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Geoff Morrell leaves Disney after three months following ‘Don’t Say Gay’ controversy

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Nicholas Maldonado, a Disney employee, holds a sign outside Walt Disney World in Orlando on March 22, 2022. Employees are staging a company-wide walkout today to protest Walt Disney Co.’s response to controversial legislation passed in Florida known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

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Geoff Morrell is the chief corporate affairs officers who assisted architects. Disney‘s public reaction to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation has led to him leaving the company.

Morrell stated that “after three months in the new role it has become evident to me that for many reasons it isn’t the right fit.” He wrote a letter to his staff that CNBC obtained. This was discussed with Morrell. [Disney CEO] Bob [Chapek]To pursue new opportunities, I’ve decided to leave my company.”

Kristina Schake (who Disney hired earlier this monthChapek will report to, who will be in charge of Disney’s communication efforts. Chapek informed Disney employees that Schake will be “oversight of corporate and segment communications” and would continue to serve as our chief spokesperson.

Morrell has had a three month tenure that was rocky. Following years spent as chief spokesman of oil-and-energy giant BP, he accepted the role. He was previously a White House correspondent on ABC News, and the chief spokesperson of U.S. Department of Defense for Presidents George W. Bush & Barack Obama.

Sources say that Morrell wanted to make Disney’s communications more transparent than Zenia Manya, his predecessor who was well-known for protecting Disney’s image.

Morrell began his position Jan. 24 and guided Chapek and Disney to explain publicly why they hadn’t made a statement on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay”, controversial legislation that prohibited some elementary schools from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity. Chapek addressed a memo to staff March 7, explaining why Disney has not made any public condemnation of the legislation.

“Corporate declarations do very little for changing outcomes or minds.” Chapek wrote. Instead, the weapons are used by both sides to divide and inflame. 

According to those familiar with the matter Morrell was motivated by setting precedent. Morrell feared that if Disney made a statement against “Don’t Say Gay”, the company might have to fight any future human rights violations, such as potential offences from China. China is an important market for Disney’s content. Morrell also worried about Donald Trump, a potential Florida governor in the 2024 election. Ron DeSantis who championed this bill would use Disney to his advantage if it was opposed by the company.

Morrell’s claims have been proved correct by Disney in the last week, when it quickly reversed their decision to remain silent amid massive protests from Disney employees. Trump and DeSantis both reacted to Disney’s “Don’t Say Gay” public challenge. DeSantis signed earlier in the month a bill that removed certain privileges given to Disney over decades for land and its environs Disney World theme park. 

Morrell’s strategy allowed the company to be subject to months of protest by explaining Disney’s refusal to take a position on “Don’t Say Gay”, rather than just not taking a publicly-available position. Following the slow response by Disney, employees organized walkouts as well as social media campaigns under the hashtag “FireChapek”.

Disney’s brand is, undoubtedly, its most valuable asset. The company has generally avoided such public relations errors in the past. Morrell has announced his immediate resignation, which seems to indicate that he is taking the fall in the past two-months.

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