PRESENTATION REPORT
ON
“Walt Disney: A Pioneer of Animation and Entertainment”
SUBMITTED TO
MS. BHAVYASHREE B
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
A J INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT MANGALORE
SUBMITTED BY
RUSHITHA
P05AJ23M015107
A J INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT MANGALORE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SL NO CONTENT PAGE NO
1 INTRODUCTION 3
2 EARLY LIFE 3
3 BEGINNING IN 3-4
ANIMATION
4 CREATION OF MICKEY 4
MOUSE
5 DISNEY'S ANIMATED 4
FILM LEGACY
6 THE GOLDEN AGE & 4-5
DISNEYLAND
7 DISNEY'S FINAL YEARS 5
8 LESSONS FROM HIS 5
LIFE
9 CONCLUSION 5
10 ACHIEVEMENT OF 6-7
WOMEN
ENTREPRENEURS
11 CONCLUSION 7
INTRODUCTION
Walt Disney, born Walter Elias Disney on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois, remains one of the
most admired and influential figures in global entertainment. He was an American animator, film
producer, and entrepreneur who reshaped the world of cartoons and brought them to life through
heartwarming characters and inspiring stories. As the co-founder of The Walt Disney Company, he
transformed the animation industry into a form of art and built one of the most recognizable brands in
the world.
Disney’s work was not just limited to cartoons he envisioned a world where fantasy and reality could
co-exist. He pushed boundaries in technology, storytelling, and design to make his creations come
alive. Through films, television shows, and theme parks, Disney established an entertainment empire
that spans generations. His enduring impact continues to influence storytellers, artists, and audiences
across the globe.
This report explores the remarkable life journey of Walt Disney his struggles, successes, innovations,
and the legacy he left behind. It aims to highlight the depth of his contributions to animation and
society, and how his life is a blueprint for creativity, persistence, and vision.
EARLY LIFE
Walt Disney grew up in Marceline, Missouri, a small, close-knit town that had a lasting influence on
his imagination and values. It was in Marceline that he developed a deep love for drawing, often
sketching the animals on his family’s farm or characters from his imagination. The simplicity and
warmth of small-town life left a strong impression on him, which would later serve as the inspiration
for Disneyland’s iconic Main Street, U.S.A. a tribute to the place where his dreams first began to take
shape.
Even as a young child, Walt showed signs of remarkable creativity and a vivid imagination. He was
always interested in cartoons and would spend hours drawing, often entertaining classmates and
family with his sketches. Despite facing financial hardships, his passion for art never faded. He
pursued his artistic interests seriously and studied at the Kansas City Art Institute, where he honed his
skills and began thinking about a career in animation.
After his brief service in World War I as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross, Disney returned to
Kansas City with renewed determination to follow his creative calling. There, he started Laugh-O-
Gram Studios a company that produced short animated films based on fairy tales. Although the studio
eventually went bankrupt due to financial mismanagement, the experience was crucial for Walt. It
taught him valuable lessons in storytelling, animation production, and the challenges of running a
business. These early setbacks did not discourage him; instead, they prepared him for the bigger
dreams he would soon pursue in Hollywood.
BEGINNING IN ANIMATION
After the unfortunate closure of Laugh-O-Gram Studios, Walt Disney made a bold and life-changing
decision—he packed his bags and moved to Hollywood, California, in 1923. With just a suitcase, a
few drawings, and a heart full of ambition, Walt set out to rebuild his dreams from the ground up. At
the time, Hollywood was known more for live-action films than animation, but Walt saw it as a place
filled with opportunity. He was determined to create something new and exciting that would capture
the imagination of audiences everywhere.
In Hollywood, Walt joined forces with his older brother, Roy O. Disney. Together, they founded the
Disney Brothers Studio, operating out of a small office space with extremely limited financial
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resources. They began by producing a series of short films called the “Alice Comedies,” which
combined live-action footage with animated characters a fresh concept for its time. These early works
brought modest success and laid the groundwork for the development of future animated characters
and stories.
The early years were far from easy. The brothers faced numerous financial and technical challenges,
but Walt’s passion and vision never wavered. He remained committed to improving the quality of his
work and experimenting with new animation techniques. Each struggle, from tight budgets to missed
opportunities, taught Walt valuable lessons in creativity, business, and resilience. These formative
years were critical in shaping the values and foundations of what would eventually grow into The
Walt Disney Company a global symbol of creativity and innovation.
CREATION OF MICKEY MOUSE
In 1927, Walt Disney faced a major setback when he lost the rights to his character, Oswald the
Lucky Rabbit, in a contract dispute. Many would have given up, but Walt saw it as a chance to create
something new and better. With his trusted animator Ub Iwerks, he began designing a new character
one that would soon become world famous.
That character was Mickey Mouse. Originally named Mortimer Mouse, Walt’s wife, Lillian,
suggested the name Mickey instead, thinking it sounded more fun and friendly. Mickey made his
debut in Steamboat Willie in 1928, which was the first cartoon to feature synchronized sound. It was a
major breakthrough and instantly captured the audience’s attention.
Mickey’s success was fast and powerful. He became the face of Disney and a symbol of joy and
imagination. More than just a cartoon character, Mickey Mouse marked the true beginning of Walt
Disney’s rise to fame and influence in animation.
