...Q2 :Provide the details about the sale of Pixar to Disney – again, who got what? How well did the talent of Pixar do in the sale – Lasseter, Stanton, Bird, Catmull, etc? How well did Steve Jobs do? What was his return on investment? There were articles about this in the press. Timeline * 1975, Ed Catmull put together a team of people who formed the basis of Pixar. * 1979 hired by director George W. Lucas and developed as a graphics division for Lucas Films * 1985, Catmull turned to Steve Jobs with the view to making full length feature films using computer animation. * 1986, Steve Jobs bought Computer Graphics Division from George Lucas for $5 million and renamed it Pixar. * 1991, Disney entered into an agreement with Pixar for developing and producing three computer animated feature films * 1997 - a co-production agreement signed, under which Pixar agreed to produce five original computer-animated feature films * 2004, amid reports that the relationship between Pixar CEO Steve Jobs and his counterpart Michael Eisner had broken down, potentially threatening contract renewal negotiations, Disney resolved to replace Eisner with Robert Iger in an effort to preserve the relationship - A clear indication that Disney valued Pixar’s contributions. * In 2006, Disney bought Pixar for $7.4 billion. Key points * Unique advantage Pixar has over other studios is its three proprietary (patented)technologies: RenderMan, Marionette, and Ringmaster...
Words: 566 - Pages: 3
...Week 5 case studies According to the needs theory, individuals have three types of needs resulting from their life experiences. These are the need for achievement, need for affiliation, and the need for power. Since purchasing Pixar, from Lucas Films, Steve Jobs invested nearly $60 million to keep the company afloat before they began seeing success. When Jobs purchased the company for $5 million, he was seeking a new technology venture similar to Apple. His individual needs aligned with Pixar’s company culture, as both Jobs and Pixar are regarded as some of the most innovative companies/public figures ever to live. Jobs’ was able to innovate Pixar’s business model of selling rendering computers to producing films and selling animation softwares. Jobs’ personally holds a high standard for the need for achievement. Fresh off of leaving Apple, Jobs was looking for another company to bring into the limelight and wouldn't settle for anything else. Steve Jobs was able to recognize the potential for demand for computer graphic generating companies and refused to sell out too early. Although the technologies may not have been originally there for Pixar to achieve financial success, Jobs’ never failed to invest time and money into the building and development of Pixar. Along with his high standard of need for achievement, Jobs’ places a large emphasis on the need for affiliation throughout his company. He feels it is important for everyone to get alone well and contribute at...
Words: 679 - Pages: 3
...HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY S.Y. 2012-2013 YORGBEV PIXAR MAGIC CASE STUDY Submitted to : I. Viewpoint II. Significant Case Facts * Robert Iger, Walt Disney Co. new CEO, first task was to acquire Pixar Animation Studios. * Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio that brought us Mickey Mouse and The Lion King, had become moribund over the past decade because of Pixar’s award-winning productions. * John Lasseter, now the Chief Creative Officer of both Pixar and Disney Animation Studios, explained that from the very beginning, they had to get the best people from the computer science world and from the artistic film making animation world and get them working together. * In this case, Pixar also stated how they enabled people to work together in several ways; First, is the company relies on long-term employment rather than short-term project contracts. Second, Pixar’s campus in Emeryville, California, was designed to cluster people into teams yet also encourage chance encounters with people from other projects. And third, Pixar’s egalitarian, no-nonsense, perfectionist culture is another reason the animation studio’s staff work effectively. III. Problems / Questions 1. Explain Pixar’s effectiveness as an organization using any two perspectives of organization effectiveness. 2. Scanning through the chapter titles of this book, which topics seem to dominate Pixar’s organization practices? Why would these practices be emphasized...
Words: 1283 - Pages: 6
...concur with this statement. Assuming that this holds true for the majority of people, employers and employees alike, we have to ask ourselves whether material success is enough? Can a company retain its proficient and conscientious employees by offering them mere monetary incentives? Can human resources be stirred or inspired to achieve for the organization by something as ephemeral as money? The history and present of the business world will answer with a resounding “NO”. In that case, what is the formula, in a system driven by human beings, whose minds are swayed by objects, emotions and thoughts, to create a harmonious organization, which endeavors for excellence together? Pixar appears to be one of the rare organizations whose methods resolve this question. They have managed to attain a global reputation for their employees’ satisfaction and assiduousness. This report delves into some of Pixar’s secrets of creating an environment that is incalculably favorable to innovation. It begins by introducing Pixar to the readers and advances to an analysis of some of the Pixar’s philosophies that have contributed to their success. The first theoretical analysis section begins with an evaluation from the perspective of employee empowerment. The report reveals the features of Pixar’s empowerment management and creativity practices and their contribution to Pixar’s success. It proceeds to assess Pixar’s productivity from the viewpoint of emotional intelligence, attitudes and behaviors. The...
