Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 341 The Landscape of the Six Major Media Groups
After its release, Pixar's Toy Story saw its box office soar, accumulating $6400 million in just half a month!
As a pioneer of 3D computer animation, Toy Story is of great significance. In addition, Dawn Studios has just acquired Universal Studios. Pixar's success has provided ample impetus for Universal Studios.

"David Komansky? Reassure him that Merrill Lynch will be one of the underwriters for Dawn's IPO."

In his villa in Glenn, Beverly Hills, Aaron lay in bed, talking on the phone with Jessica Parker, the group's CFO.

David Komansky is the president and chief operating officer of Merrill Lynch.

“Shh,” Aaron said, gesturing for Catherine Zeta-Jones to be quiet in his arms.

“Mmm,” Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was lying on top of Aaron, simply nodded and then kissed the man.

"Understood. Also, First Intercontinental Bank and Wells Fargo are willing to issue us a corporate bond worth $5 to $7 million!"

Jessica Parker continued her report over the phone.

First Intercontinental Bank and Wells Fargo are both large regional banks based in California, but due to the new banking bill introduced last year, banks in the United States have begun a wave of mergers and acquisitions.

Dawn has extensive collaborations with First Intercontinental Bank and Wells Fargo, both of which have significant business ties in Hollywood.

Aaron thought about it. After acquiring MCA Universal, Dawn's debt exceeded $40 billion. Next, it would need to expand Universal Music and Universal Studios, which would definitely require funds!

“Very good, I have already instructed Tom Williams to negotiate with Rank Films in the UK to prepare to buy back half of the shares of Universal Studios Orlando.”

"At the same time, I also need to restart the construction of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka and expand Universal Music Group, which definitely requires more cash."

Now that Pixar is involved, Aaron's expectations for Universal Studios are much higher. Universal Studios can't just rely on Steven Spielberg's few movies to attract audiences, can it?
Of course, several hundred million dollars is definitely not enough, which is why Aaron agreed to let Dawn go public as soon as possible;
Aaron needs to seize this opportunity to develop Dawn, and there will be many acquisitions to come, so financing is essential!

"You're getting busier and busier, all because your business is growing bigger and bigger."

After Aaron put down his phone, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was in his arms, smiled.

"Alright, get up and eat something." Aaron patted the woman on his body.
New York, Manhattan, Seagram Building.

Michael Ovitz and Edgar Bronfman Jr. were having lunch together when they recounted, "That Las Vegas casino tycoon Kirk Kocorian is back in Los Angeles;"

"I just met with François Gilles and he expressed interest in MGM/United Artists. It seems he wants to acquire MGM for the third time."

Edgar Bronfman Jr. put down his knife and fork, took a sip of coffee, and said, "Well, it seems MGM still has its appeal?"

He understood what Michael Ovitz meant, but MGM was in such a sorry state now that it was nothing but a movie entertainment company.
Moreover, even the MGM brand and lion logo are not exclusive to the film company; Kirk Kerkelian can still legally use the MGM brand and lion logo.

“Scagrass is no small fry; MGM is now just an independent film company, and its copyright library and distribution channels belong to United Artists.”

"Moreover, it lacks an international distribution network and has a severe shortage of upstream and downstream supply chains. Why would Seagram Group acquire MGM?"

Edgar Bronfman Jr. chuckled. "Am I supposed to build a new MGM Gin?"

Listening to what the other party said, Michael Ovitz understood that Scraglan was interested in a large, integrated entertainment group! "Perhaps we could try to contact Sony. If the huge losses of Columbia Samsung don't improve, Sony might sell Columbia Samsung."

Michael Ovitz offered advice.

Edgar Bronfman Jr. changed the subject, "Over in Hollywood, after Dawn acquired MCA, it seems Aaron Anderson is making some big moves?"

"Yes, Aaron initiated a major overhaul of MCA, from its culture to its organizational structure, and also reshuffled the original MCA senior management."

"MCA was split up and reorganized into Universal Pictures Entertainment Group and Universal Music Entertainment Group. It seems he wants to eliminate MCA!"

The once prestigious MCA Entertainment Group has now become a subsidiary record label of Universal Music Group.

"Didn't Lou Wasserman object?"

Edgar Bronfman Jr. said casually.

Michael Ovitz chuckled. "The MCA's top management has basically been replaced; Lou Wasserman is clinging to tradition."

"Aaron Anderson is no easy man to deal with; he directly sent Lou Wasserman to manage MCA Records."

"The headquarters of Universal City in Los Angeles will move most of its operations to Burbank. Universal City will mainly exist as the production studio and operations department for Universal Studios!"

Now, the original MCA logos have been replaced by Dawn or Universal, with only Lou Wasserman's office still bearing the mark of MCA;
Now, almost no one in Dawn would ask Lou Wasserman for advice; he had become nothing more than a mascot for Dawn.

Edgar Bronfman Jr. agreed with Aaron Anderson's approach, saying that if Seagram had acquired MCA, he would have also purged this group of old guys.
While the methods certainly wouldn't be as direct as Aaron Anderson's, the main reason is that Dawn is a top Hollywood film company, so there's no need to worry about Universal causing any trouble.

Michael Ovitz sighed, “Warner Bros.' Time Warner, Disney, Paramount's Viacom, Sony, 20th Century Fox's News Corporation, and Universal's Dawn;”

"Now that the landscape of the six major Hollywood media groups is completely set, it will be very difficult for Scramble to take business from them."

“MGM has an MPAA membership, so Seagram can first acquire MGM to enter Hollywood, and then acquire other businesses such as music and television, expanding step by step.”

"For example, in the music field, EMI and PolyGram are both companies worth considering!"

Edgar Bronfman Jr.'s face twitched slightly; first, he wanted to acquire MGM to enter Hollywood.
He was indeed tempted to acquire other businesses to expand.

"Is that Las Vegas gambling tycoon also determined to acquire MGM?"

Michael Ovitz shook his head. "It was just an investment; he's never understood how to run a film company."

"Furthermore, Kirk Kocorian wouldn't be able to allocate too much capital to acquire MGM!"

Edgar Bronfman Jr. leaned back in his chair and tapped the table. “Help me with João François Gilles.”

(End of this chapter)