Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 386 Amazing Company
Hollywood, Universal City.

Tom Williams did indeed show interest after reporting to Aaron about Ronald Perelman's idea to collaborate on building the Marvel World park at Universal Studios Orlando.

"Amazing Entertainment wants to license their IP to Universal Studios for use in their new theme park in Orlando, right?"

Tom Williams nodded. "Marvel Entertainment's stock price has fallen a lot, and they have a lot of debt. Right now, they just want to generate cash flow!"

Marvel Entertainment Group was listed in 1991 by Ronald Perelman and originally had multiple revenue streams, including comics, toys, and licensing (television, games).

But Ronald Perelman was a Wall Street financier, so he certainly wasn't thinking about properly managing Marvel Entertainment. After the stock price rose, he went straight for overexpansion!

They made some ill-timed acquisitions, including a $2.65 million acquisition of a trading card company;

They then acquired a 46% stake in toy manufacturer Toy Biz for $700 million, followed by a sticker company, and so on.

Aaron flipped through the documents in his hand and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Amazing's share in comic books has dropped to 30%?"

Keep in mind that in the mid-80s, Marvel had a 70% share of the comic book market!

“Stan Lee, the creative director of Amazing, also urged us many times to develop a live-action Spider-Man movie.”

Aaron smiled. "Next year, the Spider-Man rights will expire, and Marvel Studios will definitely sell it again, barring any unforeseen circumstances!"

It seems the time has come to acquire Marvel Entertainment.

"Let me meet with Ronald Perelman first."

Subsequently, Aaron submitted a proposal to the board of directors to acquire Marvel Entertainment.

Although it has met with some opposition, after all, Marvel only values ​​Spider-Man's IP and does not recognize other characters.

Besides, if Universal wanted to make a film, they could just work with Marvel; why would they need to spend money to acquire Marvel?

However, as the chairman and CEO of Dawn Group, it was easy for Aaron to persuade the other directors!

Soon, Dawn began acquiring Amazing's shares at low prices on the market;

Aaron also went to New York and spoke with Ronald Perelman, the chairman of Marvel. Perelman was indeed interested in selling Marvel, but the price exceeded Aaron's expectations.

Just before Christmas, Aaron met Carl Icahn, a hostile takeover expert from Wall Street, at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan!
"A cooperative acquisition of Amazing?"

In the coffee shop, Aaron wasn't too surprised when he heard the other person's purpose for coming.

Carl Icahn had his sights set on these heavily indebted and struggling listed companies, trying every means to acquire controlling stakes at low prices.
Then various splits and reorganizations are carried out in order to make a profit.

“Mr. Icahn, acquiring a small company like Wonder Company is not difficult for Dawn, especially now that Ronald Perelman is heavily in debt!”

Carl Icahn smiled. "This gives Ronald Perelman the opportunity to bid; I have a surprising 30% of the bonds in my possession."

"Given Marvel's current trajectory, if Ronald fails to secure funding, Marvel Entertainment's bankruptcy is inevitable."

"At that time, taking advantage of the Amazing bankruptcy, I will join forces with the creditors to put pressure on them and join forces with Dawn to take over Amazing, which will minimize the amount of money involved."

Aaron shook his head. "It's going to take too long, and there are too many variables. Ronald Perelman will definitely sell off some of the amazing assets during this time!"

Aaron doesn't care whether it's a sticker company, a credit card company, or a toy company he sells;
Aaron's main concern was that Ronald Perelman would sell Amazing comic book characters, which were what Aaron valued.

Besides, Aaron didn't trust Carl Icahn, a wolf in sheep's clothing from Wall Street, not even a penny. Jews had absolutely no credibility in this situation! Carl Icahn sighed, "That would be such a pity."

Carl Icahn also had no ambition to compete with Dawn for the Surprise!
In the evening, Aaron met with Leon Cooperman again and they talked about Carl Icahn.

"This person is very famous on Wall Street, just like Ronald Perelman; they are both acquisition experts."

"Making money through the financial markets has surprisingly earned Ronald Perelman at least $3 million in profits over the past few years."

"Now that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is heavily indebted, Ronald Perelman won't want to go bankrupt; he'll definitely want to squeeze out the last bit of profit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe!"

Aaron nodded, understanding that it would be best to acquire it before Ronald Perelman sold the Marvel assets;
A higher price is fine; surprises are a treasure trove. Your current investment will yield returns many times over in the future.

"What about Carl Icahn? Should I be wary of him?"

Aaron asked.

Leon Cooperman smiled. "Don't worry too much about him. His usual tactic is to acquire shares in companies nearing bankruptcy and try to get onto the board."

"Then he would try every means to gain management control, and then through restructuring and reorganization, drive up the stock price so he could cash out and leave."

"Unlike other companies, the major shareholder, Ronald Perelman, holds over 50% of the voting rights; if you can't get past him, you can't gain management control."

"Besides, given Dawn's current size, Carl Icahn doesn't have the resources to try and cause trouble!"

As for the money that Dawn will lose during the acquisition process, Aaron certainly doesn't care, since the current price of Surprise is really not high.

Leon Cooperman of Omega and Charles Johnson of Franklin Templeton Fund were both investment advisors to Aaron.
Carl Icahn is known as the "Wolf of Wall Street," but Aaron isn't too worried. If he dares to target Dawn's stock, Aaron will thank him!

That evening, at a bar in Midtown Manhattan, Aaron and Christina Yerry were drinking beer.

The O.J. Simpson case was being reported on television.

"Unbelievable, O.J. Simpson was actually acquitted!"

Christina Yeri shook her head.

Aaron merely glanced at it. "Laws are created by the upper class to govern the lower class."

"For ordinary people, the law is a shackle; for those with power and influence, it is a weapon, an aid!"

The criminal case against O.J. Simpson is over; now it's just a civil lawsuit, and all that's left is to pay compensation.

Christina Yerry suddenly asked, "Did this guy actually kill someone?"

Aaron nodded. "The judge knows, the police know, the lawyers know, basically every American knows he killed someone."

"However, if there are irregularities in the police's handling of the case, that's a problem with the judicial system."

"A whole bunch of smart people found that vulnerability!"

Christina Yerry pursed her lips and leaned into the man's arms. "Let's go back..."

(End of this chapter)