America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 243 Smith Media Group

In the brandy restaurant.

Abel smiled and said to Dayao: "Are you still used to living in the United States?"

The young Dayao smiled honestly: "Fortunately, people here take good care of me."

Dayao was talking about CAA's manager.

In CAA, although Abel only holds about 36% of the shares.

But this share has allowed him to become the chairman steadily.

After he became the boss of MGM and gained his current social status and fame.

Invisibly, his position in CAA was also strengthened.

Now even if Abel's shares are lowered a bit.

The shareholders of CAA will still make him the chairman with a high probability.

In the United States, Abel has become a famous brand in the famous brand effect to a certain extent.

This also made his influence on caa unprecedented.

Much bigger than founder Michael Ovitz.

The shareholders of caa are not so stupid to let such a big boss not let him be the chairman.

It is for this reason.

Abel doesn't have to do anything to CAA, but his influence on CAA has been increasing day by day.

Therefore, it is only necessary to let CAA's manager know that Abel attaches great importance to Dayao.

The attitudes of these spirits towards Dayao naturally became very good one by one.

Moreover, after Abel mastered CAA and Michael Ovitz returned to the company.

In addition to continuing to maintain the original entertainment brokerage business, caa.

At present, it is also vigorously developing the brokerage business of sports events.

The four major leagues in the United States are a feast not to be missed, and the NBA is naturally the focus of caa's attention.

Since the boss attaches so much importance to this Chinese person.

In addition, the company will also focus on developing the business of the NBA.

On the side of caa, Dayao is also very important.

Just a side note - Dayao's lead manager is the same as Scarlett Johansson's lead manager.

That's Mr. Derek Wright.

This is a person in charge of Abel's roll call for Dayao.

Because Abel knew that Derek Wright was very smart and capable of judging his intentions.

After understanding Abel's intentions, Derek Wright naturally took good care of Dayao's life in the United States.

As a result, the young people in Huaxia have a good impression of this capital country.

It made Dayao feel that capitalists are so gentle.

The little giant didn't know that it was only because a super capitalist paid more attention to him.

Only other small capitalists, or the lackeys of capitalists, will take him so seriously.
"It's good if you can adapt." Abel nodded with a smile. He looked at Dayao's body shape, "You look too thin. It may be fine in your country, but not in the NBA. The NBA is full of muscular bodies , too thin and too easy to get hurt."

Dayao also knew this.

Dayao has no income when he comes to the United States, not even a contract.

Derek Wright has been funded and named to CAA.

Within a few days, a professional physical trainer and nutritionist were found for Dayao.

This part of the cost is euphemistically called investing in advance, and caa is paid first.

Later, after Dayao has income, it will be deducted from his income.

This kind of treatment was only available to Dayao who was kissed by the boss.

It was signed by Michael Ovitz, and the big Buddha of Abel stood behind.

Even if someone in CAA has an idea, they dare not bring it up.

"I'm already gaining muscle and weight, and I'm accepting the guidance of the nutritionists and trainers here." Dayao said honestly.

Abel smiled and nodded again.

Next, Abel didn't know what to say.

Let's talk about basketball. In fact, Abel doesn't like basketball much.

The pre-rebirth Abel prefers football, while the original Abe Smith prefers baseball.

In terms of basketball, it was Abe before his rebirth. In junior high school and high school, he happened to meet the time when Dayao was playing in the NBA.

He watched it with his classmates, was fascinated together, and enjoyed the atmosphere together.

In other words, Abel's memories of basketball and the NBA all come from Yao.

It was because of this sentiment that when he bought his own basketball team, he thought of bringing Dayao over in advance.

For Abel, this can be regarded as a feeling.

For ordinary people, it is probably after growing up and working and getting their first salary.

When I have money, I want to buy back the toys I bought when I was a child because I had no money.

But after buying it back, I found that apart from my feelings, I no longer need this toy.

After realizing this, Abel directly asked Alan Baker next to him to call George Postolos, the current general manager of the Houston Rockets.

