October 16th, 2013 
Beyond the Marquee 
The Walt Disney Company
Put on your Mickey Ears and toss a birthday hat on top of them because today the Walt Disney Company celebrates it’s 90th birthday! It was back on October 16th 1923, when the legendary Walt Disney signed the historic contract to produce a series of Alice Comedies with MJ Winkler. This was the date that sparked the start of truly something magical – the start of the Disney Brothers Studio, which later became the Walt Disney Company. The rest as they say is ‘history’ with 90 years of television shows, theme parks, motion pictures, consumer products, restaurants, hotels and more. The company truly has become the top brand name in family entertainment.
Read ahead for an official statement about the 90th Anniversary from CEO and Chairman of the Walt Disney Company, Robert (Bob) Iger, to all the Disney Cast Members (a.k.a. employees).
Bob Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Co., poses with Mickey Mouse
Today is the 90th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, and it’s a great opportunity to appreciate what Walt and his brother Roy began many years ago and just how far we’ve come since they opened the Disney Brothers Studio in the back of a Hollywood realty office.
This Company had the extraordinary good fortune to have a creative genius, an innovator and a visionary as one of its founders. Walt constantly pushed boundaries and expectations to create spectacular new things — the first cartoon with synchronized sound, the first full-color and the first feature-length animated film, the first theme park, and so many other historic innovations — all came from Disney. In fact, our history is filled with countless examples of incredible creative risks, innovative technology, and a creative spirit that continues today. We’re proud of that legacy and our accomplishments, but we’ve never been content to rest on our laurels or to settle for the status quo, and we’re always pushing ahead in new directions and setting new standards for quality.
For 90 years now, Disney has been one of the world’s greatest storytellers, touching people’s hearts and capturing their imagination. And, with ABC, ESPN, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm part of the Disney family, we have even more stories to tell and virtually limitless possibilities ahead.
It’s impossible to look at everything Disney has become without a sense of awe and a great deal of gratitude. While it may have all started with a mouse, Mickey had plenty of help along the way from an incredibly talented team of employees and cast members around the world. Thanks to your dedication and hard work, Disney stands out for its world class creativity, endless innovation, and an unparalleled commitment to excellence.
As we celebrate 90 years of Disney, I want to sincerely thank you for being part of this amazing Company and for continuing to drive us forward so that our future can be just as remarkable as our past.
Sincerely,
Bob
Thank you Walter Elias Disney for changing the face of entertainment forever.
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