America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 97 Oriental MGM, please take me with you

April 1, 2003, today is April Fool's Day, and it is also the fourth day since Eric came to China.

In the past four days, he walked through many scenic spots in Yanjing. There were no crowds and he could shout as much as he wanted. This felt very good.

But early this morning, a bit of sad news came.

On the Internet and in newspapers, news about the suicide of Hong Kong star Leslie Cheung dominated the front pages.

Only then did Eric remember that today was actually the day Leslie Cheung passed away. When he was a child, he learned the news and didn't feel much.

Although I have also watched classic movies such as "A Better Tomorrow", "A Better Tomorrow" and "Across the World", at that time I only paid attention to whether I was happy or not. Except for a few celebrities such as Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow and Madonna, I remembered all the other names. Can't live.

Madonna was because his father liked it, so Eric only remembered it after hearing it too much.

When I got to know Leslie Cheung when I grew up, I realized how regrettable it was for such a star to commit suicide.

Public opinion, no matter what era it is in, is an invisible weapon that can kill people.

Chen Xing didn't react at all. He didn't know who Leslie Cheung was at all. After taking one look, he continued to feast. Peter O'Toole's death would probably only make him lose consciousness for a few minutes.

Eric just ate a little and sighed with regret.

After breakfast, Susan arrived just in time, and the three of them took a bus to Yanjing City.

The inspections by government agencies are very strict, and the three people successfully entered the office building after undergoing strict tests.

In the lobby on the first floor, Han Sanping and Zhou Xiaopeng were already waiting there in advance.

After the last dinner party, especially after MGM started sending money, the two of them really started to work hard. They suspended all non-essential work at hand and ran back and forth for four days in a row, finally completing the communication work.

Eric came here today to meet with the relevant departments of Yanjing City to formally discuss cooperation matters.

Seeing the three people entering, Han Sanping and Zhou Xiaopeng hurried over. The latter said, "The secretary is waiting in the conference room upstairs. Come with me."

Walking to the elevator, Han Sanping said: "Eric, today's negotiation meeting is two in one. Not only Secretary Li is here, but Director Wang of our bureau is also here. It is best for us to negotiate the two projects at once."

"Is your leader here too?"

Eric asked with a smile, indicating that the more the other party pays attention to, the greater the possibility of success.

"It's not the senior leader, but our deputy director who is in charge of business. The senior leader is not in Yanjing, but he also knows about this and supports it."

Eric nodded: "As long as you can represent me, it doesn't matter who you talk to, but when you make the final decision, is it okay without the signature of your senior leader?"

"Don't worry about this. He will be back in a few days. I have already reported that you can stay in Yanjing for a week at most and you will definitely be able to catch up.

After Han Sanping finished speaking, the elevator door opened just in time. As soon as the group entered the corridor, they saw several middle-aged men in cadre uniforms waiting there. There were several people standing behind them, including those carrying bags and taking photos with cameras. of.

It was also Eric's first time. Just when he was thinking of saying something to say hello, his hand was already held by the leading secretary.

"Hello Mr. Cooper, very welcome."

Several other leaders also shook hands one by one. They are all important figures who can decide the food, clothing, housing and transportation of millions of people.

Then everyone entered the conference room and took their seats, with an identity card placed in front of each person.

Han Sanping, who can control everything in the entertainment industry, and Zhou Xiaopeng, who can control life and death in the Yanjing media system, can only sit on the left and right edges of this table.

Since the two of them directly recruited people for the project, they were allowed to serve at the table. The identity tags in front of them were not written with their personal names, but with the names of their units.

But the most special thing is Susan. The signs in front of others are all in Chinese, but hers is in English. There is no way she doesn't understand Chinese, so she even brought a special translator to this meeting.

"Mr. Cooper, this is the first time we meet. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, it would be unbelievable that the vice president of a multi-billion dollar company is so young. In our Chinese language, this is called a formidable young man!"

Eric smiled: "A lot of things just happen to be at that corner, and then you happen to do those things. Fortunately, MGM is doing well now. Although it has not yet restored its former glory, I believe it will in the future. .”

