America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 428
Strictly speaking, Smith Media has not been formed for a full year.

It is a group company formed after Abel acquired himself, or established companies with entertainment and media properties, and integrated them.

By MGM and its subsidiaries (Marvel, Dark Horse, DreamWorks, Pixar, etc.).

There are also companies such as AMC Television, AB Smith Newspapers, AB Smith Entertainment, and Elizabeth Back Garden.

On the day the group was established, Abel announced the rotating CEO mechanism.

This model, imitated from China, has worked well within one year of operation.

The first CEO was Robert Iger, and the second CEO has been decided to be Michael Levine.

It will be officially replaced on June 6 this year.

Since its establishment, its major subsidiaries have all developed rapidly with the support of Abel's huge financial group.

Like MGM Film Group, it has successively annexed companies such as DreamWorks Films, Pixar Animation, Dark Horse, and Marvel.

Last year's performance was mediocre, but since the beginning of this year, two consecutive films have box office of 3 million US dollars.

Among them, "Spider-Man" has won a global box office of 11.56 billion US dollars.

It is more outstanding and more profitable than parallel time and space.

"Kick-A-Bian", which has a low investment, has a global box office of 4.5 million US dollars.

Just these two movies will at least bring more than 4 million US dollars in profits to MGM movies this year.

What's more, this is just the beginning.

With the solid accumulation of last year, this year's MGM Films and its various subsidiaries will definitely hand over even more dazzling transcripts in the future.

This is Smith Media's performance in the film industry.

But from last year to now, Smith Media's more eye-catching business is the TV broadcasting business group.

The original cable TV station AMC Classic Television Company is now the AMC Television Group.

After Abel's acquisition of the NBC television network failed.

AMC TV turned around and merged with Bloomberg TV business.

After the merger and reorganization, Abel and Bloomberg injected a lot of money.

AMC Television Group was able to begin rapid growth, acquiring independent TV stations and channels throughout the United States.

In just half a year, today's AMC TV Group has become a large TV broadcasting group with 36 TV stations and more than 100 channels.

This scale, of course, is not as good as those public television networks for the time being.

But the speed of its brutal growth has already attracted the attention of the industry.

Michael Ovitz + Richard Plepler, these two people are outsiders and insiders.

One is mainly responsible for the acquisition and annexation of other TV stations, and the other is mainly responsible for the operation of the TV station itself and the quality of the programs.

The joint efforts of the two have enabled the fast-growing AMC TV Group to achieve dazzling results in ratings.

From last year to this year, several high-quality TV dramas with high investment and many variety shows have achieved outstanding results in the industry.

For example, the reality show "Survival in the Wild", filmed and hosted by the young British retired special soldier Bear Grylls, broadcast on AMC TV station, once it was broadcast, the number of viewers reached more than 1000 million in a month, directly creating a new one. The reality show type track.

As a result, other TV stations began to launch similar reality shows one after another.

The follow-up to Richard Plepler, who watches reality TV, invests in low ratings even better than some shows.

The talented TV program manager has another "Real Housewives" show.

This reality TV series mainly records the lives of some wealthy housewives living in different parts of the United States.

Its ratings, not much better than "Wild Dead", are just as good.

The main reason is that the investment is very low, lower than that of "Survival in the Wild", and the investment income ratio is extremely high.

At the same time, it also attracted a large number of loyal viewers to AMC TV station.

After the success of this program.

Richard Plepler continues his efforts, in addition to TV series.

The talented TV executive has produced several reality TV series such as "Survivor", "The Bachelor", "America's Next Supermodel".

Especially "America's Next Supermodel", the show has not even started filming, and it has been announced to the public, saying that the judges in the show are well-known top supermodels such as Jillsey Bundchen who have already become famous.

He also said that in the finals, the female devil Anna Wintour and others will be invited.

Just for this gimmick, the show has already gained a large number of people's expectations before even filming an episode.

There are also a large number of advertising consultations for clothing companies and fashion companies, and the total amount of advertising intentions has exceeded 2 million US dollars.

