Dominating Hollywood: Starting with Scarlett

Chapter 211 Finding Investment
When Berger passed the security check and walked in from the door, he saw that the mayor had finished his speech and was saying something surrounded by everyone.

He picked up the wine glass handed by the waiter, slowly squeezed into the crowd, and listened for a while.

It turned out that what they were talking about was still about children in poor areas, and there was nothing explosive at all.

So after waiting for a while, Berge left the mayor's side.

Anyway, as long as there is a photo of the mayor, the news is already a success.

Then he pretended to be watching a photography exhibition and gathered around the celebrities to listen to their gossip.

I have to say, this trick is very useful.

In just a few minutes, he heard some news that had not been broken in Hollywood.

He was so excited that he felt that he had entered a treasure house.

At this moment, he suddenly saw Tang De.

"Eh..." Tang De narrowed his eyes and suddenly realized that his previous thinking was still too limited.

Yes, it's Tom Cruise.

Standing next to Tang De was a man in a suit and tie. Berge felt a little familiar. He took a closer look and finally recognized that this was the North American head of Sony Pictures.

So after the auction, Tang De stopped in front of Paula Wagner, the future United Artists executive.

"The giants all made their fortunes from small companies." Howard Stringer stopped the topic: "Okay, let's talk about this matter during working hours. I'm more curious now about what you have photographed."

But not long after he got close, he suddenly saw Tang De calling the security personnel.

…………

Fortunately, Tang De's willingness to acquire has been conveyed to his ears. What is more important now is to find someone willing to invest.

The biggest financial backer, his father, is clearly right in front of him, so why would he go to investors who are not interested in Hollywood?
Not to mention the good relationship between Paula Wagner and Tom Cruise, in business, making money is the most important thing.

However, when the photography exhibition progressed to the afternoon auction session, he still had not reached an agreement with any investor, and sometimes he could not even continue the conversation.

"Of course, Mr. Stringer." Tang De nodded: "Everyone can see the operating status of United Artists in recent years. To be honest, although it was once brilliant, it is no longer a good asset."

Along with the sound of signs being raised, he glanced around and suddenly found Tom Cruise talking to a middle-aged man.

Such as investors from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

"But even so, its name is still loud, isn't it?" Howard Stringer smiled: "If Norton Eyes announced this news, it might become a new generation of Hollywood giants. "

But this is normal. These elite investors are more willing to spend money on high-tech listed companies rather than in real enterprises.

"How could there be a problem!" Berge was a little flustered, but his resistance did not stop the security guard.

"Huh?" He was stunned for a moment, then turned around to look at the photos.

After all, their profits will only be realized when the stock rises.

Watching Berger leave, Howard Stringer withdrew his gaze and looked at Tang De: "So you are interested in United Artists?"

As the first foreign CEO of Sony Pictures, Howard Stringer has led the acquisitions of Columbia and MGM, and has successfully turned Sony Pictures into a veritable entertainment giant.

Unfortunately, his disguise had already been seen through. The next moment, under Tang De's instructions, the security personnel rushed over and held him down.

After the two of them finished walking around the photography exhibition, Howard Stringer went to chat with other collectors.

"Haha, Mr. Stringer is really good at joking." Tang De laughed: "Norton Eyes is just a small-cost film production company, not a so-called giant."

"Please, Mr. Stringer, let me explain it to you."

With his status, celebrities can no longer talk to him directly. The only person who can talk to him is Jeff Bezos, who is also a capital.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Tang De hit a wall for the first time.

This was a rare Hollywood executive. Berge immediately smelled the news and stepped forward.

United Artists has long been on the sale list, but because of its famous history and high selling price, no one is interested.

In his opinion, now is a good time to throw away some negative assets.

Howard Stringer.

After the auction started, Tang De did not continue to look for investors. He sat at the table and watched with others the invited Christie's auctioneer explaining his works.

"Sir, we think there is something wrong with your invitation letter. Please come with us here."

In fact, his coming to participate today was beyond Tang De's expectation. It can only be said that this wave of momentum has indeed touched many people who care about charity.

…………

Instead, two people directly pressed his arms and forcibly took him away from the photography exhibition.

Howard Stringer didn't answer, but he quite agreed with Tang De's view.

Tang De chatted with several people, and their first question was, have you gone public?
Obviously, only listed companies can protect and bring them the greatest benefits.

"Who is he?" Tang De asked the secretary next to him. After the secretary went to communicate, he learned that his name was Paula Wagner.

He was here today, chatting with Julia about her in the photo.

It wasn't until the past two months that a star approached MGM in an attempt to acquire it.

"Hello, Mr. Wagner."

"Hello! Don, it's a pleasure to attend your photography exhibition. I also bought a set of Angelina's photos, which are really great."

Paula Wagner was a fat man with a crew cut, and his clothes were only buttoned to the third button from the bottom.

After seeing Tang De, he shook hands with him happily.

From the appearance, Tang De could not see any sign of being a wealthy man, only his Rolex watch showed his identity.

"It's great to have your likes."

After a few simple greetings, Tang De said with a smile: "I wonder what your business is?"

"Business?" Paula Wagner shrugged: "I do investment business for my family."

"Investment? Silicon Valley or Wall Street?" Tang De asked pretending to be curious.

"do all."

"What about Hollywood?" Paula Wagner nodded: "Of course, Don, I am very interested in Hollywood, otherwise I would not come to this photography exhibition."

"So that's it. In fact, I'm having trouble investing now."

"Really? I know about your company. The promotion of "Fifty Shades of Grey" is everywhere. It will be released soon. The box office must be very good. Are you still short of money?"

Paula Wagner also went through a lot of research before entering the Hollywood market. He knew many companies, including Tang De's.

