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Both sales and reputation are good, but they cannot win awards. For publishers, they always feel that they are not perfect enough.
However, the nomination time for the National Book Critics Association Award is January, and nominated for the published works of the previous year. Therefore, "Ambren Hunter" cannot catch up this year and can only wait until this time next year.
After listening to Lin Chaoyang's introduction, Tao Yushu couldn't help but look forward to it. The last time Lin Chaoyang won the award was in 1990.
I stayed in Yanjing until the sixth day of the lunar month. Because my two children were going to school and Tao Yushu still had a job, the family returned to Xiangjiang.
On the second day back to Xiangjiang, Tao Yushu met Joe Feltimel, vice president of Sony Pictures who came to Xiangjiang from the United States.
During the Chinese New Year, Sony Pictures proposed to Tao Yushu for the acquisition of Lin's Pictures through Joe Silvo. After several days of thinking, Lin Chaoyang gave advice, Tao Yushu did not directly reject the request.
Instead, he proposed to have a detailed meeting.
Tao Yushu specially selected the meeting place at Ming Pao Industrial Center in Chaiwan.
At the end of the year, Lin's Film bought the Benda Center. After the transaction was completed, the stock price rose first, and another wave of rent was charged for renewal of the lease at the beginning of the year.
It can be said that there are many benefits. Liang Botao also suggested that Tao Yushu change Mingbao enterprises to a new office. This proposal was recognized by Tao Yushu.
Liang Botao has been handling re-loans and looking for new properties recently. Xiangjiang's real estate is about to enter the hottest stage, and all real estate-related companies have become enthusiastic targets of the market.
Ming Pao Building turned out to be Nankang Building, which has a history of more than 30 years and its facilities are gradually getting older.
In addition, Chai Wan is located in the east of Hong Kong Island and has only been developed in recent years. The land price is low. You can make a net profit of nearly 3 if you change your office.
Why not make a difference of HK$100 million?
The buyer of Ming Pao Building is nothing else, but the newly established Huadu Real Estate.
The name of the new office of Mingpao enterprise is Mingpao Industrial Center. It was still in the decoration stage since before. The reason why Tao Yushu chose the meeting place here was to keep it confidential.
After meeting, she first bluntly explained the importance of Lin's Pictures, politely rejected Sony Pictures' acquisition intention, and then put forward her own ideas to Joe Feltimel.
"Strategic investment?"
Joe Fertimel did not expect Tao Yushu to make such a suggestion. He looked surprised, but soon calmed down.
"Improve it, Sony Pictures has its own strategic intention to acquire Lin's Pictures. It is not in our interest to acquire stakes in your company and become a small shareholder."
"You mean 'interest' to help Sony Pictures reverse your losses in production, right?"
Tao Yushu's words were equivalent to pulling down Sony Pictures' fig leaf, but Joe Feltimel was not panicked at all and rambled.
"Mrs. Lin, I think you may not understand. Sony Pictures is much stronger than you think.
In the nomination for the 64th Academy Awards, Sony Pictures exclusively accounted for 1/3 of the quota. Our share in the US film market is as high as 20%.
Putting aside Disney animation company, we are already the second most popular American film market to Time Warner...”
Later generations always liked to add various qualifiers to promote domestic cars. In fact, they can't blame them. They were all learned from the "masters" of European and American countries.
Joe Feltimer talked for a long time, and his words were full of confidence, but Tao Yushu shut up with just one sentence.
"But you have lost at least $2.5 billion in the past four years!
Joe Feltimer looked surprised when he heard this. Sony Pictures invested in Columbia Pictures in recent years has caused a lot of losses, but the books are not that ugly.
This incident was not reflected in the quarterly financial report until November this year, when Sony Pictures could not hide it.
The book value of investment assets decreased by US$2.7 billion and US$510 million to "handle unsettled lawsuits and contract compensation",
As soon as this news came out, the entire Wall Street and Hollywood shook.
The media has a common saying: Sony Pictures' merger and acquisition of Colombia has suffered a complete failure.
"Your news is completely exaggerated!" Joe Fertimer pretended to be calm and denied this fact.
