Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

Chapter 361 The Road to Promotion in DreamWorks

How could Roland not understand this matter?

DreamWorks was established in order to break through the blockade of the Six Greats!

Although other companies except Sony are all controlled by Jews, they and the Jewish Gang are not in the same way!

The bosses of Time Warner and Paramount all started their careers through the media industry, and are themselves in the big bourgeoisie;

The actual controller of Disney controls Disney as an agent of the Disney family Clover Fund. To put it bluntly, he is a wage earner with a mouth;

The actual controller of News Corporation is only of Jewish descent, and he himself faces the exclusive risk of non-America industries;

Although Seagram Wines, which controls Universal, is owned by a Jewish family, they have now sold the company to Vivendi;

In this case, they were indeed Jewish, but none of them could fit in a pair of pants.

When it comes to right and wrong, they will stand together, but when it comes to the distribution of benefits, who will let whom?

Therefore, when DreamWorks was established, it introduced external capital that could fight against them.

Paul Allen also stepped in at this time.

With the involvement of the co-founders of Microsoft, who wanted to invade the entertainment industry, they put forward performance requirements to DreamWorks, producing a fixed number of movies each year, and establishing a global distribution network. If the standard is not met, he can ask the company to buy back shares.

In Roland’s previous life, DreamWorks achieved its goal of producing a fixed number of movies per year, but failed in establishing a global distribution network, so Paul Allen finally chose to leave.

But now, even though DreamWorks has not established a global distribution network from beginning to end, Paul Allen still holds shares in DreamWorks, because they all have taken a fancy to Sony, Amblin and Warcraft Film and Television Global Distribution Company.

When the ready-made channels visible to the naked eye were placed in front of them, of course they would not give up easily, and when they were thinking about how to intervene and promote, David Geffen's idea of ​​withdrawing shares gave them a sense of room for manipulation.

David Geffen is indeed a person in the entertainment industry, but his net worth is basically piled up by collectible companies.

The works of Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, William Kooning and others are basically in his hands. Not only that, he also maintains a good cooperation with the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.

When he was at his best, he was able to sell the 30 million collected collections at a price of 60 million through hype.

It is precisely because the price of collectibles is mysterious and mysterious, it has always been a seller's market, and the price alone can be increased through speculation. When the global economy is in good condition, they will make a lot of money, but after the global financial crisis, don't worry about them. No matter how the price is raised, no one buys it, because the collectibles are not liquid.

So, now David Geffen is facing the problem of being unable to ship in the short term and running out of liquidity.

At the same time, since 1983, David Geffen has been actively lobbying the California Coastal Commission to build Cape Cod-style theaters in various coastal areas of Los Angeles in exchange for public access to major beaches. The monopoly of roads within small targets, so as to capture greater profits, but after the California Coastal Commission passed, for a full seventeen years, he only monopolized road tolls and did not build theaters, so the California Coastal Commission has already started suing to make him spit out profits ,compensation.

Under the threat of the law, David Geffen, who wants to remedy, wants to tear down the east wall to make up for the west wall.

In this way, Microsoft has provided an opportunity.

If it's just these, then forget it.

Because of the shares of David Geffen and Paul Allen, there is no way to shake Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, but the problem is that the split of DreamWorks Animation at the beginning of the year In the merger case, Steven Spielberg swallowed the interests of Jeffrey Katzenberg, so the last straw that crushed the DreamWorks Group appeared.

"In other words, you don't want Microsoft to get involved at all?"

"Or, you want me to buy out David Geffen's equity?"

After capturing the helplessness on Steven Spielberg's face, Roland was finally able to confirm that the conversation on the first day of marriage was led by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. As a businessman, how could the old man Maybe you want to be emptied by external forces?

Take Amblin Entertainment as an example.

From the day it joined Universal, the old man has firmly held the control, and Universal has changed batch after batch of fathers, from American Music to Panasonic, from Panasonic to Seagram, from Seagram to Vivant Di, from Vivendi to GM, and finally to Comcast, so many people have failed to take Amblin from the hands of the old man, so how can he allow Microsoft to **** DreamWorks?

But when Roland felt that his guess was correct, the old man shook his head and said, "It's not just these..."

"Huh?" Roland was a little surprised by this answer.

But just as he was frowning and thinking, trying to explore the true thoughts of the other party's inner world, the old man had already told the truth.

"I want Microsoft to get involved, but I don't want to lose the initiative."

"When Paul Allen told me that Microsoft wanted to take over David Geffen's shares, I resisted in my heart because I was afraid of being ostracized, but when Bill Gates found me and told me that in After buying David Geffen's stake, I was torn as to whether they would push for the MGM acquisition, because the Motion Picture Association membership was right around the corner."

