Reinventing the Millennium

The plan from Yi Xin soon appeared in front of Fang Zhuo.

Because he had a hunch that Penguin, the communications overlord, was likely to make big news in this year's central broadcasting bidding, Yixin was leaning towards Plan B. After receiving the support of his boss, everyone's enthusiasm became even higher.

Using the Internet to broadcast the Spring Festival Gala sounds novel, but it is not a pioneering work.

As for the Year of the Tiger Spring Festival Gala, where Yixin Red Envelopes shines, it is actually live broadcast simultaneously on the Internet through mainstream players such as PPS, PPTV, and QQlive.

Like PPS, the data it released was that the number of viewers that night exceeded 18 million, and the cumulative number of viewers exceeded 80 million.

Earlier, PPS also broadcast live broadcasts of New Year's Eve and National Day in 2009, the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and the launch of the "Shenzhou VI" in 2005. It also has a large number of overseas users.

It was precisely because Zhang Xiaolong and others witnessed the live broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala in 2010 that they further considered using the Internet to neutralize the Penguin offensive.

However, the specific effect of online live broadcast is still a problem, but ways can be found to weaken the timeliness and enhance the interactivity before and after, for example, editing and disseminating exciting program clips, and extending the event time to New Year's Eve.

Zhang Xiaolong's intuition is that there may be problems that need to be solved, but when faced with Penguin's letter, it must be better to do something than not do anything.

On August 9, a few days after Yixin's plan was submitted but there was no news, Zhang Xiaolong was called to a meeting at Yixin. The theme was an exciting discussion network party for him.

However, Zhang Xiaolong was a little surprised as to why there were still executives from Yike Investment attending today.

"Mr. Zhang, I've taken the time to think about what you mentioned in the past two days. It can be done." Fang Zhuo still confirmed the feasibility of the matter first. "Even if Yi Xin won the bid for the Spring Festival Gala this year, he can still do it first." Make preparations and wait until November to decide whether it will be a big event or a small event."

Zhang Xiaolong nodded, everyone thought so too.

"You can vote for sponsorship from local stations, and you can choose three interactive activities that still make red envelopes and collect blessings." Fang Zhuo said slowly, "In addition, this year's CCTV Spring Festival Gala will be broadcast online for the first time. I asked someone to investigate the situation. This painting There are still issues with quality clarity and smoothness.”

"Taking this into consideration, what do you think about us finding a local station to combine the party into one? Or, in other words, make it a dual platform."

"For example, it is easier for me to work in Anhui Province. We have taken over the party organization in Anhui Province. You can watch the party through local channels or through the Internet. If you encounter lags, switch to the TV Just look.”

Fang Zhuo said so.

The party is still through the Internet channel, but the dominance inside has changed.

In other words, it is the Internet party that turns local TV stations into viewing channels.

Combining the two into one/dual platforms can be understood in any way.

Zhang Xiaolong was a little surprised. This gesture was a bit beyond his expectation.

He started to talk about the company's thoughts, mainly focusing on the issue of whether the live broadcast was smooth or not. However, the company considered it from the activity level, while Fang always considered it from the fundamentals...

Moreover, Zhang Xiaolong also talked about the organizational and technical issues of this kind of party.

For a large-scale party, it’s not just about finding random people. Live streaming on online platforms also requires relevant technologies. Yike has its own music software and video platform. The former has always maintained its influence, but the latter is just following the Internet trend without investing resources. Do it.

If we want to do this this year, we may need to expend more time and resources.

"The preparation of the party is indeed something that needs attention. We don't get involved in this aspect very much." Fang Zhuo pondered, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "It's better not to let laymen lead experts. This matter will be pondered by others."

He added: "As for the technical issues of online live broadcast..."

At this time, Fang Zhuo looked at Investment Director Tao Xinglei.

Tao Xinglei opened the file and said: "Mr. Zhang, we will explore the possibility of acquiring PPS. It has good users on the current mainstream players and has good live broadcast experience. If it can succeed, the technical aspect will not be a problem."

