Walt Disney Case

I. INTRODUCTION

Disney Studios was chosen because of its myriad of products in this division. Those include Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Marvel Studios, Touchstone Pictures, DisneyNature, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation, Disney Music Group, Disney Theatrical Group, and now Lucasfilms.

Walt Disney Studios is a business unit of the Walt Disney Company is but it represents a small portion of the overall company. The company's other divisions include; the media networks which include broadcast, cable, radio, publishing, and digital businesses across the divisions of the Disney/ABC television group and ESPN Inc. The Parks and Resorts business division is committed to providing the world's leading family, leisure and travel opportunities. The Disney Consumer Products business unit is responsible for merchandise such as; apparel, toys, home décor, books, magazines, beverages, food, stationary, electronics, and animation art. The Disney Interactive business unit is dedicated to providing high quality interactive entertainment across many platforms including; digital media platforms, comprising blockbuster mobile, social and console games, on-line virtual worlds and the number 1 ranked web destinations Disney.com and the Moms and Family network of websites.

The many different successful, but related ventures that make up the Disney Companies is one of the great things that separates Disney Corporation from others. Clearly the portfolio management of this company would be very descriptive as to how large entities conduct business.

As we look at the Walt Disney Studios business unit we will see many more mainstream projects that Walt Disney has undertaken. Since this is one of the most visible branches of the Disney Company it comprises a large part of their business. This business unit has been responsible for many blockbuster movies from 101 Dalmatians to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Air Bud, Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp, Brave, the Cars Series, the Pirates of the Caribbean, and now they will be the company producing all future "Star Wars" movies and related products. The studios have also given rise to such music icons as the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus.

II. ORGANIZATION'S STRATEGIC PLAN

In Disney Studio's ongoing Strategic plan their vision for the future has a multi-faceted function. The organizational plan involves things ranging from becoming more eco-friendly to maximizing returns from movie projects. ("Decision Support Services," 2009). In all of these plans their mission, long term goals and principle methods for attaining these goals are aligned.

Mission

To become the number one entertainment producer in the world. To provide the best entertainment available. ("Decision support services," 2009)

Long Term Goals

Acquire entertainment properties or licenses as they come available.

Principal Methods for Attaining Goals

Continue to acquire entertainment franchises such as "Lucasfilms" and thus the Star Wars brand, and lease facilities such as Pinewood Studios in England for increased production area. (Thefreelibrar.com).

Disney Studios has under taken several projects to ensure that they are number one in worldwide entertainment. The recent acquisition of Lucasfilms and thus the world famous "Star Wars" franchise is another step towards remaining number one (Yahoonews.com).

III. ORGANIZATION'S STRATEGIC CAPACITY PLAN

Disney's feature film producing credits include Matchstick Men, Gone Baby Gone and the upcoming Disney film, Tron Legacy. The production company, Ideology, Inc. He also co-founded the integrated media firm, LivePlanet, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Chris Moore and was the executive producer of several high profile television programs including LivePlanet's three-time Emmy-nominated Project Greenlight. Sean wrote the screenplay Liberty for The Walt Disney Company and co-wrote the screenplay Solace.

Disney has created packaged and developed film, television and new media concepts for Walt Disney Pictures, Miramax, 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks, New Line Cinema, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and all of the major television networks. (Walt Disney Studio Productions, 2010)

To further streamline the distribution of future TWDS' theatrical content, Disney also announced today that Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures will take on all aspects of international sales and distribution across 70 countries, in addition to their on-going responsibilities overseeing domestic sales and distribution operations. (Walt Disney Studio Productions, 2010)

IV. PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PROCESS

"Walt Disney Animation Studios brings imagination to life through traditional and computer animated films. Our crew is filled with diverse talent from all around the globe whose passion is to create beautiful and timeless films through the art of storytelling, the magic of animation and the science of cutting edge technology" (Our Studio, 2012). The Studio Entertainment segment generates revenue from the distribution of films in the theatrical, home entertainment and television markets. This Studio Entertainment segment is one of five business segment and has been the foundation in which the company was built. To date, there are eight studios; however, with the vision and focus on the business segments, they are seeking to grow globally.

In an organization, project selection is one of the most important decisions to be made. Numerous factors must be taken into account before an organization decides to consider a project. Doing projects right as well as doing the right projects are two key elements for a business to succeed at new products. The most viable option needs to be chosen to ensure its goals and requirements align with the organization's strategic goal.

V. PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA

Project selection takes into account critical factors such as competitive necessity, market expansion and operating requirements. Numerical methods such as the payback period, net present value, internal rate of return and expected commercial value are equally important too in the selection process. There should be diversity within the project portfolio to minimize risk, cash flow consideration and resource constraints as the final factors.

The Walt Disney Company involves their employees in various aspects of each of their business segments through employee