I’m in Hollywood Chapter 429: Scorched earth
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Despite the pressure imposed by Firefly as a Disney shareholder, the Disney management still delayed a full week before releasing an updated Disney financial report to investors.
Because of two consecutive years of sluggish performance, Michael Eisner did not release its quarterly earnings report in accordance with the usual practice, but used a lot of space to review the overall development of Disney's since Michael Eisner assumed CEO in 1984 and focused on describing the market value of Disney before 1990 The fact that the growth rate is 27% per year emphasizes that the failure of several films such as "Cutthroat Island" and "Rocketeer" last year was just an accident. In addition to the film department, the Disney's radio and TV business theme parks and fake villages and consumer property development businesses are all in Bringing stable profits to the company, so the failure of several movies will not make Disney useless.
At the end of the report, Michael Eisner confidently promised to reform the Disney's film and television department, and the company will soon return to the growth rate of a few years ago, calling on Disney shareholders to stand on their side and jointly resist the malicious acquisition of Firefly .
In the face of Michael Eisner ’s attempt to understate Disney ’s recent financial situation, Firefly quickly counterattacked and revealed an insider chapter during the production of “Cutthroat Island” on “New York Post”.
"... According to the crew of" Cutthroat Island ", during the film production process, from script to post-editing ︾↘, all the details of Michael Eisner must be personally asked, even the movie's set style Actor clothing Designs need to nod through Michael Eisner to pass.
It was Michael Eisner who arbitrarily intervened in the shoots of "Cutthroat Island" that caused Director Renny Harlin to fail to play its own Director concept. Eventually led to the failure of "Cutthroat Island".
Michael Eisner is a micromanager. This management style is when a manager's desire for power expands during the day. It will strongly limit the productiveness of the specific personnel in charge, which will lead to truly talented people seeking other opportunities, leaving those mediocre who will only try to figure out the superiors.
There is no doubt that Michael Eisner has made a huge contribution to this company in the first few years of Disney, but from the development of Disney's in the past two years, it can be seen that the stubborn management style of Michael Eisner has begun to show drawbacks, which will cause immeasurable Disney in the long run Loss. "
After this chapter was published, the agent of Michael Eisner immediately responded. It is claimed that the report "New York Post" is a slander against Michael Eisner, and Michael Eisner will prosecute the slander.
The media is busy with you, but the real battlefield is in a place that the public cannot see.
Burbank Firefly Headquarters meeting room, Morgan Stanley acquisition team leader Bernie Sanders is discussing with everyone the specific acquisition strategy after Disney Board of Directors refused to acquire in good faith.
"In 1984 Er.Stan Berger ’s malicious acquisition of Disney's, Disney finally adopted the anti-acquisition strategy of paying" blackmail ransom ", redeemed Err with a huge amount of money in 300 million USD. Stan Berger ’s value is less than 200 million USD Stocks. But this time is different from the past. Disney shareholders clearly have a goodwill on the acquisition of Firefly, so so far, most shareholders have only Michael Eisner's "golden parachute" agreement, because this agreement will not harm their Benefits. The agreement stipulates that once the acquisition is successful. If two Disney76 executives are forced to resign within two years, Firefly will need to pay a compensation amount of 500 million USD. "
Eric asked: "What if I just want Michael Eisner to leave alone?"
Bernie Sanders glanced at the information in his hand. Answer: "The first proposal of Michael Eisner was tactics. Any one of the 76 executives was dismissed. In retaliation, all the other 75 people voluntarily resigned, turning Disney's management into a barren" scorched earth. "However, Disney's management did not In support of the proposal of Michael Eisner, Board of Directors also failed. Therefore, if only Michael Eisner is allowed to leave, Firefly needs to pay Michael Eisner personal 30 million. "
"30 million USD, so little?" Eric couldn't help asking. He remembered that previous life Michael Ovitz only worked in Disney for more than a year. When he was forced to leave his position, he took away more than 100 million's compensation.
Chris sitting next to Eric rolled his eyes: "Eric, Michael Eisner's current annual salary is 750,000 USD, 30 million USD is equivalent to Michael Eisner40 annual salary, do you think it is less?"
Eric wondered: "What about option incentives and profit dividends?"