Zhang Xiaolong once again found that things exceeded his expectations!

Just for this dish of vinegar, right?

"Well, it can be regarded as enriching the ecology of our YMS." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "The Internet is a treasure. You can reach out and grab the treasure. Let Mr. Tao contact PPS first to see if it can work."

Zhang Xiaolong nodded, it would take a giant to take action. Is Yi Xin able to pull this off?

Tao Xinglei continued to talk about the information of PPS. This is a relatively suitable company on the market. It happens to be headquartered in Shanghai and one of the three founders is from Shanghai.

The discussion about the party did not continue. It was just a battlefield used to host the competition between Yixin and Letter... Now the competition with Penguin still needs to be examined in all aspects.

As the meeting came to an end, Zhang Xiaolong suddenly expressed emotion about the current market situation: "Penguin is really trying its best to catch up, but Fetion has made no movement, as if it is dead."

"Isn't this good? I saw that China Telecom also launched an IM software. It was lively for two days just after it went online, and then there was no sound." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "You just need to think about beating Penguin."

Zhang Xiaolong nodded, and after thinking for a while, he suddenly wanted to talk about Ali's recent communication business, but when Mr. Fang announced that the meeting was adjourned, he planned to save it for the next time they meet.

After leaving the conference room and walking around thinking about Yi Xin's battle in the second half of the year, Zhang Xiaolong was suddenly overtaken by investment director Tao Xinglei.

"Mr. Zhang, come with me to meet the people from PPS tomorrow." Tao Xinglei smiled and extended the invitation.

Zhang Xiaolong was surprised: "Tomorrow? So soon?"

"Calculating the time, we need to build a suitable Internet platform before November and make preliminary preparations in terms of content and organization. In fact, it only takes more than two months." Tao Xinglei calculated, "The task will not be easy. If the attitude of PPS is not good, , the asking price is too high, then quickly look for other companies.”

Zhang Xiaolong thought about it, and it was the same.

He asked: "How likely is Mr. Tao that PPS is willing to be acquired?"

"I can't explain this clearly. I can only say, try to convince them." Tao Xinglei frowned.

"Okay, I'll follow Mr. Tao to join in the fun tomorrow." Zhang Xiaolong agreed.

The next day, Zhang Xiaolong got up early, cleaned up his appearance briefly, got into Director Tao's business car, and went straight to PPS Company.

Yike Investment acted quickly, and PPS, which had received the news, also responded formally.

All three co-founders showed up. CEO Xu Weifeng is a professional manager from Baodao. Product Director Zhang Hongyu and Technical Director Lei Liang had collaborated on music search software before founding PPS.

The relationship between this core entrepreneurial team is quite stable. After receiving a call from Yike the night before, they had a close discussion. Yesterday they all flew back to Shanghai. Today they plan to see what kind of sincerity Yike has.

A group of people met and exchanged greetings for the first time. PPS was a little surprised by the appearance of Zhang Xiaolong, the president of Yike, because their businesses seemed to have nothing to do with each other, but they also felt that this might be some attitude on behalf of Yike.

Yi Xin is very popular recently, and he has made Penguin really popular.

When we sat down in the conference room, everyone added each other as Yixin friends, and the atmosphere was very friendly.

After the regular exchange, Tao Xinglei, as the person in charge of the Yike acquisition, started the formal conversation.

He set the tone with one sentence: "Mr. Fang is very optimistic about the development of PPS. He said that he paid attention to PPS at the beginning of this year because of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala live broadcast, and thought that we have great room for cooperation in this field."

The senior executives of PPS were slightly awe-inspiring. This was from Mr. Fang's optimism, not just the work contact with Yike Company.

Yike Company is of course a giant, and is even known as the first of the four domestic giants.

However, Mr. Fang + Yike are another kind of fighting entity.

