I’m in Hollywood Chapter 658: Auction venue
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Chapter 658
Eric sat in the back row of the auction hall and quietly watched the positions of several major company teams participating in the auction.
Suddenly announced the extension of the payment time for the purchase of Animation Department, which is also the result of the thoughtful consideration of Firefly executives.
In order to ensure that there will be no Hollywood forces in the process of taking down Marvel, Eric hanged the Animation Department 'shuiling cabbage' for more than a month. During this more than one month, I intentionally won the Animation Department The family must have discussed and evaluated this business many times, and several major Film Studios should have calmed down from the initial excitement and excitement about Firefly's decision to sell Animation Department, and determined the final quotation ceiling in detail according to their own financial situation. It can't even rule out the possibility of forming a tandem between families.
Firefly suddenly announced the extension of the one-year payment period to three years, leaving the final buyer with a very sufficient time for fundraising and payment, which can easily break the established bidding strategy of potential buyers. After all, Disney Animation Department is too tempting for several companies that want to enter the animation film market, especially now that "The Lion King" Box Office is rising.
Of course, this kind of sudden attack with obvious thoughts will definitely be vilified by the buyer, but the ‘preferential conditions’ temporarily given by Firefly also give the buyer no reason to refuse.
The people in the hall walked about the same way. Katzenberg walked to the podium and sat down next to Eric, asking excitedly and expectantly: "Eric, how much do you think can be photographed this time?"
Eric said: "It is definitely possible to break through 2billion USD. A few days ago, the big-name celebrities’ boycott of Film Studio compressed remuneration should bring them some touches and raise the price higher. After all, animated movies can not only bring More income than Live-Action Film, and the characters inside will not ask for high pay like big-name stars, but also allow them to reduce their dependence on Live-Action Film. "
Frank · Wells sitting on the other side of Eric also asked: "Eric, in this case, do you think it is possible to reach 3billion?"
"This is unlikely," Eric shook his head. Although the memory of the original Pixar animation in time and space in "Toy Story" succeeded, the market value immediately rushed to 1billion USD, but the technical difference between Hand-Drawn Animation and computer animation also limits the value of Disney Animation Department: "Unless we expand on" The Lion King "and other copyright authorization scope of animation. Even copyright is completely transferred, but Disneyland and Disney stores need these animation characters copyright, we ca n’t do this. ”
A few people chatted casually, and the bidding team who had just left gradually returned to the lobby, half an hour later. Katzenberg returned to the stage.
Slightly said a few words to enliven the atmosphere. Katzenberg picked up the gavel and announced loudly that the auction officially started.
Afterwards, there was a moment of silence in the hall. No one seemed to intend to take the first shot, stalemate for a few seconds, a middle-aged man sitting in the third row raised the number plate for the first time: "1billion USD." >
Eric watched the past, holding the Chairman John · Calley of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, shook his head and smiled, he knew that Metro Goldwyn Mayer was here to join in the fun. of course. The first show of John · Calley must also hold some unrealistic illusions. For example, in the case of other buyers hesitating, the gavel in the hand of Katzenberg suddenly fell, and Metro Goldwyn Mayer will definitely use 1billion USD joyfully Animation Department robbed, even if Metro Goldwyn Mayer has not fully recovered, Eric believes that Metro Goldwyn Mayer shareholders and creditors will not be stingy to take out this 1billion USD.
Of course, the reality is that this is impossible.
"No. 9, 1billion USD ..."
Katzenberg gestured in the direction of John · Calley, and had not had time to speak more words. Another bidder has already raised the card: "1billion 10 million."
The lowest markup for this auction is 10 million USD. Although the second bidder only added 10 million USD cautiously, the atmosphere of competition began to become more and more intense. The auction price began to break through.
1.3 billion, 1.5 billion, 1.7 billion, 1.9 billion ...
The auction took less than ten minutes. With Summer · Redstone calling out the price of 1.9 billion USD, more than half of the potential buyers in the auction hall have been eliminated. Only Paramount, Fox, Warner and the upcoming purchase are still active. Universal's Seagram Group.
After obvious hesitation in the price of 1.9 billion USD, Chairman Joe · Ross of Fox raised the number plate in his hand: "2billion USD!"
"No. 4, from 20th Century Fox Film Studio. 2billion USD," the voice of Katzenberg on the auction stand rose again, full of confusion: "What I want to say is that just" The Lion King "can bring 1billion USD net profit to Film Studio So, 2billion USD only represents the net profit of two "The Lion King", I believe that Disney Animation Department, an excellent team that has accumulated over half a century, has produced second part, the third and even more 'The Lion King', just one time Question, then, 2billion USD, for the first time ... "
Eric listened to the hard work of Katzenberg, and looked at the direction of the Fox team.
Under the suggestion of Eric, Elizabeth obviously did not participate in this matter, and Murdoch did not know what to worry about, nor did it appear.
Only Chairman Joe Ross led Fox to the auction. Speaking of that, "Home Alone" in the original space and time was produced by Joe Ross and issued by Fox. Joe Ross should have been dug to Disney with a good salary of "Home Alone" Box Office, and died unexpectedly in the original space and time Frank · Wells, Michael Ovitz served briefly as Disney Chairman before taking office.
However, due to the appearance of Eric in this time and space, Joe Ross still maintains a cooperative relationship with Fox, and in the personnel changes after Barry · Diller left Fox, he got the position of 20th Century Fox Chairman, and the CEO of Fox was Rupert. Murdoch is part-time personally.
Since Murdoch did not appear in person, after Firefly suddenly played the card of extended payment period, Fox was almost certainly out. After all, compared with the radicalization of Summer · Redstone, Murdoch is much more conservative, 2billion USD is likely to be Fox Last bid.