Tao Yushu smiled indifferently, "Hollywood gossip is always exaggerated."
Joe Feltimel breathed a sigh of relief without even notice, and Tao Yushu continued:
"Sony Pictures wants to acquire us just to make its financial report better. As for production capabilities, this ability is actually difficult to quantify.
As long as the financial report looks good, it is actually not that important, right?"
Tasting the hints in Tao Yushu's words, Joe Fertimel did not speak immediately, and his mind was spinning rapidly.
Tao Yushu talked for a long time, and Joe Fertimel rarely interrupted.
Until the end, he pondered for a long time and asked, "Let's just click and tell your conditions. I think you should know that this kind of thing is not something I can decide."
"US$500 million, 10% stake."
Joe Feltimel's smile was a little cold, "As far as I know, Lin's film market value in Hong Kong stocks is less than US$3 billion. I have read your financial reports last year. It is difficult to give this number from the perspective of price-earnings ratio or price-to-book ratio."
Tao Yushu's expression is relaxed, "The focus of strategic investment is not on 'investment', but on 'strategy'."
"Next year, the production volume of Lin's films will increase to 5, including "Black Man 2" and "Saw 2"
And the new film directed by John Woo—”
The more Joe Feltimer listened, the brighter his eyes became. Every name Tao Yushu mentioned was a big hit in the US market last year.
Including John Woo mentioned by Tao Yushu, from the amazing hit of "The Ultimate Target" to the sweeping market of "Broken Arrow", he has become a popular Hollywood hit.
If the director's new works can be invested and released by Sony Pictures, it will be of great help to stabilize its own stock price and increase its financial performance.
Columbia Pictures' huge losses are actually goodwill, to put it bluntly, the brand value has been lost.
How can film companies rely on to increase brand value and market share? Isn’t it just relying on excellent works?
Thinking of this, Joe Feltimer asked calmly, "Lin's film production ability is first-class, which is why Sony Pictures values ​​you."
"Of course." Tao Yushu held his head up, very confident in this. "Mr. Feltimer, although you are a white man, since you are currently working at Sony, you should also understand the difficulties faced by Asian companies in the American cultural circle."
"Sony and Lin are both Asian companies. We have the same interest in the United States, which is to expand our share and influence in the world's largest film market in the United States.
For this purpose, we can bear huge losses and high risks, but we must not bear failure.
I think at this point, Sony should have the same idea as us.”
When Tao Yushu said these words, Joe Fertimel had already sorted out his thoughts and became calm again.
"Sony Pictures has a strategic investment in Lin's Pictures, and it will benefit both sides of the board.
In the future, our two companies can jointly invest and release movies in the North American market, and contribute to Sony Pictures' performance growth with our outstanding content production capabilities.
With our checks and balances, you also have greater room for negotiations when negotiating with many well-known Hollywood producers and directors.
Instead of doing it like now—"
Speaking of this, Tao Yushu paused for a moment before saying, "Like a fat sheep!"
Joe Feltimel couldn't help but hold one hand in front of his mouth, coughed, and then drank water strategically in recent years. Sony has repeatedly participated in major investment movies under the name of Columbia Pictures, and has repeatedly suffered heavy losses, which has become a joke in Hollywood.
Tao Yushu talked freely and portrayed the prospects of cooperation between the two companies in an extremely brilliant way, even Qiao:
Feltimel was originally wary, but couldn't help but be moved by it.
"Mrs. Lin, I have to admit that you are a negotiator."
Facing Joe Fertimer's praise, Tao Yushu said thank you indifferently, and she knew that the other party must have something to say.
"But this time I'm here to talk about the acquisition. What you mean by "strategic investment" is not my purpose here, nor is it something I can decide."
Tao Yushu looked slightly, "I understand. Such a big thing cannot be decided in just a few words. But I think you should convey these words to Mr. Peter Gerba and John Peters, or Mr. Akio Morita."
Peter Gerba and John Peters are the co-CEOs of Sony Pictures, and Akio Morita is the founder and boss of Sony.
With eyes facing each other, Joe Fertimel felt Tao Yushu's strength, but nodded.
