Variety; What’s on Moguls’ Minds at Sun Valley 2024: Disney Succession, AI Controversies and Trump’s Possible Return

Story from Variety:

The sultans of media and tech will break out their windbreakers and puffy vests for Allen & Co.’s annual Sun Valley conference next month. It’s a chance for these high-net-worth individuals to look “oh so casual” as they discuss the state of their industries and the world. The vibe is relaxed, but things aren’t going swimmingly for these denizens of one-percent-dom. The economy remains wobbly, new technologies are upending old ways of minting money, share prices are tumbling and geopolitical turbulence is intensifying. And though we don’t know exactly what will go down at the weeklong confab (Sun Valley is an off-the-record affair), we have a pretty good sense of what’s on these moguls’ minds as they hit the Idaho resort.

Bob Iger is bringing his merry band of potential successors to Sun Valley. The Disney chief, who is stepping down in 2026 (he’s serious this time!), will likely be flanked by Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, as well as Disney Experiences leader Josh D’Amaro. All three are seen as strong candidates to rule the Mouse House, so expect attendees to stay glued to their every remark and interaction with Iger as they game out who has the inside track.

Well, so far, the answer is no deal. Shari Redstone’s Hamlet-like approach to selling her family company is making other media chiefs antsy. After a proposed merger with Skydance blew up at the eleventh hour, it’s unclear what path Paramount Global will take. If it goes it alone, that will mean cutting $500 million in costs (corporate-speak for shedding assets, slashing jobs and finding a strategic partner for Paramount+). However, if Redstone is still serious about getting out, there are options, including interest from former Seagram chief Edgar Bronfman Jr., who is mulling a bid.