It's a super golden hen that has started laying golden eggs crazily before filming.

While producing a large amount of excellent content, it frantically annexed other small TV stations.

Compared with MGM Film Group, AMC Television Group is even more dreaded by peers.

It's moving so fast!
And the other subsidiaries of Smith Media Group did not lose to the above two at all.

Like the original Smith newspaper, it has now expanded into the Smith newspaper group.

Within a few months, the newspaper group has owned five newspapers with a daily sales volume of more than 5 copies and nine newspapers with a daily sales volume of more than 20 copies throughout the United States.

There are also 19 regional newspapers with daily sales of more than [-] copies.

Based on the approximate daily newspaper sales, the Smith newspaper group has already ranked sixth in the United States.

What's more, it also has a large number of branches and newspapers abroad, mainly in Europe.

Movies, TV, radio, newspapers...Smith Media has delivered a very good report card under the tenure of Robert Iger in all its fields.

Even though Abel is no longer backing it with a golden bullet.

Now Smith Media can also support itself, because many of its businesses have already begun to make profits.

A virtuous circle has been entered.

This is also the reason for Abel to list Smith Media.

A huge media group that has started to make profits, has excellent operating conditions, and has excellent development prospects.

Even disregarding the existence of Abel, it is an extremely attractive treasure in itself.

After adding Abel's identity.

In the eyes of the world, buying its stocks is almost a matter of making a profit without losing money.

this day.

Smith Tower, in the conference room of the media group.

Sitting on his main seat, he looked at the high-level executives of the media group who were eagerly looking at him.

Abel smiled and said, "Everyone knows what the first topic of today's meeting is. I won't repeat it."

"Smith Media Group currently has a total of 10 billion shares."

He smiled and continued to say softly: "I have already discussed with other shareholders, and I will take out 1000 million original shares as a reward for your hard work."

As soon as this remark came out, even Abel was extremely majestic.

But hearing such a great thing that concerns his own interests, a little surprise and cheers erupted in the conference room.

Regarding the listing of Smith Media, several days of public opinion fermented.

Every American now knows that the shares of Smith Media will be very valuable.

But now, they can get the most valuable original stock before it goes public.

Although there are only 1000 million shares, there are still so many people to share, and there will be a lock-up period of at least half a year, and you may have to spend money to buy them.

But that is the original stock of Smith Media!
In the market, there are already some media that believe that even if it has not been listed, the market value of Smith Media is at least 400 billion US dollars.

After listing, depending on the enthusiasm of investors, it may double, or even 1.5 times, or more!
Even at a listing price of US$400 billion, get its original shares.

After that half year, at least half of the profit can be made, and at most double the profit can be sold to sell the stocks.

They were naturally excited that such a good thing could happen to them.

Looking at the excited management, Abel smiled slightly.

He said again:

"In addition, in view of everyone's contribution, I convinced other shareholders. You only need half price to get this batch of original shares."

Seeing that there were already people, I was so excited that I wanted to applaud.

Abel raised his hand slightly, suppressing this group of media group executives who were already excited to the point of mania.

"One more good news. I personally will provide a half-year interest-free loan, which can only be used to buy these original shares. Do you understand what I mean? Now you can cheer."

As soon as he finished speaking, Richard Plepler, the youngest among the media executives, was the first to jump up.

"Understood, I understand so well! Boss, I declare that you are the greatest, most generous, most benevolent, most handsome, most submissive and most wanting to bow down boss in the world!"

This guy sings wildly about Abel in a choir-like, rhythmic aria-like voice.

There are indeed many professional managers in the United States who can get crazy high salaries, that's right.

But that generally happens in the financial industry, and those most profitable industries.

Today's media industry is not as profitable as it will be in the future.

Since its establishment, Smith Media has only started to make profits in the last two months.

In this case, the group of them may not be able to receive equity incentives until next year at the earliest.

But now, on the eve of Smith Media's upcoming listing.

