My 1999

"Lang, Universal is developing well under your leadership, and I have no intention of replacing anyone."

Ron Meyer was relieved and his position was saved.

"In the future, Universal Pictures will be directly managed by the parent company. However, you need to keep in touch with Hongmeng Entertainment, communicate in a timely manner on film distribution and promotion, and promote and develop together."

"OK."

Although he agreed, the look on his face showed that he was not too interested in Hongmeng Pictures.

But this is normal. While Universal is producing blockbusters worth over 100 million US dollars, the film production department under Hongmeng Entertainment is still producing suspense films, romance films and other small-budget films worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

No one else would value this kind of cooperation.

But Xu Liang didn't say much. The integration of Universal and Hongmeng's businesses will be a long-term matter. If you want to eat a fat man in one bite, there will only be problems in the end.

"Do you have any suggestions for the development of Universal?" Xu Liang asked.

"BOSS, artistic creation is a pursuit of individuality, so I hope Universal Pictures can exist as a subsidiary."

Xu Liang smiled and said: "It seems that you are very clear about Hongmeng's model."

Hongmeng implements a feudal system.

As long as half of the profits are handed over every year and the performance of the subsidiaries is not too bad, the headquarters will basically not interfere with the operations of each subsidiary.

As president of a subsidiary, he has considerable independence.

Ron Meyer smiled and said, "Hongmeng's gaming business is so good and it is developing rapidly in the global entertainment industry. I often pay attention to it."

"I can respect your choice, but Universal Games must also give me performance guarantees, otherwise I will directly intervene in Universal's management and development."

Xu Liang's idea is very simple. Want a semi-independent state? no problem.

As long as you can make money for me, everything is fine. If you can't make money, then I'm sorry.

Ron Meyer said confidently: "Please rest assured that Universal Pictures has always been the most profitable studio in Hollywood."

"I'm waiting to see how you perform."

Lu Hui came over and said, "Mr. Xu, lunch is ready."

Xu Liang nodded and said, "Lang, I prepared Chinese food for you, do you want to try it?"

“BOSS’s Chinese food is a highly coveted delicacy among the upper class in the United States.”

Xu Liang was moved and then smiled.

"After you go back, tell the middle and senior management of the company that if they want to invest in the Pacific and Qinglong funds, I can leave them a certain share."

Hanhua's funds will be open to invest in employees of its major companies.

While giving them a benefit, it also increases their loyalty.

Therefore, over the years, the middle and senior management of Hongmeng, Hanhua, and Jianlibao have always been very stable. Except for being fired for doing something wrong, they are rarely poached.

Now we are giving it to Universal, in order to stabilize Universal as soon as possible, which has suffered from repeated transactions and internal turmoil.

Ron Meyer's eyes were filled with excitement.

This is Pacific and Qinglong, the best-performing hedge funds and private equity funds in the world. I don’t know how many people drool with envy, but they have no way to invest.

Now it is so easy to open to them.

"BOSS, I think everyone at Universal Pictures will be grateful for your generosity."

"My generosity is given to you, but Universal must also produce worthy results."

"Universal will not let you down."

After lunch and chatting for a while, Ron Meyer left.

Watching his leaving figure silently, Xu Liang breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he really wants to get involved in Universal's management, there are some things that he can't just imagine.

"Just take it step by step."

The next day, Lucian Grainge, CEO of Universal Music Group, visited and the two parties discussed the future of Universal Music.

Grange is very worried because the global music market is now deteriorating under the impact of online music.

Universal spent more than 10 billion U.S. dollars to acquire PolyGram in 1999, but in just four years, PolyGram's value has shrunk by more than half.

Even the entire Universal Music Group has become a negative asset. The music giant that was originally worth 20 to 30 billion US dollars has shrunk by at least 60%.

Moreover, during the initial negotiations, Vidy One Global originally wanted to bundle all American entertainment assets such as Universal Music and Universal Film and Television, but GE was determined not to. It would rather give up the merger than Universal Music. This shows how pitiful this asset is.

Universal Music contributed almost half of Vivendi's huge debt of more than 20 billion euros last year.

Against this backdrop, Lucian Grange faced Xu Liang and felt three quarters short.

He was even ready to be fired.

However, Xu Liang, who knew the major trends in the music industry in the future, did not blame him.

Universal Music, a giant that holds 30% of the global music market, will soon explode in the mobile era with the explosion of the video industry after going through the trough of the PC era.

At its peak, the market value exceeded US$50 billion, with huge potential.

Therefore, they just told Hongmeng Music to hand over the PolyGram music label and the Chinese singers who had signed contracts with it, and no further business arrangements were made.

As for the European and American singers he was familiar with, he didn't even know their full names or where they were, so there was no way he could sign them in advance.

So I didn’t bother to speak.

After Universal Music comes Universal Studios.