"This is just like China. In ancient times, China was the economic and cultural center of the world and had a major impact on the whole world. I believe that in the future, China will definitely regain its former glory and become the world's most important economic center and entertainment and cultural center. one."

"It seems that Mr. Cooper knows China very well."

"Yes, at least I think so, otherwise I would not have convinced my father to come to China to establish a branch, because I can see the huge potential in this market."

The sedan chair was carried by everyone, and the camera next to it kept clicking. After a few polite words, the meeting got down to business.

Director Wang said: "Let me talk about the establishment of a joint venture first. Sanping reported this matter more than half a month ago. The idea is very good, and in principle we agree."

"I also met with Ms. Susan a few days ago and had a detailed discussion. We also discussed the first draft of the plan internally and agreed in principle."

“There are just some places where we hope to get more favorable terms.

It is normal to have conditions. Negotiation is a process of bidding and counteroffering, as long as it is not excessive.

"Speaking!"

"First of all, there is the technical issue. This is the most lacking aspect of the current Chinese film industry. I think the cooperation method in the plan is still too conservative. The scale can be appropriately relaxed."

"I suggest increasing the number of directors who come to MGM for exchange and study every year from 2 to 5, and at the same time adding management positions, 3D technology, screenwriting and other professional talents. Only by learning as much as possible can we promote the early rise of Chinese films. .”

"The other issue is the film's distribution. I'm not afraid of everyone laughing. We have been exploring global distribution, hoping to find a suitable path, but unfortunately we have never been successful."

"Today, Chinese films want to go global and expand their cultural influence, so they can only rely on foreign companies, but it's hard to live with people's opinions."

"So Mr. Eric, my second thought is that I hope MGM can help China gradually establish a distribution network, starting with North America."

Director Wang's two suggestions are indeed for the future of Chinese films, and everyone present understands this.

And if everything goes according to track, this talent development plan will indeed be launched almost ten years later.

For example, Guo Fan, Chen Sicheng, Xiao Yang, Yu Baimei and others were all Hollywood students studying abroad at that time, and they each submitted their answer sheets after returning. As for whether the audience is satisfied or not, it depends on personal taste.

But the idea is good, but it is too simple.

After taking a sip of water, Eric organized his words: "Director Wang, your first suggestion is fine. MGM can even help you contact more major Hollywood companies."

"If you want to learn animation production, I can help you contact DreamWorks, and special effects can help you contact Weta Digital. They are both top-notch in their respective fields."

"The number of people is not a problem. After all, you are paying tuition and you are not getting free money."

The venue suddenly burst into laughter.

"But regarding the issue of establishing a distribution network, I can honestly say that it is difficult. There are too many factors involved."

"There are cultural differences, different laws in different countries, different ways of dividing box office accounts, various distribution methods, and varying quality of films."

"I hope to treat this matter with a more responsible attitude, rather than simply agreeing and then perfunctory you."

"Based on my experience, the most likely outcome of this matter is that China has spent a lot of manpower, material and financial resources, but in the end the film's distribution can only be circulated in the Chinese community."

"So things can be done, and MGM is willing to help you connect, but it's best not to have too high expectations. Do you understand what I mean?"

What Eric said is to clarify things first and then not to argue. Don't blame me for not doing anything in the end if you don't succeed.

To his surprise, Director Wang did not show any dissatisfaction, but accepted it sincerely.

"Mr. Eric, we have an old saying in China that where there is a will, there is a way. No matter how bad the result is, it is better than nothing at all. The roads are all walked one by one, don't you think?"

Now that Director Wang has made his attitude clear, Eric doesn't care, since his work is not in vain anyway.

If I help Huaxia expand its market in North America, Huaxia will naturally give the green light to MGM for mutual benefit.

"Well, these two items will be added to the contract."

Next to him, Han Sanping's heart suddenly fell to the ground. Although he didn't say a word, his concentration was highly concentrated.

Once the joint venture is completed, I will have impressive results. If I ask the leaders to work hard, maybe it will be corrected this year.

