Apple Names Art Levinson Chairman, Disney's Bob Iger Joins Board of Directors

apple logoApple today announced that Art Levinson has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors. The former Genentech executive has served on Apple's board since 2000 and has been a co-lead director since 2005. In addition, Disney president and CEO Bob Iger has been named to the board.

“Art has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “He has been our longest serving co-lead director, and his insight and leadership are incredibly valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders.”

“Bob and I have gotten to know one another very well over the past few years and on behalf of the entire board, we think he is going to make an extraordinary addition to our already very strong board,” said Tim Cook. “His strategic vision for Disney is based on three fundamentals: generating the best creative content possible, fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology, and expanding into new markets around the world which makes him a great fit for Apple.”

Levinson had served on all three of the board's committees, and will continue to serve on the audit committee following his elevation to chairman. Iger will also serve on the audit committee.

Disney and Apple have a relatively close relationship given that Disney had purchased Pixar back in 2006 when it was owned by Steve Jobs. Jobs had subsequently served on Disney's board of directors and was the company's largest individual shareholder.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17's 'Awe Dropping' Accessories

Friday August 29, 2025 8:12 am PDT by
Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the iPhone 17's new thermal system with ...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

3N16MA Avatar
180 months ago
Maybe...

DIS Mkt cap 64.23B


AAPL Mkt cap 361.38B

https://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ%3AAAPL

https://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE%3ADIS

I think they can afford it:D
Apple's Market Cap has nothing to do with whether they can afford to acquire Disney.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nothlit Avatar
180 months ago
So after Steve's death all this dude's done is change the company all over. I'd be kinda pissed if I owned stock. Comment doesn't really relate to this event, just that we keep seeing these stories again and again.

If you read the Steve Jobs biography you'd know that he really respected both Levinson and Iger. Steve was the largest shareholder of Disney, and worked directly with Iger to facilitate Disney's purchase of Pixar in 2006. So to imply that making Levinson chairman and adding Iger to the board are things that Steve would have disagreed with is just wrong.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
slrandall Avatar
180 months ago
From what I read about him in Steve's bio, Art's a great guy. Glad to see this happen.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
visim91 Avatar
180 months ago
Steve's dead. He's nothing.

If you meant "Steve wasn't an idiot", then say that.




Well, if the rumoured "even thinner" 15" MacBook comes with an external USB 3.0 Blu-ray Disc burner - then we'll know that Tim got the message.

If it's a bigger MacBook Air, Tim didn't get the message.

The world beyond the end of your nose must be a deeply confusing, troubling place for you.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EssentialParado Avatar
180 months ago
Great move on both counts. Bolster's faith in a post-Steve Apple future.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheQuestion Avatar
180 months ago
It is clear to me after nearly completing his bio, that this is exactly the type of thing Steve would want for his baby.

Good choice.

Now how long until Jony Ive takes over?

I don't think you will ever see Ive take over as Apple's CEO. Even though Steve called him a soulmate of sorts in his bio, Ive has shunned the spotlight and shown no inclination that he wants the responsibility of being a CEO. He's also too nice a guy. I think Scott Forstall would be more a likely candidate after Cook. He appears to have the right mix of genius, tyrant and a****** to be the next Steve. Before anyone flames me for insinuating Steve is a sphincter, Steve admits it several times in Isaacson's bio. It's part of the recipe for success.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)