Chapter 190 Acquisition of Disney
Right now, there are more than one or two people who are eyeing the Disney Company, and Li Zetian is only one of them, but he is the most powerful person!
On the third day, Dongfang Yuqin came to Li Zetian's study with a stack of materials.
"Mr. Li, the information on Disney has been collected." Dongfang Yuqin said.
Li Zetian nodded, took the information document and read it.
After the death of Walt Disney in 1966, the Disney Company suffered a heavy blow and fell into a low ebb. Within a few years, the animators who conquered the world with Walt Disney also reached the age of retirement. For a time, the Disney Company's animation talents were in short supply.
Originally regarded as an extraordinary achievement for the Disney Company, the production of animated films was reduced following the death of Walt Disney. In the 1970s, only four animated films were produced. With the production of animated films reduced, Disney's profits mainly come from theme parks.
As a result, then-Disney executive Ron Miller (son-in-law of Walt Disney) shifted his business focus to real estate investment and eliminated the creative department!
However, Disney's performance declined after it lost its creativity. In terms of television, no new programs were launched, and the charm and aura of the past gradually faded; in terms of theme parks, due to the two oil crises in 1973 and 1979 that led to the U.S. economic downturn, the tourism industry was greatly affected, causing Disney to be in crisis among.
Walt Disney's nephew Roy Disney couldn't stand it anymore and believed that animation was the only way to resolve the company's crisis, so he challenged Walt Disney's son-in-law Ron Miller, which led to serious factional disputes in the company!
After Li Zetian read it, he was really disappointed. Disney's situation was much more serious than he imagined. He originally thought that Disney Company could still be worth US$3 billion, but now it seems that Disney Company is worth US$2 billion at most.
"Mr. Li, now other companies have launched a hostile takeover of Disney! The acquirer is trying to sell Disney's core assets, including the film library and high-quality real estate around the theme park. The capital market welcomes this, and the Disney board of directors has to Make a critical decision: whether to sell Disney at a high price and watch the company fall apart, or to find new leadership. As far as I know, Roy Disney couldn't bear to see his uncle and father's industry fall apart, so he was Lobby the Disney board of directors to choose the latter." Dongfang Yuqin paused and said, "According to my judgment, the Disney board of directors may be inclined to the latter!"
"Yeah." Li Zetian nodded, that was indeed the case.
"However," Dongfang Yuqin thought for a while and continued, "unlike other companies, we are acquiring in good faith and will not sell Disney's core assets. I think if we acquire Disney, then the Disney board of directors is likely to Will accept our acquisition!"
Li Zetian nodded again and said: "Before I initiate an acquisition invitation to Disney, please help me make an appointment with Roy Disney. As long as I get his approval, this acquisition will be a sure thing!"
"Okay, Mr. Li."
…
Two days later, at a high-end restaurant in Los Angeles.
Li Zetian officially met Roy Disney. Roy Disney was in his fifties, wearing a gray and white suit and smiling broadly. He is now a director and consultant on the board of directors of Disney, and he is at the helm of Disney's animated feature film department. He is the company's actual second-in-command and plays a key role in revitalizing Disney and Disney's animation business.
Li Zetian dressed very casually, wearing a gray Armani customized casual suit. Dongfang Yuqin was wearing a white shirt, a black hip-hugging short skirt, and a pair of gold-framed glasses that were only for decoration, sitting next to Li Zetian.
"Mr. Disney, I think you should know the purpose of my meeting with you, so I'll get straight to the point. I want to acquire the Disney Company, and I hope to get your support!" Li Zetian said with a smile.
Roy Disney was silent for a moment and asked: "Mr. Li, I want to know what you plan to do with the Disney Company after you acquire it?"
"I will invest heavily in the animation production business and restore Disney animation to its past glory! I will develop Disney into the world's largest film animation company, a top paradise for children, and the world's largest entertainment media company!"
Roy Disney felt very satisfied after listening to Li Zetian's words, which were almost consistent with his ideas.
"Mr. Li, why do you want to acquire Disney?" Roy Disney asked.
"Every child likes Disney cartoons and toys. In a few months, my daughter will be born, and Disney will be her best gift!" Li Zetian said with a smile, with a hint of tenderness in his tone.
When Roy Disney heard this, he felt relieved. Chronos Li bought Disney for his daughter, so he would definitely invest heavily in cartoons and develop the Disney company...
