“The master of disruption is at it again. With his two remarkable companies — Apple Computer and animated movie house Pixar — dominating the headlines, Steve Jobs finds himself in the kind of position that most mad-genius tech wunderkinds can only fantasize about: thrilling consumers while wreaking havoc in multiple industries. Apple sold 100 iPods a minute in the fourth quarter, and its iTunes Music Store could account for 10% of all music sales in the U.S. this year. It’s only fitting that the release in mid-January of a new line of superfast Mac computers featuring Intel chips came just as Apple’s market cap briefly passed that of rival Dell. The company turns 30 on April 1. Happy birthday, Apple,” Fred Vogelstein writes for Fortune Magazine.
“The news about Pixar is, if anything, more dramatic. When word broke that the movie house might link up with Disney (Research)–and that Jobs himself might join the media behemoth’s leadership team–jaws dropped from Wall Street to Hollywood to Silicon Valley. If the deal closes and Jobs sells Pixar to Disney, he’ll arguably become the most powerful investor in entertainment. His head start on digital animation combined with his burgeoning iEmpire places him squarely in the intersection of Hollywood and high tech–the one figure in position to control the fast-moving evolution of media consumption,” Vogelstein writes. “How he got here may be boiled down to one simple reality: Jobs has proven himself unrivaled in the art of managing disruption… Imagine the possibilities for disruption with the resources of both Apple and Disney at his disposal. Overnight the iPod could get deeper access to ESPN as well as the entire library of Disney films and ABC television shows. Can you feel the tremors?”
Full article here.
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Related articles:
Report: Disney buys Pixar for approx. $7 billion, Steve Jobs to become Disney’s largest shareholder – January 23, 2006
Steven P. Jobs, Pixar, and Disney: how would Apple be affected? – January 23, 2006
come on steve. make steve CEO of disney and i’ll be happy.
Yes, as noted elsewhere, this is as predicted.
The deft and swift infiltration of the ranks of Disney illustrates Local Leader Steve J’s disruptive powers. He will soon be declared unstoppable. [s]Relnackian[/s] Apple technology will not be denied.
The Relnack Council is monitoring all developments back on Home Planet® via a one-way petabit ethernet connection from the comfort of the Egg Palace in the capital city of Shemp. They are extremely satisfied.
All hail Local Leader Steve J and the continued subjugation of the Windows drones. Your Earth entertainment divisions don’t stand a chance.
“Your resistance is . . . futile yet fun for us. Make your time.”
It would be nice if Steve could have say in the TV and cell-phone industry, too. Now that I’m a total Mac fan, most of the technology out there looks really funny compared to Apple’s products.
C’mon Mac Mini DVR!
C’mon Video AirPort Express!
Apple Rules!
Thank God for Steve, I pray for him to live a long and happy life and bless us all with his genius for as long as possible!
Mafiasoft is a disgrace to the USA and an insult to humanity!
Magic word: effects as in Who hasn’t felt the effects of Apple in technology?!?
This getting why overhyped. Just like the new Mactels. 2×5 times faster!!!!
It´s the old trick by the press to create news – build them up to unbelievable reality, let the subject stumble once and then tear them down,down,down.
First step Steve: finish ABC’s aquisition of Arrested Development. Turn this great show into the first show available only on iTunes.
If you’re the one driving the boat in front, you’re the one who is making waves for everyone else who follows!
And why did they have to use the negative term “disruption”? While the rest of the article is positive, it just smacks of a backhanded compliment.
!@#$$#! headline writers…
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Disney HAS a good CEO (finally) and he likes working with Steve. Give Steve lots of input at Disney, sure, but let him focus his CEO duties on APPLE!
Little ol’ me?
I’m a garage startup kinda guy.
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(Magic word: Made. As in me!)
“Mafiasoft is a disgrace to the USA and an insult to humanity! “
That’s funny, I like it. Although, in a competative world marketplace, it’s better for Mafiasoft be a US company than a Chinese company. At least, if you live in the US. Of course Apple is a US company too, so it’s a win either way you cut it.
MW=choice
If anything every happens to Steve, Apple and Disney stock will tumble and Steve’s net worth will tumble too. If something ever happens to any other CEO, those companies will not tumble near as much. Steve has a lot riding on his shoulders. Steve is Apple and Apple is Steve. What will happen to Apple once Steve leaves?
What will happen to Apple once Steve leaves?
That is a scary thought, something that I really don’t want to think about. BUT TRUE
Steve and Disney will buy Apple and make it their hardware division for delivering content to the masses.
Look for iPods with Mickey Mouse ears on them.
“What will happen to Apple once Steve leaves?”
(holds fingers in ears)
lalalalala-lalalalala-lalalalala
Steve has realized that content and delivery is more important than the computer. The computer has topped out, matured. Just like the TV set was for about 50 years.
Soon all Apple computers will just be big iPods for downloading movies and music. How boring.
And why did they have to use the negative term “disruption”?
This is an established business term to describe anyone who changes a situation by totally changing the rules, ratehr than by making small changes.
It is a powerful compliment. It was in no way intended to be negative.
Disruption is the most powerful business force out there. The iTunes/iPod/iTMS trinity has been a disruptive influence on the entertainment industry. As a disrupter, it has left ALL of the competition scrambling to catch up.
What is it with Apple’s #2. We never hear anything about them & would they run Apple into the ground if Steve left?
“animated movie house Pixar”
Hmm, and all this time, I thought it was a real-world studio that created animation!
Disruption, is just trendy business geek-speak. Not meant to be perjorative at all.
Not bad for a guy who used to drop a lot of Acid. Good thing he escaped the “War on Drugs”. More proof of the uselessness of that battle.
My guess is Mr. Gates is looking through his medicine cabinets for some inspiration right now. Hint: aspirin won’t help your creativity.
We should all drop a hit in Steve Job’s honor.
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To qka and KenC…
Thanks for the perspective and explanation on the term “disruption” – much appreciated.
Disney acquires Pixar for 7.4bn