America's Road to Wealth

Charlie Scharf was not the only one who was surprised when he saw the details of this contract.

The previous LPs (investors) were also surprised, even David, his subordinate.

This contract differs from normal private equity contracts in key points.

The reason is that there are basically no management fees, and the bonus commission fee is too high.

And the closure period is too short.

There are no management fees, which is a good thing for investors.

High dividend commission fees are a bad thing for investors.

A short closing period is neither good nor bad.

It may be good for investors, it may be good for money managers.

Charlie Scharf hesitated.

Seeing this, Abel had nothing to say.

In fact, other LPs saw this contract before.

The attitude is basically the same as that of Charlie Scharf now.

They all went back and thought it over carefully before accepting the contract.

So he had the same attitude towards Charlie Scharf.

"Mr. Schaaf. You can go back and think about it."

Abel said, “It’s almost noon now.

For six hours, until dark today, I will reserve these shares for Merrill Lynch.

As for the future, it depends on whether anyone else is willing to subscribe. "

Seeing that Abel did not continue to press, Charlie Scharf was relieved.

He closed the copy of the contract and said with a smile:

"Okay. Also, Mr. Smith, can I take this contract with me?"

"Please."

"Thank you. Then I'll leave first." Charlie Scharf came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

After he left, David couldn't help but say:

“This contract is really special.

There are no such contracts on Wall Street, except for those scammers. "

Abel shrugged, "I've already explained it to you once. I won't explain it to you a second time."

"As for whether these LPs can understand it and whether they are willing to take risks, that is their business."

"Understood." David said, "Let me tell you one more thing. Yori Kronberg's shares have been officially signed and sold to ab Smith Entertainment."

"Oh, this should be considered a good thing."

"Of course."

David said: "You now hold 39.89% of caa's shares."

Abel nodded.

David paused for a few seconds, then asked softly:

"Until now, I still don't quite understand why you are interested in CAA?"

If Abel took action against Victoria's Secret before, it was because he was interested in its future development potential.

It's fair to say that the profits are in the billions or billions.

Butcaa

Even Abel told David.

This business may not be very profitable.

If you’re not making much money, why invest?

David was curious about this.

He had asked Abel the reason before, but Abel smiled and did not answer.

This time he asked again, and Abel smiled and said:

"If I say that I bought CAA to play with female celebrities, what do you think?"

David rolled his eyes, "Then you are really willing to spend money.

Spend hundreds of millions of dollars to buy a brokerage company just to make it easier for you to play female celebrities? "

"If you want.

You spend these hundreds of millions of dollars on them.

Then I think you can smash most of the women in Hollywood into your bed. "

"It's much faster that way."

This is true.

Most Hollywood practitioners actually don't care much about that kind of thing.

Under the premise of ensuring safety, many people will even have "friendly exchanges" with the lighting engineers, screenwriters, and makeup artists on the set.

Because these guys can sometimes determine their image in a movie or in front of the media.

It cannot be said that most of Hollywood is full of bad guys. After all, there are always some who are clean and tidy.

But at least more than 70% of them are like this.

This ratio may be higher.

Especially those who get worse the longer they stay in Hollywood.

Regardless of gender, she/they will become more willing to give.

for example

It is rumored that when Leonardo DiCaprio was filming "Titanic", a Paramount executive fully supported the director's appointment.

This executive is a "good friend" of DiCaprio, and the two are said to be so good that they live together.

This year, this executive has resigned from Paramount.

He announced in Entertainment Daily that he officially came out as gay.

It’s horrifying to think about, but it happens too much in Hollywood.

For these Hollywood entertainment professionals, what is the end result of their efforts?

He/they said that it was for the art of film and to present their interpretation in front of the audience.

Do you believe it?

David didn’t believe it anyway.

He felt that these artificial things were nothing more than fame and fortune.

"Famous" is ultimately for profit.

Profit is money.

So wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to just throw money at it?

"That's boring." Abel said.

"How is that different from those high-end call girls?"

"I don't like writing checks after the fact."

"I like them to take the initiative and I don't spend money. Or I spend money and they only serve me."

Seeing what he said, David shook his head, "It's weird. But you are the boss, so you can like it."

"Hahaha~"

Abel laughed, and then said seriously: "David, I think I should get some newspapers."

David heard it, and of course he understood.

Abel didn't ask him to help buy a few newspapers.

Ordinary people "get a few newspapers" means buying a few newspapers.

Abel "gets a few newspapers" and also buys a few newspapers.

It's just that the "buy" here is very different.

Hearing this, David nodded, "If you think it's necessary, then buy it. Do you have any goals?"

Ever since Abel bought CAA shares, model companies, Victoria's Secret and other things.

David now has an unbridled desire to buy Abel.

Already completely used to it.

“What do you think of The New York Times?”

"Not very good." David Mellon said angrily.

The New York Times is the third largest newspaper in the United States, behind only the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

Ranked higher than the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times.

So on the surface, the market value of this newspaper is only about $6 billion.

And it is still a listed company.

But the New York Times uses the AB share model.

In the secondary market, buy more Times shares.

It is impossible to become the controlling shareholder of this company.

Really have voting rights and can control the shares of this company.

It's all in the hands of the real shareholders, the owners of The New York Times.

For example, current chairman Arthur Oakes Sulzberger Jr. and his family are one of the major shareholders.

If you want to buy a newspaper of this level, you just have to have money.

You need to wait for a certain opportunity or have enough strength.

"Haha~" Abel looked at David's expression and said with a smile:

"Just kidding. As for my goals, I don't have any at the moment. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I've never worked in the media industry," David complained.

"But you are interested now. Of course I will keep an eye on it for you. Are there any standards?"

"Well, don't make it too small. It's no use even if the tabloids buy it.

Not the ones that are too difficult. I want to buy something simple. "

"For example, it can be done with money." Abel said.

David nodded: "Understood."

Buy some useful, valuable assets.

Sometimes it’s not always possible to get it right away if you have money.

Just like Abel buying shares of CAA, it took a lot of trouble.

Period, if not for the help of Michael Ovitz.

I estimate that by now, I may not even be able to buy 20% of it.

Reality is not a game.

It’s not that you can buy what you want directly with just a few clicks of the mouse or a few swipes on the screen if you have enough money or conditions.

"Okay. Let's just say it." Abel stood up.

"I have an appointment at noon. I won't be here with you."

“Which lucky Hollywood starlet is it again?

I really don't understand why you don't love the most popular ones.

I heard that for only five million, you can have a star like Charlize Theron crawl into your bed. "

David relaxed, chatting and laughing with his boss.

"I'll give you ten million. How about you send Britney Spears and Charlize Theron to my bed?" Abel retorted with a smile.

"fxxk! I'm a financier, not the owner of an entertainment company. I heard what others said!"

"Shit, then you are talking nonsense.

Let's go, but this time you said it wrong.

This time, I'm not looking for a Hollywood starlet. "

After saying this,

Abel left the office.