In 2003, Universal Studios was doing very well.

It received a total of 31.2 million tourists, generated revenue of US$1.3 billion, and net income of US$240 million.

"Aren't there any statistics on Universal Studios Osaka and Universal Studios Sentosa?" Xu Liang asked.

The CEO of Universal Studios is Jacques Kerr.

"We only license brands in Osaka and Singapore and are not involved in specific operations."

Xu Liang nodded. He had read the information about Universal Studios.

At the beginning, because they were not sure about the acceptance of Universal Studios in foreign markets, coupled with the huge investment, when developing outward, the relatively conservative Universal executives chose to only do brand licensing.

In other words, except for a little royalties, the revenue of the two theme parks has nothing to do with them.

This is why Universal Studios is not worth more than $2 billion.

"I heard that Universal Studios Osaka is doing well?"

Jacques Kerr nodded, "Currently, the number of admissions per year is stable at around 8 million, with annual revenue of US$520 million."

"You talk to Japan and see if you can buy Osaka Universal Park."

On October 28, 1998, Arnold Schwarzenegger presided over the groundbreaking ceremony.

Two and a half years later, Universal Studios Japan was officially opened in Japan's Osaka District, covering an area of ​​approximately 440,000 square meters.

37 days later, it became the fastest theme park in history to have over 1 million visitors.

In the first year, it welcomed more than 11 million visitors, setting a new record at the time for the fastest number of visitors to the park to exceed 10 million.

In the following years, its annual passenger flow was around 8 million. Although such a number can firmly place it among the top 25 theme parks in the world.

So Xu Liang planned to buy it.

Not just Universal Studios Osaka, but Universal Studios Sentosa in Singapore.

"Buy it?"

"you are not willing?"

"No, no, from the opening of Universal Studios Osaka to now, I have been suggesting to the head office to buy Osaka Universal Park, but the head office has refused."

Vivendi has too much to take care of itself, so of course it won’t spend money on Universal Studios Osaka.

"In addition to the acquisition of Osaka Universal Studios, you immediately organize a team, plus personnel from the head office, to formally negotiate with the Huaxia Magic City Government to invest in the construction of Magic City Universal Studios."

Jacqueline Kerr looked excited, feeling like a pie had been hit on his head.

The acquisition of Osaka Universal Studios cannot be financed without US$2 billion, while the investment in Magic City Universal Studios is at least US$2-3 billion, or even more.

After all, the population of Magic City is much larger than that of Osaka, and the future is bright.

If five to six billion US dollars were dropped at once, who wouldn't be excited about it?

"BOSS, don't worry, I will definitely organize a team to go to China and Japan as soon as possible after returning."

Xu Liang nodded.

As a reborn person, he certainly knows how big China's tourism market will be in the future.

It’s okay if we didn’t win Universal Studios. Now that we have won it, we will naturally develop domestically as soon as possible.

According to his idea, the magic city and the capital should develop at the same time.

But the higher-ups will certainly not agree.

In the 1990s, there was a boom in theme park construction in China.

As a result, when the Asian financial crisis hit, a large number of projects were unfinished due to lack of funding.

The World Customs Park and Wardland Park in Beijing, the Wanguo Park in Wuchang, the Sheep Sheep Amusement Park in Fengtian, the Magic City's Hot Palace, etc.

Therefore, the authorities are very cautious in approving such large-scale amusement parks.

Especially Universal Studios, which often covers an area of ​​millions of square meters. It is too big, so the management will be more cautious.

Even if he is now a world-class rich man with a net worth of tens of billions of dollars, it is impossible for his superiors to grant such a large amount of land in the two top big cities in the country.

As for why it is the Magic City and not the capital with which he has the deepest connection.

Haha, of course it is from the perspective of interests.

When building an outdoor theme park, in addition to operational and customer positioning reasons, another factor that affects performance is climate.

The winter in Beijing is so cold. Unless there is a festival like Christmas, who would go out to play in the cold weather?

It is estimated that before a project is completed, it will freeze into popsicles.

In comparison, the climate in Magic City is much better.

Although winter is also cold, it is definitely not comparable to the capital thousands of miles away.

More warm weather means more people coming out to play, which makes such a place friendlier for theme parks.

Of course, Yangcheng and Pengcheng are also good.

But who told Xiangjiang to already have a Disney?

"But I still have to try it if I have the chance." Xu Liang said.

With Disney's peeing skills, if they can get the Universal Park project in Shanghai, they will definitely go to the capital.

At that time, Universal Studios can only consider Wuchang or Chengdu.

So if there is a chance, he still wants to try to see if he can win both the Magic City and the capital. If it doesn't work, he will bet on the Magic City.

After communicating with the people in charge of Universal Studios, Universal Music and Universal Studios.

Xu Liang held another meeting with people from the three companies via video.