After the price rose to 2billion USD, the frequency of bidding under the stage was much slower, and many times, almost at the moment when the Katzenberg dropped the hammer. The voice of quotation will appear only under the stage.
After several rounds of bidding, after Fox, the CEOEdgar · Bronfman of Seagram also chose to go out at the price of 2.2 billion USD, and there were only two remaining competitors. Paramount and Warner.
This result is not beyond the expectations of Eric. Buying Universal is the first priority of Seagram. If you get Disney Animation Department at an excessive price before buying Universal, it will mean that Seagram will buy Universal cut back. In case of high price to win Animation Department, it caused the failure of the acquisition of Universal. Then Edgar · Bronfman is about to cry without tears.
In the lobby, Time WarnerCEOTerry · Semel once again shouted the price of 2.3 billion 30 million USD, but Eric could hear that compared with the still high-spirited Summer · Redstone, Terry · Semel is not so full of energy.
"It seems the result is already obvious," Frank · Wells whispered beside Eric.
Eric nodded lightly and listened to Summer · Redstone quickly followed up the quotation, saying: "Compared to Summer · Redstone, Terry · Semel is subject to too many constraints. Time Warner can only be talented like Steve · Ross Full control. Moreover, the current situation inside Time Warner is almost caused by Steve · Ross. Unless there is another manager who is well-received, otherwise Time Warner will not be too stable for a long time in the future. "
Frank · Wells used to work in Time Warner for many years. Wen Yan nodded in agreement, but shook his head slightly, saying: "The kind of popular manager you said is unlikely to appear. Warner communication company is now in the Time Warner system. , Turner Broadcasting Company, Time Publishing Group and Warner Bros. Entertainment leaders of these major factions are very strong in their respective fields, and they will not recognize a new manager at all. They will not be willing to let the other party occupy the high position of Time WarnerCEO. Only Steve · Ross, a strong character who created Time Warner, will let them bow their heads to their orders. Unfortunately, Ross died too early. "
Steve · Ross is similar to the Warren Buffett, Summer · Redstone and Rupert · Murdoch age groups, all just over sixty years old. Compared to a group of old man still alive and kicking twenty years later, Steve · Ross, the media hero who created Time Warner, passed away early.
Eric glanced at the Summer · Redstone quotation, and once again fell into hesitation Terry · Semel, saying: "If I am a shareholder of Time Warner, since everyone can't be tied together, I would rather choose to split the group. Otherwise, this long-term internal friction will only cause the overall strength of Time Warner to decline. "
In the memory of previous life, Time Warner is finally on the path of splitting business, but the timing of this decision by the media giant is obviously too late. In the end, before Eric was reborn, it was originally in line with Disney Group. The market value of Time Warner is only about 50billion, which is less than one-third of its peak period, while the market value of Disney Group during the same period was close to 200billion USD.
Frank · Wells said with regret: "Everyone now thinks that the bigger the group, the better. It is not easy to have peaceful coexistence within Time Warner, but it is also not an easy thing to let them part ways. Eric, if the future Firefly is too Bloated, would you be willing to split the group? "
Eric smiled and pointed to Katzenberg on the stage: "Are n’t I doing this now?"
Frank · Wells nodded suddenly, said: "I actually ignored this matter."
The two chatted in a low voice, and the on-site auction also entered the final stage. Eric obviously heard the Terry · Semel tone almost tremblingly reported the price of 2.4 billion 10 million USD, and looked up at the back of Terry · Semel.
Eric ’s eyes locked on Terry · Semel have n’t had time to turn away, but hesitated briefly. Summer · Redstone raised the number plate in his hand and shouted with full strength: "2.5 billion USD."
Terry · Semel's shoulders collapsed obviously.
The Katzenberg on the stage said a few words without confusion. After counting three times, Terry · Semel didn't raise the card again, so he dropped the gavel in his hand.
The sound of percussion sounded, and Katzenberg raised his voice: "Congratulations to Mr. Summer · Redstone, Paramount Pictures will receive Disney Animation Department."
In the gradual applause, everyone in the field stood up, and many people walked toward Summer · Redstone and others.
Eric also walked over with Frank · Wells and others, enthusiastically speaking congratulatory words.
Following the formal signing will be carried out after Paramount confirms the detailed contract and Animation Department asset list. Therefore, after a brief press conference, Firefly banqueted all the guests who participated in the auction in another hall of Hilton Hotel.
Everyone took a round of entertainment with champagne on the court. Eric and Katzenberg came to a corner with few people.
"The final price is at least 300 million USD higher than we expected," Katzenberg still has excitement in his expression: "It seems that the measures to extend the payment period adopted today have really worked, based on the response of Terry · Semel at the scene. Look, Time Warner's original bid limit should be around 2.2 billion. After 2.2 billion, the expression of Terry · Semel is obviously not so calm. Although the response of Summer · Redstone has not changed much, I guess his initial reserve price should also be at 2.2 billion or so. "
"Don't mention this," Eric also smiled at the corner of his mouth, saying: "How is the preparation of the new Disney Animation Department on your side, I haven't seen the relevant documents in recent days?"
Katzenberg replied: "I plan to fund a digital animation production major at the California School of Art in Los Angeles and the San Francisco School of Art in San Francisco at the same time, divided into semi-annual short-term training classes and two-year standard professional classes. Short-term training classes By digging people from existing software or advertising companies, it mainly recruits digital animation personnel with computer and painting skills, and has accumulated work experience for professional software training, so that we can quickly form the new Disney Animation Department, but this way The investment is relatively large. For long-term considerations, we still have to rely on the training two years ago to continuously provide us with more professional digital animation talents. At present, I am letting the strategic planning department make related budgets. You can see at the end of the month The relevant report is now available. "(To be continued.)