It cost $350 million to buy a stake in Facebook, and it would cost even more to acquire Twitter.
$1.8356 billion sounds like enough money to last for several lifetimes.
But when it really came to use, Li Zhenyu only regretted that there was one less zero before the decimal point.
"Currently, the highest offer Twitter has received is 230 million."
“Without a higher offer, what will Facebook do?”
"No, Microsoft was interested, but the price they offered was not satisfactory."
"Claire, how much do you think we should pay?"
Li Zhenyu had a rough idea in his mind, but he still wanted to hear what others thought.
Claire cheered up and thought that a price of 380 to 400 million would be most appropriate.
But when I think about the huge difference between the offer I made to Facebook and the actual amount...
Claire bent down with a lack of interest, "How about 4...500 million?"
She judged that the offer for Facebook would not exceed $20 million.
The truth is, $20 million is just the beginning.
Da Laba offered 140 million yuan, which was exactly a 20 million yuan increase in price. It was also the first to be eliminated.
If he had really filled it out as he said, no one would be in the mood to enjoy champagne and cigars, chat and laugh and fly to San Francisco to make the next investment.
500 million should be enough...
The rise of the IT industry has confused Claire's understanding and judgment of money.
When did the unit of measurement of money begin to be based on 100 million?
Could the financial crisis happening outside be fake? "Just as you said, after landing... Yingjun, you will be responsible for quoting the price to Twitter."
"Okay, brother." Zhao Yingjun nodded with a smile.
"Has PD Park contacted you? How is the distribution negotiation going?"
The negotiations with Columbia were still going on, and PD Park almost stayed in the studio and was unwilling to leave.
Among the other companies, Paramount was the most sincere.
"What about MGM?"
“They are very interested, but they don’t have the money.”
A good cook cannot cook without rice. MGM is heavily in debt and is looking for money all over the world to save its life.
If we really hand "Parasite" over to them, there will be no problem in distributing it.
A lean camel is bigger than a horse. MGM’s channels and connections are still there, but forget about publicity.
If it is released directly, how much box office it can earn depends entirely on the quality of the film itself.
An overseas movie from South Korea without any publicity...
Li Zhenyu gave up the idea and thought about whether he could seize the opportunity to acquire the operating rights of MGM.
Providence Equity Partners holds a 29% stake; Texas Pacific Capital Fund holds a 21% stake; Sony America holds a 20% stake; Comcast holds a 20% stake; DLJ Commodity Bank Partners holds a 7% stake; and Quartet Group holds a 3% stake.
This is MGM's current equity structure, with the company's debt around $4 billion.
If Li Zhenyu is willing to reach an agreement with creditors on the grounds of "being responsible for repaying debts", he can join shareholders in conducting bankruptcy reorganization of the company.
By issuing additional shares and obtaining partial equity and management rights, can it usurp the throne and become a world-class film giant through a backdoor listing?
As soon as this idea came into his mind, it took root deeply in his mind.
"Claire, what's your baby-faced assistant's name? I need to talk to her in person."
Such a big case was handed over to a junior lawyer who had been in the industry for less than half a year. Claire once again sighed, "This world is really crazy."
But the case she is handling is also worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Even if she wanted to withdraw, she had no time. She could only repeatedly remind her of the important parts, "Less debt, more equity, and no outsiders are allowed to interfere in the management under any excuse."
Claire also knew that this request was a bit excessive, but fortunately the boss had his own ideas.
"Time. If you cannot pay off the debt within 5 years, you will return your shares and management rights and resign automatically."
This is the answer given by Li Zhenyu. Without this, why would the other party believe him?
MGM, which acquired one of the Big Eight for free by using debt, only promised to turn losses into profits without any time limit.
If he drags the company into bankruptcy and administration, he can get a share of the profits based on his shares.
All the benefits go to him alone. Where in the world can such a good thing happen? ...
