I’m in Hollywood Chapter 837: The opposite way


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In addition to a detailed comparison of the financial data of Firefly, Time Warner, and Viacom, "Forbes" also uses the examples of the three giants in the telecommunications industry to make an analogy to demonstrate their views.

In 1996, AT-T, the top player in the United States telecommunications industry, had annual revenue data of more than 74 billion USD, ranking second and third, Verizon and Sprint. The total annual revenue was only 30billion USD, less than AT-T Half, although the gap between Firefly's revenue data and Time Warner and Viacom is not as wide as that between AT-T and Verizon and Sprint, it clearly shows this trend.

At the same time, Firefly has many similarities with AT-T in terms of industrial layout.

AT-T itself is a diversified telecommunications industry giant, involving industries including fixed telephones, mobile communications, cable TV, communication software and electronic products, etc. If an analogy of a certain business alone, AT-T remains ahead It is also impossible to leave competitors far behind, but the combination of all industries, AT-T's strength is far more than Verizon and Sprint competitors in the same industry. The current situation of Firefly Group is also the same. In its TV business, film and television entertainment and other sectors, Firefly maintains a relatively small lead compared with competitors in the same industry, but when these businesses are integrated as a whole, it shows Dominate the oligarchs in the media field.

Eric sat in the restaurant and patiently read all the articles about himself and Firefly in this issue of "Forbes" magazine, and he recovered. More than half an hour had passed.

Christina was still sitting opposite quietly. She had finished her breakfast and just looked at him curiously.

Looking at his watch, Eric smiled and said to Christina: "You still have a training right today, I will let the driver take you to Burbank."

Although the expression of Eric is very relaxed, Christina has not forgotten how he just read Forbes magazine time and frequency frowning. She is a girl who is very good at observing and watching, although she does not understand why Eric has such a reaction, I also know that he certainly did not have much thought to deal with himself at this time. He nodded cleverly, packed the tableware in front of him, and left the restaurant with Eric.

The two came together outside the villa, and the car had stopped at the door. They told the driver a few words. Eric kissed on the face of Christina and took her to the car.

Going back to the restaurant again, Eric hurriedly finished breakfast and rushed to Burbank Firefly Headquarters in another car. On the road, she called the female assistant Kelly to make her pay attention to this issue of "Forbes" magazine.

The relevant articles published by Forbes magazine will definitely arouse heated discussion in the media for some time in the future. In this circle for so many years, Eric also knows how serious the media Yulun ’s substantive impact on some companies is, so He must prepare some plans in advance to deal with possible incidents.

Because it was Monday, since Eric arrived at Headquarters, he personally participated in the group ’s weekly high-level regular meeting. Prior to this, most of the time, Kelly replaced Eric, and then the meeting minutes were sorted out and submitted to him for review.

Recently, the company's work focus is still on the global release of "Titanic".

However, the TV series collection of the spring file has been fully registered in all major TV Stations so far. Robert, the head of the TV business at New York, Iger introduced you to ABCTV Network, AETV Network, Disney Channel and other TV platforms through video calls The ratings of the episodes, ABCTV Network and Disney Channel's ratings have risen steadily. After the fall season of the ABCTV Station viewing dark horse "Everybody Loves Raymond" last fall, they returned again. The highest number of viewers has exceeded 22 million.

LifetimeTV Station, a subsidiary of AETV Network, continues to erode the female audience market by launching brand-new boutique dramas driven by iconic dramas such as "Sex and the City", "Project Runway", and "America's Next Top Model", which is less than 1 million on average during the prime time. The number of viewership data, LifetimeTV Station under the excellent operation of Annie · Sweeney, the average number of 12-hour prime time viewers launched every week has reached 3500,000, and the ratings of the core episodes such as "Sex and the City" have touched the record of the cable station. 8 million person-times, this achievement makes LifetimeTV Station a entire US cable TV Station the most popular new star in recent years.

