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WASHINGTON/NEW YORK- An unconventional path to the White House is about to get crowded as corporate chiefs consider parlaying their careers into politics. President Donald Trump provides a roadmap, even if he had unique advantages.
The former reality-TV star changed what’s possible in presidential ambitions, catapulting a novice from outside politics to the White House. Trump touted his business success and Washington outsider status as reasons to vote for him.
Others who accomplished more in the corporate world could follow in his footsteps. Walt Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger flirted with throwing his hat in the ring even though he demurred when asked about a potential run. However, Disney’s $66 billion acquisition of parts of Twenty-First Century Fox includes extending Iger’s contract – set to expire in July 2019 – for another two years.
Iger may be off the list for now but there are other CEOs suited to the Oval Office. Since Howard Schultz stepped down as Starbucks' CEO in April, he has urged politicians to “speak their conscience” after a white supremacist rally in Virginia, and visited Houston after Hurricane Harvey.
Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's No. 2, is more politically savvy than her awkward boss, whose travels across the country sparked speculation he might run for office. Her book about the sudden death of her husband rounded out her “Lean In” profile. She has also been more effective in answering critics of Russia’s use of Facebook in trying to influence the 2016 elections.
CBS head Les Moonves could be in the mix, too. The media executive's employment agreement doesn’t expire until 2021. Yet given the instability of the broadcaster's ownership under Sumner Redstone and his daughter Shari, a sale of CBS could offer Moonves an exit to D.C.
Some bosses are more forthcoming. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has said he's considering a presidential run, though he told a Reuters Newsmaker audience in November that he hadn’t made a decision yet.
These contenders may exceed Trump’s executive skills. But they don’t share his name recognition, which is critical to gaining electoral attention. None of them were named in Owler’s 2017 CEO likeability study ranking 100 corporate chiefs. They may find shareholder approval isn't the same as voter awareness of their business stardom.
CONTEXT NEWS
- Walt Disney’s board of directors on Dec. 14 extended Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Iger's contract through 2021. The request was made in part by Twenty-First Century Fox. Iger’s agreement was set to expire on July 2019.
- Disney agreed to buy parts of Fox on Dec. 14 in a deal valued at $66.1 billion.
(Editing by Rob Cox and Martin Langfield)
© Reuters News 2017
The former reality-TV star changed what’s possible in presidential ambitions, catapulting a novice from outside politics to the White House. Trump touted his business success and Washington outsider status as reasons to vote for him.
Others who accomplished more in the corporate world could follow in his footsteps. Walt Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger flirted with throwing his hat in the ring even though he demurred when asked about a potential run. However, Disney’s $66 billion acquisition of parts of Twenty-First Century Fox includes extending Iger’s contract – set to expire in July 2019 – for another two years.
Iger may be off the list for now but there are other CEOs suited to the Oval Office. Since Howard Schultz stepped down as Starbucks' CEO in April, he has urged politicians to “speak their conscience” after a white supremacist rally in Virginia, and visited Houston after Hurricane Harvey.
Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's No. 2, is more politically savvy than her awkward boss, whose travels across the country sparked speculation he might run for office. Her book about the sudden death of her husband rounded out her “Lean In” profile. She has also been more effective in answering critics of Russia’s use of Facebook in trying to influence the 2016 elections.
CBS head Les Moonves could be in the mix, too. The media executive's employment agreement doesn’t expire until 2021. Yet given the instability of the broadcaster's ownership under Sumner Redstone and his daughter Shari, a sale of CBS could offer Moonves an exit to D.C.
Some bosses are more forthcoming. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has said he's considering a presidential run, though he told a Reuters Newsmaker audience in November that he hadn’t made a decision yet.
These contenders may exceed Trump’s executive skills. But they don’t share his name recognition, which is critical to gaining electoral attention. None of them were named in Owler’s 2017 CEO likeability study ranking 100 corporate chiefs. They may find shareholder approval isn't the same as voter awareness of their business stardom.
CONTEXT NEWS
- Walt Disney’s board of directors on Dec. 14 extended Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Iger's contract through 2021. The request was made in part by Twenty-First Century Fox. Iger’s agreement was set to expire on July 2019.
- Disney agreed to buy parts of Fox on Dec. 14 in a deal valued at $66.1 billion.
(Editing by Rob Cox and Martin Langfield)
© Reuters News 2017
