Reinventing the Millennium.

Chapter 287 Apple's Assist (Two in One)

Fang Zhuo is flying to New York again.

Didn't even wait for the release of its own S1.

It takes fifteen hours to fly from Shanghai to New York, and there will be jet lag again. During this period of time, there have been many flights. In addition, Fang Zhuo often reviews and thinks in the dead of night, which really makes me feel uncomfortable. He felt physically tired.

However, mentally very excited.

Building a business from scratch is very fulfilling, and finding the right time to control a website that was once familiar is also very rewarding.

Comparing these two senses of accomplishment, the latter is more of a passion.

During the 1-hour transoceanic flight, Fang Zhuo slept for almost [-] hours. As soon as he landed and contacted China, he knew that the S[-] had been successfully released.

The storage space and price of S1 have been lowered, and the storage space of 128M only needs 1099 yuan.

Compared with the M1's 2899 yuan, this is undoubtedly a high price.

So far, Yike M1’s 2899, J1’s 1799, and S1’s 1099 have completed the triple product line layout of high, medium and low. With the development of the market, the price of music players will definitely drop further, but Yike will not significantly The price is up.

In the market of less than [-] yuan, factory OEMs will capture part of the industry chain profits.

However, the press conference went smoothly, but the company meeting after the press conference had some twists and turns. The marketing department had some disagreements, thinking that the launch of S1 could be pushed back, and the current J1 is selling well.

In addition, the S1099 profit of 1 is definitely not as good as J1 and M1, and the corresponding channel and market share is also less.

It is said that the meeting chaired by Vice President Su Wei lasted for a long time before the product policy was implemented.

"What would you do if you chaired the meeting?"

Sitting in the car, Fang Zhuo described the situation to Yu Hong who picked him up at the airport, and asked with great interest.

Yu Hong sneered, and said decisively: "Then I will ask anyone in the northern market who is willing to implement the product policy, and bring it up to implement it."

She added: "Weiwei is just too gentle, how many hours can this kind of meeting last?"

Fang Zhuo smiled and said nothing, this is the difference in style between the two.

After a while, Yu Hong asked, "What about you? What about you?"

"If it were me, would this happen again?" Fang Zhuo asked back.

Yu Hong was speechless, and if it was Mr. Fang, it would be a matter of few words, but even though she was abroad, some people in the company said that Tang Shangde was a little too jumpy recently.

"President Fang, you must know the domestic affairs well, but I have a new news now, guess what?"

Fang Zhuo observed the marketing director's expression, three points were complacent, two points were serious, and the remaining five points were admiration for the president.

Just in April, Yike opened up the channel of Wal-Mart and officially landed on this national retail giant, which is one step closer to the goal of "mass consumer goods".

Fang Zhuo guessed, "Walmart's data receipt?"

Yu Hong shook her head.

Fang Zhuo thought for a while, then continued to speculate: "The RIAA has withdrawn the lawsuit?"

"It's a beautiful idea." Yu Hong smiled.

Fang Zhuo thought about it, but couldn't figure out what news made Xiao Yu so official.

Yu Hong announced the answer: "Apple wants to contact us."

Fang Zhuo was stunned, and repeated in his mouth: "Touch?"

Apple's new product launch event was held on the 15th, and now it's almost the past week, and it suddenly said that it wants to get in touch with competitors in the market...

Yu Hong continued: "People from Apple want to meet with you, almost to discuss acquisitions. The market performance of Apple's Ipod in the past week may not be as good as they expected."

Fang Zhuo exhaled slowly, suspected to be from Apple's acquisition intention.

This is also a form of recognition.

Apple's acquisitions have not been many in history, and they are often due to the needs of technology or product integration.

For example, the current iTunes is the acquisition of the software company SoundJAM MP.

For example, Fang Zhuo also knows that it has acquired voice software maker Siri and headphone maker Beats.

Of course, the most famous is the acquisition of NeXT software company, successfully welcoming Jobs back.

"Hey, hello, Mr. Fang, Fang Zhuo, you don't really want to sell the company, do you? Look at your expression?" Yu Hong didn't hear the response, and turned to see the strange expression on the boss's face.

It's hard for Yu Hong to describe this kind of expression. If she had to describe it, it could be called a slight wave.

"Ah, oh, no, I didn't even hear the price, how could I sell it." Fang Zhuo laughed.

