The Ride of a Lifetime is an autobiography written by Robert Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company. In this book, Iger shares his personal journey and experiences that led him to become one of the most successful business leaders in the world. He also shares his insights and lessons learned throughout his career, which can be applied to anyone looking to achieve success in their own lives.
In the first chapter of The Ride of a Lifetime, Iger talks about his early years growing up in New York City. He discusses how his parents instilled in him the values of hard work and determination, which he carried with him throughout his life. Iger also shares how his love for television and storytelling began at a young age, which eventually led him to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Chapter 2: Starting at ABC
After graduating from college, Iger began his career at ABC, where he worked his way up the ranks to become the president of the network. In this chapter, Iger talks about the challenges he faced during his early years at ABC, including the struggle to compete with other networks and the pressure to produce hit shows. He also shares how he was able to turn around the network’s fortunes by making bold decisions and taking risks.
Chapter 3: Becoming CEO of Disney
In 2005, Iger was named CEO of The Walt Disney Company. In this chapter, he talks about the challenges he faced when he first took over the company, including the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the decline of the company’s stock price. He also shares how he was able to turn the company around by making strategic acquisitions and investing in new technologies.
Chapter 4: The Acquisition of Pixar
One of Iger’s most significant achievements as CEO of Disney was the acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios. In this chapter, he talks about how he was able to negotiate the deal with Steve Jobs, who was the CEO of Pixar at the time. He also shares how the acquisition helped to revitalize Disney’s animation division and produce some of the most successful animated films of all time.
Chapter 5: The Launch of Disney+
In recent years, Iger has been focused on the launch of Disney+, the company’s new streaming service. In this chapter, he talks about the challenges of launching the service and the importance of creating original content to compete with other streaming platforms. He also shares how Disney+ has been a success and how it has helped to transform the company’s business model.
Conclusion
Overall, The Ride of a Lifetime is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the entertainment industry or looking to learn more about the business world. Iger’s insights and lessons learned throughout his career can be applied to anyone looking to achieve success in their own lives. Whether you’re a fan of Disney or not, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to learn more about one of the most successful business leaders in the world.