Chapter 837: The opposite
In addition to a detailed comparison of the financial data of Firebug, Time Warner, and Viacom, Forbes also uses the example of the Big Three of the telecom industry to make an analogy and demonstrate its own views.
In 1996, the first quarter of the US telecommunications industry, AT-T's annual revenue data was more than $74 billion. The second and third-ranked Verizon and Sprint companies had a total annual revenue of only $30 billion, less than AT. Half of the -T, although the gap between Firefly's revenue data and Time Warner and Viacom is not as disparate as between AT-T and Verizon and Sprint, it is clearly showing this trend.
At the same time, fireflies have many similarities with AT-T in terms of industrial layout.
AT-T itself is a diversified telecom industry giant. The industry involves fixed telephones, mobile communications, cable TV, communication software, and electronic products. If you compare analogously with a certain service, AT-T will not be able to lead even if it is leading. Keeping competitors far behind, but all industries combined, AT-T's strength far exceeds Verizon and Sprint competitors in the same industry. The current situation of the Firefly Group is also the same. In the various sectors of its TV business, film and television entertainment, the firefly is not too big compared with the competitors in the same industry, but when these businesses are integrated into one, they will show up. Out of the oligarchy in the field of media.
Eric sat in the restaurant and patiently read all the articles in Forbes magazine about himself and the fireflies, and he came back, and more than half an hour has passed.
Christina is still sitting quietly opposite, she has finished breakfast, just looking at him curiously.
Looking at the watch, Eric smiled and said to Christina: "You still have a training today, I will let the driver send you to Burbank."
Although Eric’s expression was very relaxed, Christina did not forget the appearance of his frequent reading of Forbes magazine. She is a girl who is very good at observing, although I don’t quite understand why Eric has this reaction. But I also know that he certainly didn't have much thoughts to deal with himself at this time. He nodded very cleverly, packed the tableware in front of him, and left the restaurant with Eric.
The two came together outside the villa, the car had stopped at the door, told the driver a few words, Eric kissed Christina's face and sent her to the car.
Returning to the restaurant again, Eric hurried to finish the breakfast, took another car to the Burbank Firefly headquarters, and on the road dialed the phone call of female assistant Kelly, let her pay attention to this issue of Forbes. "magazine.
The related articles published by Forbes magazine will definitely cause heated discussion in the media for some time. In this circle for so many years, Eric also knows how serious the media influence of the media is on some companies, so he Some solutions to possible events must be prepared in advance.
Because it was Monday, Eric took part in the group’s weekly high-level regular meeting since he rushed to the headquarters. Before that, most of the time, Kelly replaced Eric, and then sorted out the minutes of the meeting and handed it to him. Review.
During this time, the company's work focus is still on the global issue of Titanic.
However, the TV series of the spring file has all been listed on all major TV stations so far. Robert Eiger, the head of the TV business in New York, introduced the TV platforms such as ABC TV network, AE TV network and Disney channel through video call. The ratings of the broadcast episodes, the ratings of ABC TV and Disney Channel have risen steadily. Last fall, ABC TV received the dark horse "Everyone loves Raymond" after the winter break, returning again, the highest number of viewers has been Breaking through 22 million people.
Driven by the iconic dramas such as "Wuwang City", "Tianqiao Pride" and "National Supermodel Contest", AE TV's Lifetime TV series continues to introduce new boutique episodes and continue to erode the female audience market, compared to the original In the prime time, the average audience rating of less than 1 million people, Lifetime TV station under the excellent operation of Anne Sweeney, the weekly 12-hour prime time viewers have reached an average of 3.5 million, "Chongwang City" and other core dramas The collection data also touched the record-breaking 8 million cable TV stations. This achievement made Lifetime TV the most popular star in the US cable TV stations in recent years.
Since the final issue also involved the issuance and promotion of this summer's fireflies, the regular meeting was held until eleven o'clock.
The high-level news channels that can participate in the weekly meetings of the group will never be closed. When the meeting is over, everyone will inevitably mention the Forbes magazine that was just released today, or congratulate Eric seriously or ridiculously. Of course, this There are also some people who have seen the impact of Forbes magazine's related articles on the Firefly Group, and solemnly reminded Eric.
Everyone left, and Kasenberg and Wells stayed in a tacit agreement, and together with Eric came to a small conference room nearby.
When the secretary brought the coffee, Kasenberger sent the other away and said: "Eric, I have called Steve Forbes in the morning, they should not use the word 'oliggo', but we did not This is expected in advance."
Kasenberg is also very aware of the possible impact of the article in the Forbes magazine on the emergence of the Firefly Group's ‘Media Oligopoly’.
From the obvious expression of Kasenberg's anger, Eric can even guess that the hot Katsberg and Forbes group head Steve Forbes are not so happy, the two sides happen directly Disputes are not impossible.
In this country, the president will be smashed out by the media for three days. Although the Firefly Group has a very strong influence in the media industry, it is impossible to control the calibre of everyone.
Taking a sip of coffee, Kasenberg continued without waiting for Eric and Frank Wells. "I will greet Robert in the afternoon and cut off the advertising budget for all the Forbes media platforms this summer." You can't do this kind of sudden attack in order to win the eyeball."
It seems that Kasenberg has really quarreled with Steve Forbes in the morning, and it is quite fierce.
Eric smiled and shook his head, what he was about to say, Frank Wells had already advised: "Jeffrey, if you do this, we can really become the media oligarch in the mouth of Forbes magazine, I think The situation is not so serious, so it is better not to tear the skin."
Frank has always been a 'good cop' inside the group. Kasenberg has also respected him. He heard Frank say that Kasenberg has calmed down and knows that his ideas are radical and he has too many individuals. Emotions, then nodded slightly and turned to Eric.
