Chapter 337 Summit Entertainment
The afternoon of April 6th was the first working day after the Qingming Festival.
Outside the lobby on the first floor of the Sino-Austrian Building, all middle and senior management personnel of Tengda Culture lined up in an orderly manner.
Yang Zi, who had just joined Tengda Culture, stood in the crowd, not knowing what was going on. He gently pulled the sleeve of Zhao Liying next to him and asked in a low voice, "Sister Ying, who's coming today?"
Zhao Liying tilted her head slightly and hummed a few words from her nose: "The big boss is here to inspect our work today."
Yang Zi was stunned, thinking what a coincidence, she had just completed the employment procedures in the morning and met the richest man in person in the afternoon.
About a quarter of an hour later, a row of cars came from afar, and the leading Maybach stopped steadily in front of the building.
Zhang Zhao took the lead, walked forward and respectfully opened the back door of the car, followed closely by Zhuang Liqi and Zeng Jia.
"Hello, Mr. Song!" "Chairman, welcome to our office for guidance."
Song Ci got out of the car, nodded to everyone, looked up at the Zhongao Building shining in the sun, and sighed softly: "I haven't been here for a long time!"
Zhang Zhao stood to one side and said with a smile, "Director Song is very busy. It is our honor that he can take time out to come here."
Song Ci shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Sometimes I really can't spare the time. I originally planned to come here in the morning, but yesterday I went back to my hometown to worship my ancestors during the Qingming Festival, and the leaders of Su City asked me to stay for another day. I came here directly after arriving in Beiping at noon."
"The news about you and your wife attending the welcome banquet for the leaders of Su City yesterday was trending on the search results."
"It's hard to refuse such a kind invitation! Later, leaders from Jiangsu Province and Jinling also came over, so I had to give them face."
Zhang Zhao complimented him: "It is because of your great influence that local leaders have to pay attention to you."
"The leaders have taken great pains to attract Jiangsu Province to invest."
Song Ci walked into the building while talking. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a woman in the crowd who looked familiar. "Who is the girl next to Zhao Liying?"
Zhang Zhao followed his boss's line of sight but didn't recognize him for a moment. He had been busy with important matters recently and had not paid much attention to the company's artist management affairs.
Zeng Jia stepped forward smartly and reported: "Director Song, President Zhang, that's the company's newly signed artist, Yang Zi."
"It turns out to be Xia Xue from Home With Kids. I was wondering why she looked familiar." Song Ci suddenly realized. She didn't expect that the ratings queen among the 90s girls would also join Tengda Culture.
At this moment, he stood quietly with Zhao Liying, blending in with the crowd and being inconspicuous. "He is a good seedling, and can be trained with emphasis."
After a short pause, he continued to ask, "What is Zhao Liying doing recently? Why didn't she join the crew?"
Knowing that the chairman favored Zhao Liying, Zhang Zhao immediately explained: "The company and Yu Zheng Studio have cooperated on a new drama "Legend of Lu Zhen", starring Liying and Chen Xiao. She has been undergoing performance training in the company these two days and will join the crew soon."
Song Ci nodded slightly and said no more.
Zhang Zhao slowed down his pace and whispered to Zeng Jia, "Arrange Zhao Liying and Yang Zi to attend the welcoming banquet tonight. Also, notify the other artists in the company to come back if they can."
"Got it, Mr. Zhang."
Everyone went upstairs and returned to Tengda Culture. After Song Ci cordially greeted the ordinary employees, he was invited by Zhang Zhao to the conference room to listen to the work report.
Over there, Yang Zi was sharing what she saw and heard in the WeChat group of the Beijing Film Academy's acting class.
"I can't believe I met my big boss, Song Ci, on my first day at work."
After saying this, he also attached a photo of Song Ci's back.
Zhang Yishan: "Did you talk to Song Ci?"
Yang Zi: "You're overthinking it. A small fry like me can only stand in the back row, and Song Ci didn't even look at me."
The group immediately started discussing:
“Is the richest man handsome in real life?”
"Why did Song Ci suddenly go to Tengda Culture?"
Yang Zi quickly replied: "He said he was here for inspection. He's even more handsome in person than in the photo."
"Yang Zi, you and Li Ying come here."
As the chat was lively, Yang Zi heard Yang Tianzhen's call and quickly replied in the group: "Let's talk later, the agent is looking for me."
In the director's office, Yang Tianzhen said directly: "There will be a welcome banquet for the chairman tonight. You can attend it. Change into nicer clothes and dress up well."
Zhao Liying was used to it and simply responded, "Okay, Mr. Yang."
Yang Zi was stunned when she heard this. Why did she have to attend a banquet and drink with him on her first day at work? She hesitated for a moment: "Boss Yang, can I not attend?"
Seeing the nervous look in the little girl's eyes, Yang Tianzhen gently comforted her: "Don't think too much, it's just an ordinary internal reception banquet, go and prepare well."
