Corporate Responsibility

At The Walt Disney Company, we believe that being a good corporate citizen is not just the right thing to do; it also benefits our guests, our employees and our businesses. It makes the company a desirable place to work, reinforces the attractiveness of our brands and products and strengthens our bonds with consumers and neighbors in communities the world over.

Our Vision

The company has put in place a comprehensive, integrated approach to corporate responsibility, building on our established infrastructure for addressing crucial issues related to the environment, community, workplaces and product development. Special emphasis has been placed on how these issues affect our key audience of kids and families.

As we pursue our vision for corporate responsibility, we recognize that we'll encounter differing viewpoints and interests on the part of our shareholders, our employees, our business partners and associates and our Guests, viewers and consumers. In addition, we operate in a broad number of industries and in many countries, including developing markets where standards are still forming. Our approach is to comply with local laws and abide by Disney traditions while also engaging with a range of stakeholders to develop solutions, recognizing that we don't have all the answers and can learn from our collaboration with others. We are tackling the challenges we face as methodically as possible, guided by our enduring company principles and a results-oriented approach that is practical, thoughtful and humane.

Corporate Responsibility Governance

Corporate responsibility efforts at Disney are led by President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs. The company's Corporate Responsibility group is led by the Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility.

Certain areas of the corporate responsibility function, including environmental affairs, international labor standards and community outreach, have dedicated staff developing strategy, managing compliance and overseeing communications. In addition, a small strategic team reporting to the Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility develops the company's enterprise-wide, integrated approach to corporate responsibility. Beyond these dedicated teams, there are employees throughout the company's businesses focused on the safety and security of our Guests and consumers and on maintaining the high ethical standards in the creation, production and marketing of our products, services and experiences.

Corporate responsibility efforts and performance are periodically reported to the Disney Board of Directors. Additionally, the Audit Committee of the Board regularly receives reports on the Company's international labor standards program.

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Business Integration

Disney strives to integrate corporate responsibility into everything we do. From sourcing our products, to consumer marketing to selling at the retail level � we aim to conduct all of our businesses according to our high ethical standards.

Given the scope of our enterprise, Disney takes a decentralized approach to management. That means we have empowered our different business units to determine how to best create and market their products and experiences. Business unit leaders share a strong commitment to quality and to making sure they act responsibly in their approach to developing, producing, marketing and distributing their products and entertainment.

With this report, we are providing a systematic overview of what we've achieved and what we intend to achieve, with an emphasis on measurement and communication. In doing so, we hope to illustrate how we incorporate our commitment to corporate responsibility into everything we do.

Let's look at a few examples:

  • Our International Labor Standards group has worked closely with Disney Consumer Products to monitor and promote improved working conditions at factories producing Disney goods under license.
  • Our Worldwide Outreach group has partnered with our Media Networks group to produce public service announcements on a wide range of social and environmental issues.
  • Our Environmental Affairs team consulted with Studio Entertainment in connection with the launch of a new production banner, Disneynature, which will release full-length nature documentaries in theaters.

While progress has been made to integrate corporate responsibility into our many businesses, we believe there is still more to be done. Among other things, we are currently exploring the development of specific corporate responsibility metrics that can be assimilated into the operational plans of key business units. We realize this type of enterprise-wide approach will take time, but we believe it will be worth the effort.