"That's right. But more importantly, the investment in the field of animation is low, while the rate of return is high, and it is easy to develop peripheral products. ”

Tang Bao opened his mouth and was about to say something, but was interrupted by Katzenberg, who continued to explain his reasoning: "Compared with live-action films, animated films do not require Hollywood superstars and directors to ask for a high share of the income, and the salaries of animators are also very low, and the profit return is really high." Besides, if Universal wants to compete for the hegemony of the film and television industry, it will have to face the current overlord Disney, and Disney's animation is their foundation, and the formation of an animation company is only the first step to leverage Disney's foundation. ”

Scold.

Katzenberg had just left Disney, and he couldn't wait to think about how to tear down the foundation of his old club, and Tang Bao was also secretly happy in his heart.

"Tang, I have more than six years of experience in the animation industry, and according to my judgment, the animation market is slowly recovering, and this cake will get bigger and bigger in the future...... There is a high chance that there will be a golden age of animated films, and Universal is definitely not to be missed! Katzenberg reminded solemnly.

Well.

Tang Bao also nodded secretly, Katzenberg was not wrong in his judgment, in fact, a wave of development boom did break out in animated films in later generations.

"Good. As you say, form a subsidiary that specializes in the production of animated films, etc. Tang Bao agreed after a moment's thought.

"Don't worry, Don, I'll make Universal's animation company one of the most profitable." Given permission, Katzenberg confidently patted his chest and reassured. He has worked in the animation field for more than six years, and his extraordinary achievements are obvious to all, and he has ideals and self-confidence.

"Well, I believe that Mr. Katzenberg is the most authoritative leader in the field of animated films, and there is no one." Tang Bao said with a smile.

"To start an animation company, I need an upfront investment of $500 million! In addition, I would like to hold a 5% stake in the animation company. Katzenberg said hurriedly.

Five billion dollars!

Tang Bao didn't blink his eyes. He nodded in agreement, and then asked, "How much more money do you need from Universal Pictures?" ”

"I don't know much about Universal's debts, liquidity, and other financial conditions, so I can't be sure how much money I need to invest at the moment."

"In addition to the animation company investing $500 million, I'm going to inject another $1 billion into Universal Pictures, is that enough? If you are still short of funds, you can mention it to me, and I will continue to inject funds! Tang Bao said very boldly.

"Enough, with a billion dollars of funds, it's more than enough to support the development of Universal Pictures." Katzenberg said hurriedly. He was also surprised by Tang Bao's magnanimity. However, Katzenberg is very happy to have such a generous boss, and he will not be constrained by funds.

When Katzenberg was secretly happy, Harris's face next to him couldn't help twitching slightly, he smashed the pot and sold iron, borrowed money to raise funds, and occupied 2% of Universal Pictures' shares, but Tang Bao suddenly injected a billion dollars at this time, so wouldn't his already pitiful equity be further diluted.

If he wants his stake not to be diluted. You can only inject money with Tang Bao! Tang Bao occupies 98% of the equity of Universal Pictures, he occupies 2% of the equity, and injects one billion US dollars, then he has to provide 20 million funds. But in his current situation. Not to mention 20 million US dollars, even 200,000 US dollars are difficult to come up with.

"Don, the matter of the injection, my share of the money...... Can you help me pay for it first? Harris was embarrassed. He wanted to keep 2% of the equity, and it was impossible to find other financing channels, so he had to ask Tang Bao for help. He knew that Tang Bao was a master who was not short of money.

"Yes."

Tang Bao replied with a smile. He also knew that with Harris's personal economic strength, it was a bit difficult for him to participate in the allotment financing with Tang Bao.

"Thank you."

After receiving the reply, the bitterness on Harris's face was swept away, and he hurriedly expressed his gratitude. Then he muttered for a moment, as if he had something to say.

"Tang, I don't have any objection to forming an animation company, but there are some problems with the funders. If you personally provide $500 million, the animation company and Universal Pictures are both companies controlled by you, but in terms of the relationship between the two, there is no direct connection, which can easily cause a separation between the two and even a fierce conflict of interest. I think you should inject money directly into Universal Pictures, and then Universal Pictures will fund it to form a majority-controlled animation subsidiary. Harris hesitated for a moment, then spoke his mind.

"Hmm. You're reminded in time. Tang Bao nodded in agreement. As you say, I'll inject $1.5 billion directly into Universal Pictures, and then Universal Pictures and Mr. Katzenberg will split the equity between 95 percent and 5 percent to form the animation subsidiary. ”

Tang Bao, Katzenberg, Harris and others discussed various problems of Universal Pictures in detail, and the meeting did not end until nightfall.

