QUESTION $1[100$ MARKS$]$ Disney & Pixar merger: The inside story of a $$7\mathrm{.}4$ billion deal The story of Disney and Pixar begins with two very different paths that eventually led to a powerful merger. Walt Disney Studios, founded in $1923$ by Walt Disney and his brother Roy, quickly became the leader in animation, creating timeless characters like Mickey Mouse and producing groundbreaking films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs $(1937).$ For decades, Disney was the face of animation, influencing generations with its classic movies. However, by the early $2000$s$,$ Disney$$s animation department started facing challenges. Traditional hand$-$drawn animation was losing its appeal, and their attempts to create successful computer$-$animated films struggled to match the creativity of Pixar$$s work. Pixar, on the other hand, began in $1986$ as a small animation studio. Originally part of Lucasfilm, it was bought by Steve Jobs, who saw potential in animation technology. Pixar$$s big break came with Toy Story $(1995),$ the world$$s first feature$-$length computer$-$animated film, which became a worldwide box office hit. That same year, Pixar held its IPO, which was also a major success, with Pixar$$s stock price soaring from $$22$ to $$45$ within the first half$-$hour of trading. A$.$ Using appropriate strategic management tools $($eg$,$ PESTEL or SWOT$),$ critically

evaluate the internal and external environmental factors that shaped Disney and Pixar$$s

relationship before the merger and how these factors influenced the post$-$merger

integration strategy. $(20)$

B$.$ Discuss the importance of due diligence in mergers and acquisitions. Based on the

article, identify and analyse at least three key areas where due diligence likely played a

crucial role in Disney$$s decision to acquire Pixar. $(15)$

C$.$ Compare and contrast the management strategies used in the Disney$-$Pixar merger with

those used in one other Disney acquisition $($eg$,$ Marvel, Lucasfilm, or $21$st Century Fox$).$

Focus on pre$-$merger negotiation, leadership restructuring and brand integration. $(15)$

D$.$ Assess the role of management information systems $($MIS$)$ in the post$-$merger integration

of Disney and Pixar. How might MIS have facilitated coordination, innovation and

decision$-$making across both entities? $(15)$

E$.$ Assume you are part of an M&A advisory team evaluating a future acquisition between

two creative content companies with differing cultures and legacy systems. Drawing

lessons from the Disney$-$Pixar merger:

$$ Identify and explain five strategic recommendations you would make to ensure

post$-$merger success. $(15$ marks$)$

$$ Reflect on how these recommendations align with broader trends in digital

transformation, intellectual property management and cross$-$platform content

integration. $(20)$