Michael Eisner

Michael Eisner has been a leader in the American entertainment industry for more than four decades, beginning his career at ABC where he helped take the network from number three to number one in primetime, daytime and children’s television, and soon becoming president of Paramount Pictures.

Mr. Eisner served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company for 21 years from 1984 to 2005, transforming the company from a film and theme park company with $1.8 billion in enterprise value into a global media empire valued at $80 billion.

In 2005 Mr. Eisner founded The Tornante Company and in 2007 acquired The Topps Company, a leading creator and marketer of sports cards and distinctive confectionery, transforming Topps into a full-fledged sports media brand. Through Tornante, Mr. Eisner created Vuguru, a new media studio that produces world class content for the Internet and emerging digital platforms. Mr. Eisner also serves as a key advisor to Diversion, Inc. a company formed in early 2010 to develop social games funded by Tornante.

Mr. Eisner is the author of three books; Work in Progress, detailing his involvement in the entertainment industry; Camp, a chronology of his formative years at summer camp in Vermont; and, WORKING TOGETHER: Why Great Partnerships Succeed, a profile of several successful partnerships in the business world and beyond.

In 1996 Mr. Eisner founded The Eisner Foundation with his wife Jane, to provide access and opportunity for children and the aging in Los Angeles County.

Mr. Eisner is a graduate of Lawrenceville School and Denison University with a B.A. in English literature and theater. He serves on the boards of Denison University, the Aspen Institute, the Yale School of Architecture Dean's Council and The Eisner Foundation.