America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 174 174. Big events that caused a sensation in the music industry

The sun is shining down on the earth, and even though it is only after eight o'clock in the morning, the summer wind is already very hot.

However, although the wind was hot, it seemed that Howard Stringer could not feel it as it blew on him, and his body was chilling.

The negative news and the sharp plunge in stock prices in the past few days have caused Sony headquarters in Tokyo to be very dissatisfied with him and asked him to stabilize the stock price immediately and solve this big trouble quickly.

But things have developed to this point, how can it be settled in just one or two sentences.

Sony Music's development has been very good in recent years, and Howard Stringer is also very satisfied with Tom Mottola's work ability.

As for the conflicts and disputes between him and Michael Jackson, Howard Stringer is actually very clear about it. Since taking this position in 1997, he has been supporting the recovery of the copyright from Jackson.

As for how to operate it, that is Tom Mottola's business. Howard Stringer wants the results.

It was this kind of laissez-faire that caused the situation to deteriorate step by step, and finally broke out completely.

Howard Stringer has already thought about it. Tokyo must have an explanation, shareholders and investors must also have an explanation, and Michael Jackson needs an explanation even more.

So in today's negotiation, in order to calm Jackson's anger, Tom Mottola should be thrown out to deal with the thunder if necessary.

Most people can't carry such a big black pot. Your size and height are just right.

As long as Jackson is satisfied, the stock price will definitely rise sharply after the news is released.

As for the copyright issue, the worst thing I can do is leave it to the next person.

This is called trusting the wisdom of future generations.

At the same time, Howard Stringer also noticed something unusual because this series of operations was so smooth.

Sony is obviously being targeted. Michael Jackson is not such a sophisticated person, so there must be someone behind him.

Thinking of those details, his eyes naturally turned to MGM. Whether it was Eric Cooper or not would be known soon.

If MGM is causing trouble, this feud will be forged, and Sony will definitely find an opportunity to retaliate.

As he rode the sightseeing car to Neverland, he was not interested in admiring the beautiful scenery around him. He quickly came to the fountain and walked into the house.

Seeing the people coming, McQueen shook hands with Howard Stringer and sent all the irrelevant people out.

"McClub, first time we meet, I'm Howard Stringer, you should get to know me."

Maikou nodded: "Mr. Howard, if you are willing to come forward, at least it shows that Sony is still sincere in the negotiation. Let's not talk nonsense. I think with Sony's current stock price, you are not in the mood to chat with me."

Howard Stringer smiled unnaturally: "Let's get started. Tell us your demands. What do you want?"

"No, it's not what I want, but what Sony owes me. Over the years, I have created more than a billion dollars in profits and wealth for Sony, but the way you repay makes me feel chilling and uneasy."

Howard Stringer cursed in his heart, Sony's market value has evaporated by billions of dollars in the past few days, who am I to cry to.

However, he still said seriously: "Maikou, you can't believe the various conspiracies circulating in the market. Of course, I don't deny your contribution to the company."

"It's normal for you to be dissatisfied. I can understand it, especially the conflict between you and Tom Mottola. I didn't know about it before, but now I know."

"On behalf of Sony, I can promise you that the company will conduct an internal investigation. As long as you are willing to release news of the settlement to the public, Tom Mottola will be suspended immediately."

"Are you satisfied with the result?"

Maikou pointed to his nose: "Mr. Howard, do I look so stupid? The handling method you mentioned is what Sony should do, rather than comforting me or compensating me. We must first deal with this logic. clear."

"Tom Mottola persecuted me, I have restrained myself enough without launching criminal proceedings against him, and firing him is the basis of negotiations between us, not a bargaining chip that you should use."

Howard Stringer listened quietly to Michael's expression and felt a little strange. From the information he learned, Michael Jackson was not such a person.

He should be a very kind and tolerant person, but why are he so sharp today?

But people have to bow their heads under the roof, and Howard Stringer can only agree.

"Mykko, what you said makes sense. Out of respect for you, I guarantee that Tom Mottola will get out of here immediately."

"At the same time, in order to compensate for the harm done to you, Sony is willing to raise your treatment to a higher level, including the recording and distribution of songs, the hosting of concerts, etc."

