Chapter 879: Who Am I?

"Why do you look dissatisfied with your desires? Could it be that you have higher requirements for CNN?" Mr. Richest joked casually.

A look of embarrassment flashed across Ted Turner's face, and he asked back: "Recently, my CEO and president, Barry Diller, has expressed his intention to leave at the end of his tenure. You really don't know, do you?"

Tang Huan shrugged, "I thought you could handle him."

"He's determined to start his own business. What can I do?" Ted Turner was quite annoyed. "I came to you this time because I hope that you, the original referrer, can come forward and talk about reconciliation." one time."

It can be seen that Ted Turner was quite reluctant to leave Barry Diller with his seal.

This is also normal. Barry Diller, who has been the CEO of Paramount for ten years, has also served Turner Broadcasting Corporation for nearly ten years. .

"I think Barry Diller should come to me to explain." Tang Huan thought for a while, and then said slowly: "As for you, it's better to take the attitude of letting nature take its course. In addition, Internet access, In terms of set-top boxes and other aspects, Turner Broadcasting needs to work harder. Otherwise, the valuable first-mover advantage may be lost.”

"The concept of the Internet is getting hotter and hotter by you, how could I be careless about this." Ted Turner replied seriously: "Take CNN as an example, it is preparing to build its own web Website. However, it seems that the development technology in this area is not in place yet.”

Tang Huan explained patiently: "At this stage, there is basically no problem in developing a static html web site; but CNN must hope that its website can automatically refresh news and other content, which involves complex dynamic html technology , behind it will involve the middle layer, database and many other fields.”

Speaking of this, Tang Huan raised his finger and pointed at himself and emphasized: "Actually, not only do you have to work harder, but I dare not take it lightly—after the passage of the 1991 Gore Act, those public research institutions that received funding, Such cutting-edge technologies will definitely be included in the scope of research, and based on past experience, such results will inevitably flow into the business world, and there may be a browser war with these technologies as ammunition at some point."

Ted Turner laughed loudly when he heard this, "It is estimated that 99% of the people in the world would not have thought that Mr. the richest man, under the infinite scenery, is an endless crisis. No wonder you are so insecure feel."

Tang Huan replied frankly: "I said it more than ten years ago - my company will always be only 18 months away from bankruptcy; now, and even in the future, this sentence will always be valid."

"I think it's time for CNN to give you another interview with this great thinker." Ted Turner introduced it seriously.

"That depends on my mood." The richest man waved his hand lazily.

...

Not long after Ted Turner left, Barry Diller, as expected by Tang Huan, took the initiative to visit and talked about his career plan.

Mr. Richest has three main directions for making connections in network management - Chinese Americans of the same origin, celebrities who know the basics, and those with regional backgrounds in San Francisco, California and even the western United States.

Barry Diller, who was born in San Francisco, met the latter two conditions at the same time.

Moreover, in the eyes of Mr. Richest Man, Barry Diller is a born high-end wage earner. As long as he can control it well, he is a sharp sword that can save the owner effort and win.

Under the deliberate creation of the richest man, the atmosphere of the conversation between the two parties was very frank.

Tang Huan asked directly: "Did you insist on leaving Turner Broadcasting Company because of differences in business concepts with Ted Turner? For example, he seems to have extraordinary enthusiasm for Time Warner."

Barry Diller didn't hide it either, "It's a certain factor. You know, I have a quick temper,

Ted Turner's personality is also very distinct, and verbal conflicts will inevitably occur. "

After hearing these words, Tang Huan was not surprised, because it was a fact. In particular, Ted Turner, who suffered from family changes such as his father's suicide, is notoriously difficult-tempered. Don't look at him getting along well with the richest man. It's because Tang Huan has a high charisma index, which can make him feel convincing. Not necessarily so. For example, the personal grievances between Ted Turner and Rupert Murdoch have reached the point where they can't wait to go to the Las Vegas boxing ring to KO.

On the other hand, Barry Diller is certainly capable, but he is also a complicated figure, such as an open secret about him-gay~sexuality.

"But the main reason is that I am optimistic about the prospects of TV home shopping, and qvc, which has made a lot of achievements in this field, just happens to be in business difficulties. For me, this is really an opportunity that can't be met." Barry · As Diller explained, he took out a document and handed it over.

Seeing this scene, Tang Huan immediately had a clear idea - Barry Diller came here this time not only to explain, but also for the purpose of attracting investment.

This is also normal, Mr. Richest Man is now a famous venture capitalist and angel investor.

In fact, Tang Huan can remember qvc, the world's largest TV shopping channel in the original time and space, without looking at the documents, not to mention that it has settled and developed in China in the form of a joint venture.

The name qvc comes from the initials of quality—quality, value—value, convenience—convenience. In the first fiscal year after its establishment in 1986, it set an annual sales record of 112 million US dollars.

Three years after its establishment, qvc acquired its biggest competitor, cvn, with great ambitions and a clear view. Ironically, the $380 million deal was followed by a $17 million loss in the next fiscal quarter.

To add insult to injury, the operation of qvc has been at a low ebb for the past few years, and it can't slow down.

Seeing that the richest man put the finished document on the coffee table, Barry Diller expressed his feelings: "Don's discussion on Internet applications made me reflect on the TV industry I have been in for many years. Compared with the Internet, at this stage The interaction between TV and viewers, such as commercial advertisements, is basically one-way; while TV shopping just pays attention to two-way interaction. Applying a buzzword of Tang, this should be regarded as e-commerce.”

"Of course forget it." Tang Huan laughed loudly, "It's nothing more than a different network form, but the spirit is still the same."