"If the price is right, will you sell it?" Yu Hong asked.

Fang Zhuo said solemnly: "I think we can discuss this issue with our Global Product Director of Yike."

"Understood, I won't sell it." Yu Hong said.

Fang Zhuo was surprised: "Why?"

"Because it's the worst time for you to be serious." Yu Hong showed contemptuous eyes.

Fang Zhuo sighed, "Director Yu is indeed the person who understands me best."

Yu Hong knew that the boss was still in a state of indecency, so she changed to the main topic: "Apple just contacted the company. Do you refuse directly or meet and talk?"

Fang Zhuo thought about the time of a song, and asked: "Since the market performance of Apple's new product is not good after its release, do you think it will lower its price?"

"The 20G version will definitely not, at least not for the time being. The 10G version may reduce the price by launching new products." Yu Hong judged, "Including channels such as Wal-Mart and Kroger, we are likely to carry out positive compete."

Fang Zhuo nodded. The current market is obviously different from Apple's previous market. It must face up to Echo's M1 and P1. Therefore, after only a week of trying, Apple sent out an invitation.

It's useless to just look squarely, you have to stand up, and now you can't stand up.

If Apple does not cut prices, it is likely that it will not be able to continue to compete with Yike, but if it cuts prices, it will lead to further profit compression in the industry.

There is a way to solve this situation, buy Yike directly with money, and get the user base accumulated by Yike iMusic.

"The task in the second half of this year is still relatively arduous." Yu Hong talked eloquently, "No matter how close the actual experience of M1 and Ipod is, there will always be people who only focus on the brand. If Apple lowers the price further, the influence factor of the brand will increase. .”

"With regard to the moat in music, I think we should fire the first shot," she said.

Fang Zhuo looked sideways: "Even if the cost is high?"

Yu Hong said with certainty: "Even if the cost is high."

She believes that Fang Zhuo has the courage, he has always been a decisive person.

"Then we need someone with this kind of experience to help with the negotiation." Fang Zhuo also believed in Yu Hong who was struggling in the first-line market.

Yu Hong nodded, and the topic returned to the front: "You should beat the jet lag tonight, the company has rejected the acquisition contact from Apple."

"Okay, so does Apple. At least two more rounds will come to buy it. What price can it sell for now?" Fang Zhuo smiled slightly.

However, after 2 minutes, he suddenly said: "Wait, don't refuse yet, I'll see you."

Yu Hong said a little strangely: "Why did you change your mind?"

Fang Zhuo said noncommittally, "I want Apple to do me a favor."

Before jet lag that night, President Yi Ke took advantage of the daytime on the other side of the ocean to communicate with Su Wei, who was in charge of most of the domestic work.

Everyone has a different style of doing things, and there may not be many advantages and disadvantages.

Su Wei Huairou, in Fang Zhuo's eyes, is actually more suitable for the current fast-growing Yike, but it is different in foreign countries where the situation needs to be opened up, and Yu Hong is obviously the most suitable.

The rapid development of Yike not only promotes the grassroots and middle managers quickly, but also the senior management.

The next morning, Fang Zhuo, who had recovered from the jet lag, met the representatives of Cadwalader Law Firm in the conference room, listened to the key tasks of the trip to New York, and made an acquisition presentation to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The "Williams Act" implemented in 1968 is an important bill for the acquisition of listed companies. It is commonly known as the "Disclosure Act".

The transfer of shares of a listed company is not only a general securities transaction, but may also lead to the transfer of company control, so there are stricter regulations.

Cadwalader Law Firm combined with Fang Zhuo's current actions and suggested to make a statement with the SEC. The main purpose is to show that the acquisition of shares is not out of malice and speculation.

Of course, no matter whether it is speculative or malicious, it is at least required to be both wrong and wrong on the surface.

MIGA Fund is currently indirectly controlled through two companies in Xiangjiang and the Cayman Islands. In June, it will jointly recommend Fang Zhuo as a representative of the two institutions to exercise the rights of the company with Yike Investment.

By the way, the law firm will also make a confidential application with a time limit on this basis.

"That is to say, I told the SEC that I am not a hostile takeover or a barbarian at the gate. If they believe it, will they give us a period of time to carry out the takeover?"

Fang Zhuo understood what the lawyer said.

"There are still some complicated regulations in the bill, and it can be understood in this way." The lawyer said.