Tao Yushu is right. In fact, not only does Sony Pictures have common demands with Lin's Pictures, but also their group of Sony Pictures have the same demands as Lin's Pictures.
The company has suffered huge losses for four consecutive years. If they continue to lose like this, all their executives will have to get out.
And even if everyone is a veteran in Hollywood, if they are running Sony Pictures, which has invested heavily, they will probably not have a good life in Hollywood in the future.
At least there will be no more Sony Pictures trusting their big fish like this.
"Personally, I really hope that Sony Pictures can have one more comrade in Hollywood!"
Joe Fertimel's statement satisfied Tao Yushu. It seemed that he understood his words.
After a morning of meeting at Ming Pao Industrial Center, Joe Feltimel spent time learning about Lin's Pictures.
As a result, on the day he was about to leave Hong Kong, the Sing Tao Daily published a news article "The Vice President of Xinli Films visited Hong Kong, and Lin's Films may face a full acquisition."
As soon as the news came out, the capital market responded the fastest, and Lin's Pictures' stock price fluctuated.
Acquisition is not good news for companies that are developing healthily, but the acquisition article may lead to a stock battle.
The positive and negative news are the most fundamental reasons for stock price fluctuations.
A reporter called Lin's Pictures to ask whether the news of Sing Tao Daily was true, and the answer he got was that there was nothing to say.
"Mr. Feltimel, it seems that some people regard you Sony Pictures as a tool."
When sending Joe Fertimel to Kai Tak Airport, Tao Yushu gave him the latest "Sing Tao Daily".
Joe Feltimel is not a decision-maker for Sony Pictures or Sony, but when he thinks about this incident, he also understands that there seems to be a pair of big hands hidden behind the scenes.
"I think sincere cooperation should not be affected by these external forces," said Joe Feltimel.
"certainly."
Tao Yushu said with a smile.
After sending Joe Feltimel away, she shook her head helplessly. After all, this Joe Feltimel is too low in status and I don’t know if she can bring good news to herself after she goes back.
There is no doubt that since News Group can influence Sony Pictures to send out the acquisition signal of Lin's Pictures, it is expected that it will be expected to plan to release the news in advance.
The other party obviously wanted to involve her energy in this way and distract her attention. Fortunately, Lin Chaoyang reminded her that she has been paying more and more attention to various abnormalities around her these days, and has already brought her vigilance to the highest level.
The arrival of Sony Pictures was completely beyond her expectations. The decision to make Sony Pictures invest in Lin's Pictures was also decided by the couple after careful consideration, which combined several considerations.
The American Lin family was founded for a few years and has developed to this day. It has exceeded 100 million in three consecutive movies last year, making the American Lin family stand out. Any advantages and disadvantages.
When a tree stands out in the forest, the wind will destroy it; when a pile comes out of the shore, the flow will rush.
The overly successful production business itself is fine, but without the publicity of North America and most European and American countries, the strong support for distribution channels, all of this is just a castle built on the beach.
Tao Yushu had not considered this issue before, but she had never expected that the Lin family in the United States would develop so successfully.
At present, the relationship between Lin and Hollywood Paramount and 20th Century Fox are pretty good, but this kind of cooperation is temporary.
Once these big Hollywood companies feel that the American Lin family has become a threat, or they show their covetousness,
The American Lin family is very likely to fall into a passive situation.
Just like when Lin's Film faced Xinyi City in Xiangjiang, Jiahe's encirclement was even worse than that.
The request from Sony Pictures was very strange. The couple's first reaction at that time was to refuse, but after careful thinking, they felt that it could not be that simple and refused till it was a blunt refusal.
Since it is very likely that they will face the encirclement of Hollywood giants in the future, why don’t they find themselves a safe haven in advance?
In terms of strength, Sony Pictures is the top three in Hollywood today. If it can attract it as a shareholder of the company, then the basic foundation of the Lin family in the future will be as stable as Mount Tai.
And as Tao Yushu said, both sides are Asian capital behind them, and they are minorities in Hollywood, so they naturally have more consistent interest demands.
Chapter completed!