Catz, who has been at the helm of Oracle for the past decade, Walt Disney Board After six years in the role, she has now stepped down from the media and entertainment giant. Announced yesterday.
The departure was amicable, with Disney CEO Robert Iger praising Catz for his “valuable insight that helped shape our long-term strategic plans amid a rapidly changing technology environment impacting our business.” Catz similarly thanked Iger and the management team and wished the company and its employees “every success in the future.”
But complicating its success is that Disney is a direct competitor to the company created by the Paramount-Skydance deal. New ParamountThe new Paramount will be led by Chairman and CEO David Ellison, who succeeds Oracle co-founder Lawrence Ellison as chairman and chief technology officer and who is Catz’s boss on Oracle’s board of directors. Ellison is also one of the world’s richest people, based on estimated net worth. Net worth: $172 billion and $6 billion invested His son’s acquisition of Paramount
While there’s nothing legally wrong with Mr. Catz serving on the board of directors of a rival company funded and run by the son of his boss or colleague, it might make things a little awkward in the Disney boardroom.
“Corporate directors are entrusted with confidential information,” said Jason Schlotzer, an assistant professor at Georgetown University and an expert on corporate governance. luck. “Directors are good at figuring out what they’ve learned in the boardroom that they can share elsewhere.”
As CEO, Catz also likely understands the importance of confidentiality, Schlotzer said.
“I believe Catz’s resignation is more of a cosmetic issue than anything else,” he said. “It may help Disney’s board members maintain some confidence as they have sensitive conversations about the changing media industry.”
Oracle did not respond to a request for comment.
There’s also the combination of major talent from Skydance and Disney. Skydance’s John Lasseter is head of animation.Former Chief Creative Officer of Disney. Director Lasseter Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, car, and Cars 2 executive producer Finding Nemo, Wallyand many others. He He left Disney in 2018. Following news reports about his behavior in the workplace and #MeToo complaints, next yearwhere he has led Skydance and produced films such as: luck and charmed and Untitled Jack and the Beanstalk project Getting ready for next year.
