Michael Eisner changed everything. When he became CEO of Disney in 1984, he transformed the company from another family-oriented film studio to the enormous corporate media behemoth that it is today. It is due to Eisner that the studio went through its renaissance in the 1990's, and expanded its theme parks and television presence. Eisner's successor, Bob Iger, brought the company to even further heights, bringing many companies and franchises under the Mouse's belt, and launching many successful film franchises, to the delight-- and ire-- of audiences.
But let's say that none of that happened. Let's say Disney doesn't hire Eisner and make him CEO. Would Disney have ever recovered from the slump in suffered in the 70's and 80's? Would there have been a Disney Renaissance? A Disney Channel? Would the Disney parks have expanded? Would Radio Disney have been a thing (Fun fact: Walt Disney himself coined the concept of the 'Disney Pop Star' when he launched the career of Annette Funicello to compete with Ricky Nelson in the 50's)? What would become of Marvel and Star Wars if Disney didn't buy them? What about Fox? Would Disney itself have been bought by a larger company? It seems that without Eisner's involvement in the Walt Disney Company, the entertainment industry would turn out to be much, much different.
But let's say that none of that happened. Let's say Disney doesn't hire Eisner and make him CEO. Would Disney have ever recovered from the slump in suffered in the 70's and 80's? Would there have been a Disney Renaissance? A Disney Channel? Would the Disney parks have expanded? Would Radio Disney have been a thing (Fun fact: Walt Disney himself coined the concept of the 'Disney Pop Star' when he launched the career of Annette Funicello to compete with Ricky Nelson in the 50's)? What would become of Marvel and Star Wars if Disney didn't buy them? What about Fox? Would Disney itself have been bought by a larger company? It seems that without Eisner's involvement in the Walt Disney Company, the entertainment industry would turn out to be much, much different.