Chapter 155 152 If You Don't Agree, I'll Fuck You

Chapter 155 If you don't agree, I'll get you

Beverly Hills, Nicole Kidman's birthday party.

Eric looked at the man in front of him, stretched out his hand and shook it gently, and the two smiled at each other.

"Eric Cooper, hello James!"

The other party's last name is Murdoch, and he appeared in this occasion, so there is no surprise that the other party must be the son of the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.

There is no need to say much about the name of this old man. Few people in the world don't know his wealth and power. His wife Wendi Deng is also very famous.

He controls News Corporation and 20th Century Fox Film. News Corporation also includes some of the most important media mouthpieces in countries such as Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

20th Century Fox Film includes Fox Film, Fox Searchlight, Fox Television Network, Fox Broadcasting Network, etc.

Rupert Murdoch can not only call the shots in the entertainment industry, but also has a great influence in the political circle.

This influence will last at least 20 years before gradually weakening, because the impact of the Internet has caused a serious impact on News Corporation's newspaper business.

In 2019, 20th Century Fox was acquired by Disney for a staggering price of US$71.3 billion, becoming the largest film and television acquisition since the millennium. When the news was officially released, it shocked the world entertainment industry.

Since then, Hollywood has officially entered the five major eras, leaving only Disney, Warner, Universal, Sony and Paramount.

Although it is said that the world will eventually unite after a long period of division, but before Disney announced the acquisition of 20th Century Fox, most people still thought that the weakest Paramount should be the first to be acquired, but it turned out to be Fox.

But that was more than a decade later. Now Mickey Mouse has not expanded to such an extent, and News Corporation and Fox can still call the wind and rain, at least much stronger than MGM.

The two clinked their glasses, and James Murdoch said, "Let me introduce myself first. Eric, you should be able to guess my identity, but you are not familiar with me."

"My father is the Rupert Murdoch you think of. I also work for News Corporation and am currently the chairman of Star TV Asia."

"Ah? Star TV is owned by your family?"

Eric was a little surprised. As a 90s, Star TV accompanied his childhood. Anime that were not introduced in the mainland were broadcast on Star TV.

For example, "Inuyasha", "Naruto", "Fruits Basket", "Magical Mimiru", "Detective Conan", "Cardcaptor Sakura Magic Card" and so on.

It is quite a childhood filter, but I didn't expect it to be affiliated with News Corporation.

James Murdoch smiled slightly: "That's too absolute. Star TV is a subsidiary of News Corporation. It belongs to all shareholders. I am just a trustee."

"Compared with that, MGM is better. You have the final say. This lion is your personal property."

Eric waved his hand: "What's the use of it belonging to me alone? MGM owes tens of billions of foreign debts. I have a headache every day when I wake up. I don't know when it will be taken away by the bank."

"You are too modest, Eric. MGM is developing very well now. It has been ten months since you took over."

"I have calculated that all investment projects are profitable. Although most of them are small-cost, the accuracy rate is terrible."

"This proves that you have a terrifying market sense. You can accurately analyze what the audience wants to see. This is a very rare ability that makes people envy."

If he was an American who grew up in a traditional way, he would definitely brag that it was indeed his own credit at this time.

But Eric felt that the guy in front of him was a bit unkind, so he hid his weakness and observed what he wanted to do first.

He laughed: "This is not my credit, it is the result of the decision of MGM as a whole. I am just an executor."

"In any case, MGM's development momentum is positive. Many people are waiting for it to be re-listed. Have you determined the time? I plan to buy some stocks at that time."

"The specific time is to be determined, but the re-listing will definitely happen. The stocks are public and anyone who wants to buy can buy them. If I had money, I would also like to buy stocks of News Corporation and Fox."

Speaking of this, Eric looked at the wolf uncle next to him: "Jack, you can also buy some at that time. Good investments are more profitable than good movies."

Hugh Jackman listened for a while and could already feel that something was wrong with the conversation between the two. He is a smart man. Don't wade into the muddy waters of things between big men.

"Eric, thank you for your advice. I will consider it. There is a friend over there. I will go over to say hello. You can chat."

After speaking, he decisively said.

James Murdoch made a gesture of invitation: "This position is not very convenient. How about chatting over there?"

The two walked to a corner of the living room. There were not many people here and it was much quieter.

"James, what do you want to talk about? You don't want to buy MGM, do you?" Eric said jokingly.

"Of course not. Although career is important, you have to eat one bite at a time. My ambition has not expanded to this extent."

"But I heard a piece of news. Facebook, which has been popular in the United States recently, seems to have a close connection with MGM, right?"

Eric did not answer directly, but said lightly: "Go on!"

"Facebook is great. The emergence of this kind of social media is disruptive and will change the way everyone communicates."

"I think it has great potential for development. Although it is mainly spread among major universities in the United States, in the near future, Facebook will definitely cover the entire United States."

“Just imagine, maybe in a year, half of Americans will be using Facebook, and then it will gradually spread to Canada, Mexico, and Europe.”

"Use one year to gradually conquer these countries, followed by Asia and South America."

"Maybe in five years, maybe longer or shorter, Facebook's user coverage will cover the whole world."

"At that point, it will not only be the first social media in history, it will be the largest social media in the world."

"You and I both know what the biggest means. It represents monopoly, and monopoly symbolizes profit, which far exceeds all profits."

Seeing what James Murdoch said was so exciting, Eric was convinced that people must have decided that he was the actual controller behind Facebook, and there was no need to deny it.

"James, what you said is very good, and I agree with your vision for the future. So what exactly do you want to do?"