"If I was running it on my own, I don't think I would have gotten the qualification at all, because the current members have the right to lobby the association and keep us out, and if we don't get membership, we will never be able to become six. A company like that, because the Motion Picture Association is a legal institution listed on the Federal Register that can directly lobby Congress, they can intervene in the revision of the Copyright Act, they can intervene in the investigation of infringement cases, and they can even influence the Criminal Law.”

"Just like Disney, is Mickey's commercial image really extended through Disney itself? No, that's Disney kidnapping the other five on the chariot, although Time Warner's Bugs Bunny, MGM's Cat The influence of Mickey Mouse and Mickey Mouse cannot reach Mickey's level, but they will not just watch their copyrights go invalid."

"Not only that, the association will also play a decisive role in opening up other markets. You have experienced Microsoft's acquisition of Yahoo. You should know that the key to opening up the international market is profit. A single company cannot negotiate with a country, but Companies unite to force our country to come forward, turn economic issues into political issues, and market issues into military issues, then we will definitely gain greater benefits. market competition."

"If we can't join the association, we won't be able to speak out for our own rights. We can only seek our own living space from other people's proposals. Therefore, I am in great pain now. The opportunity to become bigger is at hand, but the price is rights. lost."

When the old man frantically took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it for himself, Roland followed suit and brought one.

Of course he can understand the other party's mood, because he doesn't want to share his company with others.

Besides RandK, only Blizzard Entertainment, which retains talents, has redeemed the equity. Under such circumstances, if he persuades the old man to pay attention to development and lose his rights, then—he must first give himself a blow.

However, if it was just for membership, then Roland felt that he could be a trash can and listen to the old man's real thoughts without giving any substantive suggestions. As long as it was delayed until the end of 2001, the old man would naturally know what to do .

However, when he was thinking about how to comfort the other party, the old man took a few puffs of cigarettes, and then pressed the cigarette **** on the table forcefully, "Of course, in addition to the film association, we are also facing the problem of the media group .”

"If we said that at the beginning, we just wanted to build a film group of our own, then after holding the shares of the global distribution company, what we want to do is to become the real Big Six."

"After discovering that the position of the top six is ​​only one step away from us, what we thought was actually a mixed operation."

"Just like Fox Films bought Fox Network, like Time Warner bought Turner Broadcasting, like Disney bought ABC Broadcasting Group, like Viacom swallowed Paramount..."

"If DreamWorks can obtain membership status with global distribution capabilities, then the next step is to move towards the media field, and the broadcasting companies on the market have actually been acquired, and the only one that can intervene is There's only GM's NBC broadcast network left, and this broadcast network..."

“Maintains a good relationship with Microsoft.”

“If Microsoft gets involved, we’re not out of the question.”

'Boom! '

Steven Spielberg's words, like thunder on the ground, shocked Roland so dizzy!

'Cough cough cough! '

Continuous coughing came from Roland's mouth, and he almost burst into tears after being choked by the cigarette!

'Hold the grass! Is this old man so ambitious? '

While throwing away his cigarette to wipe away his tears, Roland took a few sips from his water glass.

After the pungent stimulus was forcibly suppressed by external means, Roland turned his shocked gaze to the other party.

"Etc., etc!"

"Tell me first, what exactly do you want to do?"

Roland suspected that his ears had misheard, but the old man replied with a sincere smile, and asked: "For so many years, the key to why you haven't developed Warcraft film and television is because you can't see the future?"

"Even if it has the ability to distribute globally, Warcraft Films can only survive, because if it wants to go further, it is to directly confront the six big ones, and even if it wins the confrontation and successfully joins the Film Association, but without the support of the media group, only It is still not a complete company if it is packaged by an Internet group that does not have the right to interview."

"For example, there is a report from ABC, but have you heard of a report from Amazon? Or, for example, there is a news from CNN, but can you do it from Google?"

“When the media field has solidified, Internet companies absolutely cannot get interview rights.”

"So, when everyone thinks that the development of Warcraft Film and Television is going well, you chose to give up."

"Because you think you can't be the first, and you can't be the first, then you might as well not do it."

Straight into Huanglong's words, Roland's mouth twitched.

Staring at the other party vigorously, his eyes are like sharp swords, trying to peel the old man's heart.

Roland admitted that it was precisely because he hadn't done his best that he chose to hold on, but—

Why did DreamWorks suddenly think of the last step?

DreamWorks has always started with small goals, but now they want to eat a big fat man?

this-

"Is it weird?" Seeing Roland's surprised face, the old man shrugged and said, "People change!"

ah…

If so, then no problem.

In the beginning, Roland just wanted to be a rich man, drive a car with a sleeping beauty, and play games in the world.

