Chapter 590 Common

While causing controversy because of the "Forbes" rich list, after more than two months of fierce competition, Chris successfully won the ltd company at a final price of 2.4 billion US dollars. The original first shareholder of ltd, Leslie Wex Nye was out, and on the day the contract was signed, ltd announced a merger with Brighton Fashion.

With a series of complex financial operations, Chris has only raised less than one billion dollars from beginning to end. In addition to the $600 million invested by Firefly, the other $400 million is debt financing through Brighton Fashion Company. , After the completion of the acquisition and subsequent mergers, Firefly Investments and Brighton Fashion Company held 62% of the ltd shares, achieving complete control.

"According to the rules of Wall Street, this is just the beginning," Chris said in detail after detailing the entire process of the acquisition to Eric on the phone: "As long as the company department is streamlined and reorganized, In the short term, we can greatly improve the company's performance and push up the stock price. Then we can split and sell the business of ltd and cash out enough funds to pay off the debt. Only in this way can we fully realize the corporate acquisition cycle of an investment company, but unfortunately... "

Before Chris's sigh came out, Emily's voice came faintly on the phone: "Chris≮√, what are you pity for, we bought ltd for business, not to turn it into your greed. A personal toy for a vile Wall Street hacker."

"Emily, I worked more than 12 hours a day for two consecutive months, and I just won the ltd for you. Is that what you think of me?"

In the light laughter of a group of people. Emily's voice sounded again. And bigger and bigger: "But it's the truth." Then. The microphone may have been snatched by Emily, and the voice also revealed the uncontrollable excitement: "Hi, Eric."

Although it is not yet time for get off work in Los Angeles, it is estimated that night has fallen in New York. Eric took his mobile phone from the post-production center of Firefly Studios through the concrete corridor of the park, pushed the door and walked into the administration building. A studio executive who came in greeted him and continued into the microphone: "Hi. Emily, are you having a party?"

Emily replied: "Yeah, Miss Roberts is here too, and Emma, ​​the little guy is so cute, I heard she called you dad?"

Listening to Emily's gossipy tone, Eric satisfied her curiosity and said, "Yes, I think this is a good way to teach Xia Xia and Kevin how to call Dad in advance."

Seeing that Eric didn't deny it at all, Emily seemed a little discouraged. But soon he said: "By the way, I haven't congratulated you yet. Mr. The richest man in the world."

"Thank you, but to be precise, it should be the richest man in America."

"The richest man in America is of course the richest man in the world.

Emily said with the confidence unique to Americans in her tone: "However, you said that after winning the ltd, you will personally tailor a publicity plan for the company. Is it possible to start now? "

"You know, I've been so busy lately. You guys are having a celebration party, and I'm going to have a conference call now. I don't know when I can get off work."

Emily was not moved by Eric's words at all, and asked: "Then tell me what you plan to do first, so that I can prepare in advance."

Eric pushed open the door and walked into the conference room, greeted Michael Lynn and others who were already waiting here, sat down in his seat, and said to Emily in a quicker tone, "Then you can start contacting the models, Don't be limited to the top supermodels in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asian countries, oh, by the way, it must not be a fashion model with a thin body and a rigid face, and first of all, you must have three measurements, a flat chest is absolutely not good, I plan to personally Planning a lingerie catwalk for Victoria's Secret."

Just as Emily was about to continue her questioning, Eric hurriedly said goodbye and hung up the line. He turned off the mobile phone. There was no other way.

Putting Motorola aside, Eric glanced at the conference phone on the table and asked Alan sitting next to him, "Is Jeffrey online?"

Just as Alan raised his head to answer, Jeffrey's voice came from the conference phone speaker: "Eric, I'm here."

"Okay," Eric clapped his hands habitually: "Let's start, Jeffrey, tell everyone what happened this afternoon."

Katzenberg paused on the phone for a moment, as if to collect his thoughts, and quickly gave an update on what had happened during the afternoon's negotiations.

During the negotiation process in the afternoon, the representatives of the TV network suddenly stopped adopting the tug-of-war negotiation method as before. During the negotiation process, their attitude suddenly became tough, and for the first time, they clearly proposed a deal that the party could accept. Program.

"The management offered a price of $714 per share, of which $238 was pro-rataly converted into a total of about 30% of Firefly Pictures, and the other $476 was paid in cash. Some 14.7 million tradable shares of the TV network can only be exchanged for preferred shares without voting rights. After this condition was put forward, the representatives of the side said that they would not start negotiations until we gave a final response. I personally think that , the management must have been under pressure from shareholders once again. To complete this merger and acquisition transaction as soon as possible, this situation should be related to the recent media situation. It can be said that the media public relations strategy we set at the beginning is effective. "

Katzenberg's voice fell, and Allen, who was sitting beside Eric, had already handed a scratch paper full of calculation data results to Eric.

The total share capital of the TV network is about 210 million shares. According to the proposed price per share, the final transaction amount is 15 billion US dollars, and US $ 238 is equivalent to 30% of the per share price, which means that I want to exchange 30% of the shares. The same 30% stake in Firefly Pictures and $10 billion in cash.

before issuing a public offer. Firefly has taken a 7% stake in the network. That's what Katzenberg calls 14.7 million shares. This part of the stock certainly cannot be ignored in the merger process. Even if this deal is reached, it is absolutely impossible for shareholders to gain enough say in Firefly, but the strategy of requiring this part of the stock to be converted into preferred stock without voting rights is still under the calculus of weakening Eric's control.