In particular, one of the three founders, Technical Director Lei Liang, is from Shanghai. After graduating in 1999, he only worked for one year before resigning to start his own business. After several years of success and failure, it was not until PPS was launched in 2005 that things started to improve.

It is difficult for Lei Liang or an entrepreneur like him not to pay attention to Mr. Fang and not to admire Mr. Fang.

In the early years, almost all entrepreneurs had watched and studied CCTV's entrepreneurial programs, and Mr. Fang's performance and his subsequent series of successes have always inspired everyone to move forward.

Lei Liang made an excited statement during the meeting yesterday: "If Mr. Fang wants to buy PPS, then I will definitely sell it!"

Faced with this situation, CEO Xu Weifeng found it difficult. They haven't come yet, and they still don't know how to bid. You are such a... personality cult!

The other product director, Zhang Hongyu, has a more ambiguous attitude, is not so impulsive, and insists on a certain bottom line.

"At the very least, Mr. Fang must invite us personally before we can go to Yike."

Xu Weifeng sat in the conference room, watching the product director and technical director beam with joy when Tao Xinglei spoke opposite him, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart, this matter...

After communicating with his two partners Zhang and Lei last night, he briefly chatted with institutional shareholders, and his attitude was the same...not optimistic.

According to Qiming Venture Partners, domestic video websites are increasingly burning money. Not only Penguin, but the giant Baidu also established its own video site in the first half of the year. If Yike is willing to come in at this time and give a good price, it is not impossible.

Besides, if you don't let it in, it might kill you.

Even if we don't engage you, turning around to find someone else will only strengthen our competitors. Why bother?

Xu Weifeng communicated with Qiming Venture Capital, and during the chat he also heard the other party’s ridicule. When he invested in Shanghai Tang, he first paid homage to Hang Lung 23.

Today, this is where Hang Lung 23 comes to your door.

This matter is very difficult to handle now. After three rounds of financing, PPS has institutional shareholders holding a lot of shares and seats on the board of directors.

Xu Weifeng even wondered whether Yike used his influence to communicate with Qiming Venture Partners first.

He listened to the investment director of Yike explaining the competition situation in the industry that he was familiar with, and listened to the interview with a lot of data, and he knew that this was prepared and not a spur of the moment.

It’s not easy to do, it’s not easy to do...

"Mr. Xu, Mr. Zhang, and Mr. Lei, I came here today with great sincerity. Mr. Fang is optimistic and Yike's assessment is suitable. Our idea is to acquire all cash. The management structure of PPS remains unchanged. Mr. Xu is still the CEO. Mr. Zhang Mr. Zonghe and Mr. Lei are still in charge of products and technology." Tao Xinglei directly gave the price after negotiating, "USD 150 million."

Xu Weifeng was thinking about his thoughts and the company's situation. He resisted the favorable price and said: "Mr. Tao, we have no intention of selling out completely. We would rather bring in a strong partner. What we hope to get is Yike's resources." .”

He continued: "PPS will be profitable this year. In the future, we hope that PPS will be a listed company."

Tao Xinglei said: "Mr. Xu, we have carefully evaluated the current market situation. Let's not talk about whether we can go public. We cannot see an opportunity to stop the money-burning competition in the entire market for the time being."

He suddenly remembered his boss's circle of friends and said again: "There is no turning point in burning money. Even if PPS makes a profit, it will still face great pressure in the future. If you are not willing to be fully acquired, we can also cooperate, but we need to acquire the shares." There will be more, so we need to talk to Qiming and the others again."

Tao Xinglei finally said: "However, I believe Mr. Xu, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Lei, and you also know that the price we gave is very kind. After all, the valuation of PPS's third round of financing the year before last did not exceed 50 million."

In 2 years, it went from 50 million to 150 million. This is because a certain premium has been added to take into account the company's development and market conditions.

Tao Xinglei believes that Qiming Venture Partners, which has been investing for more than five years and has yet to make a return, will be tempted. Now, Yike hopes to get a complete PPS.

