After Robert Lee had a few contacts with Stuart Coleman, Ronan and Mark Randolph traveled to Los Angeles to visit Ryo near USC.

Walking into the company's office, Ronan secretly observed that just looking at the old office environment, Ryo seemed to be worse than Netflix.

He had known for a long time that if it weren't for the acquisition of Netflix, he had people do special market research, and he didn't know that they had even set up a website similar to Netflix.

Ronan is engaged in film and television and peripheral industries, and the company's various market research has never stopped, even he, an industry insider, has never heard of it, it is conceivable that the business volume of Ruiou's website is too small.

Led by the secretary, Ronan enters a reception room with Robert and Mark Randolph.

"Please wait. The secretary politely said, "Mr. Coleman is on the phone, and he will be coming soon." ”

Ronan smiled, "It's okay. ”

Mark Randolph passed through the mall and whispered, "This company is a bit like Netflix. ”

Robert Lee nodded lightly and whispered, "My initial contact with Stuart Coleman didn't go well. ”

Ronan said calmly, "Wait a minute." ”

Relativity Entertainment's evaluation team conducted a preliminary assessment of Ruiou, and Ruiou's business situation was quite poor, especially the huge investment in the Internet video tape rental business, which did not bring much return at all.

Netflix has more than 10 times as many registered users as Ruiou, and it uses DVD, a video medium that costs less than videotape, so it is not difficult to guess Ruiou's performance from Netflix's situation.

Ruiou's biggest asset is the chain store in Southern California, and the lease and sale rights of 18,500 film and television works.

Footsteps sounded, and then the door was pushed open from the outside, and a middle-aged man with glasses walked in, saw Ronan and the three, and hurriedly said apologetically: "Sorry, there is a phone call for a while, so you have been waiting for a long time." ”

Robert had already dealt with Stuart Coleman a few times and was quick to introduce both sides.

Since the two sides have been in contact several times, after a brief greeting between the two sides, they immediately got to the point.

"Mr. Anderson. Stuart Coleman asked directly, "Do you want to buy my Ryo?"

Since the other party asked, Ronan did not need to deny it: "I am very interested in your company." ”

Stuart Coleman suddenly laughed and said seemingly very casually, "Why are you all interested in my company?"

Ronan heard the implications of this: "Is there any other company besides us that wants to buy Ryo?"

"yes. Stuart Coleman seems to be a particularly straightforward person: "Hollywood Video has been approaching me since late November to buy my company as a package. ”

Mark Randolph frowned imperceptibly, the sudden surprise made him subconsciously feel that the acquisition might be in trouble.

Ronan looked at Robert, who waved his hand slightly, indicating that he hadn't found the information before.

But Stuart Coleman dared to say this, Ronan believes that it must not be a lie, I am afraid that it is a secret negotiation between Hollywood Video and Stuart Coleman, and the news has not spread at all.

Stuart Coleman looked like a big-hearted, unusually direct kind of person, and asked without turning a corner, "Mr. Anderson, at what price do you want Relativistic Entertainment to buy Ryo?"

Ronan said: "Of course it will be a price that will please Mr. Coleman. He asked instead, "Mr. Coleman is willing to sell Ryo?"

"Of course. Stuart Coleman said, "I'm a businessman, and as long as the price is right, the company is a commodity. ”

Ronan remained silent, but breathed a sigh of relief, in fact, the most worried about the situation is that he will not sell anything, as long as he is willing to sell, even if there are really competitors, it is a matter of price after all.

Stuart Coleman deliberately reminded: "Mr. Anderson, if you are sincere in acquiring Ryo, you better speed up your actions, I may reach a deal with Hollywood Video at any time." ”

Ronan is also worried that what the other party said is true, and once there is a situation on Ryo's side, he will have to use the backup plan of negotiating with Pepsi or obtaining the copyright directly from the film company.

The cost of this can be even greater.

But he wouldn't show it, his expression was still very calm, and he said, "My evaluation team is evaluating your company......"

Before Ronan could finish speaking, Stuart Coleman interrupted: "Actually, I personally really want to cooperate with Relativity Entertainment and Netflix. Netflix's business model is also my dream and goal. I have not been successful in the Internet sector, but I have always believed that Internet rental has a broad prospect, and if Ruiou merges into Relativity Entertainment and develops with Netflix, it can also represent my goals and aspirations. ”

These words are full of emotion, as if expressing an entrepreneur's infinite love and affection for the company.

