Peter Cuneo - Marvel’s Turnaround CEO, $4.5B Exit | The Navy Officer Who Saved Marvel

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Peter Cuneo is a renowned American business executive best known for orchestrating one of the greatest corporate turnarounds in history as President and CEO of Marvel Entertainment. He rescued Marvel from bankruptcy in the late 1990s and transformed it into a global entertainment powerhouse that Disney ultimately acquired for $4.3 billion—delivering massive returns to shareholders and cementing his reputation as one of America's elite turnaround specialists. With senior leadership roles at major brands including Clairol, Black & Decker, and Remington, Cuneo has built a legendary career revitalizing struggling companies into category leaders through strategic vision, disciplined execution, and a proven track record of creating extraordinary value.

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https://www.petercuneo.com/ 

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➡️ Talking Points

00:00 – Intro

01:15 – The War Experience That Redefined Risk

17:38 – Are Leaders Born or Made?

23:47 – Sponsor Break

28:22 – Why Great Leaders Stay Curious

33:13 – Are We Losing Our Curiosity?

37:03 – Raising Successful Kids in 2025

42:09 – The Best People to Learn Leadership From

44:20 – Leadership Advice for 25-Year-Olds

46:35 – Sponsor Break

49:28 – Knowing Which Lessons to Keep—or Forget

53:17 – Early Signs a Company’s Failing

56:33 – The Power of Thinking Like an Outsider

1:01:12 – The Bold Bets That Transformed Marvel

1:07:08 – Smarter Decisions and Risk Taking

1:11:49 – Peter Cuneo’s Final Lesson for His Son

Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur, business executive, author, educator & speaker, Scott D. Clary (@scottdclary). On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. To get more of the Success Story podcast, go to www.successstorypodcast.com.