Pixar Animation Studios Scott A. Treloar Dr. Gary Rodgers Florida SouthWestern State College November 23, 2014

Current Situation and Industry Information About Pixar Leading animation studio in the world. 7 Oscars for Best Animated Film. Toy Story was the first computer- generated full-length feature film. Toy Story 3 first animated film to gross over $1 Billion! About the Animated Film Industry Top Competitors include Pixar/Disney, Dreamworks, Fox, and Blue Sky Studios.

Current Problems Production How does Pixar maintain its current success? How will Pixar produce more films without losing quality? Competition How does Pixar maintain competitive advantage as the market sees new entrants?

Strategic Analysis VRIS Framework for Sustained Competitive Advantage. Is it Valuable? Yes. – Creativity + Technology = Box Office Success! – Quality > Quantity = Consistent Success! Is it Rare? Yes. – Pixar’s greatest asset is its talent, which is in limited supply. – Constant education and innovation keep Pixar in front of competition.

Strategic Analysis VRIS Framework for Sustained Competitive Advantage (continued) Is it Imitable? Yes, but with difficulty. – Pixar’s storytelling is difficult to imitate. – Pixar’s computer animation is difficult to imitate. Animation that creates more life- life texture, backgrounds movement, and luminosity. Is it Substitutable? Yes, but with difficulty. – Pixar’s joint-effort with Disney give it additional resources and talent, making substitution tough. – New software program creates more animation to be produced with fewer artists and in quicker time.

Alternative Solutions Production Expand Pixar University to Develop New Talent and More Talent. Expand Relationship with Disney Animation Studio (and Disney/ABC/ESPN) and Share Knowledge and Resources (i.e. Tangled). Continue to Develop Innovative Technology to Increase Production. Competition Expand Animation Offerings to New Demographics.

Recommendations Expand Pixar University to become an actual animation college that trains more than just Pixar employees. Learn from Disney – Go Global with the storytelling and reach new demographics. Learn from competition (i.e. Shrek) – tell stories that will appeal to an older demographic, too. Spend more $$$ on R&D and innovate more, sooner.

References Dess, G. G., Lumpkin, G. T., Eisner, A. B., & McNamara, G. (2012). Strategic Management: Text and Cases (6th ed.). New York, NY, USA: McGraw Hill. Retrieved October 24, 2014 Hoovers. (2014). PIXAR. Retrieved November 23, 2014, from Hoovers.com: Pixar. (2014). About. Retrieved November 23, 2014, from pixar.com: