Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 280 Times-Mirror

In the United States, the three major broadcast networks are ABC, NBC, and CBS. Even FOX, which ranks fourth, has a large gap with the top three. However, in the news field, CNN's ratings have long surpassed the three major broadcast networks.

There are also basic cable TV networks and pay cable TV networks. The former, such as AMC, USA, Sci-Fi, etc., are mainly based on user subscriptions, but will broadcast a moderate amount of advertisements. The latter, such as HBO, Showtime, Bravo, etc., do not broadcast advertisements at all.

In the evening, Aaron attended a cocktail party at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills and met Otis Chandler, chairman of the Times-Mirror Group;

As the owner of the Los Angeles Times, Otis Chandler was undoubtedly the king of the newspaper industry.

"Aaron, I can't believe you're interested in newspapers. Young people these days don't really like them!"

Dawn acquired the Houston Post, one of the top 20 newspapers in the United States, and invested in the Los Angeles Daily News. Aaron Anderson immediately became a newspaper tycoon again.

Aaron picked up a glass of wine from the waiter's tray beside him and said, "Where there is profit, there is always a shortage of people;"

"The income from newspapers nowadays is not small!"

Not to mention the economic interests, the political interests involved in newspapers cannot be ignored. The Chandler family, which owns the Los Angeles Times, has a status on the West Coast that is no less than that of the Graham family, which owns the Washington Post.

"Movies, TV stations, newspapers," Otis Chandler looked at Aaron and was very shocked;
In just a few years, a young man became a very influential figure in the United States, and his net worth soared like a rocket!

Then, Otis Chandler smiled and said, "Hearst Corporation has coveted the Houston Post for a long time. I didn't expect you to show up halfway."

"It's not easy to compete with the Houston Chronicle."

Aaron shrugged and took a sip of wine. "Is the current Shuguang Group still worried about competing with the Hearst Group?"

Hearst Corporation has been seeking transformation in recent years, selling a number of newspapers and entering other industries, such as film and television.

But for Dawn, except for the publishing industry, in other aspects, it completely crushes Hearst!
Otis Chandler thought for a moment and said, "Indeed, Dawn has been able to call the shots in Hollywood over the past few years. Even the six major studios are not afraid of him."

There is no other way. The profits from Sugon's films are too high. From box office, videotapes, laser discs, TV broadcasts, and consumer product licensing, Sugon's annual sales now exceed $40 billion.
It is second only to the six major Hollywood studios and is far ahead of other entertainment companies!
Dawn was one of the most important clients of the Los Angeles Times, and Otis Chandler had always maintained his friendship with Aaron Anderson;
What's more, the San Francisco Chronicle, owned by Hearst Group, is also the Los Angeles Times' biggest competitor on the West Coast.

Aaron shook his head, "Hollywood doesn't belong to Dawn yet!"

Aaron has always been upset about not being able to join the MPAA.

"By the way, I heard that Shuguang is planning to establish a fashion magazine?" Otis Chandler suddenly asked.

Aaron nodded. "Yes, we're collaborating with the lingerie brand Victoria's Secret. It's a fashionable women's magazine called 'Victoria's Secret'!"

"Oh, then, Dawn Publishing Company, would you be interested in cooperating with us to create another lifestyle entertainment magazine?" Otis Chandler wanted to own an entertainment magazine that could compete with Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, and the like.
Vanity Fair is owned by Condé Nast, and Entertainment Weekly is owned by Time.

Aaron's eyes lit up, "Oh, entertainment magazine!"

This is definitely of interest. Shuguang already has this idea, but the current focus is still on movies and TV stations;

After all, Aaron is very clear about the future of newspapers and magazines. The development of the Internet is destined to the decline of paper publishing. Aaron does not care much about the profits in this area. It is mainly political considerations.

Otherwise, Aaron would not have split the printing business and developed the online version after acquiring the Houston Post Group!
Aaron would certainly welcome the Los Angeles Times' interest in collaborating, and he could leave the matter to Karen McKee of the Houston Post.

Later, Aaron received another bombshell news from Otis Chandler: Disney Chairman Michael Eisner was seriously ill and hospitalized!

"Michael Esner is in the hospital. He already has heart problems," Aaron touched his chin.

Otis Chandler smiled and said, "This time it should be more serious. I heard that he secretly met with Barry Diller and Michael Ovitz."

"If something happens to him, it's very likely that one of these two will take over at Disney."

Aaron didn't show any expression. As far as he could remember, Michael Eisner had been in charge of Disney until 2005.
What's more, Jeffrey Katzenberg has not left Disney yet and has not founded DreamWorks with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen?
Michael Eisner has a long life ahead of him!
"Right now, I'm actually interested in Disney's new president. Although Michael Eisner is serving as interim president, he's also having trouble being distracted."

"He needs someone like Frank Wells to assist him, and he has a deep conflict with Jeffrey Katzenberg. Who should Disney find to replace him?"

Although Aaron knew that Michael Ovitz from CAA was the replacement, he couldn't say it out loud.

Otis Chandler spread his hands. "His good friend Michael Ovitz, CAA is doing well, but how can it compare to the president of a major entertainment company?"

"Besides, if Michael Ovitz joins Disney, it will reassure Wall Street. Michael Eisner is worried about Jeffrey Katzenberg because he is too capable;"

"As for Michael Ovitz, he's just an agent after all. How can he possibly understand the inner workings of Hollywood film groups better than these tycoons who have been immersed in it for years?"

If Michael Ovitz joins Disney, he will definitely not be a threat to Michael Eisner. He will need at least years of training before he can become his successor!

"Ah," Aaron sighed, "It's a pity for Jeffrey Katzenberg. He's a very capable person."

That is, they are too greedy and lack long-term vision. The production capacity is indeed good, but for the media group, the profit of the film itself is not enough to support it.

What is important is the upstream and downstream industrial chain of the film industry. Michael Eisner’s Disneyland Resort and consumer products market are the foundation of Disney!
(End of this chapter)