Chapter 1213 A Simple and Crude Acquisition

New York, Fifth Avenue,

Vincent walked out of the BMG Records headquarters with a smile on his face.

Bertelsmann Music Group, also known as Bertelsmann Music Company, abbreviated as BMG, is the music business subsidiary of Germany's Bertelsmann Group, the world's second largest media empire.

Founded in Germany in 1835, BMG initially made its fortune in the book industry by publishing Bibles. In 1958, it first entered the music industry by acquiring the Ariola and Sonopress record companies in Germany and Austria respectively. In 1987, it acquired the famous American record company RCA and officially established the BMG Record Group, which has become one of the world's top five record groups.

In the near future, the music industry will face the impact of digital transformation. Traditional record companies will be in trouble due to declining CD sales and piracy problems, causing chain record stores and some labels to be on the verge of bankruptcy. Even BMG is facing operational pressure.

In 2004, Sony Music Entertainment merged with BMG to form Sony Bertelsmann Music Entertainment, which was acquired by Sony Music in 2008 and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Music.

But this future will no longer happen, because just now, Vincent officially acquired shares in BMG in the name of Prologue Investment Company, becoming the second largest shareholder after Germany's Bertelsmann Group.

Although I feel a little sorry for the Apple shares held by Prologue Investment Company, it is only 1995 after all, and Apple is still a long way from taking off.

"Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, IBM, Nvidia, AOL, Amazon, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Starbucks... even ASML, Samsung and Nintendo. These vampires have such a sharp eye."

The stocks held by Prologue Investment Company were all high-quality stocks. Vincent began to wonder if there were any time travelers like him among the vampires in the American branch.

But no matter what, after he acquired a stake in BMG, Sony's future conspiracy surrounding music copyright was doomed to not happen.

5 minutes later,

He appeared in front of Sony Music's headquarters in New York.

"How impressive..."

Sony Music's predecessor was Columbia Records, so its headquarters building is of course much more magnificent than that of the foreign BMG.

Vincent registered at the front desk as a visitor. When he said he was the second largest shareholder of BMG, the receptionist immediately thought he was a liar.

He is so handsome, but I didn't expect he is actually a fraudster.

"Ahem—" Vincent handed over the business card he had made on the spot, "Call BMG Records to confirm."

The lady at the front desk skeptically opened the address book and dialed BMG's number.

"Hello, I'm from Sony Music. I'd like to ask—" She glanced at the business card in her hand, "Is your company's second-largest shareholder Mr. Vincent Wayne?"

The answer she got was affirmative, and her eyes instantly became brighter than at the beginning, twinkling, which made Vincent secretly make up his mind that if he encountered a similar situation again, he would be as high-profile as possible.

After hanging up the phone, the receptionist enthusiastically led him into the elevator and took him to the president's office of Sony Music.

Before leaving, she hinted that she would be off work soon.

The American girl is too unrestrained. Vincent shook his head, knocked on the door and walked into the office.

Although Sony Music is still a subsidiary of Sony, the president and some directors who manage its music business are Americans.

"Hello, Mr. Owen Trice."

Vincent sat across from Tris, who looked mature and steady. "Please forgive my intrusive visit. I'm here to discuss a business deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars."

Tris frowned. The young man in front of him was young, but his tone was quite loud. "Oh? What business?"

"I want to acquire your 50% stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing."

It's so straightforward. Their company was only established in May, and this young man wants to buy all the shares they hold. It's too disrespectful.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne, but we have no plans to sell our shares in Sony/ATV Music Publishing."

Vincent calmly took out his checkbook and said, "Mr. Tris, I understand your company wants to consolidate music copyrights, which is why you partnered with Michael Jackson to establish Sony/ATV."

He picked up the pen on the table and wrote a familiar string of words on the checkbook. "But you seem to have overlooked the rapidly developing internet. Currently, there are no relevant laws and regulations. It can be said that the internet is a lawless place."

Tris's frown deepened.

If a large amount of music that is not authorized by the copyright holder appears on the Internet, it will lead to numerous legal proceedings. Although this can speed up the improvement of relevant laws and regulations, the process is long.

Vincent signed his name and pushed the check in front of him. "Your parent company, Sony, was severely impacted by the economic bubble and suffered huge losses from the acquisition of Columbia Pictures. With the rise of the internet and digital music, your company's transformation will be difficult, right?"

Tris pushed the check back without even looking at the number. "Mr. Wayne, I think the same thing applies to BMG Records."

"Yes." Vincent put the pen back where it belonged. "BMG will abandon the traditional record industry and focus on the emerging internet and digital music sectors."

He pushed the check over again. "But I have a slight advantage. Not only am I the second largest shareholder of BMG, I also hold a large number of shares in technology companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, IBM, Nvidia, and AOL. And your company—"

He shook his head regretfully. "To be honest, I'm determined to acquire your company's 50% stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing. You might want to take a look at the number on the check first."

Tris glanced at the check quickly. It was for $3 million, more than double what they had paid for the ATV music rights.

With more than double the profit in less than 4 months, this is undoubtedly a tempting business.

But he was only the president of Sony Music and had no power to decide whether the deal was successful.

Vincent looked at his hesitant expression, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, "I can give your company some time to consider, but my patience is limited. You'd better make a decision quickly."

Tris watched Vincent stand up and leave the office without saying a word.

This young man is too strong, and his methods are too simple and crude. If he fails to acquire the shares, will it hinder Sony Music's transformation?

"It's such a headache."

Tris sighed softly at the check in front of him.

To put it bluntly, he is just a senior employee, so let the parent company worry about it.

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