"As for the stagnant sales of your album, I got the report. It's all Tom Mottola's fault. Sony will pay you back the arrears."

"There is a contract here, which is about your future treatment. Take a look, it is really generous. You are still our most important artist."

Howard Stringer said as he took out a document from his bag: "McClun, it will be good for us to sign it. This is the optimal result."

Taking the document, McQueen read it carefully. After reading it, he found that Howard Stringer had indeed not lied to him. This was really a very generous treatment, if there was not a line of small words at the end.

Throwing the document on the table, Michael said: "Mr. Howard, Sony wants to renew my fifteen-year contract and also has the right of first refusal on the copyrights in my hands. I don't think this is a good idea."

Howard Stringer explained: "McKen, the conflict between you and the company is actually the conflict between you and Tom Mottola. You can rest assured, I guarantee that he will never appear in front of you again."

"We will provide you with the best resources just like we did in the 1990s, so that you can return to the top and defend your title as the King of Pop in the World, defeating all challengers."

"enough!"

Howard Stringer was interrupted by McQueen before he finished speaking.

"Mr. Howard, there is no need to secretly change the concept. We all know that this is not a conflict between Tom Mottola and I. Copyright is the core."

"Sony won't give up, and I won't give up either. You definitely know what I want."

"Let's get straight to the point. Sony terminates the contract with me and I leave with the copyright. Then I will issue a settlement statement to restore Sony's reputation and stock price."

"Maiko, you can't."

"I've said enough! This is my only request. If the company does not agree, this war will not end."

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward, and Howard Stringer's eyes also turned cold: "McKen, who is helping you behind the scenes? Is it Eric Cooper of MGM? Or is it Plantado?"

Maikou's eyes didn't waver at all: "There's no need to talk about such unnecessary topics. I'll give you two days to coordinate. I just want the results."

Howard Stringer clenched his fists instantly. He was actually ordered, ordered by a singer.

"Michael Jackson, you made a very wrong decision. Sony will never agree to your request, and players will never bow to a poker card."

"Then let the stock price continue to fall and drag down the entire group because of music. I wonder if those shareholders will have any objections."

Howard Stringer stood up, picked up his briefcase and walked toward the door.

"Michael, do you think that relying on the stock price can make Sony compromise? You are too naive. We have sufficient funds to protect the market. The stock price will rise over time, because your fans and those who claim to be righteous will not last long. Pay attention to this.”

"After the cold treatment is over, new hot topics will cover your case. The media will always chase traffic. When no one pays attention to it anymore, the stock price will return to normal."

"And that time will be your death. You will be banned indefinitely. I swear no company will accept you."

"Your records will be removed from the shelves, and all your business shows will be cancelled. I heard that you are now in debt, and the bank will not let you go."

"This Neverland is really nice. When the bank auctions it, I will definitely buy it and invite all the people you hate to have a party."

"Don't forget there are those charitable organizations. Aren't you a big philanthropist? Don't you like to donate? If the capital chain is broken, it depends on what you will donate!"

"Those children and AIDS patients will no longer receive treatment and will die in pain on their beds one by one. All this is because of your selfishness!"

Having failed to achieve his goal, the mask of disguise was torn off, Howard Stringer's demeanor was gone, and he cursed viciously.

Maikou didn't care about being scolded, but his behavior of cursing the child made Maikou instantly angry.

"Howard Stringer, Sony does hold my financial lifeline, but don't forget that I also hold your lifeline in my hands."

"I will exercise half of my copyright power and suspend all commercial activities of all singers under Sony Music. Maybe I will go bankrupt, but Sony Music will not have an easy time either."

"I really want to see how many singers dare to sign with Sony in the future, let's wait and see!"

He didn't expect that Maikou would dare to use such means to threaten him, and the corners of Howard Stringer's eyes twitched violently.

"Michael Jackson, if you dare to do this, you will become a public enemy of the music industry!"

"You're wrong Howard, Sony and I have become public enemies in the music industry. If we can't get my rights back, then let's die together."

"you"

Howard Stringer's eyes widened.

Maikou continued: "In addition, I want to tell you one more thing. I will announce to the public that I am willing to give 5% more of the copyright income I control to other singers."