"Lee, congratulations on your successful investment in Facebook. It's an excellent investment."
When he met Ivan Williams in San Francisco, he was very proactive, as if he had been waiting for his arrival.
"Ivan..."
Li Zhenyu smiled slightly and accepted the friendliness thrown by the other party: "Of course, William...you already know the purpose of my coming here."
"Yeah, come for it." Williams pointed upwards to where Twitter's computer room was.
Li Zhenyu nodded and said, "Tell me your conditions!"
"430 million, all paid in cash."
The conditions put forward by Williams left Li Zhenyu stunned.
He didn't expect things to go so smoothly, and the team members who came with him didn't expect this to be the case either.
The other party had previously rejected the olive branches offered by Google and Microsoft, so why did they change their mind now?
Claire thought for a moment and asked, "Does it have to be cash?"
"Yes, all of them." Williams said firmly. This was his only request.
As long as the other party is willing to pay him cash, Twitter will be his.
It doesn't matter whether he wants to shut down Twitter, break it up, sell it, or resell it to someone else, such as Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.
Williams doesn't care about any of that, he only cares about the money he can put in his pocket.
"We need to discuss this in private, okay?"
Claire winked at him, and Williams spread his hands and said, "No problem, I'm in the office, call me anytime after the discussion."
After leaving the meeting room, Williams looked back inside and saw Claire leaning over and whispering something to the man.
"Cash. He wants cash."
Having stayed in South Korea for so long, she almost forgot the powerful purchasing power of cash.
In most acquisitions and mergers, cash payments only account for a small proportion.
The remaining shortfall will then be filled through stocks, funds, equity/industry/interest exchanges, etc.
Williams is a cautious person. He knows too well what the consequences will be if he cooperates with these big companies and industry giants.
A detailed account of the founders and teams who received stock compensation from large companies and "sold" the companies to them.
The final outcome is either being eliminated or being marginalized, gradually losing their former spirituality and talents and becoming a useless person.
Among the few who were able to escape unscathed, all of them had strong backgrounds.
He doesn't have such a strong background and is even less willing to get involved with big companies, which is why he has repeatedly rejected acquisition invitations from giants such as Microsoft and Google.
They will only confuse themselves with shares and the future, just like Google's plan, agreeing to become a subsidiary, and themselves and the founding team can retain 25% of the shares.
With Google's endorsement and support, the company's valuation will increase several times like climbing a staircase.
By then, the stocks they hold will be a huge fortune.
Of course, in addition to the shares they will also receive $5 million in cash compensation.
If things were as they said, Williams would have sold the company to them long ago.
The fact is that once they give up their management rights and start daydreaming with their stocks and money, what awaits them will be multiple rounds of financing, diluted shares, marginalization of the team, and loss of any ability to intervene.
Finally, when the company IPOs, you will either be liquidated or be left with a negligible stake.
It's a pity to throw it away, and it's tasteless to eat it! If you understand the key, you will no longer question Williams' initiative.
Finally a 'real money sponsor' with cash in hand has come along. If you don't hurry up and try to get in touch with him, do you still have to wait for those big liars who can only talk big?
"Boss, it's time to bargain."
Claire was full of confidence and felt that she could do it again.
Since Williams wants to leave with cash, the initiative is in their hands.
Even if you add up all the richest people in the world, there are not many who can come up with hundreds of millions of dollars in cash at one time.
Net worth and cash have always been two different things.
After another round of discussion, Zhao Yingjun walked out of the meeting room and waved.
Williams, who had been observing them, rushed back immediately.
Although he wanted to appear nonchalant, his hurried steps betrayed his true urgency.
"William, we agree to your request to pay in cash."
Hearing the good news, a smile couldn't stop growing on his face.
But the next second, Williams' smile froze.
"After discussion, we offer 320 million. It's time for you to express your sincerity."
…
PS: I really don’t know how to name a chapter, so let’s just leave it like this! Crying~~ (End of this chapter)