1922-1946 Laugh-O-Gram films created by Walt and Roy Disney in

the Kansas city, Missouri.

After a few successes, the Disney brothers needed other companies to help with their distribution with animations.

As such in 1929 an agreement was signed between them and Columbia pictures however this only lasted until 1931 when they signed an agreement with United Artists.

1930: Disney merchandises their characters to the George Borgfeldt company and receive a percentage royalty on all products sold.

With United Artists, Disney produced around twenty-five cartoons with “razor-thin profits”. However with UA, they could have their cartoons shown in the best cinemas around the world.

In the year of 1936, the Disney brothers left UA, after executives refused to front more money. Disney then sign an agreement with RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum) Pictures.

With RKO, Disney had access to RKO’s chain of theaters from New York to Los Angeles.

Disney’s first successful animation was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1938 using the small company Technicolor with whom they won their first Oscar.

World War Two

In 1941, the US was preparing to enter world war two. However Disney poured too much money into Pinocchio and Fantasia. As such Disney lost $1 million from 1941-1942.

Between 1942-1945 the company produced propaganda pieces for the US Government. They ranged from pieces to support the US Armed Forces to Anti-German and Anti-Japanese films to encourage support from the American people and for the Allies to win the war.

World War Two

1942: Disney make training videos for the US Armed Forces.

Bambi was the last animation for over a decade, however Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck animated shorts remain in production.

1944: Disney rerelease library features.

1946-1966

End of the war: $1 million debt cut by $300,000.

1946: release of “song of the south”, however can the company survive in the post war world?

1953: Disney borrow millions to set up “Buena Vista”, its movie distribution arm.

Release of a $300 documentary “The living desert” produces $4 million in revenue.

1954: Disney and ABC create Disneyland TV.

1946-1966

1955: Mickey Mouse club TV show released.

1958-1967: rereleases of snow white gross $50 million from worldwide.

1966: Walt Disney dies.

1967-1984

Herbie and Castaway Cowboy make some limited success in 1974.

1977: George Lucas makes millions through Star Wars.

1979: Failed move The Black Hole

1980: Disney only has 4% of the audience. $130 million in profit.

1984-1990

1985: Disney loss $5 million on an early morning TV show “Todays business”.

1990: Disney grows and becomes a $16 billion company.

1990-1991: Disney loss money through the recession and the Gulf War.

2000+

2006: DisneyToon studios in Australia closes after 17 years of operations. In the same year Steve Jobs buys 7% of the company in shares.

2009: Disney acquire the Marvel company

2012: Disney acquire Lucasarts and production of Star Wars VII.

Diversification

Disney Parks: Family book a holiday at the park and stay in a hotel (Owned by Disney)

Families buy merchandise licensed by Disney and this generates revenue.

Cross selling of products highlighted in theme parks and merchandise stores.

Theme rides are movie themed.

Vertical Integration.

Buena vista company.

Internet as distribution of both films and music.

In house travel company working with travel agencies, airlines and cruise lines and tours to bring customers.

ABC focused on using content developed in house.

Horizontal Integration

Acquisition of ABC to own a programe distribution channel.

ESPN.

Disney quests.

Disney cruise lines.