Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 805 Who Am I?

"Why do you look dissatisfied with your desires? Do you have any higher requirements for Cable News Network?" Mr. Richest Man joked casually.

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Ted Turner's face, and he asked: "Recently, my CEO and President Barry Diller has revealed his intention to leave. Are you really unaware of this?"

Tang Huan shrugged, "I thought you could handle him."

"He is quite determined to start his own business. What can I do?" Ted Turner was quite annoyed. "I came to you this time because I hope that you, the original introducer, can come forward to make peace." one time."

It can be seen that Ted Turner was quite reluctant to leave Barry Diller with his seal.

This is normal. Barry Diller, who has been CEO of Paramount for ten years, has also served Turner Broadcasting for nearly ten years. He has made great achievements. No boss is willing to lose such a capable assistant. .

"I think Barry Diller will come to me to explain." Tang Huan thought for a while, and then said slowly: "As for you, it's better to just let nature take its course. In addition, Internet access, In terms of set-top boxes and other aspects, Turner Broadcasting Company still needs to work harder. Otherwise, the valuable first-mover advantage may be lost."

"The concept of the Internet is being promoted more and more by you. How could I be careless in this regard?" Ted Turner replied seriously: "Take Cable News Network, for example, it is preparing to build its own WEB website. However, the development technology in this area seems not to be in place yet.”

Tang Huan explained patiently: "At this stage, there is basically no problem in developing static HTML WEB websites; but Cable News Network definitely hopes that its website can automatically refresh news and other content, which involves complex dynamic HTML technology. , which will involve many fields such as the middle layer and database.”

Speaking of this, Tang Huan raised his finger and pointed at himself and emphasized: "Actually, not only do you have to work harder, but I dare not take it lightly—after the passage of the 1991 Gore Act, those public research institutions that received funding, Such cutting-edge technologies will definitely be included in the scope of research, and based on past experience, the corresponding results will inevitably flow into the business world, and there may be a browser war with these technologies as ammunition at some point."

Ted Turner laughed out loud when he heard this, "It is estimated that 90.00% of the people in the world would not think that Mr. the richest man, under the infinite scenery, is an endless crisis. No wonder you are so insecure."

Tang Huan replied frankly: "I said it more than ten years ago - my company will always be only [-] months away from bankruptcy; now, and even in the future, this sentence will always be valid."

"I think it's time for CNN to do another profile of this great thinker of yours," suggested Ted Turner wryly.

"It depends on my mood." Mr. Richest Man waved his hand lazily.

……

Not long after Ted Turner left, Barry Diller, as expected by Tang Huan, took the initiative to visit and talked about his career plan.

Mr. Richest has three main directions for making connections in network management - Chinese Americans of the same origin, celebrities who know the basics, and those with regional backgrounds in San Francisco, California and even the western United States.

Barry Diller, who was born in San Francisco, meets the latter two conditions at the same time.

Moreover, in the view of the richest man, Barry Diller was born to be a high-class wage earner. As long as he can control it well, he is a sharp sword that can save his master's effort and win.

Under Tang Huan's intentional creation, the atmosphere of the conversation between the two parties was very frank.

The richest man asked directly: "Did you insist on leaving Turner Broadcasting Company because of differences in business concepts with Ted Turner? For example, he seems to have an extraordinary enthusiasm for Time Warner."

Barry Diller didn't hide it either, "There must be a certain element of it. As you know, I have a quick temper, and Ted Turner has a very distinct personality, so there will inevitably be verbal conflicts."

After hearing these words, Tang Huan was not surprised, because it was a fact.In particular, Ted Turner, who suffered from family changes such as his father's suicide, is notoriously difficult to deal with. Don't look at him getting along well with the richest man. It's because Tang Huan has a high charisma index, which can make him feel convincing. Not necessarily so.For example, the personal grievances between Ted Turner and Rupert Murdoch have reached the point where they can't wait to go to the Las Vegas boxing ring for KO.

On the other hand, it is true that Barry Diller has outstanding abilities, but he is also a complicated character, such as an open secret about him-homosexuality.

"But the main reason is that I am optimistic about the prospects of TV home shopping, and QVC, which has made great achievements in this field, just happens to be in business difficulties. For me, this is really an opportunity that cannot be met." Barry · As Diller explained, he took out a document and handed it over.

Seeing this scene, Tang Huan immediately had a clear idea - Barry Diller came here this time not only to explain, but also for the purpose of attracting investment.

This is normal. The richest man is now a famous venture capitalist and angel investor.

In fact, Tang Huan can remember QVC, the world's largest TV shopping channel in the original time and space, without looking at the documents, not to mention that it has settled and developed in China in the form of a joint venture.

The name QVC comes from the acronyms of Quality, Value, and Convenience. In its first fiscal year after its establishment in 1986, it set an annual sales record of US$1 million.

Three years after its founding, QVC bought its biggest competitor, CVN, with a sweeping ambition.Ironically, the $3 million deal was followed by a $8000 million loss in the next fiscal quarter.

To make matters worse, QVC's business has been at a low ebb for the past few years, and it can't slow down.

Seeing that the richest man put the finished document on the coffee table, Barry Diller expressed his feelings: "Don's discussion on Internet applications made me reflect on the TV industry I have been in for many years. Compared with the Internet, at this stage The interaction between TV and viewers, such as commercial advertisements, is basically one-way; while TV shopping just pays attention to two-way interaction. Applying a buzzword of Tang, this should be regarded as e-commerce.”

"Of course forget it." Tang Huan laughed loudly, "It's nothing more than a different network form, but the spirit is still the same."

