Prof G Markets: Robinhood’s Retirement Accounts and Disney’s Next Move — with Aswath Damodaran

Acquisitions

Scott Galloway predicts that Disney will make a significant acquisition in the first half of 2023, potentially targeting Roblox. He believes Bob Iger, recently returned as Disney's CEO, is poised to make bold moves to revitalize the company amidst challenges in the ad-supported media ecosystem. Galloway suggests that acquiring Roblox could allow Disney to expand its parks into the digital realm, creating a "Disneyverse" that taps into Roblox's vast user base of children under 18 1.

I think the idea of taking the parks and some of that imagination and joy and characters out to, or disperse it out to the Roblox community, if you will, would be an interesting idea.

--- Scott Galloway

Such a move would align with Disney's strategy of leveraging intellectual property and media for kids and families, potentially enhancing its market position 1.

   

Leadership

Aswath Damodaran discusses the leadership challenges at Disney, focusing on Bob Iger's return as CEO. He criticizes the Disney board for allowing Iger to extend his tenure, which left the company without a strong succession plan. Damodaran warns that this lack of leadership depth could lead to instability, as Iger may be pressured to stay longer than planned 2.

Iger set the stage for what we have today, which is a person ill-suited to run Disney, coming in as CEO and essentially over the next two years, managing to go to war with his own company on almost every dimension.

--- Aswath Damodaran

While Iger's return is celebrated, Damodaran highlights the long-term issue of finding a suitable successor to lead Disney into the future 2.