New inventions, drastic genre turnaround, and undermining rumours? What kind of rollercoaster has Disney just found itself on, and what does this mean for the company’s future?
Zi Jia (Jacey) Chen ∙ CBC News ∙ Posted: Apr 14, 2024 1:30 AM PST | Last Updated: Just Now
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige listening attentively to another executive member’s speech.
Cute, lively, and wholesome, Disney shows and movies were childhood highlights for so many children.
With its goal being to “entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling”, it is a continuously evolving platform and pushes out a wide array of content suitable for kids of all ages and backgrounds.
Boldly, they are beginning to make a transition from their typical animated and live-action movies and TV shows to newer content more suitable for the coming generations.
People are becoming increasingly reliant on technology, and Disney plays that fact meticulously to their advantage. It has partnered with the tech giant Meta to introduce a brand new virtual reality (VR) experience via the platform Oculus with the hopes of capturing the imagination of audiences in a completely immersive environment.
At the same time, Disney executives have been looking into launching new content on streaming platforms like Hulu mainly targeting Generation Alphas. Coming in September of 2024, Skibidi Dop Dop Magic brings to life the thrilling tale of a “toilet infection apocalypse” that afflicts both Disney and Marvel characters.
Although creative, public reception to the idea has been mixed; parents are concerned about its impact on children’s attention spans.
In addition, while Disney’s product innovation continues to rise, its negotiation efforts are falling. Influential potential clients like Apple are hesitating and a crippling blow could be dealt to the Walt Disney Company should negotiations fail. Some of the latest products to hit shelves include the environmentally-conscious “CCC — Climate Change Chia”, which includes iconic characters from various franchises like R2D2 and BB8 from Star Wars, or Groot from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It has been a big hit with fans and environmentalists alike, and a portion of the proceeds from Chia Pets will support climate change initiatives—a venture bolstered by a collaboration with the influential Mr. Beast.
Finally, Disney’s commitment to social responsibility remains clear through their new initiative, “Dis-knee hurts, but hearts are still tender”, says the slogan. The campaign oversees the donation of across the globe to facilitate performances for dementia patients in senior homes, seeking to provide comfort, nostalgia, and therapeutic benefits through music.
Unfortunately, not all news is positive. The company has recently come under scrutiny due to a controversial incident involving the sinking of a new cruise line. Details remain scarce, but further information is expected to be disclosed soon.
Through these varied initiatives, Disney continues to pave its legacy in today’s contemporary and remains steadfast in maintaining its mission statement, even if it faces the occasional backlash. The world watches on with curiosity and bated breath as Disney tests these new and possibly tumultuous waters… turbulent enough to sink a new cruise?
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*The author would like to note that writing specific portions of this article caused physical pain and politely asks for the time she spent staring at the screen in dumbfounded disbelief, back*