Words: 2695 - Pages: 11
...The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Inc.: To Acquire or Not to Acquire? Executive Summary: 3D computer-generated (CG) models changed the way the animation industry worked. The traditional 2D animation used frames that were comprised of hand-drawn cels. These required skills of hundreds of people and it took a lot longer to make. On the other hand, 3D computergenerated required less people, films could be made much faster and at a fraction of competitor’s cost. If there was a change needed to be made to a character, 2D would need to change all its subsequent frames, but 3D had mathematical models to redraw each cel and mimic camera angles. Walt Disney is a company that had mastered the traditional 2D animation. Disney’s Feature Animation unit was known as an open, collaborative environment. Leadership relied on all employees to generate story ideas. “Some of the same features that observers credited for Disney Animations’ success – large staff, large budgets, and lots of time – were blamed for its demise” (pg. 2). In the late 1990s, Disney set up a lab to work on their first 3D CG film but it wasn’t as big of a success as their other movies. Because many staff members needed to be retrained for this new technology, movie releases were pushed back. Throughout this period, Disney relied on revenue and characters produced by a company who excelled in 3D CG animation, Pixar. Pixar used its own proprietary computer animation technology that generated incredibly lifelike 3D images and...
Words: 4467 - Pages: 18
...diversified multinational company that is headquartered at Walt Disney studio in Burbank California. In terms of revenue the company is largest in the world. The business was established by Disney brothers namely Walt and Roy Disney in the year 1923. The company was a leader in the animation industry before it diversified into other ventures. Pixar on the other hand was formed in 1979 by George Lucus and his recruit Ed Catmull. The company was renamed as Pixar when Steve Jobs acquired majority stake in the company in the year 1986. After the demise of Walt and Roy Disney the company lost the initial success that it had with animation films. It was in this time that a series of animation films that were produced by the company did not farewell at the box office and the company suffered losses. On the other hand Pixar’s computer division was also suffering string of losses and the company was about to go bankrupt. This led to the animation department of the company producing animated commercials for different companies. It was in this period that the company formed a relationship with Disney in which Disney would market the films made by Pixar. The generated profits would be shared in 50:50 proportions amongst...
Words: 1354 - Pages: 6
...any two of the four perspectives of organizational effectiveness presented in this chapter. Does this statement apply better to some perspectives than others? Why or why not? Case Study of Pixar Magic One of Robert Iger’s first first task as Walt Disney Co.’s new CEO was to acquire Pixar Animation Studios and put its leader, Ed Camull and John Lassiter, in charge of Disney’s own animation unit, Walt Disney Animation Studios. The studio that brought us Mickey Mouse and the Lion King had become moribund over the past decade, eclipsed by Pixar’s award-winning productions. Disney already had lucrative distribution rights to Pixar’s first five films, including any sequels, but Iger wanted something much more valuable: He wanted the practices that have made Pixar a powerhouse film maker, from Toy Story to Up. Pixar’s success is founded on the notion that companies depend on the quality of their employees and how well they collaborate with one another. “From the very beginning, we recognized we had to get the best people, technically, from the computer science world, and from the artistic filmmaking animation world, and get them working together,” explains John Lasseter, who is now chief creative officer of both Pixar and Disney Animation Studios. “That, right there, is probably the secret to Pixar.” Pixar enables people to work together in several ways. First, the company relies on long-term employment...
