America: My Time

Chapter 349 Internal Conflicts

Chapter 349 Internal Conflicts
"Yes, every company develops differently. The path Legendary Entertainment took may not be suitable for Columbia Pictures. Unfortunately, Sony cannot accept it. Columbia cannot make such a decision. Reducing the filming time means that Columbia Pictures is not strong enough, and it will attract suppression from other Hollywood giants!"

Akio Morita's thinking is not wrong. Hollywood is a dog-eat-dog world. If you appear weak, you will be suppressed by other giants. Sony has only recently taken over Columbia Pictures and cannot face the joint suppression of other Hollywood giants. Although Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media have helped Columbia Pictures withstand a lot of attacks and pressure, this is not a reason for Columbia Pictures to give up.

"That's true, it was my oversight. Columbia Pictures is different from Paramount Pictures now. But this means Sony will suffer even greater losses. Mr. Morita, you should be prepared."

"I was too careless back then. What those guys said wasn't wrong. If I had listened to your advice, things might not be like this now. Cleaning up Columbia Pictures would have been easier to manage than taking it over directly. Now it's too late!" As he said this, Akio Morita couldn't help but sigh, a faint trace of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

Looking back on his conversation with John, Akio Morita realized that everything he had said about Sony was true. Sony was now in a difficult situation. It had paid a huge price to acquire Columbia Pictures, but due to insufficient preparation, it would have to pay even more. Perhaps Sony would be dragged down by Columbia Pictures for a long time.

"Actually, it's not a matter of right or wrong, just different paths taken. Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media both paid a heavy price. No one sets foot in Hollywood without paying a price, and Murdoch's Fox Studios is no exception. Since Sony is unwilling to cut back on Columbia Pictures' productions, they should increase their efforts in the record industry, which might offer a chance to offset the losses in the film industry!"

John's proposal sounded good, but it wouldn't be easy to implement. The record industry isn't easy to develop either; without sufficient strength and powerful promotional capabilities, there would be no gains. Columbia Pictures lacked all of these qualities, and neither did Sony.

Not all Hollywood giants can reach the level of Legendary Entertainment, possessing their own publicity power and controlling the media. Columbia Pictures and Records both need external assistance, and the only ones who can help them are Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media. It was only at this time that Akio Morita realized how valuable it was to have an ally like John.

"This requires the help of Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Group, and we need your help!"

"This is nothing. For a long time to come, my development will focus overseas, not the US. Even I have to back down from those old guys. This applies to Hollywood, and it applies to the US as well. Sony also needs to be prepared and not be caught off guard. The storm in the US has only just begun!"

"John, what are your thoughts on the advertising?" At this point, Akio Morita shifted the topic to the advertising plan.

"There's nothing to think about. Whether they accept it or not, it won't affect Legendary Entertainment. They'll regret it later if they give up!" John didn't care about this trivial matter and didn't hide his thoughts at all. This Olympics was just a matter of how much money he would make. With these guys from Japan, he could make more; without them, he would just make less. He would hand over the advertising to other companies under his control or contact other companies.

While John and Morita were talking, the Japanese guys also started their discussion. John's reaction gave each of them different thoughts and a hint of doubt.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now that we know their thoughts, it's clear that Legendary Entertainment is prepared and doesn't care whether we accept their advertising plan or not. However, one thing is certain: Sony is on their side and willing to accept Legendary Entertainment's advertising plan. Now it's our turn to make a decision, so please share your thoughts!"

"We at Sharp accept the advertising plan offered by Legendary Entertainment. We trust Legendary Entertainment's capabilities. As the largest media group in the United States, their plan is infallible. It can only be said that our subordinates' investigation was flawed. In their eyes, the Olympics are not profitable, but in Mr. John's eyes, it's a different story. Different perspectives naturally lead to different results. We trust Mr. John's abilities!" "Indeed, we at Honda also accept this advertising plan. We don't believe that a Hollywood giant like Legendary Entertainment, a media giant, would make a mistake on such a small matter. Most importantly, everyone should not forget the current situation. We are facing suppression from various forces in the United States. If we do not actively participate in promoting ourselves, we will only be knocked down by our enemies bit by bit. We cannot only look at the influence of the Olympics, but also need to consider our own situation."

