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Here are some highlights from their discussion.
- Iger says social, global and mobile, plus cloud storage, makes for an exciting, interesting and challenging time for the media business.
- On Netflix: He says all of the new platforms offer big opportunities for Disney. While no question there are challenges for old business models, "they weren't going to remain the same anyway." He says they had been in low growth businesses that had not changed in a long time - the biggest change was the release of VHS tapes, and then DVDs. With TV, not much happened after the arrival of cable. So suddenly, the light bulb went off with the arrival of home video. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube. There is an entirely new opportunity to capitalize on the company's investment in content.
- VHS was mostly an add-on, Iger says. He says despite skeptics, it was new found money for the movie industry. Iger says he looks at the new platforms in the same way, as new opportunity to make money on TV and movie content. Over the long run, they are incremental opportunities. He says globally there will be 450 million smart devices to be sold this year - and they are all media players.
- Netflix is a good environment for our content to be accessible on, he says.
- On Disney offering their own video service: He says Disney is the only true global entertainment brand, and so has the ability to be a destination. He thinks they can deliver content through a proprietary site or platform; he says aspects of it are built. Disney.com is being rebuilt, a destination to learn about all things Disney, to consume Disney products directly. There will be subscription services, plus some advertising, and various ways of paying on pay-per-view or micro payment basis. Elements of it will be introduced within a year.
- On Apple iCloud, which is supposed to be introduced Monday: Iger says he is not part of the launch. He says if you have ability to have digital locker in the sky, with all media in one place, form content provider perspective, that is a step in the direction of a better user experience. He also says storage is one impediment to people buying things digitally. If you give people the ability to buy more because then can store more, that is fantastic.
- Iger says he has a special relationship with Steve Jobs, but Disney doesn't have a special relationship with Apple.
- He says he has a "tremendous open mind" on other platforms from Amazon, Microsoft and others.
- Iger thinks the tablet will revolutionize the entertainment business.
- On the movie business: it has become less forgiving. Less room for mediocrity. People do not feel they have to own a movie unless they really liked the movie. People have more competition for their time. Disney makes movies kids want to watch 50 or 60 times. That makes it more economical to own the physical DVD. But experience to going to digitally distributed motion picture on the big screen is unparalleled.
- On 3D: A lot of conclusions are being reached about a business that is relatively new. Too early to write 3D's epitaph. But the technology has to be used in smart ways. It has to be used on the right film and in the right way technologically and creatively. They are releasing Lion King in 3D in September. Gives them an excuse to bring it back to the big screen; it is more than a gimmick. The circle of life becomes the encircle of life.
- On the Shanghai Disneyland project: 300 million people live within a few hours. In Orlando, they are working to create more personalized experiences. More tailored for them. Technology will provide the ability to do things like reserving ride times before coming to the park. A component of what they will be doing is ID guests so they have a better experience.
- On the Playdom acquisition: He still views gaming as a growth opportunity; though he says they have made mistakes, with over-emphasis on console games. He says they wanted to be in social games for both original and derivative IP. Most Playdom content will be original content. They have a top 10 Facebook game called Gardens of Time.
- On social networking: there are 180 million people or so that are members of various Disney pages on Facebook. Includes Pixar. You can market to them carefully, and allow them to socialize with one another. Not going to create our own social network; but there is an opportunity for safe social environment. Not in highly advanced development; in highly advanced thinking.
- Favorite device: iPad 2.
