Chapter 2232 Keep hope

Boss Ma is coming to the United States because Zhou Buqi has investigated the internal changes at Yahoo from Carl Icahn. But before he came, Zhou Buqi made an appointment with Yang Zhiyuan.

After the meeting, Zhou Buqi first said something that made him unbelievable, "Yesterday afternoon, EA CEO John Riccietti went to my office and threatened me."

"Ah?" Yang Zhiyuan was a little unbelievable, "Threat?"

Zhou Buqi said: "Yes, he told me that he wants Changyou to give up the fierce competition with EA, otherwise he will stay with us until the end. His eyes... look like he wants to eat people."

Yang Zhiyuan was a little funny, "I heard that he has been greatly questioned within EA and is about to step down."

Zhou Buqi said: "Maybe he can really jump over the wall in a hurry."

Yang Zhiyuan didn't care much about this, "Now that EA is suffering from internal and external problems, what else can it do? In the past few years, in order to solve the funding problem, it has sold many companies' stocks, including France's Ubisoft."

"Well, in my opinion... things may get better in the next few years if Ubisoft leaves the constraints of EA." Zhou Buqi remembered something and smiled, "EA also sold off all Ninetowns' stocks. When it invested in The9 a few years ago, EA spent US$167 million to acquire a 15% stake in The9. When it was sold, the 15% stake was only worth US$17 million."

With this wave of operations, Zhu Jun deceived EA.

Yang Zhiyuan smiled and said: "That's right, that Chitillo... I guess he is just struggling to death. At most, he is trying to scare people. I also read an article a few days ago, interviewing an executive who resigned from EA. , severely criticized the current situation of EA."

Zhou Buqi said: "Oh, I read that article too!"

Because EA has made continuous mistakes in decision-making in the past period, it has adjusted the positions of many senior executives. Many of CEO John Riccietti's direct subordinates have resigned.

Basically, he was left alone as a polished commander.

There is no way, this guy is the boss of EA and a member of the company's entrepreneurial team. Most people can't touch him.

Unexpectedly, a recent report about EA caused an uproar in the industry.

Everyone knows that the executives who left EA some time ago are direct descendants of John Ricciitiello, but such direct descendants anonymously bombarded John Riccitilo through the media...

"When I was at EA, Chictillo was costing the company a lot of money every year. He didn't understand games, and he didn't understand entertainment..."

"I suspect that the executive chairman of EA is not thinking about this."

"They may think they are creation machines, but those creative people have long since left EA and found a place where they can use their talents and create."

"EA hasn't made any compelling games in 10-15 years, and as time goes by, EA continues to bleed. It's very sad, this company was once a huge success. Richitillo is the biggest reason why EA stopped operating. . Maybe the company will heal in the future, but I don’t think it will."

"There are a lot of useless executives inside EA, and this place has become an EA nursing home."

"EA is completely separated from players..."

After Yang Zhiyuan's reminder, Zhou Buqi reacted and couldn't help laughing: "That article is very good, the report is very comprehensive, and it analyzes the reasons for EA's decline from the inside out. This John Riccietti... Don’t you think this article was created by me behind your back?”

Yang Zhiyuan said: "It's very possible."

"It's an unreasonable disaster." Zhou Buqi was a little amused. "Let me just say that not long ago, he went to Yanjing to show his goodwill to me and wanted to turn the war into friendship. This time when I came to the United States, he immediately There’s a big change.”

Yang Zhiyuan said easily: "It shouldn't be a big deal. At most, he has some friends in the capital market. In the past few years, he has led EA to play capital games."

Zhou Buqi smiled and said: "What a coincidence, I also know a lot of people. I met Carl Icahn in New York two days ago."

When this person was mentioned, Yang Zhiyuan's expression was not very good.

The most important reason why Yahoo became a company dominated by capital is Carl Icahn, which has become a typical negative case.

Because of this incident, Internet companies that later went public basically adopted the AB-share model, fearing that the tragedy of Yahoo would happen again.

However, Yang Zhiyuan hid it well, "What are we talking about? Netflix?"

Zhou Buqi said: "Well, we talked about it. He wanted to join Netflix's board of directors, but I rejected him."

Yang Zhiyuan said with a smile: "It's not easy to refuse him."

Zhou Buqi waved his hand and let's get down to the topic, "Don't worry about Netflix. After meeting him, I mainly talked about Yahoo."

Yang Zhiyuan's heart skipped a beat, "What did you say?"

Zhou Buqi said: "The new CEO you appointed, Thompson, faked his academic qualifications?"

Yang Zhiyuan's expression suddenly solidified.

Zhou Buqi sighed, "It seems to be true."

Yang Zhiyuan's anger is self-evident, "I have never seen anyone as shameless as Carl Icahn."

Zhou Buqi didn't take it seriously, "Capitalists just want to make money. When dealing with this kind of people, there are not so many complicated twists and turns. Just let him make money. The things that money can solve are the simplest things." ."

