Bob Iger announced his departure from Disney at the end of 2021 but rejoined the company as CEO in November 2022. In a recent interview with Time, he confessed that his return to the post was inspired by Steve Jobs.
Source: Times
Bob Iger said in the interview that he had the idea of stepping down as Disney’s CEO in early 2020. Disney’s board of directors then appointed Bob Chapek to take over.
Bob Iger stepped down completely on Dec. 31, 2021, after continuing to serve as executive chairman of the board to help guide the company through the COVID-19 outbreak.
Just 11 months later, however, Disney’s Board of Directors removed Chapek and appointed Iger to serve as Disney’s CEO again in November 2022.
Iger has agreed to stay on as Disney CEO for 2 years, during which time he will help the company find a successor. One of his first tasks will be to refute the never-ending rumours of a Disney-Apple merger.
Iger admits in the interview that there are many differences between returning to Disney and Steve Jobs returning to Apple, but when he looks at the situation at Disney, he unconsciously thinks of Steve Jobs and admits that he was influenced to decide to return to Disney.
The translated part of Iger’s interview as follows:
The most important person who made me make the decision to return to Disney was Steve Jobs. I was fortunate to have close contact with him, and I have had in-depth conversations with him, constantly reflecting on his experience, which has benefited me greatly.