Words: 580 - Pages: 3
...Pixar Case Study 1. How does Pixar use strategic management? Strategic management consists of the analyses, decisions and actions an organization undertakes in order to create and sustain competitive advantage” (Dess, Lumpkin, Eisner, & McNamara, 2014). Strategic management focuses on the entire organization and is used by Pixar by putting their ideas to reality. They use strategic planning to create valuable products for their audience. Through computer animation and cooperation between employees in the organization Pixar creates unique characters and stories that relates with their audiences and it how they have created their competitive advantage. Pixar’s competitive advantages are their employees and technologies, which is how the company can compete and how they have reached success. Their vision, mission and strategic objectives are the foundation of the way they work, and they make decision based on their external and internal environment and then take action to create a story and characters that will be remembered. Pixar’s innovative ideas, decisions and actions have created their success. What they want is create quality stories that last with each generation. So they have used that idea to direct the organization towards overall goals and objectives. Pixar leaders/managers include their stakeholders in the decision making, which created a culture that shares knowledge and information. Their long term perspective to move the hearts and minds of family audiences...
Words: 961 - Pages: 4
...Running Head: Financing Alternatives Lester Electronics Financing Alternative Benchmarking for Bernard Lester University of Phoenix MBA – 540 Introduction In this paper will compare and contrast issues that various companies had experienced in past mergers to the issues presented in the Lester Electronic Scenario. The companies benchmarked are Disney-Pixar, Lucent-Alcatel, Monaco Coach Corporation, SMC Corporation, Infosmart-Cyber Merchants, Fidelity Bank of Nassau, Royal Bank of Canada, and AT&T. One of the issues presented in the scenario is that LEI was preparing to conduct a joint venture with Shang-wa when Transnational Electronics made an offer to acquire Shang-wa. The main issue is that if Shang-wa is acquired by TEC, the joint venture between Shang-wa and LEI will not be possible. LEI intends to remain as the company of choice but this might not be possible if TEC acquires Shang-wa. Some of the concepts that Team A will evaluate considering the LEI scenario issues are: capital management strategies to maximize shareholder wealth, economic exposure, the challenges of cross-border growth strategies, working capital management, and internal and external growth strategies, and cultural barriers, while identify the best financing alternative for the merger. Companies Benchmarked Alcatel-Lucent – Yolanda Smothers Alcatel-Lucent provides telecommunications...
Words: 5014 - Pages: 21
...Clara Machado Mrk333 Disney Case Study 1. Do a brief market opportunity analysis for Disney, identifying the major markets that Disney has expanded into Disney has grown tremendously in the past few years. They have taken advantage of such opportunities of expanding into, movies, merchandise, virtual gaming, theme parks, and websites. Not only have they expanded their goods and services but have reached out to a larger markets. They have reached out to girl and boy tweens. They released their first PG- 13 movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, this helped capture an older target market rather than only appealing to children. 2. How does Disney’s cross-platform franchising help create sustainable competitive advantage? Cross-platforming helps Disney reach larger markets while staying sustainable. They have such platforms in consumer products, theme parks, and record labels. When Disney has a successful franchise they tend to penetrate the market with it. For example they saw that such movies like Cars, Pirates, and Monsters Inc. did extremely well so they will make sequels. They have also added these characters to their theme parks. 3. Describe the marketing mix for one of Disney’s franchises. Pirates of the Caribbean was Disney’s first PG-13 rated film. This helped Disney finally reach a different target market. Pirates of the Caribbean appealed to older kids and even adults. This was the preliminary steps for promoting to the tween boy market, ages 6-14. Pirates...
Words: 350 - Pages: 2
...collecting marketing data through online focus groups, Internet surveys, and experiments. The marketing research process also involves collecting and secondary data. Secondary data involves re-checking internal and external secretarial and marketing procedures, such as sales invoices, warranty cards, and published material. Therefore, an efficient means for data collection will assist this process. As defined within Marketing Research, "scaling is the process of creating a continuum on which objects are located according to the amount of the measured characteristic they possess," (2007). Therefore, this paper will review how Disney Pixar employs secondary market research, and effective scaling processes for their organization. Secondary Market Research Pixar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Disney, has changed the way animated movies are made. Pixar has...
Words: 1742 - Pages: 7
...Walt Disney-Pixar Merger Brief Industry Analysis Because of the technology nowadays, one successful film can be distributed all over the world, which is in a form of motion pictures or DVD. Animation is one media that is spread all over the world; push it to be one of fastest growing industry. The demand for the animation is increasing from the emerging number of cables and satellite TV and the popularity of The Internet. In addition, in the past, the target market of the animation industry was just kids, but now, it expands market to cover all ages of customers. The companies can be range from a big company such as Walt Disney to an individual artist with a PC. The trend of the industry has changed from drawing and photographs, which is labor-intensive, to using computer technology in order to create the realistic and higher quality pictures. However, producing the animation is still labor intensive and take a long time, this push the cost of production to be high. Therefore, now we see the trend of outsourcing the production from North America to Asia Pacific area, which has a lower cost, high quality computer animation production, and lower cost. Walt Disney Company Overview Walt Disney is one of the leading companies in the world that provides entertainment experience since its founding in 1923. Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries and partner have four business segments, which are media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, and consumer...
