Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 550 The End of the Seven Greats
On the other side, the Seagram Building in New York.

Edgar Bronfman Jr. is talking to Frank Marcuso, chairman of MGM Studios!
"The integration of resources between MGM and PolyGram is now complete; PolyGram films have been merged into MGM."

"In this way, we can leverage PolyGram's channels in Europe to improve our distribution network, and then we will expand our channels to Asia and Oceania."

Because Edgar Bronfman Jr. was very ambitious, Frank Marcuso's first priority was to restructure MGM's international distribution system;
How could one of the six major Hollywood film studios not have its own international distribution network?

"That's good. PolyGram's assets are mainly concentrated in the music market, but in recent years they've also produced quite a few works."

"MGM's acquisition of PolyGram was also aimed at creating a diversified media industry!"

Edgar Bronfman Jr. tapped his fingers on the table in front of him as he spoke, "What's your take on the recent news that Dawn and Viacom are bidding for CBS?"

Frank Marcuso thought for a moment, a hint of helplessness in his voice, "Right now, among the major Hollywood studios, only Sony, Columbia, and our own Gran Paramount don't have television stations anymore."

"And Dawn at least owns the AMC cable television network and the Starz pay-TV channel, especially AMC, whose original dramas have very high viewership."

"Disney's ABC, News Corp.'s FOX, Time Warner's CNN, Viacom's MTV cable network, etc."

"MGM is lagging far behind because it doesn't have television distribution!"

As for Sony, its core business is a consumer electronics company.

Edgar Bronfman Jr. frowned. "Many of the top executives at CBS are Jewish, and knowing Aaron as I do, he won't give Jews any special treatment."

"However, television stations and film companies operate differently. If Aaron Anderson cannot get the support of CBS's top management, acquiring CBS would not be a good thing for Dawn."

Just look at Disney now. The combination of ABC and Disney has also created a lot of unpleasantness between the two sides!
Frank Marcuso shook his head. "Mr. Bronfman, do you remember Lou Wasserman and Sidney Sheinberger?"

“Lou Wasserman and Sidney Heinberg,” Edgar Bronfman Jr. paused for a moment, “the former CEO and president of MCA Universal!”

“Yes,” Frank Marcuso nodded with a sigh. He was a contemporary of Lou Wasserman and Sidney Sheinberger.

"Sidney Schirenberg is doing well; he left when Dawn acquired MCA Universal and is now running a small production company."

"Lou Wasserman fared much worse. Aaron had no trust in these old-timers at MCA and directly dismantled and restructured the MCA Group."

MCA Universal was split into two groups: Universal Pictures and Universal Music. MCA became a record label under Universal Music.
Lou Wasserman, who had a deep affection for MCA, not only resigned from the board of directors but was also demoted to head of MCA Records!
The chairman of a large media group was reduced to the head of a small record company.
If Panasonic hadn't signed a lifetime contract with Lou Wasserman, he would definitely have been fired as well.

Edgar Bronfman Jr. chuckled. "Aaron is certainly cold-blooded. Is Lou Wasserman still with MCA Records?"

Given Edgar Bronfman's status, he certainly wouldn't pay attention to someone who's past his prime!

Frank Marcuso shook his head. "Lou Wasserman officially retired earlier this year; he received no respect whatsoever at Dawn."

"After Dawn reorganized Universal, it almost completely erased the traces of MCA, leaving only an MCA record production studio."

Frank Marcuso then looked at Edgar Bronfman Jr., "Do you think Aaron Anderson would be worried about CBS's top management if Dawn Group were to acquire CBS?" "Dawn has experience in television broadcasting, which might be a weakness in news, but don't forget, Dawn also owns the Houston Post Group, so it's not without experience either."

Even if there's chaos on CBS News, given Aaron Anderson's temperament, he'd rather endure the initial confusion than not act swiftly.

"Moreover, with Dawn TV's production capabilities, it is more than capable of meeting CBS's program needs, so the show's ratings are sure to be good."

“Hiss,” Edgar Bronfman Jr. exhaled deeply, “If Dawn acquires CBS, that would be a real game-changer.”

"The only thing missing from our current glimmer of hope is a nationwide wireless broadcasting station!"

Originally, Seagram's acquisition of PolyGram this year was a sensational news in Hollywood, after all, it was the top of the world's six major music groups;
At least in the music industry, MGM's PolyGram can outperform Sony, Warner, and Universal.

MGM was originally the last of the Big Seven. Even after acquiring PolyGram, Seagram was still no match for the other six!

……

Townhouses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Aaron leaned back on the sofa, holding Christina Yerry in his arms. "The reviews for 'Chicago' are pretty good, aren't they?"

"Yes, that's great. Although Universal Pictures' scale isn't large, as word-of-mouth spreads, they'll definitely need to expand to more theaters!"

Christina Yerry was busy with the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and is now busy with the Victoria's Secret Christmas promotional activities, and has been in New York.

"The romantic comedy 'City of Angels,' starring Sophie Marceau and Nicolas Cage, performed very well internationally, grossing $1.2 million!"

City of Angels grossed $7500 million in North America, bringing its global box office to $1.9 million.

“As expected, it didn’t disappoint me,” Aaron said, reaching inside Christina Yerry’s blouse to feel its softness.

“Mmm,” a passionate Christina Yerry offered her fiery red lips, displaying the passion and allure of a French woman.

After the kiss, Christina Yerry nestled in the man's arms. "DreamWorks' 2D animated feature film, *The Prince of Egypt*, has premiered."

"The opening weekend grossed $1450 million, which is not as high as the opening weekend gross of Ants, which was released some time ago, but the word-of-mouth is better!"

In October, DreamWorks' "Antz" opened with $10 million, and now it has grossed $1700 million in North America, with no hope of breaking $8500 million.

Aaron narrowed his eyes. "The Prince of Egypt has a compelling story, while Ants and Soldiers doesn't really have any substance."

"Dawn Universal's international distribution for Ants has also been mediocre, with only $5000 million in box office revenue so far!"

(End of this chapter)