Part 7/12:

Despite spending billions on content creation, Disney is seeing its intellectual property lose value. Merchandise sales, an important revenue stream, have declined for key franchises, indicating that brand damage and waning customer interest are taking their toll. This decline is compounded by the company's heavy investments in content that fails to attract audiences.

Leadership and Cultural Shift

A significant contributor to Disney’s downward spiral is its leadership. CEO Bob Iger, who returned to the helm in 2022, is often criticized for misjudgments and strategic missteps. Under his watch, Disney made significant moves toward prioritizing social and political issues, with a focus on diversity and inclusion—sometimes at the expense of storytelling and profitability.