Eric quickly read the data that Allen handed him, and then handed the draft paper to Jeffrey on the right. Several people in the conference room quickly circulated it.

After everyone watched the data analysis, Michael Lynn said: "This plan should have been drawn up by Warren Buffett, although he made a big concession on the amount of exchange. But it will be equivalent to Firefly. The family is $15 billion, which coincides with Buffett's recent media rhetoric."

Frank Wells said: "If it can be determined that management is indeed under pressure from shareholders other than Buffett, perhaps we can have enough initiative."

There were some strange noises in the conference call. Katzenberg seemed to be talking to someone in a low voice. After a while, he said: "This matter should be confirmed, David Weiss, president of State Street Global Fund. Tert just called and invited me to dinner, State Street Global Fund owns 39% of the network."

Three other people in the conference room heard Katzenberg's words. They all looked at Eric with excitement in their expressions.

obviously. Although the debate about the amount of Eric's personal assets has not stopped in recent days, no one can deny the fact that Eric has created the miracle of Firefly Pictures in just six years. As the media dig deeper and deeper into the information about Firefly Pictures, in the face of the rapid growth in strength and scale of Firefly Pictures, other shareholders of the TV network have lost their temper and want to join the Firefly Pictures camp as soon as possible. come in. This invitation from the President of State Street Global Funds is an obvious hint. Everyone can imagine that if Katzenberg goes to the dinner, he will definitely not be the president of State Street Global Funds alone, or perhaps other shareholders of the TV network.

Jeffrey looked at Eric who was thinking silently, waited for a while, and finally couldn't help saying: "Eric, if we can avoid Warren Buffett and Tom Murphy, get the shares of other shareholders, and even get the controlling stake. Right, then we have enough strength to promote the cooperation with Firefly alone.”

Eric shook his head and said, "It's definitely impossible to bypass Buffett. If you realize that you have been betrayed by other shareholders, then things will definitely get worse. Don't forget, Tom Murphy is not only a big player in the TV network. The shareholder is still the current leader of the TV network. He has enough strength to completely screw up the situation of the TV network. Moreover, after all, the shares in their hands are close to 40%. If a stalemate is formed in the future, the TV network will definitely be on the battlefield between us. What I want is a strong national network, not 'ruin'."

Frank Wells said: "Then what do we do next? Seriously, I want to finish this thing as soon as possible, and then go on vacation."

Eric was stunned for a moment, and when he heard the word 'vacation' from Frank Wells' mouth, some information appeared in his mind, and he suddenly raised his head and said, "Frank, where are you going on vacation?"

In my memory, Frank Wells died in a helicopter crash while on vacation in 1994.

"The Alps," Frank Wells replied with a smile, but quickly added: "Of course, if the job here requires it, I can go again next year."

"Then next year," Eric also realized that he was overreacting, and pretended to laugh casually: "Next year, you can rest for a while, but this year may not be possible. Even if the acquisition is completed, there are still a lot of follow-up things. You are Jeffrey's second-in-command, and of course you can't walk away at this time."

Frank Wells has already been greatly affected by the butterfly effect. Even if he is allowed to go on vacation this year, it is estimated that he will not encounter another accident so coincidentally. Eric postponed the matter for a year. This kind of misfortune can only be regarded as God's will.

"Hehe, no problem," Frank Wells replied with a smile, "Eric, let's get down to business."

"Well," Eric nodded and said, "I think that since some shareholders have leaned towards our side and put pressure on the management again, we can also add some chips to let the pressure on our side. Even bigger, and even, if there is a general meeting of shareholders to vote, it would be best to leave the management aside and complete the transaction.”

"This method is feasible," Katzenberg said on the conference call. "If next year we release the news that the acquisition negotiation with Firefly is tending to break down, then the initiative will definitely come back to us. In addition, I will go later. David West is there for dinner, and they can be invited to speak publicly in the media for the deal."

Michael Lynn also added: "We have 14.7 million shares in our hands, and if we sell one of the underwhelming share prices in the next few days, I believe this game will be more realistic."

A few people quickly discussed a specific plan, because Katzenberg had to go to the dinner, Eric did not let the meeting last too long, and after the final plan was finalized, Ai Rick said: "Now that this matter has reached the final stage, then we have to prepare. Before this Oscars ceremony, I hope that the two sides can finally reach a transaction agreement, so it can be said that this action is not in the Play. Because our time is not so abundant, after the completion of the transaction, before the fall, we have to make a series of layouts, which will take time. If the acquisition cannot be completed before this time, we must resolutely shift the target. A few days ago, Jack Welch from GE also sent me an email. GM has absolute control, so it is much easier to negotiate than here. As long as we can get GM, then we can win. Of course, this is just The final choice, we have been sitting for so much work, until the last minute, Firefly will never give up."

Because the TV station did not have "Friends" in the original time and space, and in recent years, the management has been confronting GM's senior management, making this TV network a mess, and GM also has a plan to make a move. So if you want to acquire it, it is much less difficult than that. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the starting point to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m to read.) (To be continued.)

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