Disney’s Mickey Mouse Politics Backfires

Disney finally admits its foray into politics & culture wars hurt its bottom line. But, does Goofy & Company realize the Mickey Mouse sin wasn’t in addressing the issues as it always did, BUT IN TAKING SIDES?

GW Professor Jonathan Turley was unforgiving in writing for The Hill that “Disney’s products are now viewed by many conservatives as empty virtue signaling … Disney appears to acknowledge that [economist Adam] Smith’s invisible hand is giving the ‘House of Mouse’ the middle finger. In a new corporate disclosure, Disney acknowledges that its controversial political & social agenda is costing the company & shareholders.” In that SEC filing, Disney alludes to its “offerings and products as well as our methods … do not achieve consumer acceptance. Further, consumers’ perceptions of our position on matters of public interest, including our efforts to achieve certain of our environmental and social goals, often differ widely & present risks to our reputations & brands.”

Yo, Donald (not Trump): Customers have never paid you to preach to them about … and win them over to … YOUR “social and environmental” goals. The genius of founder Walt was that he openly addressed issues of his day, many controversial, but he (and his teammates) did so in a balanced, even-handed manner that ultimately entertained as well as respected the audience’s intelligence to make up its own minds about things.

Davd Soul