The current general manager of the Rockets is not that thunder.

George Postolos joined the Rockets in October 1998 and is responsible for all aspects of business management.

In the process of Abel's acquisition of the Houston Rockets, George Postolos was also taken over here.

Abel didn't have the right talent on hand at the time.

Coupled with the fact that George Postolos can still make the Rockets profitable under a stingy boss like Alexander, this is already considered a good management talent.

Abel did not let George Postolos leave, but let him continue to serve as the general manager of the Rockets.

Abel wanted to see Dayao today, but George Postolos had already been waiting outside.

As soon as the call was made, George Postolos walked in immediately respectfully.

Abel didn't know George Postolos either, but the other party knew him.

After confirming that this is the general manager of the Rockets.

Abel pointed directly at Dayao, which made the latter a little at a loss.

"This tall guy sitting in front of you, he is the cornerstone of my Rockets team for the next ten years."

Abel said to George Postolos:
"His mission is to be the cornerstone of the team and fight for the Rockets."

"My mission is to stand behind you and provide you with support including but not limited to financial support."

"And you, George, your task. It is to match him with players who can win the championship, as well as other configurations. Can you do it, George."

In his heart, George Postolos was very surprised at how much the boss paid attention to this Chinese man.

While coming in, even before this.

George Postolos has already read Dayao's information.

Honestly, after George Postolos saw it.

The general manager of the Rockets thinks that apart from the height.

Compared with many NBA rookies this season, Dayao's various conditions can only be regarded as excellent in some statistics, and generally pass the level.

In other words, Dayao is not the best in terms of statistics.

What's more, Dayao in 2001 had one year less experience in the CBA than he did in 2002.

It is indeed more youthful and less capable.

But reality is reality, and the boss's will is the boss's will.

Compared with the two, George Postolos naturally pays more attention to the will of the boss.

"Understood. I can do it." George Postolos said to Abel seriously:
"I will definitely tailor a system that is most suitable for Yao! It will definitely bring a good result to the Rockets!"

Abel nodded in satisfaction, although it was actually just sentimental.

But after possessing Abel's level of wealth and power.

Most of the time, feelings are something that people like him cherish very much.

It's like there are many rich people in the Celestial Dynasty. After they become famous, they all like to remember the bitterness and think about the sweetness.

In fact, what they cherish is not something from the past.

What they remember is actually their lost youth.

It's just that something happened to carry their memories in their youth.

Then such things became the past that they remembered.

This is the so-called emotion.

For Abel, Dayao is one of the carriers of the lost youth in junior high school and high school.

Abel is willing to spend a little money in his eyes for his feelings.

Abel stood up and patted George Postolos on the shoulder.

"Then I'll hand him over to you. By the way, I should be there to watch this year's NBA draft."

Whatever he thought, George Postolos didn't know why.

Abel would value this Chinese man so much.

But Abel's last words immediately made George Postolos happy.

Since Abel bought the Rockets, so far, he hasn't been to the Rockets headquarters once.

This was a cruel thing for the Rockets, who were excited about being acquired by Abel at the time.

When it was first acquired, the Rockets collectively were very excited.

Everyone had had enough of Alexander's stinginess.

Everyone will be happy to change to any boss who is not stingy.

Then the stingy boss changed, and a top-matched super rich man came directly to be the team's boss.

This super rich man is also recognized by the media as one of the most generous bosses to his subordinates.

At that time, everyone felt that the Rockets had become the opponent's company.

Doesn't it mean that they can also welcome the most generous boss in the United States?
Wouldn't everyone's treatment be improved?

Anyway, the entire Rockets team, including the players, thought so.

In the end, Abel bought the Rockets, yes.

But it just sent a professional manager to come over and declare sovereignty.

Then two more finances were sent over to take over the financial work of the Rockets.

In other respects, let alone Abel himself.

Not even the people from Abel's side came to have a look.

The Rockets, which were acquired by Abel, felt abandoned over time.