Ronan listened carefully to the, not believing a word.

Stuart Coleman added: "From my point of view, since I am selling the company, of course I need to find a suitable next home, and you are the ideal target. ”

Ronan replied seemingly very seriously: "Relativity Entertainment is very sincere, and it is also the most suitable company for Ruiou. ”

Stuart Coleman still looked so direct and cheerful, let out a long sigh, patted the sofa lightly, and said with countless helplessness: "But I am responsible for the shareholders of the company, and I am also responsible for the employees, and the price is a factor I must consider." ”

Ronan knew the topic was coming, looked at Stuart Coleman, and waited patiently.

Stuart Coleman said: "Hollywood Video has been talking to me for a long time and has already made an offer of $80 million, but I didn't agree. ”

Ronan didn't care about anything else, but still had the same attitude as before: "Mr. Coleman, don't worry, Relativity Entertainment will definitely sell you a satisfactory price." ”

Stuart Coleman smiled and said, "I believe in your sincerity. Relativity Entertainment and Netflix have a bright future and will definitely bring a better future for Ryo. ”

This is as if the two sides have reached an agreement.

Ronan knew very well that there was no need to talk about it any more today, and said: "Mr. Coleman, Relativity Entertainment must go through the evaluation process, and when the evaluation is over, we will officially start negotiations." He said, "Please wait a few days." ”

Stuart Coleman stood up and shook Ronan's hand: "Hopefully it's not too long." ”

Ronan replied, "It won't be long. ”

Stuart Coleman said, "Then I'll wait for your good news. ”

Hollywood Video's contact with him, even including the $80 million bid, is all true, and if Robert Lee hadn't approached him on behalf of Relativity Entertainment before, as long as Hollywood Video added some more chips, it would have sold Ryo.

But now......

The competition between the two companies may bring him more benefits.

If you go back and talk to Hollywood Video about Relativity Entertainment, you can also disclose more information to the outside world about the negotiation with Hollywood Video.

Regardless of who sells the company to, Stuart Coleman first and foremost protects himself and his shareholders.

Ronan, Robert and Mark Randolph leave Reio and join Bentley Elegance together.

"It's an omission in my work. Robert Lee sat in the passenger seat and said, "I didn't notice Ryo's contact with Hollywood Video. ”

Ronan shook his head: "It has nothing to do with you, if they are in secret contact in private, it's normal that we don't notice." ”

Mark Randolph asked, "Is what Stuart Coleman said true?"

"This kind of thing shouldn't be fake. Ronan said to Robert Lee, "You hurry up and check it." Now that Stuart Coleman has told us about this, he will definitely release relevant news to the outside world when he contacts Hollywood Video again. ”

Mark Randolph nodded, and added, "He's trying to put the two companies in competition." ”

Ronan thought for a moment and said, "Let's explore some specific situations first, and then adjust the plan according to the situation." He is very clear about one thing: "We may pay a bigger price than we think." ”

If the intention of Hollywood Video is extremely strong, it may even lead to a bidding bid between the two parties.

In this way, Relativity Entertainment is very likely to pay 20 or 30 percent or more of the actual value of Ruiou.

Robert Lee cautioned, "If you exceed your budget too much, it can affect the cash flow of Relativity Entertainment. ”

Mark Randolph did not answer, and as a latecomer, it was better for him not to open his mouth for the time being on the issue of the head office.

The matter was more complicated than expected, but Ronan had also made an alternative plan before, and with the increase in capital in his hands, it didn't make it too difficult.

"We're now preparing for three things. Ronan said directly: "Robert, you investigate Hollywood Video's contact with Ryo as soon as possible, and keep in touch with Ryo, I will mobilize funds and plan for the worst to bid for the acquisition with Hollywood Video." ”

Both Robert and Mark Randolph are well aware that this is the worst-case scenario.

Ronan continued, "Also, be prepared to talk directly with Hollywood studios about DVD purchases and rights licensing. ”

"Embassy Pictures has the ability to print and distribute DVDs. Robert cautioned, "If we buy directly from other studios, we could have paid a much bigger price." ”

Ronan sighed: "Without copyright, there is no way to print DVDs." He added: "Embassy Pictures has business dealings with Hollywood Video, and asked them to contact Hollywood Video to see what Hollywood Video's claim is to buy Ruiou." ”

"Okay. After Robert Lee finished speaking, he reminded again: "There are still funds." ”

"If there's a bid, I'll get a bank loan," Ronan said. ”