Top of the big era

Meeting location: SoHo Pavilion, West Hollywood.

This is a private club that is the most important place for business exchanges in Hollywood. As soon as Zhou Buqi entered the door, he heard someone greeting him. He seemed to be a producer from Warner, with a big beard and a young girl of seventeen or eighteen years old beside him. .

By the time Zhou Buqi arrived at the private room reserved by Sun Zhengyi, he was already a full 50 minutes late.

The design of the room is very quaint, with green terrace floors, wooden stools, vintage sofas and armchairs, and an open fireplace decorated with lush green plants, which makes the whole space full of energy and makes the whole space look energetic.

It's a pity that there is no embellishment of female stars.

A bit monotonous.

Regarding Zhou Buqi's lateness, Sun Zhengyi and Jeffrey Katzenberg had no expression at all and were very enthusiastic. Especially Katzenberg, whose humble posture does not look like that of a billion-dollar boss. He is a producer by background, and the industry culture of being humble, tactful and to please.

Zhou Buqi sat down on the sofa and said with a smile: "Jeffrey, have we met before?"

Katzenberg leaned forward and said, "Yes, I met him once."

Zhou Buqi nodded, "Since we are acquaintances, let's not waste time and tell us what you think?"

Son Zhengyi spoke first, "He has a big plan."

It was obvious that the two people had already discussed this.

Zhou Buqi said calmly, "Let's talk about internal drive first, then strategy, and finally business."

Jeffrey Katzenberg coughed slightly and looked serious.

In his early years, he was the second-in-command at Disney and lived in the shadow of Michael Eisner. Coupled with DreamWorks' experiences in Hollywood in the past ten years, the edges have long been smoothed away.

Although the guy in front of him was very young, he did not slack off at all. He said seriously: "My inner drive... In fact, it has not changed since the day I left Disney. I founded DreamWorks in 1994 and met many people. The trouble was caused by internal management mistakes and external...well, industry interference. By 2004, DreamWorks' operations encountered serious problems. In the end, I decided to split DreamWorks into two parts and turn it into a dream factory. Factory and DreamWorks Animation."

Zhou Buqi nodded lightly, "Well, I know what happens next. DreamWorks was sold to Paramount, and DreamWorks Animation chose to go public independently."

Jeffrey Katzenberg said: "DreamWorks just sold most of its shares to Paramount, but control is still in Spielberg's hands. We are a team."

"A team? A label?"

"Yes, a label. The 'DreamWorks' label is here at DreamWorks Animation and is licensed to DreamWorks."

"Well, you continue."

"Last year, when the subprime mortgage crisis broke out, DreamWorks had problems with its capital flow. It asked Paramount for assistance, but Paramount couldn't come up with the money. At that time, Spielberg was looking for his good friend Universal Pictures. . But Universal Pictures is also in difficulty. Well, NBCUniversal is now being sold, which can be regarded as a follow-up."

Zhou Buqi frowned, "I remember that DreamWorks owns the copyright to "Transformers", right?"

Jeffrey Katzenberg said: "Yes, it's "Transformers." The investment in "Transformers 2" was too large, which led to cash flow difficulties."

Zhou Buqi was very unhappy, "Last year, I took the lead in raising a sum of funds to do platter investment business in Hollywood, but DreamWorks did not participate."

Jeffrey Katzenberg was a little embarrassed, "DreamWorks is now controlled by Spielberg, and he was negotiating with Universal Pictures at the time. He had a very good relationship with Universal, and he thought he could get help, but he didn't expect it. …”

"Forget it, let's not mention the past in advance." Zhou Buqi waved his hand, "What happened next? How did you solve the problem of capital flow?"

Katzenberg's expression was not very calm, and he said coldly: "They found Disney."

"What?"

Zhou Buqi was stunned for a moment.

Katzenberg repeated the story and said coldly: "Yes, Spielberg took DreamWorks away from Paramount and found Disney. In February of this year, they reached an agreement. Disney will provide financial support to DreamWorks." The factory paid an advance payment of US$325 million to ensure the smooth progress of DreamWorks' production plan for the next year. DreamWorks has promised that all six movies next year will be distributed by Disney."

Zhou Buqi expressed his understanding.

The founders of DreamWorks are the Big Three. In fact, the real boss is Jeffrey Katzenberg, who is the chairman and CEO. As a result, the spun-off DreamWorks fell into the arms of Disney.

Katzenberg continued: "Last summer, the DreamWorks music business led by David Geffen has joined Disney. Now, the live-action film business led by Spielberg will also join Disney next year. Mr. Zhou, You and I ask what a drive is and this is my answer!”

Even as a bystander, Zhou Buqi could feel the pain, unwillingness and trauma in Katzenberg's heart at the moment.

yes!

This is his biggest inner driving force to join the "Purple Star Global" project!

It is unbearable!

At that time, Katzenberg organized three giants to found DreamWorks, claiming to change the monopoly structure of Hollywood giants. This is too big a statement. In fact, his purpose is to fuck Disney!