"Although we don't need to completely sever the cooperation, we still have to show our attitude. You let Robert look at it," Eric said to Kasenberg, and asked Wells: "Frank, Do you think we may encounter substantial legal risks?"
Frank Wells was originally a lawyer and thought about it. "The Group's own business continues to expand. There is no risk in the short term. After all, we are from the real industry oligarchs such as Exxon Mobil, General Electric, and AT-T. There is still a long way to go. However, if the company continues to develop business in other areas in the next few years, such as the ones you mentioned, expanding to cable operators, then we will be subject to very strict anti-monopoly review. Moreover, the possibility of failure is also very large."
Eric discussed this issue with management two years ago.
The decline of North American public television stations and the rise of cable stations are an inevitable trend in the future TV industry. In order to maintain a leading position in this megatrend, in addition to continuing to produce a large number of boutique content, channel resources are also very important. If there is no cable TV broadcasting platform at all, the future firefly TV business will be easily caught. Although federal law does not prohibit media groups from owning cable TV broadcast platforms, the Firefly Group's status is too strong and will certainly encounter antitrust issues.
"In any case, this is definitely a matter of a few years," Eric took down his thoughts and said: "We still pay attention to the immediate problems."
Frank Wells nodded and said: "Our movie and television business will not encounter legal difficulties. However, the digital field may be a little troublesome. A few months ago, we announced that the digital field will stop cooperating. Some people have investigated the Ministry of Justice. At the moment, if the topics provoked by Forbes magazine are too hot, some people are likely to revisit the old things."
"So, what we have to do now is to avoid the topic of 'oligarch' being used by people. It is best to divert the attention of the media from the company." Kasenberg looked at Eric and continued: "Eric, I have a suggestion, maybe I can think about it."
Eric nodded and signaled that Kasenberg continued.
"I mean, let the media focus more on you."
Eric said with a hand, "If you do this, I certainly don't mind, but do you think the company may be ignored if it involves my topic?"
"So, we have to artificially create a topic focus," Kasenberg said, knocking on a Forbes magazine on the desktop, saying: "$98.7 billion, compared to the second-ranked Bill. Gates, a total of 60 billion, is very difficult for most people. Before the release of Forbes, I saw in many media that there are so many in your family. Article, then, now we can just stir up the controversy and shift the media and the public’s attention."
Frank Wells patted the tableside gently and nodded his head: "Eric, this is a very good way."
Eric thought for a moment and felt that the plan was very feasible. Forbes’s statistics on his personal net worth amounted to $98.7 billion, although he was able to capture a lot of eyeballs, but it also caused a lot of doubts. After all, people are always reluctant to believe in miracles.
The three men discussed a detailed plan. Eric finally shouted Kelly and had lunch at noon. Kasenberg and Frank went back to continue their work, and Eric personally directed the implementation of the proposed plan.
In this era, it is not possible to find a large-scale water army in order to lead to Lun Lun. However, Kasenberg’s words in discussing the response plan also reminded Eric that this issue of Forbes Before the magazine was published, many people questioned Eric's personal identity. Then, after Forbes magazine far exceeded the data of major financial media, the doubts of these people will definitely be stronger.
What Eric has to do is to let these people make their voices in the media as much as possible.
The efficiency of the assistant office is still very high. Just after two in the afternoon, Kelly handed over a list of 45 people collected to Eric, all of whom are well-known financial media reporters or commentators. In the recent past, they have published relevant articles that question Eric’s identity.
Looking at the folder Eric, Kelly, sitting across from the air, said softly: "We probably looked at three hundred different newspapers and magazines. The influence of these people is the biggest. If they can In the future, a unified voice in the media will definitely cause a lot of influence and cause more media platforms to follow up. In addition, we also listed News Corp., Hearst Group, and Condé Nast are more suitable for publishing related articles. Media platform, however, these may require you to say hello, they will cooperate. Yahoo, I have already talked to Tina, she will issue a relevant draft application in the afternoon to the list provided."
Eric read the general information of these people, called up an address book on the computer screen on the desktop, and joked to Kelly while dialing: "If these people know that they are being questioned and opposed by them, they secretly do it. The chess piece, will it collapse?"
Kelly smiled and saw that Eric had already connected the phone and there was no opening.
On the other side of the desk, Eric put a pencil in his hand, leaning against the back of the chair, and leisurely tilting his legs on the table. The eager voice from the microphone said: "Hey, William, It's me, Eric, how are you doing recently... haha, of course, oh, you are in St. Simon's Castle, I have long wanted to see it, but you guys have never invited me... recently Maybe not, too busy, but you can come to Los Angeles."
After a few words with the current head of the Hearst Group, William III, until the other party took the initiative to ask, Eric entered the topic and said: "Of course, it is only a small matter, I hope that you will have several daily newspapers in the next week. Can invite some people to submit several manuscripts."
Due to the joint ownership of AE TV and ESPN, the Hearst Group has been closely linked to fireflies. Eric briefly explained a few words, and William Hurst III immediately agreed to it. As a leader in controlling the world's largest paper media group, William Hirst III certainly understood the purpose of Eric. After the promise, I still couldn't help but ridicule Eric on the phone.
Write down a high-level phone number from the Hearst Group given by William Hirst III. Eric presses the hang up button and dials Murdoch's private number. Although it is equally useful to say hello to Elizabeth, it is more efficient to contact Murdoch directly.
After making a few phone calls in a row, Eric took a straight body and handed the list of contacts in front of him to Kelly. He said, "Hey, contact these people, you can talk directly to them with specific implementation plans." They will cooperate with you."