Mouseconomics
January 21st, 2009 @ 7:08 pm |
Filed: Pomdering | Tags: ABC, Disney, economics, GE, NBC
I’m certainly no economist, in fact I got a D in my college economics course. But even I have a pretty clear view of what “Corporate America” can do to improve the situation in which we currently find ourselves.
For example, Disney just released it sent buyout offers to 600 park executives.
In a letter dated January 22, Disney told employees it needed to streamline its executive work force “at all levels” to reduce its cost structure.
Disney is sad because park attendance is down and is only rebounding because of deeply discounted Disney World stays. Do you know how much a one-day ticket costs? Seventy-five dollars ($75). That’s $300 for a family of four (adults older than 10). Perhaps if you didn’t have to sell a minor organ to enter the magical gates, more people could afford to visit Cinderella’s castle. Perhaps you would make more money if 1,000 people visit your park and paid $50 a day ($50,000) rather than 500 people at $75 ($37,500). I’m just sayin’. (I know there are additonal factors like increased workforce, blah blah, but seriously? Tell me there’s not a little corporate greed behind those admission prices.)
Furthermore, if Disney can do away with 600 executive-level positions, why did it have 600 executive-level positions in the first place? Could they have paid 600 people a more modest salary without a fancy title. (PS - Charlie Gibson, who works for ABC, part of the Disney Company, earns $8 million a year according to Wikipedia.)
On Friday night, as I sat in my sister’s hospital room, I had the pleasure of watching Brian Williams announce that GE, the parent company of NBC, laid off 1,000. Don’t get me wrong, I love Brian Williams; he works hard, reads well and was darn funny on SNL. But is he really worth $8 million a year (his 2007 salary according to IMDB)? Could they maybe cut his salary and save a few blue collar jobs? I would stop watching him just because he only makes $4 million, promise.
America’s enthusiastic about the new direction in which the government is moving. I hope that corporate America’s prepared to ride the same train (or atleast carpool. Let’s not get me started on American cars.).
January 21st, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
Well said!! I vote for you as Disney’s new corporate consultant
uncommonblondes last blog post..My first baby purchase!
January 21st, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
You think Brian William’s $8 mill is bad - I heard Mickey’s salary is $12 mil a year.
Narms last blog post..The O-bomb-a