Movies

Disney softens DEI efforts with Trump back in office

BBG News

Disney Company is modifying certain aspects of their internal policies focusing on diversity, fairness, and inclusion, which represents another step in their gradual adjustment regarding these initiatives.

According to a memo sent out on Tuesday by Burbank’s media and entertainment industry leader, Sonia Coleman (Chief Human Resources Officer), the company plans to switch from considering “diversity and inclusion” as a key factor in executive compensation, to instead focusing on “talent strategies.” This change was reported by The Times.

The adjustment pertains to the method employed for determining executive compensation; the company continues to uphold its dedication towards cultivating an environment where everyone feels included, as stated in the memo.

Companies outside the entertainment sector have also scaled down their efforts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, which gained significant attention during Donald Trump’s presidency. Since President Trump took office, retail giants like Target, Walmart, and Lowe’s have declared they will either discontinue or reduce the scope of their diversity initiatives. Most of these measures were implemented only a few years prior.

Disney’s updated evaluation of executive performance now takes into account how well they uphold company values, integrate diverse viewpoints for business growth, foster a productive work environment, and maintain a continuous talent pipeline to secure the organization’s long-term strength. This new factor complements existing performance benchmarks such as teamwork (synergy) and artistic vision and creativity.

Hollywood Inc.

Films similar to ‘The Apprentice’ faced difficulties with distribution while Donald Trump was campaigning. However, a documentary about Melania Trump has secured a deal with Amazon.

In a recent memo, Coleman stated that the proposed change follows Disney’s planned progression of their strategic structure to establish Disney as an exceptional workplace. This strategy, announced in December, aims to coordinate Disney’s actions with both its corporate objectives and core values.

The action is taken now because Disney has become less firm in its earlier public commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the company. Following George Floyd’s murder by police in Minneapolis last year, Disney promised substantial funds to organizations that support underrepresented groups, introduced more gender-neutral salutations at their theme parks, and started featuring openly LGBTQ+ characters in their films.

Since then, the company has faced criticism from notable conservative political figures, led by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who labeled the company as “woke” following Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek, expressing opposition to a state law limiting conversations in classrooms regarding gender identity.

However, it was around mid-2023 when Disney’s leading diversity executive, Latondra Newton, stepped down from her position after almost six years. Following this, the company seems to have scaled back its diversity and inclusion initiatives. For instance, a storyline about a transgender athlete in their Pixar series, “Win or Lose,” was abandoned under the reasoning that many parents prefer to approach such topics with their children according to their own pace and comfort.

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2025-02-12 01:32

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