Since the final issue also involves the release and promotion of the Firefly film this summer, the regular meeting has been held until eleven o'clock.

The high-level news channel that can participate in the group ’s weekly regular meeting will never be blocked. When the meeting is closed, everyone will inevitably mention the Forbes magazine that was just released today, or congratulate Eric seriously or ridiculously. Of course, There are also many people who have seen the impact of the related articles of Forbes magazine on Firefly Group and solemnly reminded Eric.

Everyone left, and Katzenberg and Wells stayed in tacit agreement, and came to a small meeting room nearby with Eric.

After the secretary served coffee, Katzenberg sent the other person away and said, "Eric, I already called Steve Forbes this morning, they should not use the word 'oligarch', but unfortunately we did not anticipate in advance In this case. "

Katzenberg is also clearly aware of the possible impact on the company of the "Forbes" magazine rendering article of Firefly Group "Rise of Media Oligarchs".

From the obvious angry expression on Katzenberg, Eric can even guess that the conversation between the hot Katzenberg and Steve Forbes, the head of the Forbes group, is definitely not so pleasant, and it is not impossible for the two parties to directly dispute. .

In this country, President will be scolded by the media at both ends for three days. Although Firefly Group already has a very strong influence in the media industry, it is impossible to control everyone ’s ethics.

Take a sip of coffee, Katzenberg waits for Eric and Frank · Wells to open, and then continues: "I will greet Robert in the afternoon and cut off the advertising budget for all media platforms under Forbes this summer. They ca n’t get eyeballs in order to win eyeballs. Just engage in such a sudden attack. "

It seems that Katzenberg really quarreled with Steve Forbes this morning, and it was quite fierce.

Eric shook his head with a smile and was about to say something, but Frank · Wells had persuaded: "Jeffrey, if you do this, we can really become the media oligarch in the mouth of magazine of" Forbes ", I think this is not the case Serious, so it ’s better not to tear your face. "

Frank has always been a "good policeman" within the group. Katzenberg also respected him very much. Hearing Frank said this, Katzenberg also calmed down, knowing that his thoughts were a little radical and carried too much personal emotions, so Nodded slightly and turned to Eric.

"Although we do not need to completely sever the cooperation, we still have to show our attitude. You can let Robert look at it." Eric finished speaking to Katzenberg and asked Wells: "Frank, you think we might Will there be substantial legal risks? "

Frank · Wells was originally a lawyer. After thinking about it, "The group's own business continues to expand without any risk in the short term. After all, we are far from the real industry oligarchs such as ExxonMobil, General Electric, and AT-T. There is still a long way to go. However, if the company continues to develop business in other fields in the next few years, such as the expansion you have mentioned to cable TV operators, then we will be subject to very strict antitrust reviews. Moreover, the possibility of failure is also very high. "

Eric discussed this issue with management two years ago.

The decline of North America public TV Station and the rise of cable stations are inevitable trends in the TV industry in the future. In order to maintain a leading position in this megatrend, in addition to continuing to produce a large number of high-quality content, channel resources are also very important. If there is no own cable TV broadcast platform, the future Firefly TV business will be easily caught in the neck. Although federal law does not prohibit media groups from owning cable TV broadcasting platforms, the status of Firefly Group is too strong and will definitely encounter antitrust issues.

"Anyway, this must be a few years later," Eric thought about it and said, "Let ’s focus on the problem at hand."

Frank · Wells nodded and said: "Our film and television businesses will not encounter legal criticism, but the digital field may be a bit troublesome. A few months ago, when we announced that the digital field would stop external cooperation There are some people who encourage the Ministry of Justice to investigate this. At this moment, if the topic provoked by magazine in "Forbes" is too hot, some people are likely to revisit the old thing. "

"So, what we have to do now is to avoid the topic of" oligarchs "being used by others. It is better to divert the media attention from the company," Katzenberg looked at Eric and continued: "Eric , I have a suggestion, maybe I can think about it. "

Eric nodded, signaling Katzenberg to continue.

