BUSMHR 4490 - How has Disney been successful for so long? What challenges have they faced and how have they responded?
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1940s: Post-War Challenges
World War II impeded Disney's ability to produce and distribute commercial films. As a result, they began the development of Disneyland -
1980s: Creative Crisis in a New Era
In this post-Walt Disney era, Disney's animation department was seen as outdated and lackluster. This led to major changes, sparking their 'Renaissance' which involved films such as "The Little Mermaid" (1989) and "The Lion King" (1994). -
2000s: Stagnation and Brand Dilution
Disney had grown stagnant in their creative abilities. New sequels were seen as damaging to the brand. As a result, Disney acquired Pixar leading to an infusion of creativity into the company. -
2010s: Adaption to the Digital Age
The rise of streaming services and decline of cable TV challenged Disney's traditional strategies. Disney then launched streaming service Disney+, leveraging its extensive content library and opening the door to new exclusives. -
2020s: COVID-19 Global Pandemic
During the pandemic, Disney had to deal with the closure of revenue-generating attractions such as theme-parks and traditional theatrical film releases. In response, the company focused even more on streaming services and took the necessary precautions/adjustments to adjust for the new global lifestyle.