But as he continues to climb up, his status and assets are double improved, and his goals are also growing with his ambition.

Ten years ago, he had experienced severe beatings, but he wanted to run away when he saw Hollywood.

But now?

He wanted to hit Disney Run.

The ever-expanding idea is a demon spawned by capital, but even if he knew it, Roland didn't want to change it, because now only these can bring him real happiness—when you crush a company worth hundreds of billions, the film's achievements will be What kind of?

It's just an after-dinner pastime that isn't even a toy.

The old man in the previous life left sadly because he could not form a global distribution network, now—

The dawn of conglomeration is just around the corner, so how could he give up?

After all, he is a director when he picks up the guide tube, and a businessman when he puts down the guide tube. That is an indelible label attached to him.

"Okay, Okay, since you think so clearly, it means that you want Microsoft to intervene in DreamWorks, and then let me sell Sony, Amblin and Warcraft 25% of the shares to DreamWorks?" Roland asked.

At the same time, he felt that he might not be able to understand the old man's brain circuit.

"If this is the case, why are you worried about being ostracized by Microsoft? Whether it is pushing DreamWorks to acquire MGM or trying to merge with NBC, your right to speak in DreamWorks will eventually be diluted."

"What is the market value of MGM? Four billion or five billion?"

"How much is DreamWorks?"

"Do you have two billion?"

"The latest valuation is 1.5 billion." The old man replied, "This is the unified price reached by David and Microsoft."

"That's right, that's the problem." Roland pursed his lips and said, "DreamWorks with 1.5 billion wants to swallow MGM with 5 billion, so Microsoft must continue to inject capital into it. Under the circumstances, even if Jeffrey and Microsoft do not need to join forces, your shareholding has been reduced from the current 25% to the future 5.7%.”

"The shares held by Microsoft can reach more than 80."

"Does it make sense for you to consider the issue of the right to speak in this situation?"

"Even if you can solve one billion in this link, the shares can only be kept at more than 20, which is no match for Microsoft. After that, if you want to promote the merger with NBC, you have to spend at least 150 million Billion."

"At that time, Microsoft can continue to inject 15 billion in cash. Can you follow up with 1.5 billion?"

"If everything can really go so smoothly, then in the end, if you have 2% in your hand, it is already very remarkable!"

"so-"

"I don't think you need to consider the right to speak."

"If you want to grow big in this way, you must give up power!"

The idea of ​​growth that the old man thought of is actually the most traditional capital operation—

Throw coins!

As long as I have money, I can buy what I lack!

No global distribution network?

purchase!

No Film Society membership?

purchase!

No traditional broadcast network?

purchase!

I don't need to think about what rules and regulations need to be cleared up to build these things!

I just need to know that no capital can refuse banknotes, and that's enough!

This is how Time Warner was established, starting with the smallest Warner Bros. Pictures, first merging with Time Group, and then merging with Turner Broadcasting Network; Fox was also born in this way, News Corporation owed a lot of debt; and Via Com is a model in this regard. Even Disney, which can deceive children and women at the same time, cannot escape this disaster.

But this kind of merger actually has disadvantages.

The shares of the founders will be continuously diluted.

Even if you can get an M&A loan, most of the time, the acquired party will not complete the transaction in cash.

Because for capital, money is the least valuable thing in the world.

Compared with the market, it is waste paper that reflects the surplus value of exploited labor.

If he wasn't only interested in Disney, Roland might also embark on a crazy merger and acquisition path.

But now—

Old man, you're looking good!

"Yes! If you want to become bigger and stronger through capital operation, you must give up power!"

The old man agreed with Rowland, "Because I can't push GE to sell me NBC, but Microsoft can."

"In this case, my value is the output of the content."

“For Microsoft, that’s a collaborative tool.”

"But I don't want this to happen."

"Unfortunately, this kind of thing will not disappear because of my will."

Although it is indeed a feasible method to use ABC shares for structural division and allow founders to retain more company voting rights, as Google will do in the future, this approach does not make any sense in DreamWorks' hypothetical merger case.

Because only Microsoft can promote the last step of the transaction!

In this case, even if the old man can use 2% of the shares to obtain 20% of the voting rights, so what? As long as Microsoft disagrees, it can force the old man to modify the equity division first, and then promote the transaction with NBC!

This is different from the rich people. Those foreign capitals need him to be at the helm, so he can modify the voting rights corresponding to the shares.

Now, without Microsoft, where did the group dream come from?

But this situation is not what the old man wants to see.

If you can't control the company, what's the point of creating DreamWorks?

If you can't become a big capital yourself, then you can't get rid of the director's identity!

"Alas..." the old man sighed, "So I'm very annoying now, if it wasn't because William and Paul were unwilling to force me, then David might force me to make a decision by sending a letter."

