Chapter Five Hundred and Fortieth Amazing Value

The reception room was quiet, as if it had fallen into silence for a while. Lloyd Blankfein looked at Ronan and found that he couldn't understand the young man's mind.

Most entrepreneurs, wanting to develop their companies, desperately pursue the support of investment banks.

According to the evaluation of Goldman Sachs Group, Ronan Anderson is also in the entrepreneurial stage, but his calmness and shrewdness far exceed those of his peers.

He seems convinced that he can grow his company without the backing of investment banks.

But when you think about it, it seems like that's how Relativity Entertainment developed.

From a videotape production company with little value at all, in just five or six years, it has developed into one of the few large entertainment groups in Hollywood today.

Even in terms of the film business alone, it can wrestle with the lower-ranked few of the six major Hollywood companies.

Perhaps it was these that gave him enough confidence.

Ronan doesn't have much affection for Goldman Sachs Group, including other Wall Street peers, who are commonly referred to as vampires, and of course he doesn't have a bad impression. This is a normal product of business development.

They have huge funds for enterprise development in their hands, how to properly handle financing and profit distribution is the primary issue in cooperation with investment banks.

It is not appropriate to use the entire Relativity Entertainment Group to cooperate with investment banks, at least at this stage.

But there is a company that needs a huge amount of funds to grow bigger, and it is impossible to complete it only by relativity entertainment blood transfusion.

Ronan opened his mouth slowly and asked, "Lloyd, have you heard of Netflix under Relativity Entertainment?"

Lloyd Blankfein nodded lightly: "The company that specializes in Internet DVD rental and sales? It also recently launched video and Internet social functions?"

Although he is not particularly familiar with these new businesses, Lloyd Blankfein has seen some of them from Goldman Sachs' investigation report.

Ronan said: "This company is developing rapidly, and its business is completely independent from Relativity Entertainment. The development of Internet companies is different from that of film and television companies, and the return on investment requires a longer cycle."

Lloyd Blankfein didn't say anything, but he agreed with Ronan's point of view. How many of these Internet companies are profitable today? Wall Street invests in them more with an eye on the future.

Today, no matter how conservative investors are, they can be sure that the future belongs to the era of the Internet.

"Netflix has seen a sharp increase in business volume since last year." Ronan said unhurriedly: "In the second half of this year, Netflix launched a new video and social function business, and there will be new business next year."

Hearing this, Lloyd Blankfein couldn't help asking: "You want Goldman Sachs to invest in Netflix?"

Ronan considered for a moment and said, "I want to operate Netflix's listing and financing."

"I see." Lloyd Blankfein nodded: "Cooperate with Goldman Sachs?"

Ronan spread his hands and said, "Goldman Sachs is one of the largest investment banks on Wall Street, and it is also the most ideal partner."

Lloyd Blankfein hesitated: "Netflix..." He finally said: "I don't know much about your company."

Ronan said simply: "Let me tell you a statistic. Currently, Netflix has more than 12.5 million registered users, and this number is increasing at a rate of more than 100,000 every week."

Lloyd Blankfein gasped. "Over 12.5 million registered users?"

This number of users is quite astonishing. Amazon, which has been listed and its stock price has risen steadily, seems to be at this level, right?

"Netflix will launch a new business next year, which is no less attractive than Netflix Sharing today." Ronan looked at Lloyd Blankfein and found that he didn't know Netflix very well, so he could only Simply put: "By this time next year, the number of registered users of Netflix, the most conservative estimate, will be close to 18 million."

He said slowly: "Internet, users are the foundation of everything. We all know that the future belongs to the era of the Internet. Our life, work and social interaction cannot be separated from the Internet. On the Internet, Netflix has already taken the lead. In front of everyone, I am very confident that no other company can surpass Netflix in this area for at least 20 years."

Anyway, bragging and no need to pay taxes, Ronan said with peace of mind: "And Netflix is ​​developing many new functions on the basis of its existing business. I can't go into details, it is a commercial secret."

Lloyd Blankfein was thinking in silence for half a minute before he said, "Ronan, I don't know enough about your Netflix... No, Goldman Sachs doesn't know enough about your Netflix. Can't give you any answer."

The value represented by those more than 10 million users is astonishing. Lloyd Blankfein is very clear about this: "But I can tell you that Goldman Sachs will conduct preliminary investigations on Netflix, and we also hope to cooperate with Netflix. Cooperation, Goldman Sachs has very rich experience in IPO operation, we have a basis for cooperation."

Ronan smiled and said, "I hope we have the opportunity to cooperate."