"Mr. Li, first of all, congratulations on having a lovely daughter. Secondly, I have decided to fully support your acquisition of Disney!" Roy Disney said with a smile.
The Disney family does not own many shares, and the company is actually controlled by capital forces. However, because Roy Disney is a member of the Disney family, he has great influence on the company's board of directors.
"Thank you for your support, Mr. Disney. Don't worry, with me here, Disney will definitely develop into the largest film company in the United States!"
"I have never doubted your ability! I think it seems that no one in the entire United States will doubt you, because you are a super genius and have achieved unimaginable achievements! The Disney Company will definitely start from He came out of the trough!"
"Thank you Disney for the compliment! Let's have a drink!" Li Zetian raised his glass and said with a smile.
"Okay, cheers."
Roy Disney and Dongfang Yuqin also picked up the wine glasses, and then the three of them clinked the glasses and drank it all in one gulp...
With the support of Roy Disney, it would be much easier for Li Zetian to acquire Disney.
After multiple rounds of negotiations, Li Zetian finally acquired 51% of Disney's shares for US$1.2 billion, gaining absolute controlling stake in the company. Immediately afterwards, Li Zetian merged Star Wars Film Company and Industrial Light and Magic Company into Disney Company, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Disney Company. Finally, Li Zetian owns 72.5% of the shares of Disney!
As soon as the news came out, Hollywood couldn't help but be in an uproar! ! !
The Star Wars film company is already enviable, but because it has no distribution capabilities, the Hollywood film giants are not worried and can even get a piece of the meat. However, the Star Wars film company was merged into Disney, and the profits from movie distribution were occupied by Disney. At the same time, Disney may have come out of the trough with the "Star Wars" series. The most important thing is that Disney has the support of Chronos Li who has both financial resources and talent. This is what worries the film company the most!
After Li Zetian took over the Disney Company, he first kicked out CEO Ron Miller and began to look for new candidates.
At this time, Roy Disney suggested: "Mr. Li, I suggest hiring Michael Eisner as the company's new executive. In the 1970s, he turned the American Broadcasting Corporation, which was almost at the end of its life, from losses to profitability and regained its vitality. , and later he took charge of Paramount Pictures, taking the studio from the bottom of the six major Hollywood companies to the top. It can be said that he is a very outstanding professional manager!!"
Michael Eisner is well known to Li Zetian. After he took over the Disney Company, he vigorously developed cartoons and passed a series of drastic reforms, including the crazy development of brand-driven product sales, upgrading of Disneyland, and the establishment of non-G-rated movies. Effective measures such as the film and television department made Disney the industry leader within a few years. "The Lion King", "Beauty and the Beast" and "Pocahontas" were sold all over the world. The acquisition enabled Disney to expand into the television industry and publishing industry, becoming a giant cross-media group.
There is no doubt about Michael Eisner's ability, but he is too greedy for power, arbitrary and unwilling to cultivate successors.
Li Zetian thought to himself, under his absolute control, it is useless no matter how strong Michael Eisner's desire for power is. I can give him rights, but I can also deprive him of his rights! In addition, he has too many companies under his name, which are usually managed in a sheep-herding style. A person like Michael Eisner who can stand alone is exactly what he needs...
After a while, Li Zetian nodded and said, "Well, you should contact him to see if he is willing to come to Disney. However, I have to interview him in person!"
"Okay, Mr. Li." Roy Disney nodded, and then went to contact Michael Eisner.
…
"Michael Eisner, hello, I am Roy Disney. I wonder if you are willing to come to Disney Company as CEO?" Roy Disney said, "If you are willing, come to Disney Company tomorrow morning to meet with Mr. Li Once you meet him, all you need to do is get his approval!”
Michael Eisner was stunned for a moment, then thought for a while and said: "Hello, Mr. Disney, I've thought about it, I am willing to accept being the CEO of Disney!"
"I hope you can pass Mr. Li's interview!"
"I will!!!" Michael Eisner said confidently.
The next morning, Michael Eisner came to the Disney Company and met with Li Zetian. Li Zetian was just worried about the butterfly effect, so he added an additional interview session.
"Michael Eisner, if you became CEO of Disney, how would you develop Disney?"
"First, I will resurrect the cartoon..." Michael Eisner began to talk, and what he said was almost the same as the development direction of his previous life.
Li Zetian immediately made the decision to appoint him.
"Congratulations, Michael Eisner, you are now the CEO of Disney!"
From now on, Disney is reborn from the ashes!
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