Yang Zi was half-believing and half-doubting. As soon as she left the office, she couldn't wait to ask, "Sister Ying, is this really a normal cocktail party?"
"What else?" Zhao Liying glanced at the new junior sister who had just joined the company. Seeing that she looked nervous, she patiently explained:
"Tengda Culture's leadership style is relatively upright. No one will force you to do anything unless you are willing to do so. Of course, this is an exception if both parties are willing."
"That's good." Yang Zi breathed a sigh of relief. She had inquired before, and among all the companies in Beijing, Tengda Culture and Guangxi Media had a relatively decent reputation and were less likely to engage in despicable activities.
Seeing Yang Zi's relieved expression, Zhao Liying chuckled meaningfully, thinking that she was still a little girl after all.
"Tonight is the big boss's welcoming party. Do you know how many female celebrities in the circle are eager for this kind of opportunity?
If that person takes a fancy to this, it would be a direct success! Unfortunately, the chairman never flirts with female stars. "
"Ah!" Yang Zi stared with her big watery eyes, looked around and saw that there was no one around, so she leaned in front of Zhao Liying and asked quietly: "Sister Ying, does the chairman really not use unspoken rules?"
"At least I haven't heard of it since I joined the company." Zhao Liying said seriously, "You have to speak with real ability in the company. Tengda Culture has good treatment, but the company is not a charity. If you take resources but can't create value for the company, you will be eliminated."
Yang Zi seemed to be thinking about something, remembering that Yang Tianzhen introduced the artist assessment mechanism when they signed the contract in the morning.
The company will support you with resources for three years, but after the training period, if you fail to demonstrate your value, you will be ruthlessly abandoned.
This is the operating model of film and television companies dominated by Internet groups, where data is king and profit comes first.
Zhao Liying patted Yang Zi on the shoulder and said, "In Tengda, you have to work hard and make yourself famous as soon as possible.
As for other hidden rules and internal transactions, our company does not tolerate them. Those who cannot make money are useless.”
At this time in the conference room, after Zhang Zhao briefly reported on more than a dozen projects that Tengda Culture had independently developed and invested in in 2011, he began the highlight of the day, the proposal to acquire a stake in Summit Entertainment of the United States.
A brand new plan appeared on the electronic screen.
"Mr. Song, colleagues, Summit Entertainment is a global film studio that focuses on the development, financing, production and distribution of films. It has produced blockbuster films such as The Hurt Locker and Twilight..."
Song Ci leaned back slightly, concentrating on reading the information about Summit Entertainment. Several executives from the strategic investment department who were accompanying him were also taking notes seriously, occasionally communicating in a low voice.
Zeng Jia sat next to Zhuang Liqi and was secretly shocked. She only knew that Zhang Zhao was busy with an important matter recently, but she didn't expect that the company was planning to enter Hollywood.
After Zhang Zhao finished introducing the basic situation of Dingfeng Entertainment, Liu Hong, senior manager of the Strategic Investment Department, took the lead in asking: "Mr. Zhang, as far as we know, Dingfeng Entertainment currently has a debt of up to 300 million US dollars.
With such a high debt and the particularity of the film industry, this investment may not bring economic benefits to the group in a few years."
Zhang Zhao was confident and smiled. "Boss Liu, if Summit Entertainment wasn't heavily in debt, it would be a high-quality Hollywood film company for us to invest in."
Liu Hong shook his head: "That's true, but even if the group injects capital to give Dingfeng Entertainment a break, there is still a risk of bankruptcy.
From a financial perspective, the risk-return ratio of this investment is extremely unsatisfactory and I personally do not support this investment.”
The atmosphere in the conference room was slightly tense. Zhang Zhao turned his gaze to the chairman, waiting for him to express his opinion.
"Let's talk about the positive meaning." Song Ci was flipping through the materials in his hand, also considering whether to invest in Summit Entertainment.
Internet companies are never afraid of losing money in the short term, but they must lose markets and users to win in the future.
Zhang Zhao was cheered up. The group's investment department had made it clear that they could only place their hopes on the chairman, so he had to seize the opportunity.
"First, Summit Entertainment has launched many box office and award-winning works. After the group acquires a stake, it can share content libraries and development capabilities, enriching TT Video Network's global content reserves."
Seeing Song Ci nod slightly, Zhang Zhao was delighted and continued to explain: "American film and television companies have advantages in script creation, special effects technology and industrial processes. After becoming a shareholder, Tengda Culture can absorb advanced experience and improve its production level.
In addition, Summit Entertainment has a mature distribution network in North America. After the company acquires a stake in the company, it can use its channels to promote Chinese films, which will serve as an important springboard for going overseas.
Through capital ties, the group can participate in some international film projects and enhance the brand's global influence."