Lloyd Blankfein stood up and shook Ronan's hand: "I also hope that Goldman Sachs can join forces with your company."

Before Lloyd Blankfein left, Ronan gave him all the contact information of Mark Randolph and Robert Iger. Netflix is ​​already preparing for the listing, and the preparation period is as short as one year. It can take several years, which is very normal.

If you can cooperate with Goldman Sachs Group, it is bound to speed up this process.

But it will not be listed before 2005 at the earliest. Netflix needs time to develop new businesses and demonstrate its own strength, so as to give people confidence in investment in the future.

As for the equity after Netflix's listing, Ronan's idea is to follow the example of Steve Jobs and Pixar studio.

In other words, even if Netflix IPOs, it will be under the control of him and Relativity Entertainment.

After sending Lloyd Blankfein away, Ronan just wanted to make a call to Robert Iger. After all, Robert Iger is more professional in terms of company operations, but Avi Allard, who went out to make a long phone call, suddenly appeared again.

"Sit, Avi." Ronan greeted warmly in the reception room: "I thought you were gone."

Avi-Allard said: "There is something I want to talk to you about." As the number of exchanges between the two parties increased and they became familiar with each other, he first explained briefly: "I have sought out the relationship with Goldman Sachs before. We know Lloyd Blankfein because of the investment of Wei Comics. He found me suddenly yesterday. As your introducer, they are all from the New York business district. I can't refuse, but don't worry too much. I'm just introducing you to each other."

Naturally, Ronan would not casually make decisions about the company because of the existence of Avi Arad, but he was more concerned about another point in Avi Arad's words: "Did you get investment from Goldman Sachs?"

Avi Allard shook his head slowly: "No, Goldman Sachs believes that Marvel has no investment value, because any well-known superhero copyrights are not in the hands of Marvel."

While talking, he looked at Ronan, and now he is sure of one thing, he was completely fooled by the theory of relativity.

After the success of the "Spider-Man" movie, if Marvel Comics borrows from banks or investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, the copyrights of those superheroes will definitely be exchanged for more funds, and hundreds of millions of dollars is not impossible.

Ronan tentatively asked: "The Marvel comics are not doing well?"

This is no secret, Avi Arad nodded very simply: "It won't go bankrupt, but it won't be much better."

"Is that so?" Ronan said casually, "Avi, have you ever thought that in this day and age, the entertainment industry is developing towards conglomeration, and a strong alliance is the right way. Perhaps Marvel Comics should find A collaborator."

Avi Arad, no fool, asked, "Who? Who wants to work with Marvel Comics? Ronan, your Relativity Entertainment Group?"

Ronan smiled: "If you are willing to join the Relativity Entertainment Group, I personally welcome it with my hands up."

Avi Arad sighed: "This is not something I can decide alone."

Some words should be enough, Ronan turned to ask: "By the way, just now you said you have something to do with me?"

"I have something very important to tell you." Avi Arad said very seriously: "I have a request. The Marvel superheroes in the hands of Shahai Entertainment must be cautious when adapting movies!"

Ronan looked at Avi Arad, the CEO of Marvel Comics, with less hair and a shinier forehead than the last time we met.

Marvel comics are really tough in this day and age.

A good and personable middle-aged uncle, he was boiled into a Mediterranean greasy man.

Seeing that Ronan did not respond, Avi Arad quickly said: "After the success of "Spider-Man", I thought that the era of Marvel had come, but that was an illusion after all. Peter Parker is the most popular superhero of Marvel." Heroes do not have universal significance."

Ronan sighed secretly. It was Avi Arad who urged him to adapt the movie two years ago, and now it is Avi Arad who is cautious. The CEO of Marvel Comics is really difficult to do.

"This year, Marvel has two superhero movies that have failed." Avi Arad seemed to lose most of his energy at once: "The word-of-mouth and box office of "Daredevil" all failed! The word-of-mouth and box office of "Hulk" All lost!"

He was extremely distressed: "It's okay if "Daredevil" fails, after all, it's not a first-line superhero, but the failure of "Hulk" has dealt too much blow to Marvel, and the current Marvel comics can't afford to experience another miserable failure." hit."

Ronan thought for a while and said, "Avi, I've always been a fan of Marvel, and I understand what you said. Here, I can assure you that if you don't have a lot of confidence, Shahai Entertainment will definitely not start Marvel superhero movie project."

Avi Arad said sincerely: "Thank you! Ronan, thank you for your support."

Ronan took advantage of the situation and said a few words. Of course, Sand Sea Entertainment will not start the Avengers plan quickly, otherwise Marvel Comics is very likely to change the predicament, which is not in line with Relativity Entertainment's plan.