The former boss Alexander is very stingy, yes, but Alexander will appear in the team at least a few times a week.

Now it's better to change to Abel, and don't even come here once.

The Rockets were a little panicked because of this.

I'm afraid that Abel will sell them again, and even more afraid that the next buyer will be a stingy guy like Alexander.

George Postolos came to New York this time, ostensibly for Dayao.

In fact, there are also attempts to represent the team's management to find out what the boss means to the Rockets.

What does the owner mean to the Rockets, George Postolos doesn't feel it.

But now George knows that the boss attaches great importance to this tall Chinese man.

He even paid attention to the extent that he would go to the NBA draft and watch the show.

George Postolos felt that if the boss really went to the scene.

The boss will probably become the audience with the most wealth and the highest status in the history of NBA draft shows.

At that time, the Rockets are bound to become one of the most watched NBA teams because of this boss.

This also means that George Postolos thinks in his heart that he needs to let the owner focus on the team.

Perhaps it will fall on the tall Huaxia man in front of him

This made the general manager look at Dayao more and more friendly.

It's like looking at a baby.

This also made Dayao even more flattered, the little giant felt that after coming to the United States, he seemed to have become a sweet potato.

Are all Americans this good?

The little giant who was still a little ignorant thought.

However, this is actually just an attitude of remembrance and protection made by Abel for one of his many feelings.

Just like this, George Postolos and CAA's Derek Wright have the same attitude towards Dayao as if they were looking at a big baby.

If there is something good on the top, it will be great on the bottom.

That's probably what it's about.

After meeting the youthful Dayao once, he fulfilled his youthful feelings.

The focus of Abel's work has shifted away from F1 and the NBA, which are more entertaining for him.

His attention was focused on the integration of his media companies.

At present, there are many media companies under Abel's banner.

MGM and its subsidiaries (Marvel, Dark Horse, DreamWorks, Pixar, etc.).

AMC Television, AB Smith Newspapers, AB Smith Entertainment, Elizabeth's Backyard and many more.

Among these companies, apart from AB Smith Entertainment having a little jurisdiction, they are basically fighting each other.

At most, it is only as a business cooperation between brother companies.

This situation is obviously not conducive to the circulation between resources and channels

At the suggestion of the advisory group.

Abel decided to consolidate them all and bring them all under one group.

Like Time Warner, News Corporation, Hearst Corporation, ABC Disney Group.

The difficulty of this job is actually not high.

The main reason is that almost all of the above companies are wholly owned by him.

He is the chairman of so many companies by himself.

All of them have the greatest power, and it is impossible for them to defy the integration issued by Abel.

So on May 5th.

Abel summoned all the heads of these companies to New York.

All called to the Woolworth House.

Negotiations for the acquisition of the Woolworth Building are almost complete.

The shares of several major consortiums, under Abel's sincere offer, have agreed to sell the shares they hold in the building to him.

At present, only the last 10% minority shareholders are still under negotiation.

But this is only a matter of time, and the ownership issue is expected to be resolved within the next month.

At that time, the entire Woolworth Building will be owned by Abel.

Abel intends to place the headquarters of the integrated media group here.

Calling everyone over can be regarded as letting everyone know the way in advance and know where the group headquarters is.

The first Smith Media Group executive meeting.

Also on this day, it was held on the third floor of No.30 of the Woolworth Building, the original Smith Capital headquarters.

Senior executives from media companies such as Robert Iger, Michael Levine, Dylan, and Richard Plepler also arrived at the scene.

After CAA's Michael Ovitz heard about the meeting, Ovitz also wanted to come.

However, Abel only holds about 36% of CAA's shares, and none of them have absolute control.

Abel was too lazy to carry out share splitting work after the integration, and he already had a new love, MGM.

The old love of caa is no longer as important as it used to be.

Not including CAA in the territory can also prevent CAA from being boycotted by other media giants.

This is also good for caa itself.

But Abe ended up having Michael Ovitz come over to the meeting.

