Disney 'Aggressively Pursuing' Gambling in the Clubhouse – The Epoch Times

News Analysis Disney is in the midst of an identity-crises that could shape the future of the company and the worldwide media landscape for decades to come. Bob Chapek, the CEO of Walt Disney Co., recently announced that it is “aggressively” looking to enter the sports gambling business. In the company’s fourth quarter earnings call on Nov. 1o, Chapek said, “as we follow the consumer, we necessarily have to seriously consider getting into gambling in bigger way.” Chapek believes ESPN would be a “perfect platform” for this new venture. “We have done substantial research in terms of the impact to, not only the ESPN brand, but the Disney brand in terms of consumers’ changing perceptions of the acceptability of gambling. And what we’re finding is that there is a very significant insulation. Gambling does not have the [baggage] now that it had, say, 10 or 20 years ago.” Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox brought with it franchises like “Predator,” “The Simpsons” and “Deadpool,” which carry associations and connotations that depart dramatically from the Disney brand. As the media giant and alleged monopoly grows horizontally, it becomes harder to maintain brand identity. It’s hard to measure to what extent Disney’s branding…
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