Chapter 623

Eric plans to schedule his first Victoria's Secret catwalk in the fashion capital of New York, but in order to accommodate his tight schedule, the initial programming of the show will be in Los Angeles.

After the initial selection of the catwalk list, these new Victoria's Secret Angels also participated in a custom body shaping program for at least a month at the request of Eric, and maintained their figure until the end of the catwalk. Because in Eric's opinion, compared to the hot angel supermodels in his memory, most of the models are still used to maintaining a thin figure, and this figure can certainly better show the design concept of those famous brand fashion at the fashion show, but it doesn't look so eye-catching when wearing underwear.

With the exception of the five spokespersons who are scheduled to sign special contracts, the other models are not well paid throughout the show, with most models being paid around $50,000. While this money is very lucrative to invite most of the top models to a catwalk, if the show lasts up to four months, it is usually not accepted.

This is also the main reason why Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell, the two popular supermodels, did not agree to come down at the beginning, their daily salary has reached more than $10,000, and it is understandable that they are not willing to waste four months on just a catwalk. Eric can't be idle to talk to the two of them about the benefits of being Victoria's Secret spokesperson now, and the same is true for other models, and the contract is there, and if anyone doesn't see the benefits of being one of the forty in the thousands of models, they can also choose to decline, though. The forty models who were selected were all smart enough to accept the contract. And according to the arrangement, the next step of the plan began.

Meanwhile. At Yahoo's headquarters in Boston on the West Coast, after a month-long negotiation, Yahoo's cooperation negotiations with Microsoft have finally come to an end.

"Within five years, any advanced technology of Yahoo Browser must be prioritized on Windows, and other operating system platforms must be updated after three months of Windows," Chris told Eric on the phone about the general terms of the agreement. Open all browser patents to Microsoft, and Yahoo may not transfer any browser software technology patents to other third parties unless agreed to by Microsoft......"

Eric leaned back in his leather chair in his office, listened to Chris's story, and said with a smile: "It seems that Microsoft has really put most of its attention on the browser, which is exactly what we discussed." ”

Chris, on the other side, also nodded: "Yes, Microsoft originally wanted to gain some power on Yahoo Mail, but after we made concessions on the browser negotiations, Microsoft also gave up on these ideas." ”

In Eric's opinion. Sticky email addresses are definitely more important than browser software: "They must have felt that Yahoo would be Microsoft's in five years anyway." At this point, as long as you can take advantage of the Yahoo browser bundle to give the next-generation Windows system an advantage over other operating systems, these are insignificant. Also, what about the others?"

Chris continued: "In addition to the browser software partnership, the most important thing is the 30 percent option, where Microsoft will provide Yahoo with $100 million in debt financing to obtain a 30 percent option for Yahoo over five years, effective July 1999, after which Microsoft will have three months to consider whether to initiate a 30% interest in Yahoo Web After three months, if Microsoft does not come up with a feasible acquisition plan, Microsoft will be deemed to have voluntarily waived the option. Now, that's about it, the detailed contract is more than 100 pages, and I've faxed it to your assistant's office, if you're interested, you can read it. ”

Chris said with a slight smile in his final tone, knowing that Eric simply wouldn't have time to read such a professional contract right now.

Eric also shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "I just finished auditioning for "Resident Evil" in the morning, and now I have a bunch of materials to deal with in front of me, and I have to attend the premiere of "The Lion King" in the evening, do you think I have time to watch it?"

"Then you have a lawyer review this agreement as soon as possible, and if there is no problem, I will officially sign the document with Microsoft next Monday," Chris on the other side of the phone said in a professional tone: "In addition, Ian They can't wait for this agreement to be signed, and then launch a scripting language and instant messaging software, which will give Microsoft a big surprise." ”

"Of course, I will get back to you as soon as possible. ”

Eric nodded, the two chatted a few more words on the phone, Eric hung up the phone, and at the same time a big stone fell in his heart, this agreement was signed, then it will also indicate that Microsoft will not jump out to make trouble on the technical standards of browser software, which will play a great role in promoting the promotion of the Internet. Of course, this contract neither restricts Microsoft's involvement in Internet services, but although it has been very slow to respond in many areas, Eric believes that with the explosion of the Internet industry in the next few years, Microsoft will definitely enter the market in advance to compete for 'turf' even if it has a share option in its hands. However, as long as there is no dispute over the technical standards of the Internet without 'entrance', and the competition in other aspects, Eric believes that with his forward-looking vision, Microsoft will definitely not take advantage of Yahoo.

Busy work always makes time fly by, and in the blink of an eye, it is already evening, Eric directly changes his clothes in the lounge, and drives towards the Grand Theater in Hollywood.

Although the decision has been made to cancel Disney's hand-drawn animation project, Eric certainly won't ignore the pinnacle of 2D animation in the original time and space, so he specifically asked to attend this premiere.

"The Lion King" has been screened on a small scale since the first two weeks, and the box office of only a dozen theaters in North America has exceeded $3 million.

When Eric arrived in front of the Grand Theatre, the entrance to the premiere had already begun. Eric didn't walk the red carpet in the same order as the other guests. Instead, after getting off the bus, under the guidance of the staff. walked directly on the red carpet and coincidentally walked with Roger Elles, the director of "The Lion King".

