I’m in Hollywood

? The day after the all-night meeting, Euro Disneyland, which had just opened for less than ten days, suddenly announced its temporary closure. The news shocked the whole of Europe and quickly spread all over the world. *

EuroDisney took seven years to build, with an investment of US$5.5 billion. This figure is even worth the financial revenue of some small European countries for several years. In the 1980s when the US dollar was strong, it was definitely a world-class project.

On the day of the incident, Disney published a statement of clarification and apology on the front pages of well-known French newspapers such as Le Monde, European Times, and Le Figaro, which are among the top in terms of circulation in France. It was found that there were a series of problems after the opening of Euro Disneyland. Out of the concept of being responsible for tourists, the management decided to temporarily close Disneyland after careful consideration and rectify related problems.

However, this statement that completely follows the truth is basically not believed by many people. Most of the media and the public are more inclined to have major changes in Euro Disneyland. Some irresponsible tabloids published reports such as the accident caused by the accident in Euro Disneyland. The news of dozens of casualties, and this completely fabricated news has been recognized by many people, and some newspapers that do not know the truth have even reprinted it.

In just one day after the news broke, after repeatedly confirming that it was not a prank, reporters from countless TV media and newspapers and magazines around the world boarded flights to Paris in an attempt to find the truth.

The French government was also on the day of the incident. Through the press conference, he expressed strong concern about this matter. Jacques Chirac, the mayor of Paris at the time, met with Eric Williams, chairman of Firefly Pictures, and Disney Geoffrey Cassenberg for the first time. Grid, ask yourself the reason for the closure of Disneyland.

Come out of the mayor's office. Eric and Katzenberg got into a black sedan together. After being busy for two consecutive days, even Katzenberg, who has always been known for his high energy, could clearly see a feeling of being overwhelmed. Eric leaned on the seat and narrowed his eyes.

There was a sudden sound of a can being pulled open beside him. Eric barely opened his eyes and took a look. When Katzenberg just opened a can of coffee for refreshment, he remembered something about Katzenberg. Joke, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly.

Eric. Do you want it? Katzenberg asked in a low voice.

Eric shook his head, and now it's time to give him a can of stimulants. He couldn't get his spirits up either. From the night before to now, the two of them basically didn't have a good rest. Eric felt that his biological clock had completely collapsed, and he even envied Katzenberg's abundant energy. When this fellow feels tired, he can simply pour a bottle of refreshing drink, and he can basically be 'full of blood to revive', which is more effective than the red and blue medicine in the game.

The decision to temporarily close EuroDisney was also the result of careful discussions between the two.

The problem of Euro Disneyland is already very serious. It is difficult to predict the effect of rectification while operating conservatively, and the cycle will be greatly prolonged accordingly. Solve the problem. The attention this series of moves generates can also generate a world-class publicity campaign, and it doesn't cost a fortune. The re-opening of EuroDisney some time later is sure to draw attention on a larger scale than when it first opened.

Katzenberg finished his coffee quickly. Said: Eric, if you can't hold on, I will do it myself after the negotiation with the French investor. You can go back and rest first.

Eric nodded dazedly and agreed.

Through the questionnaire survey and the first week's revenue statistics, Euro Disneyland has even undergone rectification. It is also very difficult to achieve the original profit in the short term, and the construction capital of 5.5 billion US dollars. Most are bank loans, which must be repaid through Euro Disney's operations, and the average annual principal and interest repayment amount is as high as 200 million US dollars.

At the same time, the initial serious budget was out of control, and a large number of redundant projects were built, which also made the operation and maintenance cost of Euro Disneyland much higher than that of Tokyo Disneyland. It is not difficult to find this only from the scale of the two parks. The total area of ​​Euro Disneyland is nearly 2,000 hectares, while Tokyo Disneyland is only 204 hectares, which is only one tenth the size of Euro Disneyland.

In this case, Disney can only renegotiate with the French investors to discuss the redistribution of profits and other issues. From the current situation, Eric basically does not expect Euro Disneyland to bring profits to the headquarters. I just hope that this overseas park can achieve a balance of payments and not become a drag on the head office.

Reassuringly handed over the matter to Katzenberg, Eric returned to the hotel, didn't even bother to take a shower, and threw himself on the big bed. When he woke up from a boundless black dream, the window was plunged into darkness again.

After washing up, he picked up the phone in the room and made a call. Eric came to the restaurant downstairs, instructed the waiter a few words, and found a booth to order dinner for himself.

Before the dinner was finished, Katzenberg had already walked over under the guidance of the waiter.

According to my dinner, give Jeffrey a copy, Eric ordered to the waiter casually when Katzenberg sat down opposite him. Katzenberg, who apparently didn't eat dinner, didn't object, just let the waiter fill him with a glass of milk.

How's it going? Eric asked, taking a tissue and wiping his mouth.

Katzenberg took out the folder from the briefcase he was carrying and handed it over: After reading the documents, Louis Bartello did not object to the temporary closure of EuroDisney for rectification, but they hoped that the operation of the park would be The right to take it back, I refused.

If you give up control of EuroDisney, the project will be completely out of control, and Eric has no confidence in the French's ability to operate.

Eric nodded in agreement with Katzenberg's decision. Then he opened the folder and read a draft contract inside. The content of the contract was roughly the same as the bottom line he and Katzenberg negotiated. Disney waives the licensing fees for the first five years of EuroDisneyland and halves the licensing fees after five years. In exchange, the French investor needs to invest another $300 million for the project as Euro Disney's operating capital.

