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A report in the New York Times has stated that Roy had serious
differences of opinion with the chairman Michael Eisner about the
direction in which the company was moving and the way it is currently
being managed. He also asked for Eisner's resignation. The company's
board however did not support him. Prior to the announcement Roy
was also the chairman of the feature animation division.
In a letter written to Eisner, Roy said, "For whatever reason,
you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to
the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations
and activities to you. I find this intolerable. It is my sincere
belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me."
Another AP report suggested that Roy's decision could have been
in order to avoid the embarrassment of being forced off the board.
The board's governance and nominating committee decided not to recommend
him for another term because he is over the retirement age of 72.
While its theme park business was affected by an unfavourable economic
environment, the conglomerate's biggest area of worry is the state
of its broadcast station ABC. It has failed to challenge the other
networks namely CBS, NBC and Fox in the ratings war.
In addition in the animation department it has depended strongly
upon its partnership with Pixar. This has been responsible for films
like Finding Nemo. However the two companies part ways in
2005. Disney's own films like The Emperor's New Groove have
failed at the box office.
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