The Best Entertainment Era

In the reception room of DreamWorks, Spielberg looked at Ronan quietly, his face full of thoughts.

He knew a little bit about Artisan Films, but the bad things that DreamWorks had encountered recently left him with no time to care about them.

Most importantly, DreamWorks does not have the funds and strength to eat Artisan Pictures.

Ronan said again: Relativity Entertainment is only interested in the film library of Artisan Pictures, and all other businesses can be handed over to DreamWorks, including Artisan's global distribution business.

The recent situation of DreamWorks is not good, and Spielberg must consider the actual situation, and asked: If the two parties jointly fund the acquisition, how will the proportion of funds be divided?

Ronan said slowly, Seven to three, DreamWorks seven.

Spielberg's face immediately turned cold: What is the biggest heritage of a film company? The film library resources! We all know this. For a company like Artisan Pictures, the value of the film library can account for 50%!

Ronan didn't refute, just said: Distribution channels.

The second half of Spielberg's speech was instantly blocked back. What is DreamWorks most lacking? But he thought for a while, and said: Artisan Pictures' distribution ability is average, even New Line Pictures and Miramax can't match, and besides, Artisan Pictures has some businesses that have nothing to do with DreamWorks except for the film library. Useless.

Indeed, Artisan Pictures' distribution capabilities are not very strong. Ronan's tone was calm, but what he said pierced people's hearts: Steven, DreamWorks can still win a more suitable distribution than Artisan Pictures. channel?

If there were, DreamWorks wouldn't be what it is now.

Ronan said: There is no better choice. There are only six major companies and their subsidiaries that have better distribution channels than Artisan Pictures.

Spielberg interrupted abruptly: And your relativity entertainment.

Ronan shrugged: The distribution business of Relativity Entertainment is not for sale.

Spielberg knows what Ronan said, looking at the entire Hollywood, and even the film industry around the world, how difficult is it to buy a distribution company? This requires not only funds, but also opportunities.

Ronan said calmly: Relativity Entertainment is an open commercial company that can cooperate with DreamWorks or any company. Difficult shot.

Steven, we have known each other for many years. You know Relativity Entertainment, and I also know your DreamWorks. One of the core issues of DreamWorks is distribution. With distribution channels, you have the capital to negotiate with any shareholder.

Spielberg was not reconciled, saying: DreamWorks can acquire Artisan Pictures alone.

Really? Ronan looked very calm: DreamWorks can really withdraw more than 300 million U.S. dollars without affecting normal operations? Steven, if you have such an attitude, we will not continue the discussion Necessary, Relativity Entertainment can complete the acquisition alone. The reason why I came here today is because we have common enemies, but enemies can also become friends. You know better than me how long DreamWorks can last without distribution channels .”

Having said that, Ronan stood up, looking as if the conversation had collapsed.

Spielberg hurriedly asked to stay: Ronan! He sighed secretly in his heart: I need to fully understand Artisan Pictures, give me a few days. In addition, I cannot accept the investment ratio of 7:3. Not so much money.

Ronan looked at Spielberg, and Spielberg said, Six to four.

6.5 vs. 3.5. Ronan also took a step back, Steven, go and learn about the distribution business of Artisan Pictures.

Spielberg secretly calculated that DreamWorks had just raised 140 million US dollars in India, so they could squeeze out a little bit of liquidity, and then borrowed part of it from the animation studio, and then used the copyright of some films in their hands as mortgage loans. , It's a bit difficult to get together 100 million US dollars, but it's not impossible to get it out.

In this way, DreamWorks' funding will be very tight in the next few years, but this is a dream distribution channel!

Artisan Pictures' North American distribution channel can improve DreamWorks' North American distribution capabilities. DreamWorks uses Artisan Pictures' overseas distribution channels as a framework to build a key overseas distribution business.

The overseas distribution channels of Polygram obtained by Embassy Pictures were far inferior to Artisan Pictures. Since Ronan Anderson and Relativity Entertainment can do it, with his and DreamWorks' abilities, they can definitely do it too.

Thinking of Shirley Lansing's face, facing the pressure of Paramount Pictures, and the uninterrupted efforts for the dream for ten years, Spielberg does not want to and cannot miss this opportunity.

If you miss it, you may never have such a good opportunity again.

Ronan didn't speak any more, just quietly waiting for Spielberg to consider the pros and cons.

Now that he found DreamWorks, he naturally made various filings. DreamWorks is only one of the plans, just like the original plan to swallow Artisan Pictures alone. After Artisan Pictures divested the film library, other businesses will not In the hands of Relativity Entertainment.

