The Walt Disney Company and Pixar, Inc.: To Acquire or Not to Acquire?

Posted: 12 Aug 2009

See all articles by David J. Collis

David J. Collis

Harvard University - Business School (HBS)

Juan Alcacer

Harvard University - Strategy Unit

Mary Furey

Harvard Business School

Date Written: March 2, 2009

Abstract

Soon after Robert Iger took over as CEO of the Walt Disney Company in late 2005, he turned his attention toward Pixar, the animation studio with which Disney had worked since 1991 and was responsible for producing hits such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo. Disney's own animated film business had been in decline since Jeffrey Katzenberg left to establish rival studio Dreamworks and the business relied on revenue from its partnership with Pixar to maintain performance. With the Co-Production Agreement between the two studios coming to a close in 2006, Pixar was looking to negotiate better terms with another distribution partner. Could Disney risk losing them?

Suggested Citation

Collis, David J. and Alcacer, Juan and Furey, Mary, The Walt Disney Company and Pixar, Inc.: To Acquire or Not to Acquire? (March 2, 2009). HBS Case No. 709-462, Harvard Business School Strategy Unit, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1446711

David J. Collis (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Business School (HBS) ( email )

Soldiers Field Road
Morgan 270C
Boston, MA 02163
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Juan Alcacer

Harvard University - Strategy Unit ( email )

Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field Road
Boston, MA 02163
United States
617 495-6338 (Phone)
617 495-0355 (Fax)

Mary Furey

Harvard Business School ( email )

Soldiers Field Road
Morgan 270C
Boston, MA 02163
United States

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