Would you leave your current role in a messy organization (Disney), for a higher title but lower pay (~20%) in a competing Studio (NBCU, or Warner Media)? I’m in a pickle now, because I really think Disney has the best studio system out there, but I am more and more anxious to try something different and there are several opportunities opening up elsewhere. Besides, I’m in Streaming so we’re generally paid better than similar roles in competing Studios (or even internally). However, this year, if I’m not fired, I doubt there will be promotions, while bonus will be meager. We’ll work harder than ever, with no reward. I could leave now, take a higher position in a new role elsewhere and avoid this mess. Very curious to know how messy competing Studios are. And if you’d ever had to make this decision in your career. TC: $240k (and dropping) YOE: 12 #nbcuniversal #disney
I'll say try going to the streamers (Netflix, Amazon, Apple) instead of traditional studios. I've worked at both, and have seen that streamers improve learning and resume, as well as pay a lot better than old studios.
The tough part is just making it in. I was at Amazon, not going back there, horrible culture. But Netflix and Apple, that’d be fantastic.
I’m struggling with this right now. Higher title at the other studio but because they don’t have LTIs my pay would actually go down. But Disney is such a shit show and is going to be that way for most of 2023 I’m going anyway… not completely sold it’s the best move.
Thank you for sharing. Always good to hear other perspectives and examples
I've received an offer and managed to put the start date off for a while. I’m hoping I’ll know my fate here at Disney by then and move up my start date or at least finish my current projects before I go. The base salary is much higher but the benefits are non-existent so the higher pay is almost a wash. But, I cannot live in this uncertainty only to be left holding the bag. At this point the devil I know is liable to lay me off so it’s not really a decision I’m grappling with. I’m not the gambling type.
Disney, WBD, News Corp, Paramount and Comcast/NBCU all have the same streaming problem: none of them are tech-first companies. They are all media companies that decided to get into the DTC streaming business way too late and are now scrambling to build mediocre products. You're going to encounter the same mess at all those companies. Amazon and Apple have the inverse problem though: they're tech companies who decided to get into streaming to add value to their existing products. Streaming will never be part of their core business which means there's no pressure to do it well either. You could launch the most amazing streaming product there and it still won't have any impact on their stock price.
I would not take any job for less money unless I was desperate or could guarantee I would be happier at new job. Or if I could guarantee the higher title will lead to more pay. Can you say 100% either of those will happen?
Great points, tc. I cannot guarantee either- new role could be fun for a while, learning something new is always exciting, but the new company could be even shittier than Disney, and I’d require 2 promos to make as much as I did last year, so it’ll take a few years to get back to same place.
Tough call then. I think that novelty would wear off, but life’s short tbh. Can’t hurt to try if you’re really that unhappy, but grass is greener blah blah lol
Messy orgs are bumpier but also lead to opportunities. As a fellow Big Mouser, times sure are strange but I believe anybody still around after the cuts is better positioned for upwards mobility in ways both traditional and not. If you believe in your org within the company, or at least your own value being seen and acknowledged, I believe this is an opportunity space as much as a problem space
Appreciate that JackA$$, wise words! And thoughtful :)
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Having worked at former studios and now Disney for the past decade, I’d say everywhere is bat shit crazy. The Media industry as a whole is ever evolving and one M&A battle after another. So base your decision on personal interest, WLB, benefits, and stock options. Good luck and interested to hear where you go next!
Can I ask you what has held you at Disney for so long? And why not go back to other studios you might have enjoyed more (of that was the case), and change your experience or just simply do the same in a different place?
Disney has a higher base and much better benefits (LTI, retainer, bonus, gifts, discounts, and benefits). It also has stronger relationships with creatives and producers which means wins the content is king battle. I didn’t enjoy the other studios more it was more a means to an end. Same thing with Disney but just better comp. If I go to Tech base would go up and possibly benefits. But I’m looking to do a career pivot no more company bump.