Chapter 355: Disney and Universal

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"So you think the war in Iraq will definitely break out?" asked Rebecca, staring at Guo Shouyun.

"No one can be 100 percent sure of what the future holds. I'm just judging by my own judgment that the chances of war breaking out are on the high side, and it's worth the gamble!"

"In case you lose...!"

"Let's talk about losing bets, at least for now, I'm still winning!" After a pause, "Get ready to get off, we're here!"

Looking at the neon-lit Taj Mahal Hotel, Rebecca turned to say, "Shall we continue to stay here tonight?"

"Hmm... Ratan Tata's villa won't run away, so let's go see it tomorrow!Oh, yes. Rest early in the evening, and tomorrow we will have a visit to the Maharashtra Electricity Board. ”

"Yes!"

After saying goodbye to Rebecca, Guo Shouyun returned to his room. After looking at the time and calculating the time difference, he called home first. Listening to the voices of the two little ones calling Dad in the microphone, the fatigue of the whole day seems to have disappeared.

However, after putting down the phone, Guo Shouyun still did not forget to work. When you are away from home, work is the best medicine to forget your thoughts and be lonely.

Considering the time difference between Mumbai and Los Angeles of more than 12 hours, Guo Shouyun at 9 p.m. did not hesitate to call Buddy Morris.

"Good morning, boss!"

"Buddy, it's night in Mumbai now!"

"Sorry, boss, I forgot you were on a business trip to India!"

"It doesn't matter. What is going on with asset-backed loans?"

"It has been completed, $5 billion will arrive within this week, and the partner is Merrill Lynch!"

After answering, "I sent the revised opinions of the fund application reports submitted by various companies to your mailbox." ”

"Yes. Boss, I've seen it!"

"That's good, what's your opinion?"

"Everything else is fine, mainly Universal Studios and Matrix Media. Universal Studios has suddenly added three themed areas: 'Tomb Robbery World', 'Harry Potter Wizards' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean', and if there is a hotel and shopping street, the tour area has increased by nearly 30 hectares and the investment is nearly $4.5 billion. Combined with the planned two Universal Studios in Singapore, Huaxia Beijing, and Magic City, the matrix will invest more than $9 billion in theme parks over the next five years. That's nearly double the total amount of investment in Universal Studios when we last discussed. ”

"Do you think it's worth it?"

Both Disney and Merlin Entertainment prove that the theme park industry has a bright future. Moreover, the larger the scale, the more prominent the revenue brought by the scale effect. But I think we should gradually expand the size of Universal Studios. Otherwise, it will put a lot of pressure on the company's finances and even affect the company's financial health. ”

Guo Shouyun nodded, and after a moment of silence, "I also know that the accelerated expansion of Universal Studios will bring financial pressure. But you should also understand that if you want to catch up with Disney, you have to put in more energy. Let's not talk about anything else. Los Angeles Disneyland, covering an area of 207 hectares, welcomes more than 20 million visitors a year, Orlando Disneyland covers an area of 12,400 hectares, receives an average of more than 16 million visitors a year, Tokyo Disneyland covers an area of 780 hectares, receives an average of more than 17.3 million visitors a year, and Disneyland Paris covers an area of 1,951 hectares, receives an average of more than 12 million visitors a year. Even the Hong Kong Disneyland under construction today has 126 hectares. ”

"By comparison, our largest is Universal Studios Hollywood, which is only 212 hectares, Universal Studios Osaka at 54 hectares, and Universal Studios Orlando and Barcelona are similar. The small area means that there are few tour facilities, and there are few tour facilities, which reduces the stay time of tourists in Universal Studios in disguise and reduces the income of the studio. So, Disney's ticket revenue is only 30% of total revenue, and we account for 57%. In 2002, the total revenue of Disney's four major parks exceeded $5.5 billion. And we, even if we count Universal Studios Osaka, which only has a minority stake, are only $2.7 billion, which is only half of the other party's. ”

"Boss, in terms of scale effect, Universal Studios is indeed a lot worse. But Universal Studios operates differently than Disneyland. Universal Studios is based on commercial blockbuster scenes such as film and television, while Disney is dominated by landscapes, performances, and themed characters and Disney culture. In contrast, Disney is more suitable for children, while Universal Studios is more suitable for adults. Moreover, it is also a burden to be too large, such as Disneyland Paris, due to the boycott of American culture by Europeans, and Disneyland Paris built more hotels than needed, and the area of the park is too large, the Disneyland is not making money, but is still losing money, and we should take this as a warning. ”