"A friend of mine who is a fashion designer..." Barry Diller hesitated, and finally explained the origin to strengthen his convincing, "Diane Furstenberg, the inventor of the wrap dress, last year Through qvc, in two hours, $1.2 million of branded clothing was sold.”

Because of the relationship of Bellucci Monica's career in the European fashion industry, Tang Huan had a good understanding of this circle, and had also heard about the legendary experience of this woman, Diane Fernstimberg.

In 1969, she married Prince Egon, a descendant of the German royal family and nobles, and staged a modern version of the fairy tale of the princess and prince, becoming a pair of celebrities in the European social circles at that time.

It's a pity that although this politically exhausted Wang family is still economically strong through the ownership of land and even Fiat's interests, it is still qualified to remain conservative, and thus dissatisfied with Diane Fonstein Because of Bao's Jewish ancestry and civilian status, the couple finally separated.

After the divorce, Diane Furstenberg flourished in her career, invented the popular wrap dress, and launched perfume and cosmetics. At the peak of the company's operation, it once set a record of 150 million in 1979. USD sales.

However, when Diane Furstenberg was looking for a second spring, she met an unkind person, and her career also slackened to Waterloo. TV shopping, came a turn.

Seeing the interest on the face of the richest man in this vivid example, Barry Diller couldn't help but cheer up, and took the opportunity to express his ultimate goal, "The plight of qvc is only temporary, and it is also related to the economic situation in the past two years. It is not unrelated to the recession environment, I am confident to bring it to a new level of development, I wonder if Tang has investment intentions in it?"

The Richest Man picked up the document again, and while he was browsing, he thought about it—the TV shopping value of qvc is dispensable to the Richest Man, the key is to control Barry Diller, a senior wage earner in the media field. CNN is indeed in full swing now, but it belongs to the traditional field after all, and the Internet media that is close at hand is what he values ​​most, and he needs a person with absolutely enough qualifications to take the helm.

Just when Barry Diller, a media tycoon under one person and above ten thousand people, began to feel frustrated, he suddenly heard Mr. Richest Man ask, "What kind of control do you have over QVC now?"

"I bought 25 million US dollars of qvc shares, but I can't talk about control." Barry Diller replied quickly.

"How can this be possible!" The richest man put the document back on the coffee table, and said slowly: "Since you are so optimistic about qvc that you would leave Turner Broadcasting Company, you should control this company, not to mention that it is still in the midst of operating problems. Dilemma."

Barry Diller smiled wryly, "I do have the idea of ​​acquisition, but my financial strength is really limited. Why don't I ask Tang La to invest in it to increase the board's voice."

"That's it." The richest man waved his hand, "Exchange this document into an acquisition plan, and I support you in taking down qvc. At that time, you will be the number one person in this company who is absolutely unambiguous, and you can play as much as you want."

...

After sending Barry Diller away, Tang Huan casually called Ted Turner and told him directly that instead of persuading Barry Diller back, Tang Huan was persuaded by the other party to participate in a new investment plan.

Not to mention Ted Turner's depression, Tang Huan met with Cheng Long next, and enjoyed the latest movie that he shot according to his own intention - "Who Am I".

Seeing that the desert racing car driven by the amnesiac Cheng Long and Yamamoto Mirai is a Jaguar acquired, and the building that Cheng Long jumped from the roof is the "Gate of Europe" taken over, Tang Huan nodded with satisfaction: "You Your hard work will definitely pay off, this movie should be a success, and I guarantee that everyone will see your demeanor this year, including North America, Argentina, Europe, South Africa, China, and rb Australia."

Cheng Long, who exuded a faint smell of medicinal wine, beamed with joy, and said incessantly, "The boss is too kind to me."

"Of course I want to treat you well." The richest man said playfully: "Besides, you are worthy of my attention—"Who Am I" should be released on the eve of Memorial Day."

With such a golden schedule, Cheng Long is of course impeccable, and hastily prepared to cooperate with the promotion of the film.

...

Cheng Long was praised by the richest man and was accepted by Hollywood ahead of time. Of course, he could not do without his own real materials. Just the hard work of Saburo in pursuit of special effects, which Hollywood action star can compare?

With Tang Huan's order, the Hollywood machine running at full speed pushed Cheng Long and "Who Am I" to the front row by the way.

However, the film is released on a good schedule, which means that it needs to face fierce competition-there is "Instinct" before it, "Lethal Weapon 3" later, and "Who Am I" in the middle. To come out on top, basically hopeless.

Fortunately, this Cheng Long movie with impeccable action scenes also has its selling points-for example, the scene where the protagonist loses his memory is not so bad; The humor and love shown by the pet dog; the confusion of the protagonist standing on a high place and shouting "who am I"; especially the excitement of the picture sliding down the glass curtain wall from the height of the "Gate of Europe" at the end, all can attract the audience. Money to buy tickets, into the theater.

In addition, there is another aspect that cannot be ignored, that is, after the Los Angeles riots, the awareness of group unity became stronger—Chinese, and even Asians in general, regarded Cheng Long, a Hollywood action star from the East, as an idol, and the title of the film "Who Am I" is also likely to trigger a special touch when the scene of the Los Angeles riots is still vivid, and then form support for "Who Am I".

On May 25th, "Who Am I" won a box office close to 2,200 US dollars, second only to "Lethal Weapon 3" which ranked first - more than 27 million US dollars, and ranked second - more than 23 million "Alien 3" in US dollars also means that Cheng Long has completed the task assigned by Mr. Richest Man very well.