James Murdoch said seriously: "Win-win cooperation."

"Cooperation? James, cooperation requires sincerity. I need to see your sincerity." Eric said

"Of course I have sincerity. The first is financial support. As you said, MGM's current development momentum is indeed very good, but it is also true that it is heavily in debt."

"As Facebook grows, it's going to require more and more operating capital, and you have to admit that."

"At least until the user base is stable, it will be difficult for Facebook to start making profits. It will be in a state of loss for a long time, and it will need constant blood transfusions."

"So the first condition I gave was financial support, based on Facebook's registered users. For every 1 million registered users, News Corporation is willing to invest US$5 million in operating funds for one year."

"And this number is floating. As market prices fluctuate, it will rise to 6 million, 7 million, or 8 million in the future."

Eric smiled slightly. This price is indeed very good. If you don't consider business expansion, it is actually profitable in terms of operations alone.

"Well, that's good. Please continue with the second condition."

“The second one is naturally resource support, including connections and public opinion, which are what News Corporation is best at.”

"I noticed that although Facebook has not been online for a long time, some media are already saying bad things about it. Did you watch the CBS talk show? It was full of worries and criticisms about Facebook."

"And once we have the support of News Corporation, Facebook does not have to worry about public opinion. We will be the most authoritative news media."

"In the future, when expanding its business in Europe, Australia and even Asia, News Corporation can also provide strong support, which can at least minimize the resistance Facebook encounters."

"Eric, although what I said is very general, you should be able to feel the role of News Corporation. Think about it."

Eric nodded: "James, I want to ask a question. When you came to me this time, was it your personal behavior or did you represent your father?"

Perhaps because he felt that Eric could not reject him, or perhaps because he thought that he was superior to Eric in terms of status and power, James Murdoch did not hide it.

He said openly: "This is my personal behavior for the time being, but I am very confident that I can convince my father to agree to this matter."

"It has been three years since I started working at Asia Star TV in 2000. In the early days of my tenure, the TV station had already incurred a cumulative loss of US$500 million."

"And I spent three years bringing it back to life, entering the Chinese and Indian markets in one fell swoop, and helping the company turn losses into profits."

"Now that I am about to leave Star TV, my father has promised that I will be able to choose almost any position at News Corporation or Fox."

"I was originally going to be the CEO of BSkyB, but then Facebook came along and I discovered this pearl."

"Judging from its popularity, the market potential of social media is very huge, so this area will be my new target."

"I'm not afraid to tell you that if we work together, it will be a win-win situation, or if News Corp. launches its own social network, we will become competitors."

Eric looked sharply: "Are you threatening me?"

"Eric, this is not a threat, but a benign persuasion. You can't survive in this world if you live alone."

"Haha, do you know how much time MGM spent behind the scenes to develop Facebook? When News Corporation develops its own software, how much time will the market leave for you?"

"Eric, the premise you mentioned is redevelopment, but what if I already have a finished product in my hands?"

"What? How could you have that?"

Eric was a little surprised, and for a moment he thought of words such as code leaks and insiders.

"Don't be so surprised. I didn't do anything illegal. Someone sold it to me. Its name is myspace."

"If you agree to cooperate, we will work together to build the world's strongest social network. If you refuse, then MySpace will immediately compete with Facebook."

"MGM can launch celebrity promotions, and so can Fox. We have resources that MGM has, and we also have resources that MGM doesn't have."

"I don't want to end up in a situation where both sides lose, Eric, I hope you understand this truth."

After James Murdoch finished speaking, he looked straight at him, and Eric finally understood where the other party's true confidence came from.

If they can't get you, they will destroy you with similar means. This method is not only good at penguins, but also capital groups all over the world.

Eric narrowed his eyes: "James, tell me what you want."

James Murdoch spread his five fingers: "50% of Facebook's shares. Of course, the operating rights still belong to you. I have the right to make suggestions, and you are still the actual controller of Facebook."

Hearing the other party's request, Eric almost laughed out of anger.

How dare you ask for half of the shares? Why don't you go to the sky.

If you want 10% or no more than 20%, Eric will still consider it seriously, but 50% is completely nonsense.

If you don't participate in the operation, who will believe this?

At most, they will be honest for a while at first. After they have established their foothold, they will definitely try every means to occupy the dominant position. At that time, Facebook will inevitably face fierce internal fighting.

After drinking the wine in the glass in one breath, Eric said coldly: "It seems that you have no sincerity at all."

Seeing that Eric was about to leave, James Murdoch hurriedly said: "Wait Eric, this is just my initial idea. We can discuss the specific cooperation method."

"I think that's not necessary. You can't reduce this number to 10%, just like I can't take away half of News Corporation and Fox's shares from you."

"You want to exchange shares?"

"Yes, this is the best way to cooperate. I don't need your money. Your resources may be useful, but what can I do without them?"

"Eric Cooper, share exchange is impossible, especially Facebook is just a new company. It seems that you have to choose the road of competition." James Murdoch's voice also became cold.

Eric didn't move his body, but turned his head to glance at him, with a sense of eagle-like eyes.

I don't know why, being looked at like this, James Murdoch suddenly felt a little uncomfortable and uncomfortable all over.

At this moment, Nicole came over, but she didn't notice anything wrong.

"Why are you two here? Eric, let me introduce you, this is..."

"No need, I've already talked to Mr. Murdoch."

"Really? You already know each other, that's great, James, I've always..."

"Sorry Nicole, there's something urgent at the company, I have to go back to deal with it, happy birthday to you, contact me when you have time."

Looking at the back of James Murdoch leaving, Nicole looked at Eric blankly.