Disney shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to cease participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which evaluates corporate policies related to LGBTQIA+ workplace equality. The proposal was submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research’s Free Enterprise Project, arguing that Disney’s involvement in such initiatives alienates customers and investors. Disney’s board recommended voting against the proposal, stating that current practices adequately address transparency and equity matters. Only 1% of shares supported the proposal. Additionally, shareholders voted down two other proposals: one concerning climate risks to retirement plan beneficiaries and another regarding discrimination risks against ad buyers and sellers. Shareholders approved the compensation packages for Disney’s named officers, including CEO Bob Iger’s $41.1 million package. Iger announced the development of “Coco 2” and discussed Disney’s approach to AI, emphasizing IP protection, respect for creators, and customer value. Disney is collaborating with Nvidia and Google’s DeepMind AI lab on an open-source physics engine called Newton to enhance its robotic character platform. — news from Variety
