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Writer's pictureMarcelo Serafim

The Walt Disney Company: A Legacy of Magic and Innovation

The Walt Disney Company stands as a titan in the entertainment industry, with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1923 by Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney. From its humble beginnings as a small animation studio in Hollywood, California, Disney has grown into a global powerhouse, synonymous with creativity, imagination, and storytelling magic.



Historical Roots and Early Successes:

Walt Disney's vision was to create timeless and enchanting entertainment that would captivate audiences of all ages. The company's first major success came with the creation of Mickey Mouse in 1928, followed by a series of groundbreaking animated films such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937), the first full-length animated feature film.


Expanding Horizons:

Over the decades, Disney diversified its portfolio, expanding into television with the launch of "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the 1950s and theme parks with the opening of Disneyland in 1955. The company continued to innovate and push boundaries, producing beloved classics like "Cinderella" (1950), "The Lion King" (1994), and "Frozen" (2013), which have left an indelible mark on popular culture.


Present-Day Successes and Ventures:

Today, The Walt Disney Company is a global conglomerate with a diverse range of businesses, including film and television production, theme parks and resorts, consumer products, and media networks. Its acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios in 2006, Marvel Entertainment in 2009, and Lucasfilm in 2012 has further solidified its position as an entertainment powerhouse.


Disney's Streaming Dominance:

One of Disney's most significant recent endeavors is its foray into the streaming market with Disney+, launched in 2019. With a vast library of content, including classic Disney films, Pixar movies, Marvel superhero adventures, and "Star Wars" sagas, Disney+ has quickly become a leading player in the streaming wars, boasting millions of subscribers worldwide.



Future Endeavors and Innovations:

Looking ahead, The Walt Disney Company continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and technology. With plans to expand its streaming services globally and invest in original content, Disney remains at the forefront of the entertainment industry, poised to shape the future of entertainment for generations to come.


 

Questions:

  1. What were some of Disney's early successes in animation?

  2. How has Disney diversified its business over the years?

  3. What are some of Disney's recent acquisitions, and how have they impacted the company?

  4. What is Disney's strategy in the streaming market, and how successful has it been?

  5. How does Disney plan to innovate and shape the future of entertainment?

  6. In your opinion, what is Disney's most remarkable movie/animation?


 

Vocabulary:

  1. Titan - (noun) a person or thing of enormous size, strength, power, or influence.

  2. Enchanting - (adjective) charming or delightful.

  3. Diversified - (adjective) varied or broadened in range or scope.

  4. Conglomerate - (noun) a large corporation formed by the merging of separate and diverse firms.

  5. Foray - (noun) a sudden attack or incursion into enemy territory, especially to obtain something.

  6. Dominance - (noun) power and influence over others.

  7. Indelible - (adjective) not able to be forgotten or removed.

  8. Foresight - (noun) the ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future.

  9. Poised - (adjective) having a composed and self-assured manner.

  10. Shape - (verb) to influence or determine the course or nature of something.


Phrasal Verb:
Take Over - to gain control of something, especially by force or with the intention of changing it significantly.
  • Example: "Disney took over Pixar Animation Studios in 2006, expanding its influence in the animation industry."

American Idiom:
Break the Mold - to do something in a new way that is different from what has been done before.
  • Example: "Disney's innovative approach to storytelling and animation has broken the mold in the entertainment industry."


 

Grammar Tip:

When writing about a company or organization, use the singular pronoun "it" to refer to the entity, rather than "they." For example, "The Walt Disney Company announced its plans for expansion" (correct) instead of "The Walt Disney Company announced their plans for expansion" (incorrect).


Possessive pronouns are a type of pronoun that indicate ownership or possession. They replace nouns to show who or what something belongs to. Here is a list of possessive pronouns along with their usage:


  1. My - This is my book.

  2. Your - Is this your pen?

  3. His - That is his car.

  4. Her - She lost her keys.

  5. Its - The cat licked its paw.

  6. Our - We painted our house.

  7. Your (plural) - Is this your dog?

  8. Their - The children lost their toys.

  9. Mine - The blue car is mine.

  10. Yours - Is this book yours?

  11. His - The red bike is his.

  12. Hers - That dress is hers.

  13. Its - The tree lost its leaves.

  14. Ours - The garden is ours.

  15. Yours (plural) - Is this bag yours?

  16. Theirs - The house with the green door is theirs.

It's important to note that possessive pronouns do not require an apostrophe (') to indicate possession, unlike possessive nouns. Additionally, possessive pronouns agree in number and gender with the noun they replace. They can also function as subjects or objects in a sentence, depending on their position and usage.


 

Listening



 

Homework Proposal:

Research and write a brief report on one of Disney's recent acquisitions, such as Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment, or Lucasfilm. Discuss the impact of the acquisition on Disney's business strategy and its influence on the entertainment industry. Additionally, analyze any challenges or controversies associated with the acquisition.

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