Words: 2979 - Pages: 12
...Definition of organizational behavior -The study of the way people interact within groups. Normally this study is applied in an attempt to create more efficient business organizations. The central idea of the study of organizational behavior is that a scientific approach can be applied to the management of workers. Organizational behavior theories are used for human resource purposes to maximize the output from individual group members. what is/are organization -A social unit of people that is structured and managed to meet a need or to pursue collective goals. All organizations have a management structure that determines relationships between the different activities and the members, and subdivides and assigns roles, responsibilities, and authority to carry out different tasks. key features of organization Span of Control - the number of subordinates a manager can efficiently and effectively direct Concept: wider spans of management increase organizational efficiency Narrow Span Drawbacks: * expense of additional layers of management * increased complexity of vertical communication * encouragement of overly tight supervision and discouragement of employee autonomy Centralization - the degree to which decision making is concentrated at a single point in the organization Decentralization - decision making and authority are pushed down to those closest to "the action" * lower-level personnel provide input or are given the discretion...
Words: 692 - Pages: 3
...Pixar Animations MBA 615 Mickey Langford/Kimberly Horne Spring 2013 Mickey Langford Pixar Animations is our company of choice for this case study analysis. In 2006, Walt Disney acquired Pixar, but before we get to all of that, let us start at the beginning. Before Pixar, there was Lucas Films. George Lucas, of Lucas Films, decided in 1979 to upgrade their computer division (Animations, 2012). Lucas had a desire to see how far they could take computer graphics within the film industry. Lucas Films succeeded by creating Andre & Wally B., in 1984 (Animations, 2012). Andre & Wally B. - First Ever Pixar Short Movie - The Adventures of André and Wally B. [1984 HD] - YouTube, was the first ever computer-generated imagery short movie (Movies, 2009). This was the foundational establishment in the film industry that Steve Jobs was seeking. In 1986, Jobs purchased the Computer Division from Lucas Films and named it Pixar Animations Studios. Walt Disney and Pixar Animation agreed to do a number of films together, the first being Toy Story which was a huge success. The movie debut on November 22, 1995 grossed $192 million domestically and $362 million worldwide (Animations, 2012). Listed below is a table of the gross amounts that Disney/Pixar movies have made: Released | Movie Name | 1st Weekend | US Gross | Worldwide Gross | Budget | 11/22/1995 | Toy Story | $29,140,617 | $191,796,233 | $361,948,825 | $30,000,000 | 11/20/1998 | A Bug's Life | $291,121...
Words: 5910 - Pages: 24
...ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVOIR AND MANAGEMENT (205KM) CASE STUDY CHAPTER 10 CASE 10.1: ELECTROLUX CLEAN UP STUDENTS NAME : NUR FARAH ‘AIN BINTI ZULKIFLI STUDENTS ID : CVB110711837 SECTION : 2 LETURER’S NAME : MISS ABIDAH BTE SAAD QUESTION 1 How would you describe the conflict between Michael Eisner and the Weinstein brothers, two board members (Disney and Gold), and Steve Jobs? Was it functional or dysfunctional? ANSWER Functional conflict defined as a confrontation between groups that enhances and benefits the organization’s performance’ while dysfunctional conflict defined as any confrontation or interaction between groups that harms the organization or hinders the achievement or organizational goals. From our point of view, this case study’s conflict was mostly dysfunctional, though, with some degree of functional conflict. They were functional in that even though the conflicts existed between Eisner and the Weinstein brothers and with Steven Jobs, the company was successful despite these widely publicized issues. For example, Eisner did lead the company to 67th in the Fortune 500 ranks and to a value of $40 billion; with his actions in the early ‘80s, he turned the company around with several company acquisitions. Also, even though the conflicts were high profile in the media, Disney was still successful. As a conclusion, it can be said that a company will perform low either there are no or when there is too high conflict existed...
Words: 950 - Pages: 4
