Advertisement

Bob Iger’s Mickey Mouse story

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

DISNEY D23 EXPO

Turns out, Bob Iger isn’t just some guy running a Mickey Mouse operation. He, too, is a fan.

The president and chief executive Walt Disney Co. said he used his opening remarks the D23 Expo -- the first convention devoted to its most ardent fans -- to make a connection with the faithful.

Advertisement

‘I’m sure many of you remember those early years in your life, and those very first, very fond memories of Disney. I’m no different,’ Iger told a crowd of 4,000. ‘As a kid in New York, I sat on the living room floor, closer than my mom wanted to the living room TV, enthralled by ‘The Mickey Mouse Club.’ Then, there was ‘Davy Crockett’ ... He was my hero. I idolized him.’

Iger wore his affection for the company on his sleeve -- well, almost.

At a news conference, Iger showed off a 1930s era Mickey Mouse watch made by the Ingersoll Waterbury Clock Co. He bought the timepiece in New York City to commemorate Disney’s 1995 acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC television network and station group, where Iger was president and chief operating officer.

‘There was this watch in the window, and I said, ‘Now, I’m a Disney cast member,’ joked Iger, who paid $1,100 for the collector’s item.

Mickey Mouse is credited with rescuing the Ingersoll company, which was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. According toLinda Rosenkrantz of creators.com, the company sold 11,000 watches in a single day at Macy’s.

Iger sports his vintage wrist-wear (with classic Mickey on its face, arms moving to show the hour and minute) for special occasions, like Disney annual meetings.

-- Dawn Chmielewski

RECENT AND RELATED

D23 may be the start of something special

Advertisement

ELSEWHERE: The sign-up page for D23

Meet the cast: Tim Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’

EXCLUSIVE: Tim Burton explains his darker ‘Alice’

Lost’ Mickey Mouse cartoon from the 1950s will be screened

Disney and Marvel: What will it mean?

Pinocchio and wishing on a 70-year-old star

Advertisement

CREDIT: Robert Iger speaks at a news conference on the opening day of the D23 Expo in Anaheim. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon

Advertisement