"It's a burden for a theme park to be too big or too small. So, I didn't intend for Universal Studios to be bigger than Disneyland, but to increase the amount of time guests can spend in the park as much as possible, which in turn will increase our revenue level. Of course, this result can be achieved with a longer investment period, but I don't want that. ”

"Because as we're growing, so is Disney. I don't want us to be left behind all the time. As for the shortage of funds, if there is not enough money, it will be financed. If it's not enough, I'll keep voting. In short, five years later, Universal Studios will not only surpass Disneyland in numbers. The number of tourists and income should also reach 75% of them! The future matrix group has three pillar businesses: film and television, games, and theme parks. I will not be stingy with investments in each of these three assets. ”

"I see!"

Guo Shouyun's non-refusable tone made Buddy Morris understand the determination of the big boss.

"Tell me what you think of Matrix Media?"

"Yes... The television network is a public television station with combined experience in news, entertainment, and sports reporting. TNT, on the other hand, is a pay TV network in our positioning, similar to Warner's HBO. Therefore, there is no need to save the sports content belonging to TNT. The integration into the C public television network and the optimization of resource allocation will help enhance our competitiveness in sports content. ”

"Also, I hope that the boss will agree to the channel division of the C TV network. Moreover, it is only by separating news, sports, entertainment and film and television that a clearer and more detailed development plan can be formulated. Continuing to mix together is not conducive to the expansion of the public television network! Also, the NBA's broadcast contract with ESPN is about to expire this year. I hope you can authorize C Sports to win a three-year NBA broadcast contract for the next three years. ”

After thinking about it for a while, Guo Shouyun said with a little surprise: "Buddy, why are you so positive about Matrix Media?"

"Boss. I'm sure you understand the importance of advocacy better than I do. Mastering a weighty media can not only guide the public's public opinion, but also increase our influence in the political world. United States... But a 'democratic' country!"

Guo Shouyun certainly understands the importance of mastering public opinion channels. Last year in the gold market, Citi used its power in the media to teach him a vivid lesson. If it weren't for the fact that he gambled with Citi to divert the public's attention, if it weren't for 9/11, he would have been defeated by Citi's continuous tactics.

"I have no problem with the expansion of Matrix Media. However, the internal personnel integration of C TV station has only just begun, and it is easy to waste money and energy by expanding the business on a large scale when the internal situation is not yet stable. ”

"I agree with your concerns. However, we can choose a single point breakout first. For example, the sports channel integrates TNT's sports resources, and we are the strongest in this area. Strengthen the advantages first, and then reform the weak ones after the internal integration is completed. ”

After thinking about it, Guo Shouyun nodded.

"Well, since you see fit, it's up to you to execute. ”

"Thank you, boss!"

"Hmm... Buddy, don't put too much pressure on yourself. As long as you do your own things conscientiously and complete the tasks I assigned, you are the greatest responsibility for me and the matrix!" Guo Shouyun said after a while,

"Thank you for your understanding. But the current matrix is not the matrix of the past, as the CEO of a world-class media company, countless pairs of eyes from inside and outside are staring at you. The slightest mistake will invite criticism. This is really a lot of pressure for me, who has never worked in a large company and is a black man. But don't worry, I will serve as soon as possible and lead the matrix to achieve greater development. ”

"I believe in you. If you have any difficulties, remember to let me know as soon as possible. ”

"Okay. ”

"I'm fine, you're busy!"

"Good night, boss!"

"Hmm!"

After hanging up the phone and briefly sorting out his thoughts, he opened his laptop, found the content page of the matrix group, sorted out the previous content in his mind, and recorded it in it.

As the boss, the latest moves of any of his companies are documented in this Apple-made laptop. It is convenient for him to consult and give accurate instructions.

Subsequently, he called the four heads of the Thunder Fund and Yu Fei, the head of the Mangzhong Fund, to communicate the performance of oil and gold futures before going to bed close to 11 o'clock.

"Boom...!"

Guo Shouyun had just been lying down for less than two minutes when a violent explosion suddenly sounded in his ears.

Shocked, he jumped up from the bed and subconsciously looked left and right. At this moment, Matthew, who was sleeping outside, had already slammed the door open and ran in.

"Boss, are you alright?"

Guo Shouyun was about to open his mouth when the sound of explosions mixed with gunshots interrupted his next words.

"Terrorist attack!"

Four words appeared in the minds of Guo Shouyun and Matthew like lightning.