"According to the agreement signed with Disney in 1984 by Michael Eisner, he will only get option incentives and profit dividends based on performance after he has worked in Disney for five years. At the beginning of last year, Disney Board of Directors officially adopted the corresponding plan," said here , Chris seems to be somewhat gloating: "But then Disney's's performance turned sharply. Several movies in the summer last year caused a loss of up to 100 million USD. In 1990, Disney's other channels besides film distribution made profits in addition to making up for these losses. Paying the due debt and interest of 100 million 50 million USD, eventually Disney can only barely reach the balance of payments, and options and dividends will not be discussed. "
After Chris finished, Bernie Sanders added: "But I want to remind you that Eric, among the 75 executives except Michael Eisner, 18 people have a very close relationship with Michael Eisner, which can be said to be his confidant, these people compensate The total amount of gold occupies 220 million USD. "
Eric glanced at the Michael Lynn sitting not far away without any trace. I did n’t care. After completing the acquisition, just look at the performance of these people and make corresponding arrangements, just like the high lines left by the original new line. However, most of them have become the backbone of Firefly, and no one will be able to keep up with the high salary.
"Those things will be considered after the acquisition is completed. I still hope that the current management of Disney can be fully retained. Of course. Mr. Michael Eisner must not stay in the original position."
Bernie Sanders nodded. Turning the piece in his hand, he said: "In addition, Eric, according to the evaluation of our team, the wholly-owned acquisition plan is not the best choice. If only the Disney controlling stake is acquired, with the excellent performance of Firefly in the movie, Some Disney shareholders will be happy to sell some of their shares. "
Eric shook his head and said: "Berny. I once said that I do n’t want the company ’s development process to be disturbed by external investors, and I hope that Disney can be privatized to facilitate integration with Firefly."
Bernie Sanders just abides by his own professional ethics to provide more professional advice for Eric. Seeing Eric is determined, and there is no persuasion. He continued to talk about other topics.
After this meeting, Firefly immediately held a press conference, and Firefly Film Studio CEO Michael Lynn made the first formal offer to Disney. At a price of 20% of the Disney stock premium on the day of Firefly public acquisition invitation, all shares of Disney's were acquired.
Disney Headquarters, also located in Burbank. Michael Eisner sat on the executive chair of his office and looked at the latest Firefly quotation materials that the secretary had just sent. He said to Frank Wells on the other side: "4.2 billion USD, the first quotation is 20% premium. I do n’t know what Firefly will be. "
Frank Wells looked at the eye socket of Michael Eisner, and did n’t know how to answer it. Michael Eisner seemed to be talking to himself, not expecting to get an answer.
This week when Firefly issued an acquisition offer, Michael Eisner visited more than 30 investment institutions and creditors day and night, hoping to get support, but this time the situation was in the face of 1984 shareholders facing Wall Street Big Henry.Stan Berg The situation at the time of the malicious acquisition was completely the opposite. Many investors were expecting this acquisition, so they did not give Michael Eisner any success, and some fierce anti-acquisition measures could not be implemented.
Although Michael Eisner chose to vaguely announce the financial report, most investors are well aware that Disney ’s Film Industry business has been on the decline in the past two years, even if other businesses of Disney's are still bringing stable profits, but As a Film Studio, developing excellent movies is always the most important cornerstone of the company. Without enough hot-selling movies to support, Disneyland and Disney stores all over global will not be able to launch new merchants. Disney TV Station ratings based on Disney content Will also decline.
And Firefly, which is very strong in film and television content, even strong enough to cover its channel disadvantages, can form a perfect complementary effect with Disney, which is very perfect with the surrounding channels, after the success of Pixar's "Toy Story" Become more obvious.
If the Firefly acquisition plan is to choose Disney Holdings instead of a wholly-owned acquisition, maybe most shareholders have already turned to Firefly.
Frank Wells waited for a while and saw that Michael Eisner did n’t speak anymore, so he took the initiative to say: "This acquisition is completed within a short period of time. If the Disney New Year movie performs well, it may be able to regain the support of shareholders."
