American Fortune Life

"Boss, the independent news media group has basically agreed to sell its British "DU Newspaper" and "Sunday DU Newspaper" to you at a symbolic price of 1 pound (about 1.5 US dollars), which also includes the website of the DU Newspaper. . . ”

Andy leaned lazily on the boss's chair, listening to the report of the negotiating team who went to Fleet Street to find acquisition targets for him, and gently twirled his fingers back and forth on the rim of the coffee cup.

"condition."

Of course, there is no free lunch in this world. You must know that the "Newsweek" he bought for one dollar had nearly 200 million dollars in debt, not to mention the loss of money. Not everyone dared to take advantage of this kind of bargain.

Let's put it this way, when Andy bought "Newsweek" for one dollar, after the news was announced to the public, the stock price of the original owner "Washington Post" rose by more than ten percent that day, and the market threw off this burden on the Post Group. The future is very promising.

Andy brought this mode of operation to the UK. I have to say that he is still very satisfied with this acquisition method. The risk is to measure the capital investment in the initial period and the future of the newspaper. It is not something that Andy can control. It is an indisputable fact that the rapid development of new media such as TV and the Internet has caused the market share of paper media to shrink sharply.

"Ireland DU Independent News Media Group assumes the debts owed by the current loss-making newspaper and the wages of employees. The prerequisite for the one-pound acquisition is to invest five million pounds in INM and guarantee that the contract with INM will not be terminated within 5 years. ..."

"laugh--"

Andy couldn't help but sneered, and the upward curve of the corner of his mouth was obviously raised, full of mockery, "Let them continue to dream!"

Hearing the big boss's cold sarcasm, the subordinate in charge of the negotiation couldn't help but nodded and said: "Based on the other party's rude request, we have issued a notice to suspend the negotiation. This is taking advantage of this acquisition to drive up the stock price."

"Well, it's a good job. I like to take advantage of others, but what I hate the most is being taken advantage of by others. Let's leave them alone, hehe, the loss of more than 12 million pounds per year will make these guys Seeing the reality clearly, giving them a chance to get rid of the burden, and wanting to take a bite of me, is really greedy!"

Andy blinked, took a sip of coffee leisurely, and didn't care about his own words, making a group of subordinates sitting in front of him look at each other with strange expressions.

The team members in charge of the acquisition couldn't be more clear about their own big boss's idea of ​​taking advantage of the acquisition. After many acquisition battles, they also learned about the big boss's temper and what conditions are acceptable.

What kind of bottom line cannot be touched, so when INM asked for investment, and the requirement of not withdrawing the capital for five years was announced, the person in charge of the negotiation directly packed up the documents and terminated the negotiation. A group of people in INM were confused. In the expression, he led the people away from the negotiation venue.

The people in the INM Group obviously couldn't figure it out, and they really thought that they were the only ones who were willing to help them get rid of their burdens. Not only were they not grateful, but they also wanted to make a fortune.

"Jerez, how is your situation?" Andy asked with a smile as he looked at the leader on the left hand side of his desk.

"Our negotiations with the Daily Mail Group have been relatively smooth. The 182-year-old British Evening Standard is currently the only nationally distributed evening newspaper in the UK that needs to be purchased for a fee, due to an annual loss of about 10 million pounds, plus the fact that London has appeared since 2006. After the "London Evening News" and "London Light", the readers gradually lost, and the business became increasingly difficult.

The Daily Mail is very happy with our appearance. They hold 75.1% of the shares and are willing to sell at a low price of 1 million pounds. However, the remaining 24.9% of the shares are held by the United News Agency, which rejected our bid of 300,000 pounds purchase price. "

Andy couldn't help but frowned slightly, and asked, "What's the situation with the United News Agency?"

"London Light, which was published at the same time as Murdoch's London Evening News last year, is from the United Press, and they all follow the route of the regional Xing Evening News." Jerrys explained.

"Well, is it another shareholder who refuses to let go? Hehe, he is still a competitor." Andy nodded, his eyes sparkled, and he said to himself with a chuckle.

"Have you got a clear understanding of the specific situation of the "Evening Standard" newspaper?"

"Although it has a long history, the financial situation is not complicated. It's just that the newspaper department is bloated. If the boss decides to take over, reforms are imperative. Layoffs will be the first to bear the brunt of this to save costs and reduce the newspaper's losses."

Andy narrowed his eyes slightly, and just smiled at the suggestion of his subordinates, noncommittal, but no one knew, his brain was spinning rapidly, and an increasingly clear plan appeared in his mind, and finally took shape. He couldn't help thinking, "Isn't it just 1 million pounds? So what if it's just a waste. Once the plan is successful, it might not be able to disturb Fleet Street, eliminate other opponents, and become a unicorn again."

"Jerez, in the afternoon you will sign the acquisition agreement with the Daily Mail Group, submit the acquisition application to the British anti-monopoly agency, and let the Daily Mail Group find a way to complete the trial as soon as possible, let alone they can't even do this. Here." Andy sat up straight, his expression became serious.

You must know that he bought newspapers in the UK, not as a business, but for the right to speak and influence. The credibility and historical status of the British Evening Standard, which has survived for 182 years, is beyond doubt Yes, although the sales volume has shrunk to 250,000 copies per day, it is undoubtedly a good experimental subject, even if the entire Fleet Street will curse, but will he care?

After the two acquisition teams left, Andy swayed the boss chair and looked at the somewhat gray London sky, "It seems that we will stay for a few more days."

In the afternoon of the same day, Jerez signed the acquisition agreement with the Daily Mail Group on behalf of Andy. Andy submitted the acquisition application to the British anti-monopoly agency on the same day. With the help of the Daily Mail Group, the trial speed was accelerated.

Two days later in the morning, the famous Fleet Street, the hometown of British newspapers.

Now Fleet Street is more related to the judicial world. There are more courts and law firms on the street and nearby. Almost all newspaper offices that used to be stationed on or near Fleet Street have been relocated. The 182-year-old British Evening Standard "The newspaper still did not choose to leave.

A granite trapezoidal corner building full of historical charm near the main road, a five-story classical European-style building with a two-meter-wide red wooden arch on the front is the newspaper office of the British Evening Standard.

In the lobby of the Evening Standard newspaper, Andy and the representatives of the Daily Mail, under the witness of the CEO of the United Newspaper and many reporters, carried out the final acquisition process. The two quickly signed their names under the flashlight and exchanged the equity transfer contract. Of course The deal has been reached long ago, and today is just a show. The key is the press conference afterwards.

Next, Andy did not choose to let the reporters ask questions, but chose to make his voice official in London for the first time.

"The Evening Standard, founded at the end of the eighteenth century, has a history of nearly two hundred years. It not only witnessed the rise and fall of the British Empire, but also experienced the American Civil War and two world wars. As we all know, the newspapers in the UK , Each has its own subjective standpoint, attracting a group of diehard readers with the same philosophy.

It is aimed at the middle class in the UK, and it is also quite insightful in derogatory current affairs. There are few slang words in the words and expressions. For many foreigners, it can also be used as a teaching material for improving English.

I am very proud to own this precious newspaper with a history of 182 years. Next, we will have a series of reforms and innovations to strengthen the position and influence of the Standard newspaper in London. Don't spill dog blood, let alone use horror titles to attract attention. . . "

After Andy made a short and formal speech, he left the press conference in the midst of flashing lights and various yelling questions at the scene. Led by the general manager of the Standard newspaper, Mullins, he led Behind him, his team, the former management of the Standard newspaper, and the representatives of the United newspaper went to the conference room on the fourth floor.