"I mean, let the media focus more on you."

Eric spread their hands and said: "Of course, I do n’t mind if this is useful, but, do you think the company may be ignored when it comes to my topic?"

"So, we have to create a topical focus artificially," Katzenberg said, tapping on a "Forbes" magazine on the desktop, saying: "98700 million USD, relative to the second ranked Bill · Gates It is 60billion, which is very difficult for most people to accept. Before the release of "Forbes", I have seen in many media that there are so many articles questioning your net worth, then, Now we can just stir up this controversial focus and divert the attention of the media and the public. "

Frank · Wells gently patted the table next to it, nodded and agreed: "Eric, this is a very good method."

Eric thought about it for a moment, and also felt that this plan was very feasible. The statistics of "Forbes" on his personal net worth reached 98700 million USD, although it can win a lot of eyeballs, but it will also cause a lot of doubts. After all, people are not always willing to believe in miracles.

Three people discussed a detailed plan. Eric called Kelly at the end. After lunch at noon, Katzenberg and Frank went back to continue their work. Eric personally directed the implementation of the established plan.

In this era, it is unlikely that Yulun will be able to find a large-scale naval force. However, a word from Katzenberg when discussing the response plan also reminded Eric. This issue of "Forbes" magazine Before the publication, many people questioned Eric's personal net worth. Then, after the data of "Forbes" magazine far exceeded the major financial media, the doubts of this group of people will definitely become stronger.

What Eric needs to do is to let these people make their voices in the media as much as possible.

The efficiency of the assistant ’s office is still very high. Just after two in the afternoon, Kelly handed over a list of 45 people to Eric. These are all well-known financial media reporters or commentators, and , They have recently published related articles that question Eric's net worth.

Looking at the Eric looking at the folder, the Kelly sitting opposite said softly: "We have probably reviewed three hundred different newspaper and magazine. This group of people is the most influential. If they can A unified voice in the media for a period of time in the future will definitely have a very large influence and cause more media platforms to follow up. In addition, we also listed News Corp, Hearst Communications, Condé Nast's media platforms that are more suitable for publishing related articles, but , These may require you to say hello personally, they will cooperate. Yahoo, I have already talked with Tina, she will send the relevant contract application to the list we provide in the afternoon. "

Eric read the general information of these people, called up an address book on the computer screen on the desktop, and joked to Kelly while dialing: "If these people know that they are secretly treated by those they question and oppose If the chess pieces are lost, will they collapse? "

Kelly smiled and saw that Eric had connected the phone, and he didn't speak.

On the other side of the desk, Eric held a pencil in his hand and leaned lazily on the back of the chair. He also leisurely tilted his legs on the table and said to the eager voice from the microphone: "Hey, William , It ’s me, Eric, how are you doing lately ... Haha, of course, Oh, you ’re in St. Simon Castle now, I want to visit that place long ago, but unfortunately you guys have never invited me ... maybe recently No, too busy, but you can come to Los Angeles. "

Few words with William III, the current head of Hearst Communications, until the other party asked, Eric did not enter the topic, saying: "Of course, it is only a small matter, I hope that your daily newspapers will be able to Some people invite several special manuscripts. "

Due to the joint ownership relationship between AETV Network and ESPNTV Station, Hearst Communications and Firefly have always been very closely linked. Eric briefly explained a few words. William · Hearst III immediately agreed to it. As the head of the world's largest paper media group, William · Hearst III certainly knew the purpose of Eric. After agreeing, it was inevitable to call Here ridiculed Eric.

Write down a high-level phone number of Hearst Communications given by William · Hearst III. Eric pressed the hang-up key and dialed the private number of Murdoch. Although it is equally effective to say hello to Elizabeth, it is more efficient to contact Murdoch directly.

After making several phone calls in a row, Eric just sat up straight and handed over the list of contact details in front of it to Kelly, saying: ", contact these people, you can talk to them directly about the specific implementation plan. , They will cooperate with you. "(To be continued.)


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