Xu Weifeng did not answer immediately, and exchanged glances with the other two founders, Zhang Hongyu and Lei Liang.

Then, he thought it was better not to exchange.

These two seemed to want to get the official seal.

Xu Weifeng suddenly felt a little dumbfounded. What was going on?

He strictly required himself to perform his duties as CEO and began to explain the advantages of PPS and the successful experience of each project to Yike's investment director.

Xu Weifeng noticed that the Yike people across from him listened very carefully. He felt that at least, these people did not rely on their status as giants and were still very respectful.

Opinions were exchanged, and the acquisition certainly could not be negotiated just like this.

Tao Xinglei was not disappointed. He looked at Zhang Xiaolong who had been listening and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, please say a few words."

Zhang Xiaolong was caught off guard, he just came to join in the fun...

He was stunned for a few seconds, then stood up and said: "On behalf of Yike, I would like to welcome PPS to join us."

This time Tao Xinglei was caught off guard. Hey, can you represent Yike? Forget it, you are being favored, but we haven't reached an agreement yet...

He was shocked while observing the reaction from the other side.

The people on the other side were obviously stunned, but the three founders all stood up and shook hands.

Tao Xinglei stood up and shook hands behind him.

The meeting between Yike and PPS ended.

This trip, intentionally or unintentionally, I didn’t care about food.

When Zhang Xiaolong got into the car, he suddenly asked uneasily: "Is what I said inappropriate?"

"No, it's quite concise and powerful." Tao Xinglei smiled.

Zhang Xiaolong breathed a sigh of relief and asked: "What about this time? Will they sell PPS? I think Mr. Xu's attitude is quite tough."

"It's hard to say, there is a problem now." Tao Xinglei frowned.

Zhang Xiaolong asked: "What's the problem?"

Tao Xinglei said thoughtfully: "Mr. Xu said too much, while Mr. Zhang and Mr. Lei said too little."

Zhang Xiaolong is a little confused. What kind of problem is this? Some people don't like to talk too much, such as myself.

He said "hmm" and thought about Yi Xin's situation in the second half of the year.

Tao Xinglei sat in the car, thought for a moment, opened Yixin, and sent a message to Xu Weifeng, CEO of PPS: "No matter how Yixin cooperates with PPS, I only hope that Mr. Xu will still serve as CEO. This is our unchangeable condition." one."

He sent a brief message to the other two, and then pushed Mr. Fang's Yixin business card over.

Tao Xinglei put away his mobile phone and said with a smile: "PPS management can contact us more slowly and see what the founders think first."

Zhang Xiaolong said "hmm" again. Mr. Tao must have a reason for saying this.

…

PPS's CEO office.

Xu Weifeng and the other three were having a heated discussion after the Yike team left.

——$150 million! Very good! Let them add more and we will agree!

——Follow Yike! Follow Mr. Fang and do it together! This is so cool too!

——You guys calm down and calm down...

Xu Weifeng felt tired.

"Hey, Mr. Tao gave me Mr. Fang's business card!" Lei Liang took out his cell phone and suddenly said in surprise.

Zhang Hongyu also nodded: "Yes, Mr. Tao also recommended it to me."

Seeing this, Xu Weifeng also took out his mobile phone, but he didn't see the business card, only what Mr. Tao said.

Why did Mr. Tao only recommend them to the two of them? Did you notice something? They shouldn't be allowed to attend the meeting!

Star-chasers are the most serious problem facing PPS today!

Xu Weifeng thought for a few random words, then suddenly looked at the screen of his mobile phone and insisted that he should be the CEO...

This matter is not easy to handle, not easy to handle!

Otherwise...it won't be done if it doesn't work.

Xu Weifeng replied with a message: Hahaha, Mr. Tao is too polite.

Mr. Tao is too polite. He only has a little experience with video websites. Among the many talented people in Yike, how come there is no one who can serve as CEO?

Of course, if Yi Ke insists, how can he not do his best?