DISNEY’S ANIMATED FILM LEGACY
In 1937, Walt Disney took a bold step by releasing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the world’s
first full-length animated feature film. At the time, many critics and even those in the industry called
it “Disney’s Folly,” believing no one would sit through a 90-minute cartoon. Despite the doubts, Walt
believed in the power of storytelling through animation and took a huge financial risk to complete the
film.
To everyone’s surprise, Snow White became a massive box-office success and proved that animation
could be emotionally powerful and artistically significant. It opened the doors for more ambitious
projects, leading to a series of animated classics like Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi. Each
of these films pushed technical boundaries and introduced new ways to blend music, emotion, and
animation.
During World War II, the studio faced a different kind of challenge. Many animators were drafted
into military service, and Disney Studios shifted focus to producing propaganda, training, and
educational films for the U.S. government. While this slowed down their entertainment output, it kept
the studio running and demonstrated Walt’s adaptability in times of crisis.
THE GOLDEN AGE AND DISNEYLAND
After World War II, Disney Studios saw a creative resurgence with the release of beloved classics
like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. These films highlighted the studio’s growth in
animation and storytelling, captivating audiences with their magical visuals and timeless characters.
In 1955, Walt Disney brought another dream to life by opening Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It
was the first-ever theme park of its kind, built as a place where children and adults could have fun
together in a safe, imaginative environment.
The grand opening was televised live and watched by millions, instantly turning Disneyland into a
national sensation. It quickly became the gold standard for theme parks worldwide and reflected
Walt’s unique ability to turn imagination into reality.
DISNEY’S FINAL YEARS
Walt Disney’s final animated film was The Jungle Book, released in 1967 shortly after his death. He
had personally overseen much of its production, leaving a strong creative mark on the project.
In 1965, he announced plans for Walt Disney World in Florida, which included his ambitious EPCOT
concept a city built around innovation and community. This showed he was always thinking ahead,
even in his final years.
Walt passed away in 1966 from lung cancer. His brother Roy stepped in to complete Disney World,
which opened in 1971, bringing Walt’s vision to life.
CONCLUSION
Walt Disney was not just a creator he was a true visionary. His stories, characters, and ideas have
inspired generations and continue to bring joy to people around the world.
He built a legacy rooted in imagination, perseverance, and belief in the impossible. Through every
success and setback, he showed us that dreams are worth chasing.
Even today, Walt Disney’s journey reminds us to dream big, work hard, and never stop believing in
ourselves.
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ACHIEVEMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
1. Breaking Industry Barriers
• Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, became the youngest self-made female billionaire by
revolutionizing women’s shapewear.
• Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of India founded Biocon and became a global leader in biotechnology
and healthcare.
2. Driving Innovation
• Women like Whitney Wolfe Herd, who founded Bumble, have redefined how tech platforms
approach dating and social networking.
• Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of 23andMe, helped make genetic testing accessible to the public.
3. Empowering Communities
• Many women entrepreneurs focus on social entrepreneurship, creating ventures that tackle
issues like poverty, education, and gender inequality.
• For example, Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, built a platform that allows people to lend
money to small entrepreneurs around the world.
4. Leading Startups and Unicorns
• More women are founding and leading unicorn startups (valued at over $1 billion), like
Melanie Perkins of Canva.
5. Advocacy and Mentorship
• Successful women often use their platforms to support and mentor other women entrepreneurs,
fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
6. Economic Impact
• Women-owned businesses contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy.
• In the U.S. alone, over 12 million businesses are owned by women, generating more than $1.8
trillion annually.
7. Overcoming Systemic Challenges
• Despite limited access to venture capital (women receive less than 3% of VC funding
globally), women entrepreneurs are building sustainable, profitable businesses.
• They often bootstrap their ventures or use alternative funding methods like crowdfunding,
showing resilience and resourcefulness.
8. Tech and Innovation Leadership
• Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, has been pivotal in closing the gender gap in
tech through entrepreneurship and advocacy.
• Rihanna, through her brand Fenty Beauty, disrupted the cosmetics industry by introducing a
truly inclusive line for all skin tones—showing innovation in branding and marketing.
9. Global Recognition and Awards
• Many women entrepreneurs have received international recognition:
• Oprah Winfrey became a media mogul and self-made billionaire, empowering millions
through her brand.
• Cher Wang, co-founder of HTC, is one of the most successful tech entrepreneurs in Asia.
10. Role in Sustainable Development
• Women-led businesses are more likely to invest in sustainability and community upliftment.
• Entrepreneurs like Yasmeen Lari (Pakistan’s first female architect) use their work to create
low-cost, eco-friendly housing for the poor.
11. Creating Employment
• Women entrepreneurs create millions of jobs globally.
• Many focus on hiring other women, especially in rural or underserved areas, helping bridge
the gender employment gap.
12. Leadership in E-commerce
• Women have thrived in the e-commerce space:
• Sophia Amoruso built Nasty Gal from an eBay store into a fashion empire
• Countless women across Africa and Southeast Asia use platforms like Etsy, Jumia, and
Shopify to run profitable online businesses.
CONCLUSION
Women entrepreneurs across the globe have become powerful agents of change, innovation, and
economic development. Despite facing numerous social, financial, and cultural barriers, they have
broken stereotypes, disrupted industries, and created inclusive and sustainable business models.
From building global tech companies and social enterprises to empowering rural communities and
driving policy changes, their achievements go beyond personal success—they uplift families,
communities, and entire economies. Their stories of resilience, vision, and leadership continue to
inspire future generations, proving that when women thrive, the world thrives.
Empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs is not just a matter of equality—it’s essential for
global progress.
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