http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/03/business/media/robert-iger-gets-2nd-contract-extension-at-disney.html 2014-10-02 20:15:33 Robert Iger Gets 2nd Contract Extension at Disney He will remain chief executive until June 2018, a reflection of the company’s success under his leadership. === LOS ANGELES — Robert A. Iger will remain chief executive and chairman of the Walt Disney Company until June 2018, an extension of two years beyond his previously extended retirement date, which reflects a remarkable track record. The second extension, announced by Disney on Thursday, will be his last: Mr. Iger plans to name a chief operating officer early next year, an appointment that will end a succession race between two internal candidates. Under the terms of Mr. Iger’s last contract, signed in July 2013, he was to step down as chief executive and chairman in June 2016. Starting last spring, Mr. Iger, 63, began receiving private inquiries about his plans after leaving the world’s largest entertainment company. A small but influential group of sports executives, for instance, pushed him to Disney shares have recently been trading at about $85.50, an increase of about 35 percent compared with one year ago. Disney reported profit of $6.14 billion last year, an 8 percent increase from a year earlier, on $45.04 billion in revenue. Almost every division of Disney has been thriving. After decades of trying, Disney recently completed a turnaround at its signature animation division, which released the megahit “Frozen” in November. The addition of Marvel movies have significantly lifted the company’s studio and a raft of “Star Wars” films will be released at a steady clip starting next year.