Just come to this meeting as Ovitz personally, not as the CEO of caa.

The meeting was held at ten o'clock in the morning.

At 09:30, the leaders of these media companies had all come to the conference room to wait.

The meeting hasn't started yet, and the boss hasn't arrived yet.

These elites in the media industry smiled and got acquainted with each other first.

Because if there are no accidents, after the group integration is completed.

After this, everyone will become colleagues.

One of them may become everyone's immediate boss and the CEO of the group company.

When it comes to relationships, if we can get along better, then we can get along better.

The meeting room was very active for a while, everyone talked to each other, and the atmosphere was very friendly.

Until around ten o'clock, the door of the meeting room was opened from the outside.

Abel walked in first, and everyone in the conference room fell silent.

Everyone looked up at Abel, and Abel was walking in front with a smile on his face, followed by Alan Baker and David Jones from the advisory group.

"Good morning, everyone." Abel greeted everyone while walking towards the main seat.

Everyone naturally responded to the boss with a smile, and the atmosphere was full of joy.

After Abel sat down on the main seat, he smiled and said:
"Everyone should already know the purpose of today's meeting. That's right, you can no longer fight alone like this. I want to gather you together and make you one of the most powerful media groups in the United States and even the world!"

"Right now, I'd like to announce one thing first, that is—Smith Media Group, which ranks eighth in the world and sixth in the United States, is officially established today!"

As soon as Abel finished speaking, Michael Ovitz, who was closer to him on the conference table, was the first to applaud.

The other senior executives were taken aback for a moment, and quickly followed suit.

There was thunderous applause in the conference room for a while, until Abel smiled and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

The applause disappeared.

Abel's voice sounded again: "The specific integration work, as well as the internal structure adjustment work, will be held later. This aspect will not be discussed at the meeting."

"Today's meeting will mainly discuss two things."

"the first thing"

Having said that, Abel paused on purpose, and smiled at everyone present: "The first thing is probably the thing you are most concerned about."

"The first thing is that in addition to myself, I will serve as the chairman of Smith Media. The group will also internally launch a chief executive who is responsible for the daily management of the group and coordinates the work of various departments and subsidiaries, that is, the CEO !"

Just like Abel said.

Who will become the CEO of this new huge media group is the most concerned thing for everyone present.

Those who are qualified to be the CEO are smiling on the surface at the moment, but they are a little nervous in their hearts.

And those who are obviously not qualified look at several qualified people.

Among them, it seems that the most qualified to be the CEO at present should be the CEO of MGM Entertainment, that is, Robert Iger.

In the current Smith Media Group, MGM Entertainment is the highest subsidiary in terms of scale and importance.

It is also reasonable for the most important company leader of the group to be the CEO of the group.

So everyone thinks that Robert is the most likely to become the first CEO of the group.

But in addition to Robert, there are two other people who may hold this important position.

One is Michael Levine.

Inside Abel's media company, everyone knows that Abel has a lot of trust in this person.

It can be said that Michael Levin was the first media person who joined Abel and worked for Abel.

In addition, everyone knows that although there are many boss women, there are always one or two with special status.

Among them, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba are quite special.

As the son of Anne Hathaway's mother's godfather, Michael Levine has a natural advantage in this regard.

Although Robert is the most likely to become CEO, Michael Levine also has some hope.

In addition to these two, another Michael, Michael Ovitz, is also hopeful.

Michael Ovitz is currently the most experienced person in the media and entertainment industry in the entire group company.

As early as the late 80s, Michael Ovitz was already one of the Hollywood giants.

At that time, Robert and Levine had just entered the industry not long ago!

And Michael Ovitz was also one of the first media professionals to work for Abel, only a few days later than Michael Levin.

What's more, he is the CEO of CAA, and CAA will not be merged into the group.

They are all able to participate in the meeting with the highest level of the group.

That means that the boss also trusts him a lot.

So Michael Ovitz is also hopeful.

Now I just don't know who the boss is going to choose.

(End of this chapter)