I am not wishing him ill will I hope he recovers from whatever his true illness is. But all of you need to assume that he is not coming back and if he does its a bonus. Apple has a deep bench of very qualified folks.
With that said all companies need to have plans for succession. Its reality.
Well see if I am wrong but I don't think he is going to return to Apple in the same capacity. I think he will just be a senior adviser to the company.
Roy Disney wasn't involved in the day-to-day stuff at Disney when Eisner and Katzenberg came in, yet imagine what might have happened if he hadn't been around.
That said, you're correct about everything else, though I'd suggest that despite Apple's likely deep bench, Jobs has been so utterly dominant as leader that for them to develop a succession plan now, under the gun, is scary.
Roy Disney wasn't involved in the day-to-day stuff at Disney when Eisner and Katzenberg came in, yet imagine what might have happened if he hadn't been around.
Once again Jobs not being around isn't going to effect Pixar or Disney.
Do you really think that Bob Eiger is incapable of running Disney without Steve. Do you think Ed and John really need Steve to make movies. No they don't...
As far as Roy Disney he has been an absent father. He has not been seriously involved. He has reared his ugly head when he did'nt like Eisner with Savedisney but where has he been otherwise.
I think its facinating that there is no other Disney namesake who has taken any iterest in the company over the years.
Your ignorance of Roy Disney's intervention on behalf of the animation division in the early days of the Eisner regime is clear. As for his second major intervention (the 'SaveDisney' part), it's interesting you refer to him rearing his 'ugly head.' Guess you thought Eisner was doing things right.
And we can't escape the reality that Pixar as we know it has always had Jobs as a protector/benefactor. You can predict that his absence will have zero effect, but that's all it is -- a prediction.
Hey, this just in:
"Bob Iger's $30.6M Compensation Package
It's just out in the Walt Disney Co's 2008 proxy statement. The CEO received $13.95 million in salary and bonus. Actually the figure is $30.6 million with all the bells and whistles, up 11% from 2007. And what’s up with that $645,368 for security? All in all, Bob Iger didn’t do too badly in a year when Disney stock fell 14%. Once again, the moguls do well while the shareholders get screwed."
No wonder they had to lay off animators and lower people's hourly rates -- gotta find that $31 million somewhere.
""Bob Iger's $30.6M Compensation Package
It's just out in the Walt Disney Co's 2008 proxy statement. The CEO received $13.95 million in salary and bonus. Actually the figure is $30.6 million with all the bells and whistles, up 11% from 2007."
"No wonder they had to lay off animators and lower people's hourly rates -- gotta find that $31 million somewhere."
And they wonder why we're all bitter and cynical ?
Artists at Disney (the lucky ones not laid-off) are expected to take a mandatory 45 hour work week for 40 hours of pay (meaning in effect a pay cut) to "help keep the company afloat" , but the CEO gets an annual salary and bonuses amounting to $30.6 million ?
So where's the "belt-tightening" ? Where's the "gosh, this bad economy requires us all to sacrifice, c'mon now let's all pull together on this." ?
*puts on devil's advocate hat*
Because animators are easy to find, CEO's are not.
*takes off devil's advocate hat*
I got laid off from Disney this year, and it sucked.
hmmmmm ignorance of Roy Disney's intervention....
lets see now...in the 80's during the turbulent times with son in law Ron Miller Roy E. DID become re-involved with Feature Anim to revitalize that division that went into the crapper. However his involvement has become less involved starting in the late 90s. During the savedisney days he was obviously visable and vocal but as an opponent to Eisner not helping to shape feature animation.
Presently he serves as a consultant for the company and Director Emeritus for the Board of Directors. I don't know what the hell that means in terms of how "involved" he is but he hasn't exactly been consistent in his involvement in RECENT years.
Now if someone wants to state EXACTLY how much involvement he has
has in recent years I am sure we would all like to know.
If you want to call what I said a prediction then so be it. Steve isn't as involved with Pixar as you fanboys think. Apple is his baby. Pixar is John and Ed's baby.
We will see in the next couple of months if Jobs does come back to Apple in the same capacity or as an advisor.
I wonder what Pixar's succession plans are...
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