He is the biggest contributor to the transformation of Disney animation from black-and-white animation to 2D hand-drawn color animation. He personally created a series of movies such as "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin" and "The Lion King". classic animation.

But he was fired!

Not only was he fired, Disney also refused to pay liquidated damages and used its industry status to set up obstacles in DreamWorks' development. It is basically in a semi-banned state. All producers, directors, and actors who work for DreamWorks are not used by Disney. All producers, directors, and actors who work for Disney have additional agreements and cannot work for DreamWorks.

It's simply too much!

However, as time passed, something even sadder happened.

The DreamWorks he founded, after a lot of twists and turns, actually wants to take refuge in the arms of Disney... This is simply admitting that the thief is the father!

Zhou Buqi can empathize with him.

In the past few years, he has gradually summarized a set of entrepreneurial theories. First, you must have inner values ​​and inner drives, then make choices and strategies, then find solutions to problems based on strategies, and finally work hard.

“Ziweixing Global” can also be regarded as an entrepreneurial project.

From a viscerally driven perspective, Katzenberg is a good fit.

DreamWorks is too weak and is no match for Disney.

But the platform of Ziweixing Global can provide him with the best resources and the most funds to fight against Disney! He is not involved to make money, but for self-realization, which is a prerequisite for doing great things.

Sure enough, Katzenberg's statement at the next moment confirmed Zhou Buqi's guess. He said that his annual salary at DreamWorks Animation was US$1, and he only received dividends and stocks based on performance. He is willing to apply this salary standard to the new company.

Zhou Buqi then asked: "What about strategy? What do you think?"

Katzenberg was very happy, because he knew that he had passed the first hurdle, and said sincerely: "I have already talked with Mr. Sun, and I very much support the strategic layout you have formulated for Ziweixing Global."

Seeing that he was showing his loyalty, Zhou Buqi smiled and said, "Where's DreamWorks Animation?"

Katzenberg said seriously: "Purple Star Universal is a very ambitious plan, especially cooperating with Comcast, General Electric, Vivendi, and NBCUniversal to separate Universal Pictures. It’s very difficult. If you want to make it happen, it’s best to get the support of Universal Pictures management!”

"What do you suggest?"

"As I said just now, Universal Pictures and Spielberg have an irreconcilable relationship. Spielberg was trained by Universal Pictures, and in the past few years, DreamWorks has also handed over a large number of movies to Universal Pictures for distribution. ."

"This is an interesting idea."

Zhou Buqi agrees.

If the management of Universal Pictures agrees and works together internally and externally, this case will be easily pushed forward.

"But... your relationship with Spielberg has not broken down?"

"Of course not. If possible, he would not cooperate with Disney. The values ​​conveyed by his films are completely different from Disney's."

Zhou Buqi glanced at him, "So what you mean is that the first step in this plan is to buy DreamWorks Animation first."

Jeffrey Katzenberg took a deep breath, "This is to give the market confidence and let the industry understand that we really want to do something big in the entertainment industry, rather than just shouting slogans. First win DreamWorks Animation , I will run the board of directors, and I guarantee that the proposal to privatize DreamWorks Animation will be reached this month!"

"What about the price?"

"The current stock price of DreamWorks Animation is US$20.1. Because it just announced its first quarter financial report, the net profit reached US$62 million, exceeding market expectations, so the stock price has increased. The total share capital is 87.32 million, and the market value is approximately US$1.7 billion. I am confident that we can complete the privatization of DreamWorks Animation for less than $2 billion."

"Well," Zhou Buqi looked at Sun Zhengyi, "What do you think?"

Son was very happy, "I agree, the final decision-making power rests with you."

As soon as these words came out, Katzenberg became even more awe-struck.

Privately, he has been communicating with Son for half a month.

He knew that in the case of the "Purple Star Global" concept, the major financial sponsor was SoftBank Group. So he once thought that the real person in charge was Masayoshi Son, and Zhou Buqi was just a partner.

Unexpectedly, it’s the complete opposite!

Boss Zhou is the real talker!

What is the logic behind those who pay more and those who pay less?

There is only one possibility, that is, Sun Zhengyi has a heartfelt trust and respect for Boss Zhou!

Since this is the case, Jeffrey Katzenberg has to work even harder. He knows that Boss Zhou is a shareholder of Marvel and attaches great importance to Marvel, so he caters to him and says: "DC has produced many animated movies, and the market is booming." The response has been good. But if Marvel joins Disney, it will be difficult for Marvel's cartoons to be put on the agenda. DreamWorks Animation and Marvel are a good match, and they can unleash more imagination."

"Disney animation" is a symbol. Whether it is Disney princesses or Pixar, it has an obvious attribute and is suitable for children of all ages.

But Marvel is not good at it. As long as there are plots of fighting and hurting people, it is not suitable for people under the age of 13. "Disney" is a powerful brand with strong appeal. Similarly, Disney will also be kidnapped by the brand in terms of strategic choices and business formulation.

DreamWorks Animation has no such restrictions.

Zhou Buqi said: "Okay, have you brought any specific materials? Let me take a look."