Bob Iger Returns To Upfront Stage For First Time Since 1994 With Pitchman Praise For Disney’s “Creative Excellence” & Jimmy Kimmel’s Roast To Follow

deadline.com:

“I am deeply optimistic about our company, and in a world that is so in need of entertainment is a true privilege,” said Disney boss Bob Iger today in a rare appearance on stage at the start of the media giant’s upfront presentation in New York City. “To run a company that is the embodiment of creative excellence, of great and bold storytelling, of quality, and of innovation.” “Today we’re going to share with you the incredible projects that we’re working on.

And then later Jimmy Kimmel will be out to tear them all apart. I think he’ll probably be tearing me apart too.” As he noted from the get-go, this is the first time Iger has been in front of advertisers and other clients on an upfront stage since he ran ABC Entertainment back in the early days of Bill Clinton’s presidency. “To say a lot has changed since 1994 would be an incredible understatement and I’m not just talking about the color of my hair, or my fashion choices,” Iger quipped as a pic of his questionable suit and haircut was strewn across the giant video screen behind him.Coming off heavy praise and “pixie dust” filled introduction by Oscar winner Emma Stone and back on the upfront stage for the first time in decades, Iger was quick this to bask in the glory of Nielsen’s Media Distribution report released this morning that put the House of Mouse at #1 for total TV viewing.

With an upcoming bundle plan with Warner Bros Discovery in hand, an earnings report earlier this month that beat Wall Street expectations (and a brief stock dip), and a sports streamer team-up with Fox and WBD on the horizon, the past and current CEO had some pep in his step Tuesday at the cavernous Javits Center. “As you might imagine being here today has led me to ponder all that has