Reid Hoffman – Disney’s Bob Iger

An acquisition shouldn’t be a fight to the death. No one knows this better than Bob Iger, executive chair and former CEO of the Walt Disney Company. In this special two-part episode, Iger takes us through how he supercharged the House of Mouse by acquiring Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox.

Acquisitions can be turned into ecosystems to build a global brand. Buying Pixar allowed Disney to establish a high-quality branded content ecosystem, preserving animation legacy and gaining a market advantage.

To build a successful global brand, it’s important to acquire companies while preserving their unique culture and talent. This can be achieved by creating an interconnected ecosystem that allows each company to thrive, similar to Disney’s “Circle of Life.

When merging with another company, it’s important to balance the strengths and weaknesses of both organizations while fostering a sense of camaraderie and respect for each other’s businesses.

Acquisitions require a collaborative approach where all employees understand their value. Don’t overlook the strengths and weaknesses of new talent, and have a clear vision as a leader to move the company forward.

Investing in recognizable brands, embracing technology, thinking globally, and finding alignment of goals with acquired companies can lead to greater consumer choice, emphasize quality and brand recognition, and allow for unique business cultures to thrive.

When acquiring a company, it’s important to respect its culture and set a social compact that preserves its success. However, unforeseen events can still impact the company’s future.

I was always looking for the next thing.

• In 2009, Disney bought Marvel to expand its reach and create more high-quality content. By providing resources for distribution and marketing, Disney has helped Marvel produce numerous successful movies, resulting in a significant increase in Disney share prices.
• The combination of different brands under Disney has allowed for unique identities to thrive while working towards a shared goal. The success of the MCU shows the power of creating cultural phenomena that leave a lasting impact.
• Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm was successful due to their respect for the brand and its fans and their strategic approach to the negotiation process. Respectful and strategic business practices can lead to major deal success.

I’m a big believer in the power of storytelling.