Monday, November 09, 2009

More Rolling Heads

As Dick Cook goes, so goes his associate Mark Z.:

Mark Zoradi, president of the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group, has resigned effective immediately.

Zoradi oversaw the worldwide marketing and distribution for all Disney films, including Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Disneynature.

“Mark has done an outstanding job over his many years with the Studio," Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross said in a statement. "He’s a respected leader throughout the entertainment industry and we wish him the very best.”

Zoradi's is the latest domino to fall since Dick Cook's sudden ouster as Walt Disney Studios chairman on Sept. 18 ...

"We wish him the best." I'm sure they do. As long as it happens someplace else.

This is what happens in the unending game of Hollywood musical chairs. When house-cleaning begins, it continues until the Chief Executive Officer determines that everything is satisfactorily spic and span.

The Nikkster has Mr. Zoradi's parting statement here, written shortly before he walked the plank.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

One wonders how long Ed Catmull and John Lassiter will last under this Ross guy. He seems to be sweeping house of personell and projects in favour of those who will do his bidding.

Bory Orialis said...

The only one that can get rid of John Lasseter is Bob Iger, not Ross. John runs the animation department, it's not under the control of Walt Disney Pictures other than distribution. Lasseter and Catmull run it entirely by themselves and Rich Ross would run into a large brick wall were he to even attempt some form of power grab.

You don't have to worry about John and Ed.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't put anything by Ross. He's left quite a few bodies in his wake at DTV. He is not a very respected guy.

Anonymous said...

Ross have a say in John's world? I just don't think so. Hanna Montana High School Musical moron going fist to cuffs with a Pixar giant? Are you kidding me? It is just not going to happen.

Anonymous said...

Fist to cuffs?

Anonymous said...

Never say "never".

Anonymous said...

With Steve Jobs on the board, and as the largest single shareholder of the Disney Co., I don't think Lasseter or Catmull have anything at all to worry about from this Ross schmuck.

Anonymous said...

Concern trolls, rest easy.

Suppose Lassiter and Catmull did get ousted?

In five minutes they'd have a neo-Pixar set up and talent flocking to them.

Sammy's Got Shades said...

Who you callin' a Troll, you Lawn Gnome!

Anonymous said...

What you forget is that Ross has made the Disney company countless billions more than Lasseter.

That matters more.

Steve Hulett said...

You learn well, Grasshopper.

In the end, it is all about the Moolah.

Just ask Goldman Sachs.

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing the clock is ticking on Lasseter's control of Disney Animation. He has to hit a few out of the park or they will find a 'health' or 'needs to concentrate on Pixar' as reason to find a replacement.

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