An Icon in Decay: Saving the Walt Disney Company, 1984
Welcome One and All to the Happiest Place on Earth
Or at least, that is what The Walt Disney Company would like America to believe. Beneath the fireworks, smiling mascots, and Main Street optimism of September 1984, the shareholders are less than pleased. Ron W. Miller, the reigning Chief Executive Officer, was just ousted, and Disney just survived a hostile takeover that almost took the company down. On top of that, the Animation sector is in the pits, with its last 6 movies barely breaking even. Now, Disney is almost a billion dollars in debt and on the brink of bankruptcy, and it is up to you to pull the company out of despair and give it the name recognition the mouse deserves.
In An Icon in Decay: Disney, 1984, delegates will step into the roles of executives, animators, lawyers, advertisers, media figures, and creatives attempting to navigate the collapse (or rebirth) of the Magic Kingdom. From Euro Disneyland and television expansion to animation strikes, merchandising empires, and the future of family entertainment itself, delegates will determine whether Disney evolves into a modern corporate giant, experiences a creative renaissance, or fractures under the weight of its own mythology.
After all, can the Magic Kingdom survive without its magic?
diana gothong
chair
Diana is a third-year junior at UChicago studying Economics and Public Policy. Originally from the islands of the Philippines, she later spent time in London before making her way to Chicago. She’s previously served as AC for EU MUNUC 37 and Byzantine Empire ChoMUN XXVIII, served as Chair for Principat de Catalunya MUNUC 38 and Castilian War of Succession ChoMUN XXIX, and is USG of Regional Bodies for MUNUC 39. Outside of MUN, Diana is involved in a wide range of campus activities, including The Blue Chips Investment Club and Debate Society. When she’s not in a club meeting, you’ll likely find her on the golf course or the skating rink. She also enjoys reading, cooking elaborate meals she can’t finish, and playing four-hour board games with friends who claim they’ll never play that long of a game again–but always do. Diana is very excited to return as Chair for ChoMUN XXX and can’t wait to see what the delegates will make of this year’s committee.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out via email: dgothong@uchicago.edu.
brett cardonick
crisis director
Brett is a second-year student at UChicago studying Chemistry and Economics from a small suburb of Chicago named Glencoe. Previously, he has served as an AC for the Ad-Hoc of the Secretary General at both MUNUC and ChoMUN, and he will be serving as the Crisis Director for MUNUC’s Ad-Hoc this winter. As well as ChoMUN and MUNUC, Brett competes with UChicago’s Model UN team. When not in MUN, Brett will probably be reading, exploring with friends, or just relaxing on the quad. Brett is very excited to serve as a crisis director this ChoMUN, and he’s happy to answer any questions you have at: bcardonick@uchicago.edu.
nik ochoa
crisis director
Nik is a third-year at UChicago studying Public Policy, Economics, and Psychology. Born in Southern County, she has spent her time growing up around Los Angeles. She has previously served as an AC for Coney Island MUNUC 37 and Sengoku Jidai for CHOMUN XXIX, Crisis Director for Hollywood MUNUC 38, and is now USG for Hybrids for MUNUC 39. Outside of MUN, Nik is the Editor in Chief for the Chicago Shady Dealer, the Co-Chair of Spectrum, and a Resident Dean Assistant. Nik is really excited to be a crisis director for ChoMUN XXX and is happy to answer any questions at: ochoa8@uchicago.edu.
Secretariat oversight:
jacqueline agris, under-secretary general