Successor tops Iger to-do list

IgerNow that he's set to stay towards the top of the Wally Disney Co. through 2016, Bob Iger can begin concentrating on his five-year plan.High on his to-do list is selecting a successor.Many within the Mouse House think about the job to become Tom Staggs' to get rid of.Because becoming chairman from the company's amusement parks and resorts group last year, Staggs has presided within the division's biggest expansion in a long time.It offers the $1 billion transformation of Anaheim's California Adventure the very first major overhaul of Fantasyland inside Wally Disney World's Miracle Kingdom because it opened up in 1971 adding an "Avatar"-designed land at Animal Kingdom, also in Orlando the launch of recent luxury cruise ships in the fleet the outlet of the Hawaiian resort and also the $4.4 billion construction of Shanghai Disneyland.That park is placed to spread out in 2016, just like Iger is placed to give the reins. The venture continues to be among his pet projects: Disney's sixth park on the planet will give you the organization having a lucrative method to take advantage of growing leisure travel in China.Staggs had formerly offered as Disney's chief financial officer (he's rose the ranks since 1990) but moved to the parks division when Iger wanted him to change posts with Jay Rasulo to be able to gain in operational experience. Prior to making the move, Staggs was instrumental in assisting Iger acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion.Staggs has lately carried out a charm offensive as he's walked as much as function as the face area of the organization -- a job by which he appears comfortable -- while giving presentations at Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim in August even though presenting revamps of "Star Tours" and new rides at California Adventure.But Rasulo should not be counted from the running at this time. The amusement park vet has acquired respect on Wall Street as CFO since 2009 and assisted grow the organization overseas. He became a member of a button House in 1986 as director, proper planning and development.Other candidates include Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney's media systems group, the business's greatest moneymaker, and leader of Disney-ABC Television Group. Studio chairman Wealthy Ross can also be a contender, however the former Disney Funnel topper has his hands full right now because he attempts to overhaul Disney's film biz.Although bizzers are certain to obsess within the succession problem, Iger has more about his plate in in the future than mulling within the candidates to exchange him.Additionally to trading heavily in Disney's parks group, Iger is at the time of creating large changes towards the company's overseas procedures, and like all other showbiz Boss he's moving its transfer to the era of digital distribution, particularly because it relates to VOD and homevid. He's gained praise like a risk-taker for adopting new platforms like Apple's iTunes, ipod device and iPad but has additionally elevated the ire of participants for attempting to drastically shorten theatrical release home windows.Iger isn't adverse to shakeups inside the Mouse, as evidenced within the Staggs-Rasulo job swap last year, selecting Ross to mind in the film studio and moving homevideo vet Bob Chapek into posts where he first overhauled the studio's theatrical biz and today manages consumer items.Because he pushes Ross to create more Disney-top quality films that may spin off sequels and tie-inches the relaxation of the organization can make the most of (especially Marvel's super hero photos and Pixar's characters), Iger continues to be set on making the business's games group lucrative by 2013 it's switched gears to pay attention to making games for internet sites and mobile platforms.Iger has stated he isn't in opposition to enhancing tha harsh truth through purchases. At the start of his tenure as Boss he orchestrated the Pixar acquisition, and that he surprised the biz together with his stealth acquisition of Marvel last year. Iger also acquired social game maker Playdom this past year and set its professional responsible for the Mouse's interactive arm.Underneath the the five-year employment contract Disney revealed Friday, Iger, that has offered as prexy and Boss since 2005, will end up chairman and Boss in the Mouse's annual investors meeting in March, when current chairman John Pepper would be to retire. By 2015, once the new Boss is placed, he'll transition to some 15-month period as professional chairman, ending June 30, 2016. Next, Iger is anticipated to retire from Disney.His new contract pays him $2.5 million annually, up $500,000 from his previous contract. For 3 years he'll also recieve an incentive bonus of $12 million, in line with the company's operating earnings, income and earnings per share, while he's qualified for an additional $15.5 million available options.The bonus and investment drop to $six million in 2015, once Iger becomes executive chairman.This past year, Iger gained $28 million in salary, bonus along with other honours, based on proxy filings.(Cynthia Littleton led for this report.) Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com