Hearing these words, Roland raised his hand and patted the old man's shoulder.

He can understand the helplessness of the other party, but he can't give a good solution.

In the face of money ability, unless you have a stronger money ability, otherwise...

You can only raise your hands and surrender.

etc…

Unless it has a stronger money-making ability?

When Roland thought of this, he suddenly felt something was wrong.

If David Geffen is now eager to sell the DreamWorks stake, can't he take it first?

Hold it for up to two years before dismembering Sony!

Since in this split case, Sony, which has a big scapegoat, cannot ask for equity + cash for transactions, so it can directly ask them to leave by paying compensation on their behalf. The mode of swallowing Sony Pictures Entertainment will not only not interfere with the equity distribution of all parties, but also stretch the market value!

In this way, the equity dilution in the first link can be directly avoided.

In other words, if they grow up according to the old man's plan, while annexing MGM, their shares will be reduced due to Microsoft's capital injection, but if they swallow Sony, then they can abandon Microsoft and rapidly expand with bank loans .

Assume that the final market value of the two transactions is 6.5 billion.

When the old man's plan is implemented, his shares will be diluted to less than 10%.

While implementing the plan to split Sony, his shares can still remain at more than 20.

Back in debt!

Just like the real estate company that bet on listing!

After this step is completed, Roland can sell the shares to Microsoft and the old man in batches.

In this way, even if they still want to buy MGM and NBC, the old man’s shares can still be guaranteed to be more than 10. If the ABC shares are divided, the voting rights can easily break through 34%!

Although it is impossible to have an absolute controlling stake, you have a veto right!

And Microsoft, which took over at that time, couldn't break 50 no matter what!

As for Roland himself?

Not to mention that in his plan, DreamWorks intended to annex Sony Pictures Entertainment. From the current point of view, intervening in DreamWorks at this moment will not only allow him to eat the price difference in the Sony split case, but also It can guarantee that DreamWorks will stay in the hands of the old man!

The former can make him a fortune.

The latter can make him feel more at ease.

After all, compared to Microsoft, this guy who has helped him for ten years is more reliable!

So, Roland swallowed the useless words that just came to his mouth. Looking at the frowning guy, Roland smiled and said, "It's okay, you can ask David to sell the shares to me first."

"If Microsoft asks, I'll just say I want to make some pocket money."

"They can understand, after all, just one Yahoo will make them full."

"And after I receive the shares, we will reorganize the company's shares and introduce the ABC share system."

"In short, even if the chances of success are small, we have to do it first."

"If it doesn't work, then I will integrate Warcraft Movie and TV into it for you!"

"With 3 billion Marvel backing, Microsoft can't take control away!"

Although the old man knew that Roland was comforting himself, he was still very moved at the moment.

"Roland, you..." Turning his head to look at his student, the old man wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say.

Such a situation made Roland smile and shake his head, "What a big deal!"

"Let's go, let's go out to make a movie."

"We've been chatting for fifteen minutes!"

Having money is self-confidence.

If it weren't for Roland's obsession, he would have already had his place among the Seven Greats.

But then again, at Roland's current situation, it is hard to buy and I am willing.

If he compromised easily, then what is he asking for after so many years of climbing?

Lonely?

Note: ① The lawsuit between David Geffen and the California Coastal Commission began in the millennium. It took a year and a half from the public wrangling to the formal prosecution, and then the legal battle dragged on for another three years. It was not until 2005 that the two parties reached an agreement Settlement, and their lawsuit became known as the Battle of Malibu. Although he didn't lose much money, the theater and the road really had to be built in a down-to-earth manner, so he sold his collection frantically in 2006 to cash out. In that year alone, he sold out the collection with a recovery price of less than 200 million 500 million in cash. ②The lobbying of the Motion Picture Association of America is very powerful, just refer to the film classification negotiation when we joined the WTO. There were ten blockbuster films in 1994, 20 of them when they entered the WTO, soared after the reorganization, and then came the memorandum of understanding on film-related issues reached during the trip to the United States in 2012, and produced special sub-account films. Everything is pushed by the Film Association. Because of this, imported films from the Big Six are the mainstream, and small companies without global distribution and membership status are doomed to die. ③NBC Broadcasting Network is really cheap (relatively speaking, I can’t afford it). In 2009, GM bought 20% of NBC Universal from Vivendi for 5.8 billion , while Comcast bought 51% at a price of 15.6 billion. A simple calculation shows that the total price of NBC, which has merged with Universal, is only 30 billion. Before that, Time Warner and Disney had already soared into the sky. And dismantling Universal, deducting the value-added of these years, the NBC of 2,000 years is only 150.

(PS, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Happy National Day!)