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Julie Ann Crommett at Disney Film Studio...

Thomas-Hunt, Melis...

Case

Julie Ann Crommett at Disney Film Studios

Thomas-Hunt, Melissa C.; Shaloudegi, Koushyar; Sesia, Aldo

OB-1446 | Published December 10, 2024 | 18 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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In February 2017, Julie Ann Crommett left her job at Google to take a new role within the Studio Entertainment business segment of The Walt Disney Company (Disney). Crommett was charged with ensuring that content created by Disney’s film studios was culturally competent and authentic. Crommett needed to consider the cultural authenticity of not only new creative content (and characters) but also Disney’s past box office hits, which often led to live-action remakes. She spent her first 90 days in the position meeting with key stakeholders such as studio heads to understand their perspectives. Crommett believed there was a lack of diversity among directors of theatrical-release films across the industry. She also believed that directors with multicultural points of view were crucially needed in the film industry. Crommett thought Disney had an opportunity to fill this gap. In the summer of 2017, new to Disney and the studio film industry, and attempting to rattle long-held mindsets and practices, Crommett needed to plot her next steps carefully.