"I don't need to say what this means. Singers and fans alike, they will only be grateful to me. The bad guy will always be you, but can Sony do this?"

"I'm just an individual. Sony is a multinational listed company. You care about profits and you have to be responsible to your shareholders."

Howard Stringer suddenly felt a chill in his heart. He was 100% sure that this was a premeditated action, and Sony had long been trapped in it.

McQueen also stood up: "Howard, there are only two paths before Sony now."

"The first is that we will die together, but Sony's loss must be much greater than mine."

"The second is that we broke up peacefully. Sony asked me to leave with the copyright, but I will also abide by the rules and use these copyrights reasonably."

"And I can guarantee that I will not switch to Universal and Warner. You are still a tripartite in the music market, and the pattern will not be broken."

"On the other hand, if we fail, the only ones who will profit in the end will be other companies."

"Mr. Howard, you are an excellent businessman, and excellent businessmen will make the most appropriate decision."

"But again, I will only give you two days to think about it. If you don't give a clear answer after two days, then I will regard Sony as choosing the first option."

After speaking, Maikou took the initiative to open the door. Howard Stringer looked at him blankly for a while, and then left without saying a word.

Watching Howard Stringer leave, McQueen couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The decision just now was the result of a long discussion between him and Eric. If Sony is still stubborn, the result will be catastrophic.

After leaving Neverland, even though the air conditioner in the car was turned on, Howard Stringer still felt unbearably hot.

I made a mistake. I thought I could easily take hold of Michael Jackson, but I didn't expect to be frightened by him instead.

The most important thing is that the other party only gave us two days, and even trying to deal with it coldly was not enough.

Howard Stringer patted his forehead a little irritably and said, "Go to the airport, I want to fly to Tokyo right away!"

At the same time, Mykko invited the media gathered outside Neverland to come in and told reporters that there would be a result in two days, and that it would be a big event that would cause a sensation in the music industry.

Everyone was waiting anxiously, and the two days passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, Japanese media photographed Sony holding a shareholders' meeting, with many wealthy people holding shares attending.

Eric and Michael had also talked on the phone several times. He had prepared all kinds of revelations and would release them all once things took a turn for the worse.

As the black Cadillac drove into Neverland, Howard Stringer, who was obviously in a bad state of mind, walked into the room again and started negotiating with McQueen as he did two days ago.

Lawyer Messerio walked in midway. The negotiation continued into the evening, and the three of them still did not come out of the room.

Looking at the food that had gone cold, the black aunt Siti sighed.

squeak

After a while, the door finally opened and the three people walked out.

"Maiko, eat something, you have been hungry all day."

"Wait a moment Xiti, I'll be right back."

The reporters who had been waiting all day were let in again, and in front of everyone, McQueen and Howard Stringer held hands together.

The reporters hurriedly pressed the shutter and captured this moment.

Howard Stringer cleared his throat and said: "After friendly negotiation, we are convinced that everything was a misunderstanding and was the personal behavior of Tom Mottola."

"Sony has reached an agreement with Mr. Jackson to end its contract with him early."

"From this moment on, he is already an independent musician, but we are still good friends and will still be close partners in the future."

The reporters looked at him in bewilderment. Do you want to listen to what you are saying? Aren't you going to go to court with Bo? Aren't you going to fight to the death?

At this time, Maikou looked at Messerio. He was still not thick-skinned enough to tell lies.

Messerio did the talking: "Mr. Howard Stringer is right, everything is Tom Mottola's fault, and he will be punished as he deserves."

"And Sony is a great company. They chose to let Mykou leave with their own copyrights. This is a manifestation of the spirit of the contract."

"We appreciate Sony's grace and generosity and hope the rumors stop and it's time to end this feud that has hurt both sides."

At this moment, Howard Stringer's heart was bleeding. I am polite to your mother, I am generous to your mother, but that is all money, worth billions of dollars.

The reporters all looked at all this in shock. Michael Jackson left Sony with half of the copyright. Doesn't that mean he won?

It is simply unheard of to use one's own power to force capital to compromise.

And does Maikou, which holds these copyrights, mean the rise of a new giant in the music industry?

True to what he said, this was a major event that caused a sensation in the music industry.