Walt and Roy Disney founded Laugh-O-Gram films in Kansas City in 1922. They later signed distribution deals with Columbia Pictures and United Artists for their animated shorts. In 1938, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a major success. During World War 2, Disney produced propaganda films for the US government. After the war, Disney expanded into television, opening Disneyland, and acquiring other companies to become a global entertainment business.

2. 1922-1946
 Laugh-O-Gram films created by Walt and Roy Disney in
the Kansas city, Missouri.
 After a few successes, the Disney brothers needed
other companies to help with their distribution with
animations.
 As such in 1929 an agreement was signed between
them and Columbia pictures however this only lasted
until 1931 when they signed an agreement with United
Artists.
 1930: Disney merchandises their characters to the
George Borgfeldt company and receive a percentage
royalty on all products sold.

3.  With United Artists, Disney produced around twenty-five
cartoons with “razor-thin profits”. However with UA,
they could have their cartoons shown in the best cinemas
around the world.
 In the year of 1936, the Disney brothers left UA, after
executives refused to front more money. Disney then
sign an agreement with RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum)
Pictures.
 With RKO, Disney had access to RKO’s chain of theaters
from New York to Los Angeles.
 Disney’s first successful animation was Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1938 using the small
company Technicolor with whom they won their first
Oscar.

4. World War Two
 In 1941, the US was preparing to enter world war
two. However Disney poured too much money into
Pinocchio and Fantasia. As such Disney lost $1 million
from 1941-1942.
 Between 1942-1945 the company produced
propaganda pieces for the US Government. They
ranged from pieces to support the US Armed Forces
to Anti-German and Anti-Japanese films to
encourage support from the American people and
for the Allies to win the war.

5. World War Two
 1942: Disney make training videos for the US Armed
Forces.
 Bambi was the last animation for over a decade,
however Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck
animated shorts remain in production.
 1944: Disney rerelease library features.

6. 1946-1966
 End of the war: $1 million debt cut by $300,000.
 1946: release of “song of the south”, however can
the company survive in the post war world?
 1953: Disney borrow millions to set up “Buena Vista”,
its movie distribution arm.
 Release of a $300 documentary “The living desert”
produces $4 million in revenue.
 1954: Disney and ABC create Disneyland TV.

7. 1946-1966
 1955: Mickey Mouse club TV show released.
 1958-1967: rereleases of snow white gross $50
million from worldwide.
 1966: Walt Disney dies.

8. 1967-1984
 Herbie and Castaway Cowboy make some limited
success in 1974.
 1977: George Lucas makes millions through Star
Wars.
 1979: Failed move The Black Hole
 1980: Disney only has 4% of the audience. $130 million
in profit.

9. 1984-1990
 1985: Disney loss $5 million on an early morning TV
show “Todays business”.
 1990: Disney grows and becomes a $16 billion
company.
 1990-1991: Disney loss money through the recession
and the Gulf War.

10. 2000+
 2006: DisneyToon studios in Australia closes after 17
years of operations. In the same year Steve Jobs
buys 7% of the company in shares.
 2009: Disney acquire the Marvel company
 2012: Disney acquire Lucasarts and production of
Star Wars VII.

11. Diversification
 Disney Parks: Family book a holiday at the park and
stay in a hotel (Owned by Disney)
 Families buy merchandise licensed by Disney and this
generates revenue.
 Cross selling of products highlighted in theme parks
and merchandise stores.
 Theme rides are movie themed.

12. Vertical Integration.
 Buena vista company.
 Internet as distribution of both films and music.
 In house travel company working with travel
agencies, airlines and cruise lines and tours to bring
customers.
 ABC focused on using content developed in house.

13. Horizontal Integration
 Acquisition of ABC to own a programe distribution
channel.
 ESPN.
 Disney quests.
 Disney cruise lines.