"A fashion designer friend of mine..." Barry Diller hesitated, and finally told the story to enhance his persuasion, "Diane von Stenberg, the inventor of the wrap skirt, last year Through QVC, $120 million in branded apparel was sold in two hours."

Because of the relationship of Bellucci Monica's career in the European fashion industry, Tang Huan had a good understanding of this circle, and had also heard about the legendary experience of this woman, Diane Fernstimberg.

In 1969, she married Prince Egon, a descendant of the German royal family and nobles, and staged a modern version of the fairy tale of the princess and prince, becoming a pair of celebrities in the European social circles at that time.

It is a pity that although this royal family is politically outdated, it is still economically powerful by owning land and even interests in Fiat. It is still qualified to remain conservative and is dissatisfied with Diane von Stenberg. Due to their Jewish ancestry and civilian status, the couple eventually separated.

After the divorce, Diane Furstenberg flourished in her career, invented the popular wrap dress, and launched perfume and cosmetics. At the peak of the company's operation, it once set a record of 1979 million in 1. USD sales.

However, when Diane von Stenberg was looking for a second love, she met some unkind people, and her career also suffered a setback. Her brand was basically outdated, but unexpectedly, through QVC's TV shopping has taken a turn for the worse.

Seeing the interest on the face of the richest man in this vivid example, Barry Diller couldn't help but cheer up, and took the opportunity to express his ultimate goal, "QVC's plight is only temporary, and it is also related to the economic situation of the past two years. The recession is not unrelated, and I am confident that it will take it to a new level of development. I wonder if Tang has any intention to invest in it?"

Tang Huan picked up the document again, browsed it, and thought over it—the value of QVC's TV shopping is irrelevant to the richest man, and the key is to control Barry Diller, a senior wage earner in the media field.CNN is indeed in full swing now, but it belongs to the traditional field after all, and the Internet media that is close at hand is what he values ​​most, and he needs a person with absolutely enough qualifications to take the helm.

Just when Barry Diller, a media tycoon with less than one person and more than [-] people, began to feel frustrated, he suddenly heard the richest man ask: "What kind of control do you have over QVC now?"

"I purchased $2500 million in QVC shares, but I don't have control yet." Barry Diller quickly replied.

"How can this be possible!" The richest man put the document back on the coffee table, and said slowly: "Since you are so optimistic about QVC that you would leave Turner Broadcasting Company, you should control this company, not to mention that it is still in business. Dilemma."

Barry Diller smiled wryly, "I do have the idea of ​​acquisition, but my financial strength is really limited. Why don't I ask Tang La to invest in it to increase the board's voice."

"That's it." The richest man waved his hand, "Turn this document into an acquisition plan, and I support you to take down QVC. At that time, you will be the No.1 in this company, and you can play as much as you want."

……

After sending Barry Diller away, Tang Huan casually called Ted Turner and told him directly that instead of persuading Barry Diller back, Tang Huan was persuaded by the other party to participate in a new investment plan.

Not to mention how depressed Ted Turner was, Tang Huan next met with Cheng Long and admired the latest movie that the other party shot according to his own intentions-"Who Am I".

Seeing that the desert racing car driven by the amnesiac Cheng Long and Yamamoto Mirai was an acquired Jaguar, and the building Cheng Long jumped from the rooftop was the acquired "Gate of Europe", Tang Huan nodded with satisfaction and said: "You Your hard work will definitely pay off, this movie should be a success, and I guarantee that everyone will see your style this year, including North America, Argentina, Europe, South Africa, China, and RB Australia."

Cheng Long, who exuded a faint smell of medicinal wine, beamed with joy, and said incessantly, "The boss is too kind to me."

"Of course I want to treat you well." The richest man said playfully: "Besides, you are worthy of my attention—"Who Am I" should be released on the eve of Memorial Day."

With such a golden schedule, Cheng Long is of course impeccable, and he has made preparations to cooperate with the promotion of the film.

……

Cheng Long was praised by the richest man and was accepted by Hollywood in advance. Of course, it was inseparable from his real materials. Just his desperate drive to pursue special effects, which action star in Hollywood can compare?

With Tang Huan's order, the Hollywood machine running at full speed pushed Cheng Long and "Who Am I" to the front row by the way.

However, the film is released on a good schedule, which means it needs to face fierce competition - there is "Basic Instinct" before it, and "Lethal Weapon 3" after it, and "Who Am I" is sandwiched in the middle. If you want to be in the box office rankings Coming out on top is basically hopeless.

Fortunately, this Cheng Long movie with impeccable action scenes also has its selling points - for example, the scene where the protagonist loses his memory is not bad; The humor and love shown by the pet dog; the confusion of the protagonist standing on a high place and shouting "who am I"; especially the excitement of the picture sliding down the glass curtain wall from the height of the "Gate of Europe" at the end, all can attract the audience. Money to buy tickets, into the theater.

In addition, there is another aspect that cannot be ignored, that is, after the Los Angeles riots, the awareness of ethnic unity has become stronger - Chinese Americans, and even Asians in general, regard Cheng Long, a Hollywood action star from the East, as their idol, and the title of the film "Who Am I" can also easily trigger a special touch when the Los Angeles riots are still vivid, and then form support for "Who Am I".

5月25日，《我是谁》拿下了接近2200美元的票房，仅次于排在第一位——2700多万美元的《致命武器3》、排在No.2——2300多万美元的《异形3》，也意味着程龙很好地完成了首富先生交代的任务。

(End of this chapter)