Surrounded by enthusiastic fans, the two walked to the interview area together and answered a few questions selectively, and Eric was about to leave, when a slightly chubby reporter suddenly tried to reach the recorder towards Eric and shouted, "Mr. Williams, I heard that you plan to be after The Lion King." Is it true that the hand-drawn animation department of Disney Animation Studios was shut down?"

Eric was stunned for a moment, and glanced at Roger Elles beside him. Roger Elles, who was already in high spirits, also had a strange face. Eric didn't know if this was arranged by someone with a heart, but after all, it was impossible to hide this matter for too long, so he nodded, "Yes." ”

This answer made all the other reporters boil, and the reporter who just asked said loudly again: "So, does this mean that Firefly is trying to suppress the influence of the Disney brand?"

Instead of answering the somewhat scathing question immediately, Eric visited, "I don't know why you're asking such an ignorant question. Do you think that the Disney brand is equivalent to Disney's hand-drawn animation?"

The reporter replied: "Disney's brand image is represented by Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. These are traditional 2D hand-drawn animated images, and if Disney's hand-drawn animation department is eliminated, won't it mean that Disney's core values will disappear?"

"I don't think so," Eric shook his head, "Technological growth is inevitable, so replacing 2D animation with more advanced 3D animation technology, just like replacing black and white movies with color films, in my opinion, is a predestined trend, Firefly will never try to suppress any of its brands, and Disney will always maintain the core value of using excellent works to bring joy to the audience." ”

The reporter didn't expect Eric to be able to answer so sharply even when he was unprepared, and he was stunned for a moment, and was robbed of the opportunity to ask questions by other reporters: "Mr. Williams, based on the test screening performance and excellent reputation of "The Lion King", if "The Lion King" is very good at the box office, will you still stick to this decision?"

Eric nodded, "I'll keep going." ”

With that, Eric ignored the other reporters' questions and walked straight to the theater.

Eric personally selected The Lion King from Disney Animation Studio's alternative projects, so Katzenberg has been in charge of the project himself, so he is also present at the premiere today. Hearing some commotion outside from the staff, Katzenberg immediately greeted him from the theater.

"Eric, what's going on?" said Katzenberg to Roger Ellers, then asked Eric.

Eric waved Roger Elles to enter the arena early, and then went to a corner with Katzenberg, told him what had just happened, shook his head and smiled: "It seems that some people are still unwilling." ”

Katzenberg was silent for a moment, then said: "Eric, based on our data survey in the screening stage and the current premiere scale of "The Lion King", most people feel that the box office of "The Lion King" is likely to exceed $40 million in the first week, which will break the box office record of all Disney animated films in the past. If you insist on abolishing the hand-drawn animation department, there will be a lot of people who will be dissatisfied. ”

"I've already done a detailed analysis for you, you won't object to me, will you?"

Katzenberg smiled and shook his head, Eric's intention to make this decision, most of the Firefly executives are recognized, but people are often affected by the sudden benefits in front of them, just like this time, if the first week box office of "The Lion King" really reaches $40 million, it will set a new 2D hand-drawn animation record, in this case, Eric will continue to do this, it will definitely bring a series of effects.

"Eric, if you feel the need to do so, Michael and I will have a special meeting to discuss this. "The Lion King" is a project that you personally decided at the beginning, that is to say, even if this project is a box office success, the biggest credit is on you, and if you straighten out the cause and effect of this matter, there will definitely not be much of a problem. ”

Eric nodded, and added: "In addition, the media should also note that Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank's bond issuance work has been carried out for more than half of the time, and I don't want anything to happen at this time." ”

"I knew that if it didn't work, it wouldn't be too late for us to shut down the hand-drawn animation department after the bond was over. ”

After talking about it, Eric walked into the theater hall side by side with Katzenberg.

However, the media clearly did not intend to let go of this explosive topic easily, especially since some things greatly exceeded Eric's expectations.

Although Eric remembers that "The Lion King" achieved a box office of $300 million in North America at its first screening, he still analyzes the specific box office curve according to the release trajectory of Disney's hand-drawn animations such as "Aladdin" and "Beauty and the Beast", and it is expected that "The Lion King" will be like other 2D hand-drawn animations, out of a long-term box office curve of up to half a year.

However, the truth is that after many newspapers reported the next day that Eric was about to cancel Disney's hand-drawn animation department, a piece of news on Saturday once again detonated the media in North America and even around the world.

Because the first-day box office of "The Lion King" greatly surprised everyone, $15.6 million.

This data is not too conspicuous compared with movies such as "The Mummy" and "Saving Private Ryan" released some time ago. However, if you compare it with movies of the same genre, it will definitely shock many people's jaws. The previous highest-grossing 2D animated film produced by Disney was "Aladdin" two years ago, with a North American box office of $220 million. However, Aladdin's first-weekend box office was only 19 million, noting that the box office was 19 million in the first three days of the first weekend, while the first-day box office of "Aladdin" during the large-scale release during Thanksgiving in 1992 was only more than 6 million. This also means that the first-day box office of "The Lion King" not only almost caught up with the first week of "Aladdin", but also more than doubled the first-day box office of "Aladdin". Everyone realizes that "The Lion King" is likely to become the first animated film in North American box office history to surpass $300 million.

In this case, Eric is shutting down Disney's hand-drawn animation department! )