Fang Zhuo digested it for a while, and said: "Then make a statement at the end of this month, otherwise it will become a tug-of-war later, what should we do when it's due?"

The lawyer showed a puzzled smile: "During the tug-of-war, there is no need for secrecy anymore, all the information has been exposed..."

"Oh yes." Fang Zhuo tapped the pen. After listening to many explanations of the provisions for a while, his mind was confused. All he needed was the non-violation of the acquisition and the secrecy before the shareholders' meeting.

The lawyer added: "Besides, the SEC is not opened by our family. The time must be as soon as possible. If it does not pass, we can find other channels."

Fang Zhuo looked at the chubby lawyer and asked, "Who did you learn Chinese from?"

"A professor from Huaxia." The lawyer said suspiciously, "Mr. Fang, what's wrong?"

Fang Zhuo shook his head and praised: "It's so authentic, the tone is very good."

The lawyer was very happy: "Thank you Mr. Fang for your compliment, then we will notify you after we confirm the time to present with the SEC."

Fang Zhuo nodded and asked, "Are you sure you can pass?"

The lawyer from the Cadwalader law firm said: "In view of the complex holdings of the MIGA fund and the involvement of Huaxia companies and target companies listed in the United States through the VIE structure, I personally think it is still somewhat difficult."

Fang Zhuo blinked, which seemed to be different from what he had heard before.

The lawyer continued: "But we will try our best to exert influence so that the members of the SEC judging group are good people who are kind and tolerant to us."

He showed the same white and fat smile: "After all, Sina is just a company with a market value of more than 4000 million US dollars."

Fang Zhuo didn't have any opinion on the lawyer's statement about Sina, and the judgment of enterprise value was obviously beyond the scope of his opinion.

The lawyers of the law firm have left, and they will continue to work on this commercial case.

After a while, Kong Yu walked in with a haggard face.

"Mr. Fang..."

Fang Zhuo looked at this man full of pressure, and pondered: "It's fine if you can't find a bank that is willing to invest. I will let the country work hard."

"No, Mr. Fang, there is good news and bad news." Kong Yu took a deep breath, "Which one do you want to hear first?"

"If the good news can't dilute the bad news, you can go back to China first." Fang Zhuo said.

Kong Yu let out an "uh" and reported honestly: "I found a bank that is willing to contribute capital, but the valuation they are willing to give is not high, and the time limit is relatively short."

"Oh, like this."

Fang Zhuo tapped his finger on the conference room, lost in thought.

After a while, he said, "Apple intends to acquire Yike."

Kong Yu was stunned, Mr. Fang wanted to sell Yike to get cash?

Fang Zhuo asked: "Do you think that if we get Apple's acquisition contract, this will increase the bank's equity valuation of Yike?"

Kong Yu: "..."

He understood: "Mr. Fang, what do you mean we talk to Apple and ask it to issue an acquisition contract, but we don't sign it, and take this contract to the bank to pledge the equity?"

The current situation is that Bank of America does not recognize the equity value of Yike from China, so let the listed company Apple, a local technology company with a market value of 50 billion US dollars, endorse the value of Yike.

"Is it possible?" Fang Zhuo asked.

Kong Yu cheered up: "It's possible!"

He patted his head, and sighed involuntarily: "Mr. Fang, how did your brain grow?"

Fang Zhuo said unceremoniously: "As long as you make me feel at ease when you do things, should I think about these crooked ways? When will I be able to hold a giant company and let those banks and venture capitalists come to invest in it!"

"Cough." Kong Yu reminded in a low voice, "President Fang, if you think so, after the hostile takeover of Sina next month, many people will probably avoid you..."

Fang Zhuo said angrily: "I have said many times, we are not hostile to Sina, we want to help it."

Kong Yu slandered, let you always talk about the sky, who can believe this statement...

Fang Zhuo called his assistant in and asked him to make an appointment with Apple for a meeting, and then began to listen to Kong Yu's report on the bank in detail.

Kong Yu has been in contact with no less than ten banks these days, large and small, and only then has he negotiated a bank with a low capital contribution, which shows how small the equity circulation market for non-listed companies is.

However, if there is an endorsement of the value of a local company, then you can talk to the banks again. After all, this kind of pledge is still profitable.

The lower the risk, the higher the value.

(End of this chapter)