Being a strong leader is not easy and when done right, you can revolutionize a company. Let's take a page from a high level executive who was anointed to a superstar title in the movie industry. With this enormous opportunity so has come the challenges. Rich Ross is the Chairman of the Walt Disney Company and since he was promoted to this position in late 2009, he has shown a strong theme of leadership.
He has taken hold of a renowned and recognized brand and is doing what he does best, reinventing it. At Disney Channel as head of the network, he build mega powerhouse franchises such as "Hannah Montana," "That's So Raven" and "Wizards of Waverly Place."
I admire Rich Ross quite a bit. Years ago I worked with him first at Fox and then at Disney. He has always demonstrated a mix of fearlessness and innovation with a fierce look at the big picture and the bottom line. He is a master of taking one brand and repurposing it in different avenues such as film, online, merchandise, etc.
Surely taking over at Disney could not have been easy. Ross has moved around lots of people inside the company. He has cleaned house, while promoting some people and making non-traditional decisions. Ross focuses on the people - getting the right ones in place and jealously safeguarding star performers.
In the search for a new Chief Marketing Officer for Walt Disney Studios, Daily Variety states, "Ross had been adamant about hiring someone from outside Hollywood. He wanted someone with fresh ideas, especially an exec that knew how to effectively use digital platforms to attract younger ticket buyers. He also wanted an exec with experience in launching new consumer products."
Ross' recent non-traditional hire was today. He hired MT Carney as the new Chief Marketing Officer for Walt Disney Studios and she fits in perfectly with Ross' "think-different" approach. She will oversee a $400 million budget for marketing and distribution under Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone and has never handled the rollout or launch of any film, no less a major studio film.
Carney has been a successful executive who founded a media planning company that has been successful by steering away from traditional advertising. She doesn't have heaps of entertainment experience, however she does in the arena of launching new consumer products for companies such as like Coca-Cola, Unilever, Kimberly-Clark, Johnson & Johnson, Nokia and Nike.
What Ross' leadership demonstrates is that leading and running a business as we've done it will not work today. You can say "well it's the recession" that causes new thinking, however Ross shows that innovation and creativity must be the fabric of every leader. Making tough choices and tough decisions catapults an organization and shows employees, you too can make a powerful difference.
On a personal note...Thank you Rich for this lesson and for the bold moves you are making and for all you have taught me too.
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