On the eve of this madness, Abel gave them such a reward.

Looking at the whole world, no capitalist would be so generous.

"Boss, this decision of yours really excites us." Even Robert Iger, who was always refined and rarely flattered Abel, began to flatter Abel.

"Boss, among all the rich people in the world, no one is more generous than you. I don't know how other people feel, but I guess I will be so excited that I won't be able to sleep for three days and three nights."

But Robert was thinking in his heart: How much can I get?I am the first CEO, MGM has the best development, and I contribute the most, so I should be able to get the most, right?But the two Michaels may not be too low, they talked to the boss too early.

The others followed suit one after another, licking Abel frantically.

For a while, those who knew knew that this was the meeting room of Smith Media.

People who don't know think this conference room is now a training camp for sycophants.

Wealth moves people's hearts.

1000 million original shares, purchased at half price.

Based on the media's lowest valuation of 400 billion, this share is worth 4 million U.S. dollars even if it is not listed.

They can get shares with a minimum guaranteed value of 2 million US dollars at a price of 4 million US dollars.

Even if it takes so many people to share, this kind of good thing that you can make money when you get it is worth letting them treat Abel like this.

"The specific reward list will be announced later."

After listening to a few minutes of flattery and praise.

Abel smiled and stopped the group of temporary sycophant media executives.

"Let's start the next topic, the target strategy of the group after listing."

The manic conference room calmed down a little.

And this incident was quickly reported to the public opinion media by Smith Media.

Time entered the end of February 2002.

Before Christmas and New Year's Day.

The media in the United States generally will be calm for a period of time.

This period is generally in January and February of each year.

During this period, the news they published were basically related to people's livelihood and entertainment.

For example, where is there any celebration, the Grammy and Oscar awards ceremony, what are the big events, which star's new movie or new record is on the line, and so on.

But this year is different. From 2002 to now, even February is not over yet.

The news about Abel has hardly stopped.

The "attack" news, the "new consortium core" news, the "Smith Media Listing" news...

Each one is big news that blows up the whole country, regardless of the elite class or the civilian society, and is hotly discussed.

The news is all about Abel, since his "Gossip Girl" incident.

In the past two years, the news about him has hardly stopped.

It has been fired for almost two years in a row, and it is hotter than the hottest entertainment stars.

Why do the media always catch Abel to hype?

In addition to the deliberate guidance of relevant parties, even Abel himself also contributed.

Also because Americans like to watch.

The United States is the stronghold of capitalism, a hodgepodge country of immigrants, and its ordinary people come from all over the world.

Everyone gathered in one country, and it sounds like they are all here for a better life.

To put it simply and crudely, everyone is actually running for money and following the desire to get rich.

This makes ordinary Americans, most of them like self-made rich gossip very much.

Abel's entrepreneurial deeds are wonderful, dreamy and magical, and are surrounded by the vast majority of Americans.

Whatever you like, the media will naturally publish it.

"Abel Smith is generous, the best boss in the world, and may reward his subordinates with over a billion dollars!"

This is the "American Sun", which ignited news headlines across the United States and hung on the front page.

The media followed suit the next day.

"Future working emperors!"

"Lucky Michael Levine!"

"A new way to achieve the American Dream. Want to be a multi-millionaire or even a billionaire? Go work for Abe Smith."

The media across the United States went crazy and caught Abel’s stock rewards and made a lot of speculation. As a result, tens of thousands of Americans wanted to work for Abel.

Michael Levine, the executive who can get 100 million original shares of Smith Media this time.

It also became inexplicably popular, and his photos were hung on the front pages of major newspapers, as well as on many Internet websites.

At the hottest time, the limelight even overwhelmed the boss.

A few days later, on March 3, the "Washington Post" published a serious report on Michael Levine.

"The American Dream, Smith!"