After listening to Zhang Zhao's explanation of the significance of some strategic layouts, Liu Hong's expression relaxed slightly: "According to what Mr. Zhang said, if the company becomes a shareholder, it can participate in the investment and development of the subsequent series of Twilight?"
"Of course!" Zhang Zhao said firmly, "Mr. Wasiberg, co-chairman of Summit Entertainment, said he is willing to accept our joint investment in the development of "Twilight 4".
It is expected that 3,300 screens will be added in China this year. Theoretically, the upper limit of the box office market can reach 150 million US dollars. In recent years, Americans have gradually paid attention to the domestic market. "
"What about the game adaptation rights for "Twilight"? " Compared with simple film investment, Song Ci is more concerned about the in-depth development of IP.
"Twilight" is very popular in the European and American markets. If it can be developed into a game, he is confident that he can make back his investment tenfold.
Zhang Zhao hesitated a little: "We haven't discussed this in depth before. Mr. Song, I think there is room for negotiation. Currently, Summit Entertainment has a debt of 80 million US dollars due.
The pressure from banks to collect debts is huge, and the financing channels in North America are limited. Summit Entertainment is in urgent need of funds, so there will be a lot of room for negotiation on the game copyright.”
Liu Hong adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and asked cautiously, "Mr. Zhang, there is a key question!
Will the group just inject capital and then Summit Entertainment will be declared bankrupt? We must assess this risk."
"Mr. Liu, you can rest assured. We have done a detailed due diligence report. As long as we pay off the $80 million in maturing debts and hold out until Twilight 3 is released worldwide in June this year, Summit Entertainment can rely on box office revenue to survive the crisis."
Liu Hong nodded slightly: "Mr. Song, from a financial perspective, investing in Summit Entertainment does not have a very high rate of return.
But if we consider the global market layout and enhancing the group's brand value, it is another matter. Please make the decision."
Song Ci paused for a moment and said, "In principle, I agree to invest in Summit, but let's put it off for a while. Those people in Hollywood dare to cheat even Wall Street.
The negotiation rhythm should be well controlled. Leave them alone for a few days, and then focus on IP development and overseas distribution channels. Liu Hong! You need to calculate the investment return cycle. "
"Okay, Mr. Song, we will submit a plan to you for review as soon as possible, focusing on evaluating the IP derivative value and channel synergy effects."
Zhang Zhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the chairman had no objection, the matter was mostly settled. As for the other details, Summit Entertainment should make concessions.
Thinking of the cunning people in Hollywood, Song Ci warned worriedly: "Be very careful when investing overseas!
It is necessary to hire a legal team familiar with Huamei to focus on reviewing Summit Entertainment’s IP ownership and contract disputes to avoid potential risks.”
Liu Hong wrote down the boss's suggestions one by one: "Don't worry, Mr. Song, we are very careful in these aspects and will definitely review them before investing to avoid unnecessary disputes."
After the meeting, it was already five o'clock in the afternoon.
Zhang Zhao invited him, "Mr. Song, I have booked a few tables at the restaurant next door. Please come over."
Song Ci did not refuse. Attending the dinner to express his condolences to the front-line employees was something that had been discussed in advance.
At nine o'clock in the evening, in the girls' dormitory of Beijing Film Academy, Yang Zi, with a faint blush on her cheeks, lay on the bed to rest, while several roommates around her kept chattering and asking questions.
"Sister Zi, drink some honey water." He Miao sat on the bed with a glass in his hand and gently helped Yang Zi up.
Yang Zi took a few gulps of water, recovered, and sighed: "The aftereffect of red wine is really strong, I feel dizzy!"
Xia Qing looked concerned: "Did Tengda's people force you to drink?"
Yang Zi waved her hand: "No, it's just that I can't drink much. Hey, Mr. Zhang arranged for Zhao Liying and I to sit at the main table."
Before he finished speaking, several girls exclaimed, "Oh, the main table! Then you are sitting at the same table with Song Ci? Tell me, what do you think of the richest man?"
Yang Zi tilted her head and recalled: "It was quite unexpected. It turns out that Song Ci is a taciturn person. He didn't say much during the whole dinner, which made the atmosphere at the table particularly dull."
"Didn't you toast Song Ci with wine and talk to him?"
Yang Zi lay at the head of the bed, kneading her brows: "Then I must toast, I still understand this social etiquette, but Song Ci basically didn't talk to me.
He must admire Zhao Liying very much. During the whole dinner, apart from chatting with Zhang Zhao and the other three CEOs, he talked the most to Zhao Liying. "
"Sister Zi, your luck has turned. You signed with Tengda Culture and got to know the richest man in Asia on the first day. Don't forget us when you become successful in the future."
"No problem, we are sisters now! But I have a tricky problem and need your help!"
"What's the problem?"
"Make a travel guide for seven people on a European trip." Yang Zi's face straightened, "I accepted a variety show, and my task is to be a tour guide."
(End of this chapter)
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