Spinning Disney's World: Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent

Charles Ridgway is a 'Disney Legend' acknowledged by the Disney Company for his four decades of service to Disney, so SPINNING DISNEY'S WORLD: MEMORIES OF A MAGIC KINGDOM PRESS AGENT is a key to understanding the Disney structure. Ridgway's ingenuity in publicizing and creating the Disney magic is revealed in chapters that cite Disney history and his major contributions. Readers need not be Disney fans to appreciate this survey: any business collection, especially those featuring public relations titles, will find SPINNING DISNEY'S WORLD holds plenty of marketing insights key to understanding Disney's attractions and public relations at its best.

I met Charlie Ridgeway a few times when I was a travel writer, and he was the most genial host with genuine understanding of the writer's needs of any "press flack" I ever met. This book explains the reasons why and gives the outsider, whether a pro in PR or media or merely a fan of things Disney, a fascinating look into how and why the Mouse became what it is today. This is the kind of stuff PR people never learn, and old-time reporters are mostly not around to share anymore. Vitally important education for professionals in the media and public relations/press relations, a great read for all.

Charles Ridgway's story will hold the full interest of Disney fans, as well as those interested in learning how a business empire is built from a public relations viewpoint. I enjoyed the style of Ridgway's writing very much and was sad to see the book come to an end!

Easy read and fun to learn about more disney history

This is a truly fascinating read. There are only a handful of people in the world who were there from the start of the Disney Dynasty. Even fewer who knew Walt and Roy Disney on a personal basis. Publicist Charles Ridgway is one of them. This behind the scenes look at how it all began, the personalities involved, and how it really worked is a priceless treasure. As a national publicist myself, I found the publicity tactics and strategies used by Disney particularly interesting. From staging live events, to small publicity stunts -- it was an amazing time. I would highly recommend this book to both Disney fans and public relations professionals alike.