ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the history of the Disney Company, and then provides an overview of the company's economic, political, and the cultural activities. The Walt Disney Company began as an independent company in the late 1920s producing cartoons distributed by other companies. The Disney Company developed a reputation of being conservative, patriotic, and 'All American' descriptions often connected to the company's namesake, Walt Disney. Disney's power is related to the ability to define childhood and family life, as well as its control over widely popular and successful media and entertainment franchises. It is an active player in the concentrated media business and thus is active in shaping our cultural universe. Disney claims to be the world's largest licensor of intellectual property and the world's largest publisher of children's books and the magazines. The Studio Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures, direct-to-video content, musical recordings, and live stage plays.