“That makes sense. We can’t make a decision just by looking at Sony’s situation. Sony didn’t achieve its expected goals in the acquisition of Columbia Pictures, but what does that have to do with our involvement in Legendary Entertainment’s advertising plan? Sony is Sony, and Legendary Entertainment is Legendary Entertainment. And you only see that Sony didn’t complete its initial plan in the acquisition of Columbia Pictures, but who here can do what Sony did and acquire one of Hollywood’s giants, Columbia Pictures? A temporary setback is nothing. As long as Sony adjusts itself in time, everything will pass.”

"What do our various investigation reports say? In their investigations, no one is optimistic about this Olympics. In fact, it wasn't even organized by the US government itself, but contracted out to individuals. We can't just turn a blind eye to this, can we?"

"Hehe, it just shows that everyone has different perspectives and views on issues differently. You only believe your own investigation report, while we choose to believe in Mr. John's abilities and the capabilities of Legend Entertainment. I remember that Panasonic has always reaped considerable benefits from its cooperation with Mr. John, but now you doubt the capabilities of Legend Entertainment. This is truly laughable. If you want to withdraw, we have nothing to say, but Hitachi will not withdraw."

Soon, the Japanese representatives were expressing their opinions. Most companies were optimistic about Legendary Entertainment's advertising plan and John's abilities. Only a small minority held opposing views, were not optimistic about the Olympics, and preferred to trust their own research reports. These were all individuals who had previously opposed John. However, this situation put Matsushita in a difficult position; if they made the wrong choice in this matter, the consequences would be severe.

"Gentlemen, I don't care what your thoughts or opinions are, but Toyota will not wait until the third day to make a decision. We will inform Legend Entertainment of our decision after the meeting and reach an agreement with them. Perhaps you think there is still plenty of time, enough time to think, but we will not think that way, we will not see it that way."

"If you don't even have this much determination, and you can't even bear this much loss, frankly, I despise you. You have no warrior spirit whatsoever. If you all feel that you still need to consider it, that you still need to learn more, I can only say that we are not on the same path. It's better for us to go our separate ways. We don't want to be dragged down by your ignorance and stupidity."

"That's right, you guys are too stupid. Mr. John's reputation in Japan is top-notch. He would never deceive us on such a trivial matter. A media giant like Legendary Entertainment would never do anything like this. Time waits for no one. If anyone feels they need to consider it, then please do so. Those of us who are willing to accept it will not wait for you. We will communicate with Legendary Entertainment and sign an agreement as soon as possible after the meeting!"

"Gentlemen, don't be in such a hurry. Although we have different positions and choices, we cannot part ways over such a small matter. Moreover, things are not as dangerous as you imagine. Since Mr. John has given us three days, there is no need for us to make a decision too hastily."

"Hehe, this is just Toshiba's own idea. We don't think so. Canon doesn't think this is a good decision. There's plenty of time, but that's just on the surface. Our cooperation with Mr. John isn't going to be this time, nor will our cooperation with Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Group. We can't afford to leave a bad impression on them."

"Legendary Entertainment is the largest media conglomerate in the United States, with newspapers, television networks, and is one of the Hollywood giants. Phoenix Media also owns its own television network and is also one of the Hollywood giants. Both have powerful publicity capabilities. Do you think it's meaningful for us to argue back and forth here over a mere amount of advertising fees? Is Panasonic short of funds, or is it Toshiba that's short of funds? Or are you making such a foolish choice simply because of your past conflict with Mr. John? You can do that, but we can't. We won't make such a stupid decision!"

“Well said. Such a foolish decision would never happen to us. Moreover, we have no conflict with Mr. John. Everyone benefited greatly from the previous Times Square advertising plan. Now we have no reason to believe that ridiculous investigation report and not to trust Mr. John, our capable ally. We will not joke about our own interests or the American market. We cannot afford to lose the American market, or even the North American market. Therefore, we cannot accept your opinion!”

(End of this chapter)