The distribution business will never worry about leaving home in Hollywood.

The reason why DreamWorks is preferred is because Relativity Entertainment needs DreamWorks to continue to be at the forefront, as a buffer zone with the traditional Big Six Hollywood companies.

Spielberg didn't think about it for too long, and said: I agree in principle, but Ronan, you have to wait for me for a few days. I need to have a general understanding of the situation of Artisan Pictures, and I also need time to raise funds.

Ronan nodded slightly: No problem. He reminded: The time can't be too long. Steven, we have competitors.

In addition. Ronan knew that the cooperation with DreamWorks was only short-lived, and it was impossible to become friends, and he would not be polite: I have discussed with Jeff several times about the North American distribution rights of DreamWorks Animation Studio.

Spielberg's face was a little ugly: I need to think about it.

It wasn't until close to noon that Ronan left the DreamWorks campus. On the way back to Burbank, he received a call from Robert Iger, and the two quickly exchanged their respective situations.

Subsequently, Robert Iger followed Ronan's request and tried to delay with Artisan Films as much as possible. Lionsgate Pictures raised the price, and Relativity Entertainment will follow up, but the bid will not be much higher than Lionsgate Pictures.

At the end of January, Spielberg, on behalf of DreamWorks, signed a cooperation agreement with Relativity Entertainment very low-key.

$360 million! This is Lionsgate's final offer!

In the face of Emile Marin of Artisan Films, Frank Gusta almost yelled at the price: Emile, how much is the actual value of Artisan Films, you and I are very clear, premium acquisitions are the norm , but you are too greedy.

Emile Marin said with a smile: Fran, there are not many high-quality assets like Artisan Films now, and Artisan Films has no shortage of next buyers.

Frank Gusta sneered: Relativity Entertainment? Who is Ronan Anderson? You and I know very well. You think he will take the risk of breaking the capital chain of Relativity Entertainment and pay more than 360 million U.S. dollars. price?

Emile Marin was unmoved and still said: $400 million, this is my bottom line.

Frank Gusta wanted to call shit very much, but he endured it and said, No one will pay $400 million.

Of course Emile Marin knew this, but $360 million was still a little far from his bottom line, saying: Your bid is too low.

The 360 ​​million US dollars has reached the limit of Lionsgate Films. Even if the acquisition is successful, Lionsgate Films will have to bear a heavy debt burden in the future. Frank Gusta has mobilized almost all financing channels and personal connections to raise to this fund.

Any person and company has limits, and Frank Gusta cannot put all his cards on this one acquisition.

Frank Gusta shook his head: Emile, come here today, you should think about it carefully.

Emile Marin sent Frank Gusta away, took a two-hour break for lunch, and once again saw Robert Iger, who always had a smile on his face.

The COO of Relativity Entertainment, while uncharacteristically genial, was more difficult than Frank Gusta.

Seeing the smile on Robert Iger's face, Emil Marin said, Bob, you guys have been procrastinating on this negotiation, and I can no longer feel the sincerity of Theory of Relativity Entertainment.

Robert Iger said with a smile: The bid of 350 million US dollars, doesn't it prove the sincerity of Relativity Entertainment?

Emile Marin said seemingly casually: Lionsgate is much more sincere than you, and their bid has reached 360 million US dollars.

Now that DreamWorks and Relativity Entertainment have reached an agreement, Robert Iger doesn't want to procrastinate any longer, saying: Frank Gusta is going to fight all the old ones.

Emile Marin also knows the situation of potential buyers to some extent, and knows that what Robert Iger said is true. If it weren't for Relativity Entertainment, he might have nodded to Lionsgate before.

Robert Iger said cleanly: 370 million US dollars, if you agree, I will notify Mr. Anderson now.

Emil Marin frowned and was about to speak, but Robert Iger suppressed all his smiles and interrupted him directly: Emil, this is Relativity Entertainment's final bid!

Seeing the seriousness on the face of this Mickey Mouse-smiling guy, Emil Marin got a strong hint that this might really be Relativity Entertainment's last bid.

Robert Iger, who has always shown a smiling face, suddenly put on a dead face, which can only show that the price has reached the limit of relativity entertainment.

Emile Marin thought for a moment, and said with unprecedented sincerity: Bob, I need to think about it seriously.

He also needs to integrate the opinions of other shareholders.

Robert Iger said no more, and the acquisition team was behind the more detailed terms: Emile, I hope I can get good news.

Emile Marin shook hands with Robert Iger, and immediately notified the secretary to convene a meeting after he left.

Two days later, Robert Iger got the good news that Artisan Pictures accepted a $370 million offer!