Mickey Mouse Ideas

“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.”

So, according to the Internet, said high school dropout Walt Disney.

As an avid drawer as a kid, then as a commercial artist as a young adult, Walt Disney was always experimenting with the camera. This interest resulted in him launching his own animation studio. In 1928, he debuted a short film, Steamboat Willie, in which he introduced Mickey Mouse. Mickey became a huge hit. And after Mickey, so did Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy.

Disney won more than 20 Academy Awards producing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians and many more films. In all, his studio produced more than 101 features.

Of course, Disney was much more than a filmmaker. On the back of that little mouse, Disney and his brother Roy grew their little art studio into a multinational entertainment and leisure industry giant, Walt Disney Productions.

How did he do it? He tried many different things.

Disney hired merchandising agents to increase licensing fees. He published comic strips to boost revenues. He launched Mickey Mouse Clubs to promote Disney’s films and products.

A believer in technology, Disney was among the first to use Technicolor. In 1950, he ventured into television, which many in films feared, in order to cross-promote his characters and films. Disney was one of the first filmmakers to conduct audience research during and after film production.

He invested in the theme parks Disneyland and Walt Disney World to further extend his brand. He built alliances between his theme parks and other businesses including ABC-TV and publishers. Thus the theme parks, films, TV shows, comic books and coloring books all promoted one another. He convinced major corporations including TWA, American Motors and Pepsi-Cola to become sponsors of Disneyland rides and exhibits.

Diversifying revenues, cross-promotion, building alliances, employing new technology…. Hmmm.

This issue of Insurance Journal has 101 sales, marketing and agency management ideas. Walt Disney did not contribute to these directly but he did in spirit. These 101 ideas have been contributed by agents and consultants, CSRs and CEOs, and Insurance Journal magazine readers and website visitors. The 101 ideas are published in random order.

Some of these ideas may not fit your circumstances; others may address an immediate or future opportunity. Many are big ideas that merit serious consideration. Some of our favorites are the smaller ideas like custom logo cookies, a charity event, or a video introducing newcomers to your town.

We are frequently asked why we publish 101 ideas; why not just 100? That would be like making 100 Dalmatians! We publish 101 because that extra one could be YOUR Mickey Mouse idea. We sincerely hope you find it.