"I'm not Eric Williams again, where can I find ..." Michael Eisner said halfway, stopped, and was reluctant to mention the name of Eric, continued: "I went to see a few movie samples yesterday, it has been confirmed The period of "Beauty and the Beast" and the remake Elizabeth. Taylor's "Father of the Bride" are good, but the quality of Robert Benton's "Billy Bathgate" is not satisfactory. This movie cost 48 million USD, which is the sum of the cost of the first two movies, but all the ones I have seen Everyone feels that this movie is worse than "Cutthroat Island". I wonder if it will be changed to next summer. "
"It's better to change the file, you can't let this movie affect this matter anymore," Frank Wells finished, and suddenly thought of something, said: "I remember that" Billy Bathgate "invited Nicole Kidman to appear in Heroine, refused Now. "
"That lover of Eric Williams?"
"Yes, if you realize this earlier, maybe we should ... be more cautious about the project" Billy Bathgate "."
"Maybe it was just an accident," Michael Eisner waved anxiously: "Don't talk about him again."
The two were talking, the phone on the desk rang, the Michael Eisner picked up the receiver, and the secretary opposite said, "Mr. Eisner, I just received a call. The other party said he was Summer Redstone. Do I need to pick it in? "
"Summer Redstone, Summer Redstone of Viacom?" Michael Eisner confirmed. Frank Wells also heard the name and raised his ears.
The opposite secretary gave a definite answer, Michael Eisner said: "Come in."
After finishing talking, Michael Eisner looked at Frank Wells and pressed the hands-free button on the landline so that Frank Wells could hear the conversation between the two.
Some old but full of voice soon came from the landline.
......
In the villa of Malibu Cliff Peak Manor, Eric sat on the lobby sofa and watched the Disney in the hands of the film table that was being produced and was about to be released. Frank Wells could think of the importance of the New Year ’s file to Disney's. Of course, Eric also thought of this. Snipe several movies at the end of Disney.
In the film being produced, the 2D animation work "Lion King" has not yet appeared, but another "Aladdin" has been established and is in production.
In addition, among the movies that will be released at the end of the year, Eric saw two more familiar movies, "Billy Bathgate" and "Beauty and the Beast", Eric most impressed with "Billy Bathgate" is the front of the Nicole naked lens As for the plot, there is nothing to say at all, a ambition to imitate "The Godfather" and 《Once Upon a Time in America》, the result is nondescript, no highlights.
Eric put more attention on the cartoon of "Beauty and the Beast", the original "Beauty and the Beast" is the animated film nominated for the best film in first part in history, although the information on the hand shows the scale of this cartoon There are only more than 900, but Eric dare not take it lightly.
If "Home Alone" is still produced by Firefly, it is a good sniper method to release this movie together with "Beauty and the Beast". Fox has already started the production of "Home Alone3", but the schedule has not been announced. According to the schedule of the first two parts, "Home Alone3" may still be released on Thanksgiving, the same as "Beauty and the Beast", but who knows whether Fox will Change your mind, maybe you can find some time to try it out.
Eric is considering putting Jim Carrey's "Dumb and Dumber" in the Thanksgiving period. Nicole is wrapped in a short bath towel, and two white long legs walk barefoot out of a bathroom.
After seeing Eric staring at himself, Nicole, who was wiping his wet hair with a towel, asked: "What are you looking at?"
"Legs!"
Nicole gave Eric a white glance, walked over to sit next to him, and curiously looked at the materials in Eric. She knew that the things Eric looked outside the study room were usually not confidential materials, so she had no worries.
Eric reached out and pointed at the data: "Do you know" Billy Bathgate "?"
"Well, I have received this script film appointment, and I can work with Dustin Hoffman and Bruce Willis at the same time, but there are some naked shots. I communicated with that Director a few times. Missed. "
Eric smiled and said: "Fortunately you didn't pick up, otherwise two consecutive movies failed, you are not far from the Box Office poison."
Nicole wondered: "How do you know that this movie is an Disney's movie, and it has not been released yet."
"You see its schedule. On November 1, a movie with a production cost close to 50 million USD was placed on a schedule like November 1. I could n’t think of a second reason except that the movie was smashed. . "
Nicole agreed with Eric ’s point of view, but was somewhat happy but joked: "Maybe Disney thinks it is the same as" The Others "and can ignore the schedule?" (To be continued ...)