Abandoning the patent licensing fee, although the funds invested by Disney in the early stage will not be recovered for a long time in the future, but in fact, Disney does not suffer, because if Euro Disneyland loses money. Just repayment pressure on multibillion-dollar loans could cause Orland to go bankrupt. At that time, Disney had no choice but to voluntarily give up the patent licensing fee. Because Disney was too strong in the early negotiation, it only used less than 15% of the total investment to get 49% of the shares of the joint venture, and most of the money came from a loan specially approved by the French government. This also means that once Euro Disneyland fails to achieve the expected profit, Disney's strong position will be reversed directly. At that time, the French investors will not only pay no more money, but will even need Disney headquarters to provide capital back-feeding, and now, through Abandoning the seemingly generous condition of patent licensing fees, and once again obtaining $300 million in operating funds from French investors, Disney can be said to have made a lot of money.

After hurriedly reading the new contract, Eric continued to eat his dinner. The waiter also brought Katzenberg's dinner.

After dinner, the two did not leave, and the waiter took the initiative to remove the tableware. After serving coffee again, Eric said to Katzenberg: Although the management of the park cannot be handed over to them, this management adjustment should involve them as much as possible. From the report that the manager gave me. You can see that a lot of the issues that were obvious were obviously ignored by our team.

I know that. Katzenberg watched as the waiter poured himself a cup of coffee, but just pushed the coffee aside. I didn't mean to drink any more, obviously I've been drinking a little in the past two days: Eric, I will personally stay here and take the helm until the park reopens and is on the right track. The movies at the end of the year in the United States have all been confirmed. Frank is a bit conservative, but he can't go wrong, and there's no big problem with him temporarily hosting the business at Disney Headquarters.

Well, I wanted to tell you about this yesterday, but I got dizzy and forgot, it's good for you to stay here. However, I've been thinking about a problem for the past two days, the problem of changing the name of the park. .

Katzenberg looked at Eric suspiciously, and made a rare joke: You wouldn't really imagine what those newspapers said, changing Disneyland to Firefly Land?

Of course not, Eric shook his head and smiled. Disney is already a very mature cultural icon. I wouldn't do something as stupid as changing Disneyland into Firefly. Renamed Disneyland Paris.

Katzenberg shook his head slightly: I don't understand, Eric, is this necessary?

I think it is very necessary. From the questionnaire, it can be seen that the French who come to Disney still account for a very large part. Moreover, the so-called 300 million potential tourists within the radiation range of the two-hour flight now seem to also It's not very realistic. Obviously, these 300 million people are not as eager for Disneyland as we thought. Most of the tourists who came to play in the first week, except for the French, were only tourists from the countries closest to France. In this case, we might as well First, we will focus on managing the French local tourists with the most consumption potential. Since the French are so proud, we will do what we want. The name change is just a point, and we have already negotiated and determined that the French consider themselves to be The other language is French as the first language of the park, and English as an alternative. In addition, the projects and activities of the park should also focus on the integration of French culture, just like the picture of Mickey Mouse I showed you the day before yesterday.”

Katzenberg was a little persuaded by Eric, but he still asked, Will it be too abrupt and the purpose too obvious if you change your name?

Eric said with a smile: It depends on the media and public relations methods of the operation department.

Then I'll ask them to come up with a plan as soon as possible, Katzenberg nodded: What about you, Eric, when are you going to go back, Jurassic Park is still in the late stage, you can't leave too long?

I'll stay for a few more days. Stan is personally responsible for the post-production work. He is involved in most of the film's production process. He already knows exactly what effect I want, and there will be no problems. If he can let go I'm even going to hand him over to direct the sequel when it comes to managing the digital space.

Katzenberg, who knew that Firefly was expected to shoot three Jurassic Park films, was a little surprised to hear: Aren't you going to direct the sequel yourself?

Eric shrugged: It depends on the situation, I'm not sure myself.

The two were chatting casually, and there was a rush of footsteps not far from far to near. Just as Eric turned his head, Allen had already come to him.

Allen hurriedly nodded to Katzenberg before saying to Eric, Mr. Williams, the phone, the phone over there in New York, urgent.

Jeffrey, wait a moment, I'll talk after I answer the phone, Eric said to Katzenberg, got up and left with Allen.

Although Katzenberg was curious about what urgent matters would come to Eric in New York, he didn't ask, just nodded in understanding.

After more than ten minutes, Eric did not appear, but Allen walked over in a hurry: Sorry, Mr. Katzenberg, Mr. Williams has gone to the airport, he is going to fly to New York tonight, let me Come and talk to you.

What happened? Katzenberg stood up, his expression solemn.

Allen shook his head, thought for a while before saying, I don't know, but it has nothing to do with the company. It's... It's Mr. Williams' private affairs.

Katzenberg could see that Allen was hesitant to speak, but since it was Eric's private matter, he relaxed a little and didn't ask further: Aren't you going back with Eric?

Allen replied: Mr. Williams asked me to stay here temporarily and communicate with him about the rectification work here at any time.

Katzenberg nodded: If that's the case, then you can stay with me recently, by the way, does Eric have anything to say?

No, Allen opened his mouth and didn't say any more. After Eric took the call just now, he walked in a hurry and didn't have time to explain anything. (To be continued)