"Of course it's not the Norton Eye..." Tang De waved his hand: "I just finished talking to Howard Stringer..."

"What were you talking about?" When she heard Howard Stringer's name, Paula Wagner immediately thought of MGM and then United Artists.

"About United Artists... I'm actually very interested in it." Tang De said his purpose with a smile.

Paula Wagner frowned: "You want to buy United Artists?"

"Of course, it is a very historical company with special significance. I feel that if the acquisition can be successful, it will play a good role in my career."

"But that's a lot of money," Paula Wagner tried to rationalize.

But Tang De said so much on purpose, and he echoed: "That's right, Mr. Wagner, and I still have competitors."

"Competitor? Who?"

"I don't know, but I noticed the existence of at least three opponents from Stringer's words." Tang De exaggerated the number, which immediately made Paula Wagner wary.

"so what."

"So I need to find another investor to ensure that I can successfully win United Artists. How about it, Mr. Wagner, are you interested?"

Paula Wagner thought for a moment: "I'm very interested, but can you tell me more specifically, for example, how will you ensure profitability after the acquisition?"

"Profit? That couldn't be easier." Tang De explained: "First of all, the distribution work and DVD business of Norton Eyes can be handed over to United Artists. Secondly, I invest in many movies every year, such as the "Saw" series. "

"And I still have a lot of great scripts in hand, plus I plan to make "Fifty Shades of Grey" into a series. Making money is actually not a difficult problem. The key is to make a lot of money."

Tang De said mysteriously: "I have noticed the new trend in the film industry. It is a broad blue ocean. As long as you invest in it, you can reap amazing returns. But there are very few people walking this road, so once you have If United Artists has the distribution rights, then I can have a free hand.”

"Blue ocean?" Paula Wagner was puzzled by this word.

"Yeah...it's an adjective. When an industry is crowded with competitors, I call it a red ocean. When an industry is empty, I call it a blue ocean."

"But it is impossible in the world that after an industry is created, there will be no competition." Paula Wagner questioned.

"No, Mr. Wagner." Tang De replied quite confidently: "For example, after the invention of color film, color movies became a blue ocean, but there were too few people who dared to try it."

"That's right." Paula Wagner was very curious. He also wanted to know what the blue ocean Tang De was talking about was, but obviously Tang De would not tell him about the opportunity to make money.

"So you want to think about it? I'm on my way to chat with the next investor."

Tang De did not continue, but left a business card and left.

Although it was only a brief conversation, Tang De had already figured out the details of Paula Wagner.

He is just a person looking for investment direction for the family, or he is a descendant who is protected by the family.

His own investment expertise is not high.

But it also explains why he chose to work with Tom Cruise. The key factor is definitely Tom Cruise's fame.

Stupid people have a lot of money, this is Tang De's definition of Paula Wagner.

So if we can drag him away from Tom Cruise, the acquisition of United Artists will be easily solved.

Since then, Tang De has been dealing with various investors. Some people have expressed interest in his acquisition, but if they want to communicate further, they cannot go to the photography exhibition.

When the time came to four o'clock in the afternoon, the photography exhibition ended.

Tang De came on stage again.

"I must thank you all on behalf of the children in poor areas. This time we raised a total of 3.28 million US dollars. A small part of it will be used as the cost of opening the exhibition, and the vast majority will be used at the film festival. After it is over, it will be turned into food and clothing and sent to all parts of the world to rescue children who are suffering from disasters and suffering from hunger.”

“Thank you all again for your generosity!”

"Wow!" Applause rang out.

At the same time, Bergé was leaning in the car outside the gallery, holding a long gun and a short cannon and continuing to shoot at the door.

"FXXK! If I had known, I wouldn't have gone to Tang De's side." He is still brooding over the fact that he was kicked out.

"Yes, five hundred dollars only allowed you to hear a few ordinary messages." Kainuoer clicked his tongue twice to express regret.

"Damn, they even used a human wall!"

Bergé put down his camera angrily. At this time, a human wall was formed by security outside the gallery. Those in the investment community and some people who did not want to show their faces left under the cover of the human wall.

After the wall of people dispersed, Bergé only saw the star leaving.

"Look, Kenol, I will send out the news tomorrow. Tang De and Stringer must have some important transactions going on, so let me expose them!"

In order to avenge Tang De for driving him out, Berge decided to expose the transaction between the two parties in advance.

"But do you know what the deal is?" Kainuoer asked.

"I don't know, but I can guess."

Berger took out a pen and notebook: "Sony has made a lot of moves recently, but they are basically selling off some businesses and companies. So we can assume that Tang De got involved with Stringer just for this reason."

"Then Tang De's goal must be film and television, such as Hollywood theaters, distribution, production and film sources. But film sources are the soul of a company, and Stringer cannot sell them. Then considering Tang De's current ownership production company, so he may need to buy a company with distribution rights.”

"It makes sense, continue." Kainuoer folded his hands on his chest and listened with great interest.

"Now that we have these two judgments, we only need to investigate the companies that have distribution rights in Sony's business."

"Actually, there is no need to investigate. Columbia and MGM are the only two companies." Kenol shook his head: "But I don't think Sony will sell it."

"Yes." Berge frowned.

"Why do I feel like there's something we've forgotten?"

The two thought for a while, then looked at each other and said in unison: "United Artists!"

"Yes, it's United Artists!" Berger affirmed: "MGM acquired United Artists, and now Sony wants to sell United Artists! Tang De is one of the buyers."

"Wow! It seems that we have guessed the answer, although we don't know whether it is true or not."

"Does it matter if it's true or false?" Berger laughed: "It doesn't matter at all."

(End of this chapter)