Yang Zhiyuan shook his head, "He has a huge appetite!"

Zhou Buqi said: "I know, when we were in New York, we met three times, mainly talking about Yahoo."

Yang Zhiyuan's eyebrows showed a bit of worry, "What are you talking about?"

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "He told me that he hopes Ziweixing International can merge with Yahoo, and then rely on Yahoo to do a backdoor listing."

"ah?"

Yang Zhiyuan was startled for a moment, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, and then burst into laughter.

Zhou Buqi couldn't help laughing, "Yes, that's what he suggested to me. I was shocked at the time. But looking at his state, it didn't look like he was joking with me at all."

Yang Zhiyuan unabashedly revealed his contempt for Carl Icahn, "He thinks everyone is like him, thinking only about money!"

Ziweixing International went public through Yahoo, which is certainly a good choice.

Although it is a backdoor listing, it can still issue a large number of new shares and raise a large amount of funds.

No more road shows.

In order to go public smoothly, many large companies have to carry out extensive road shows before the IPO, and the purpose is to spread the word. Tell the world that we are going public, that we are a good company, and everyone should buy our shares!

Just like product sales.

It is not enough for your products to be high-quality and low-priced. You must also do marketing to let the market know that your products are high-quality and low-priced. Others will buy it only if they know about it; if others don’t even know about it, it will be useless no matter how good the product is.

If it is a backdoor listing of Yahoo, there will be no trouble in this regard.

Yahoo is a representative company on Nasdaq.

It has a huge reputation and brand in the Internet industry.

This eliminates the need for roadshows.

There is no need for any publicity. Relying on the "Yahoo" brand, the media around the world will take the initiative to spread the publicity for free.

However, there is one hurdle that cannot be bypassed no matter what.

Although there are many ways for a company to go public, there are also superior and inferior ones. Only those fringe companies that are not mainstream and not very good will choose to complete the listing through the backdoor listing model.

All have formed a chain of contempt for listing.

Once the "backdoor listing" model is adopted, it is basically equivalent to the company surrendering to the public.

Of course, a good company like Ziweixing International cannot do something so embarrassing. Even if it is very profitable and has many benefits, it cannot afford to embarrass this person.

Zhou Buqi said jokingly: "That guy also gave me an idea, and I was even more shocked."

"What's the idea?"

"He said that the merger of Ziweixing International and Yahoo would be best done in the name of Yahoo acquiring Ziweixing International. In this way, you can gain huge fame. If you gain fame, I can reap the greatest benefits."

"real or fake?"

Yang Zhiyuan was also shocked, thinking he was teasing.

Zhou Buqi said: "I can't think of such a genius idea."

Yang Zhiyuan wanted to curse after hearing this, "This Carl Icahn is simply a psycho!"

Although he also wanted Yahoo to "acquire" Ziweixing International, he knew very well that this was impossible.

In mergers and acquisitions cases, the phenomenon of "snake swallowing elephant" is not unheard of.

But there is a big premise.

To complete the "snake swallowing the elephant", the "snake" must be in a strong position, and the snake is transforming into a dragon; the "elephant" must be in a weak position, and the elephant is already dying. This is completely opposite to the current situation of Yahoo and Ziweixing International.

Zhou Buqi said: "But I didn't reject him."

"ah?"

Yang Zhiyuan was very puzzled.

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "I told him that the matter is serious and I have to go back and think about it carefully."

Yang Zhiyuan's expression turned suspicious, and he could already tell there was something behind his words, "What are you..."

Zhou Buqi said: "At least I can help you hold him back so that he doesn't spend more energy on conspiracy behind the scenes to help CEO Thompson step down."

Yang Zhiyuan sighed, "I'm afraid it will be difficult!"

Zhou Buqi frowned slightly, "Is it true that you have faked your academic qualifications?"

Yang Zhiyuan nodded, "Well, it's true. I talked to him and he admitted it."

Zhou Buqi said: "I haven't had much contact with Thompson, and I don't know him well. But financial reports and stock prices don't lie. In the past few months since he took office, Yahoo's stock price has rebounded significantly, and the financial reports are also very beautiful. . This is what he achieved despite Yahoo's internal and external troubles, management turmoil, and the fact that he did not receive full support from the board of directors. If he is given more time, maybe he can really lead Yahoo to the road to recovery."

Yang Zhiyuan was helpless and regretful, "But the management just wanted to sell the company and realize the short-term cash. I also have the responsibility. In 2008, many radical management entered Yahoo. They have been trapped for several years, and their patience has been worn out. No more. It’s not too surprising that they don’t want to follow Yahoo.”

Zhou Buqi said with emotion: "Talents are rare!"

Yang Zhiyuan said: "Yes!"

Zhou Buqi said: "So no matter what, we must not expose Thompson's academic scandal. We must keep him in the position of Yahoo's CEO and preserve the hope of Yahoo's recovery."