The next day, five days after Katzenberg's departure from Disney, Tang Bao announced the personnel appointments of Universal Pictures: Katzenberg served as CEO and chairman of Universal Pictures, Harris served as vice chairman, and Tang Bao's personal counsel Gregory served as chairman of the supervisory board.

Wow.

The reporter, who was looking for Katzenberg's traces everywhere in California, suddenly got the news, and immediately exploded, and coincidentally rushed to Universal Pictures.

Eisner, who went to visit the bottom of the inspection company, also received the news, and his face turned blue immediately, and then he hurriedly stopped the inspection and convened a meeting with the top management.

100 Plaza Avenue in Universal City, which is the headquarters of Universal Pictures.

Then.

Universal Pictures ushered in its first high-level meeting since Katzenberg took over. The so-called three fires for new officials to take office will not be an exception anywhere.

Soon.

Katzenberg lit the first fire!

"I didn't do anything wrong, why fire me. Hmph, before you make a decision, I remind you to find out the state of the company, our TV production department is the best performing department in the world. The company is not in debt, and that is the contribution of our department. ”

The head of the TV production department, Eddie Brown. Masson slapped the conference table, stood up suddenly, and looked at Katzenberg, who was sitting at the top, with an unkind face. Originally, I didn't have much opinion about Katzenberg as CEO, but I wanted to use him at the first meeting of my tenure. Masson naturally couldn't tolerate it, so he broke out directly.

"No matter what you say, you can't change the ending that you have to leave! Give you three days and put your resignation letter on my desk, so you can still get a good severance pay. "Facing Eddie. Masson's anger, Katzenberg only responded very calmly.

"You ......"

"Mourning, Andrew, Siegels, Anna......" ignored Eddie. Mason, after reading a list in a row, Katzenberg put down the list and said slowly: "All the names I have named, I hope to see your resignation letter within three days." Well, I know you've done a lot for Universal Pictures, but it's a shame that Universal Pictures under my leadership won't have your place. ”

Seeing most of the heroes of the TV production department being purged, the other executives were shocked and puzzled at the same time, why they would take the TV production department with the best performance. Of course, while doubting in their hearts, they were more glad that the butcher's knife did not fall on their heads. They had heard of Katzenberg's style before, but this was the first time they had seen it with their own eyes.

Watching the executives of the TV production department such as Eddie, the nemesis, be fired, and the film production executives such as Clooney snickered.

Relieving and refreshing!

Pity.

The gloating Clooney and the others didn't have long to be complacent, and as Katzenberg read out a list again, they turned pork liver color.

"I need to see your resignation letters!" Then, Katzenberg said forcefully, "Okay, whoever is read by name, you can leave, and you don't need to participate in the discussion at the next meeting." ”

The executives watched this scene and were secretly frightened, and they didn't expect that the first fire that Katzenberg lit would be so fierce and hot.

Eddie, Clooney, and the others' faces changed again and again, they were all angry, and they felt humiliated.

"Don, will Katzenberg be too drastic, and the layoffs can be done step by step, and he can't do a lot of firing executives as soon as he takes office." Outside the door of the conference room, Harris whispered.

"Why, you don't feel comfortable seeing your good friend Clooney also being laid off?" Tang Bao asked with a smile.

"Not really. I just think that such a rude layoff by him will cause people's hearts to fluctuate and is not conducive to stabilizing the company's situation. Harris argued.

"Hehe, to be honest, I didn't expect him to be so ruthless. But since I said that everything is up to him, he won't break his promise, so let's watch slowly. ”

……

Eddie, Clooney and other brothers and sisters who were laid off reluctantly left the conference room after putting down a cruel word. happened to run into Tang Bao and Harris at the door of the conference room.

See here.

Clooney couldn't help but feel happy in his heart, and ran over to complain: "Don, Katzenberg is really too arrogant, relying on the little achievements he has made, he wants to fire us without asking the reason as soon as he takes office." Behind me are all the backbone talents of Universal Pictures, and laying them off is no different from bringing down Universal Pictures. At this time, Clooney also didn't care that Eddie and other TV production department executives were his enemies.

Looking at the crying Clooney, Tang Bao's brows couldn't help frowning, to be honest, with the last meeting, his impression of Clooney was really bad.

"Katzenberg wants to be a dictatorship at Universal Pictures."

"He made a miasma as soon as he took office, and he was obviously not a qualified CEO."

"Katzenberg is an idiot who doesn't come up with a viable development strategy, but uses the company's heroes to make a decision, and is a selfish idiot......"

……

Other executives who were kicked out of the conference room also lashed out at Katzenberg. (To be continued......)