Here's the header, and it reads:
[This is an extraordinary country, this is an extraordinary company, and this is a typical American dream. 】

[In America, all dreams are possible to come true, and the success of Michael Levine is the undeniable proof! 】

[The United States gave birth to Smith, and Smith brought together dreamers. 】

[Two years ago, Michael was just an ordinary broker in a brokerage company, with an annual salary of no more than 50 US dollars.Since he joined Smith Entertainment, his talent has been fully tapped by his boss Abel Smith. In a very short period of time, he has become one of the most influential figures in the American entertainment industry. 】

[Abel Smith recruited him at the beginning, but asked him to run errands for him, and later he was promoted to the general manager of Smith Entertainment, then the CEO of Elizabeth Back Garden, and finally became one of the presidents of Smith Media. Abel Smith had high hopes for Michael, Michael Live up to the trust, the two sides achieved a good story. 】

[However, talents are often found, and good employers are not often found. I hope that all employees in the United States can encounter employers like Abel Smith. 】

While praising Michael Levine, he also promoted Abel's reputation as a good boss, which made his already good reputation in the bottom society of the United States rise to a higher level.

After reading the report, Abel responded by giving David Jones an order:
"David, the recruitment plans of all Smith companies have been advanced. Also, give the "Washington Post" 1/10 of our advertising share this year."

When Abel was "returning favors".

Michael Levine is having breakfast at home.

He is 41 years old and has been married twice.

He has no production with his ex-wife. After divorce, he married his current wife. They had two children in 7 years. The eldest son is 5 years old and the youngest daughter is [-] year old.

Meanwhile in New York, Michael Levine lived with his parents.

During breakfast, the family of six were beaming, and Michael Levine's mother asked him excitedly:

"Oh, Mike! Mr. Smith, did you really give you 100 million original shares? I read in the media that they are worth at least 4000 million U.S. dollars, maybe even 8000 million U.S. dollars, or more than a hundred million U.S. dollars. You will soon be a billionaire La?"

"Almost." Michael Levin hugged his one-year-old daughter, feeding her cereal with milk powder, and said:

"My annual salary is US$400 million, and my bonus is basically the same. The annual income is now US$800 million. Adding these stocks and daily benefits, billionaires are not talking nonsense."

"Mr. Smith appreciates you so much, you have to work hard."

Michael Levine's mother began to educate her son, "There is no other good employer in the world."

"Mike knows what's in his heart, so I need you to talk too much." Michael Levine's father gave her a look,
"If it wasn't for Mike's loyalty and ability, Mr. Smith would reward him like this? By the way, Mike, let's go to Kate's house tonight."

Michael Levine hardly hesitated, and immediately nodded with a smile: "Okay, no problem."

It is different from the mother who always thinks that her son's ability is the best in the United States.

Annie, her mother's godfather, was Michael Levine's father.

Although the old man didn't say anything, he understood in his heart the real reason why his son was able to get to where he is today.

That's right, Michael Levine is indeed very capable, and he is loyal enough to Abel.

But the most important reason why he was trusted by Abel at the beginning was because of his relationship with Anne Hathaway.

Because Michael Levine's father is the godfather of Anne's mother, Kate McGolly Hathaway!

Judging from this relationship, Michael Levine is Anne's "teacher uncle", which is a relatively serious social relationship in the United States.

Anne was able to make her debut so early and act as the heroine in a TV series so early because of her relationship with Michael Levine.

Jessica and Cameron also have this relationship.

Later, in reverse, because Annie became Abel's mistress.

When Abel was unavailable at the beginning, Michael Levine also gained Abel's trust because of this relationship.

Afterwards, Abel discovered that he was indeed capable and very "smart", and Michael Levine was reused step by step.

But there is no beginning brought about by this relationship.

No matter how capable Michael Levine is, he is determined not to be in his current position.

Both father and son are very clear about this, and they also know that Annie is still very important with Abel.

So continuing to maintain the relationship with Kate, the goddaughter, is of course the natural choice of Michael Levin's father.

Michael is also very clear about this, and of course he will not contradict his father's decision.

The family decided to go to Hathaway's house to be a guest at night.

(End of this chapter)