A smile instantly appeared on Director Wang's face: "Mr. Eric, I wish us a happy cooperation in advance. Secretary Li, that's it for me. You can tell your story."

Secretary Li also had a smile on his face. A good start is half the success.

Although it was his first time to meet him, the young man in front of him gave him a feeling of being capable and pragmatic, unlike some of the liars he had met before who could only brag.

During the negotiation, each one was more boastful than the other. When it came time to pay, it was either one reason or another, and they pushed and held back.

"Mr. Cooper, on behalf of the Yanjing Municipal Party Committee and Government, I welcome your investment in building a factory. I won't say anything more. Let's just look at the map. This is a more suitable industrial land around Yanjing. There are three pieces, you can pick one first.”

The lights in the conference room were turned off, and in front of everyone, the projector slowly came down, and a planning map of the Yanjing area was displayed in front of Eric.

The director of land and resources walked to the side, holding a laser pen in his hand, and the red dot fell on the plot of land and began to introduce the situation.

After more than ten minutes, after listening to the pros and cons analysis, Eric probably made a decision in his mind.

"Secretary Li, the main purpose of MGM's investment in building the factory this time is to serve various peripheral production in the future."

"China's manpower and material resources and other aspects of costs are much more favorable than those in the United States, so I have plans to transfer the production line here in the future."

"Although the land for the first phase is not much, only 500 acres, and the investment is only 50 million US dollars, it will definitely be expanded as it develops."

"I expect that the factory will at least double or even triple its capacity within two years, so reserving land is my focus. Land No. 3 is good, but you need to pay more attention to this aspect."

Secretary Li nodded: "This aspect is not a problem. Our current policy is to encourage investment. Mr. Cooper only needs to get the funds in place as soon as possible. The government will take care of all other running things for you."

"Thank you very much. The money will definitely arrive soon. Susan has registered the company in the past few days, and the advance funds from MGM will come in as soon as the account is opened."

"But I definitely can't stay in Yanjing for a long time. After I leave, Susan will be fully responsible for the business here. When the time comes, I ask the municipal party committee and government to take care of her."

"No problem. Whichever department needs to cooperate will do its best to cooperate. Which leader needs to coordinate and which leader will definitely come forward. There are all the preferential policies that should be enjoyed. If the difficulty cannot be solved, ask Ms. Susan to call me directly. .”

"Hahahaha, with your words, I feel relieved."

We discussed a lot of details for more than two hours, and the matters that needed attention were basically agreed upon.

Secretary Li said: "Now that the matter is basically finalized, we will perfect the contract in the next few days, sign it before Mr. Cooper leaves, and then hold a joint press conference. What do you think?"

"I have no objection, just follow Secretary Li's arrangements."

Secretary Li suddenly laughed: "Mr. Cooper, when we first met, I said you were a formidable person, but that is our Chinese tradition, a polite way of complimenting guests."

"But through this exchange, I must say this sentence again sincerely. You can't see the youthfulness of a 20-year-old young man at all. When I was your age, I was still the party secretary in the village. Woolen cloth."

"Not to mention an investment of US$50 million, even if I was asked to approve a note of RMB 5,000, I would have to think about it for ten days and a half, for fear of making a mistake and feeling upset."

“Young people are still courageous and dare to think and act.”

Director Wang looked at the time: "Let's go, Secretary Li. We'll talk about the nice words later at the dinner table. We have put in a lot of effort to recruit MGM this time."

"If Sanping had not maintained communication with others and given the good things to you as soon as possible, this project might have ended up in Tianjin."

"Although Yanjing is the center, you don't have access to the sea. MGM's products must be sold all over the world, so you have to drink three drinks first."

Everyone in the conference room laughed immediately.

Eric naturally understands what Director Wang said. In the future, MGM will inevitably build more factories in China. The first one to be located in Yanjing was for political policy considerations, and then it will be Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other places.

The world's factory, with its huge demographic dividend and exaggerated cost reduction, it will soon become a place that companies all over the world are flocking to.