America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 257
In fact, it doesn't matter to Abel whether he can be the chairman or not.

This position, mostly an honorary position, is a mascot.

Many celebrities have served as the chairman of the board.

Abel knew one of them.For example, Herbert once served as the chairman of the NRA Association.

Abel had just turned 21.

Being a director at such a young age is already impressive.

If you become a director, you will be elected chairman immediately.

This could go down in the history of the NRA Association.

Abel thought about it, and it didn't seem like a big deal.

The most important thing is this position, which is an honorary laurels.

Apart from adding a few more strokes to the resume and increasing a little influence in the NRA Association, it is not very useful.

Thinking of this, he acquiesced to Lapierre's approach.

But reciprocate, or he knows what LaPierre's real purpose is.

Abel also smiled and said: "As the owner of Rock Security, I think that a PMC company like Rock Security should give great support to the NRA."

Rock Security has a lot of guns, even cannons, and some decommissioned equipment from the US military.

Security personnel who play with guns all day can also have a relationship with the NRA Association.

Since last year, Abel has donated most of his donations to the NRA Association through the rock security channel.

Hearing what he said, Lapierre immediately understood the young man in front of him and understood what he meant.

Lapierre smiled happily.

The three chatted for a while. As the actual chairman of the board, Lapierre couldn't just stay here.

LaPierre soon left to mingle with other NRA executives.

Abel chatted with Richard Lugar.

"Mr. Smith. I heard you are receiving NBC television network?" Richard Lugar asked curiously.

This, Abel thought, was about to become a question that anyone involved in the political world would ask himself when they were talking to him.

Abel knew that was normal too.

NBC, a public television network, can be said to be one of the most powerful tools for politicians to conduct elections.

This made this group of people, of course, more concerned about this matter.

Abel smiled: "For now, yes. It's just that it's not that easy."

"It's GE after all," said Richard Lugar. "It's not going to be easy to get NBC from GE."

Abel nodded, and suddenly his heart moved. After thinking for a while, he said:

"By the way. Richard, oh, may I call you that?"

"Of course." Richard Lugar responded with a smile: "Then I'll call you by your name too."

"Of course no problem." Abel said with a smile: "Richard. What is the most influential newspaper in Indiana?"

Richard Lugar was startled, thought for a while, and replied, "It's the Indianapolis Star."

"Who is its boss?" Abel said directly.

Richard Lugar raised thick, bushy eyebrows, already graying.

The senator didn't know what Abel was asking this for, and what Abel meant.

But Richard Lugar said softly:
"It's currently the Simon family, but the Gannett Group has already made an offer for it. The Simon family already has the idea of ​​selling it."

"I want to buy it." Abel said bluntly.

"Oh?" Richard Lugar had a playful smile on his face: "Why?"

"I think I'm in Indiana, and I need a mouthpiece to speak." Abel smiled at Richard Luger, "When it's necessary, I can help my friends in Indiana."

"Hahaha~"

Richard Lugar laughed out loud.

He also gave Abel a thumbs up: "Abel, I think this is a good idea. You must be very lucky to be your friend."

"I don't know if I have this honor?"

Abel made a grievance: "Dear Richard. I thought we were already."

Richard Lugar smiled even wider.

One old and one young discussed happily.

The topic of discussion soon came to the Indianapolis Star.

The "Indianapolis Star" is exactly called the Indianapolis Star.

On June 1903, 6, the newspaper was founded by industrialist George McCulloch.

Currently in Indiana, it has a circulation of about 40 copies per issue, making it the most influential local newspaper in Indiana.

But it's only limited to Indiana.

Its out-of-state circulation is low at just over 1 copies.

Prior to this, this newspaper and several other local small and medium-sized newspapers had always been the local Simon family property in Indiana.

But at the end of last year, Gannett Newspaper Group came to Indiana and launched an acquisition request for the Indianapolis Star.

Since then, Gannett has negotiated price with the Simon family five times.

According to Richard Lugar, the Simon family has already begun to move with the last offer of 2.15 million US dollars.

If the deal can be done.

With the "Indianapolis Star" as the mainstay, there are a total of seven daily newspapers under its banner, and the Simon Newspaper Company with two magazines will become a subsidiary of Gannett Newspaper Group.

"I don't like Gannett much," said Richard Lugar veiledly:

"Their management's political philosophy is too radical."

Abel smiled and said nothing, and did not comment on Richard Lugar's evaluation.

After the reception is over.

Abel had just returned to the Conrad Indianapolis with little Laura.

He let little Laura go to rest first, and asked David Jones to call several members of the advisory group who followed him to the largest VIP box in the executive lounge on the fourth floor for a meeting.

As soon as everyone arrived, Abel changed his mouth and said, "I'm going to expand the scale of Smith Newspapers."

The boss's first words set the tone for this brief meeting of the advisory group.

"Let's start with the Indianapolis Star. Does anyone know about the Indianapolis Star?" Abel looked at everyone.

There are eight members of the advisory group in the meeting room, plus David and Alan Baker.

The configuration of eight people is also the standard configuration of the advisory group that Abel carries with him when he goes out.

Generally, it is a panacea configuration organized by David and Allen.

Members will make appropriate deployments according to where Abel is going.

When Abel has a clear business travel goal, he will choose the most targeted staffing.

For example, if he wants to acquire an energy company, his personal consultants are elites in the legal and energy industries.

Like tonight, Alan Baker and David don't count.

The other six members all have their own areas of expertise.

This is for every possible situation.

"BOSS." Reed, a member of the advisory group, raised his hand, "I'm from Indiana. I'm familiar with the situation here."

"Okay. Then let you talk about it." Abel nodded.

"The Indianapolis Star, with a daily circulation of around 30 to 40 copies, is the largest newspaper in Indiana."

"It and its parent company have a market capitalization of around $2.2 million. Gannett Newspapers is currently trying to buy it," Reid said.

"That's right." Abel nodded, "My idea is to get ahead of Gannett Newspaper Group and win this newspaper. But my goal is not limited to the "Indianapolis Star". Star, I realized one thing."

"That's Smith Media, not just TV and entertainment," Abel said:

"For the newspaper industry, we have to start planning."

After thinking about it, Abel spoke again:

"Can anyone tell me how many major regional newspapers like the Indianapolis Star exist in the United States?"

This question is a bit abrupt.

Because Abel didn't pay much attention to the Smith newspaper before that.

Answer the employer's business doubts, collect various business intelligence for the employer, and make a comprehensive plan.

These things are themselves the work of the advisory group.

These guys also do a great job.

Even this kind of problem that Abel didn't show much attention to before.

Allen Baker answered on their behalf.

As of 2001, there are 11000 newspapers of all kinds in the United States.Among them, there are more than 1600 daily newspapers, including morning, afternoon, evening and Sunday newspapers, and more than 8000 weekly and semi-weekly newspapers. The street tabloids cannot be counted.

There are more than 1 magazines in the United States, and more than 60 have an annual circulation of more than one million.

Among them, there are 113 newspapers with a daily sales volume of more than [-] copies in the United States as of December last year.

There are 20 newspapers with a daily sales volume of more than 35.

There are 30 newspapers with a daily sales volume of more than 17.

The number of newspapers with a daily sales volume of more than 50 is 9.

There are only two newspapers with stable daily sales of more than one million copies.

After hearing the number, Abel made a decision directly and made a big job for Smith Newspapers and the advisory group.

"The next main job for Smith Newspapers and you is to start buying newspapers with a daily sales volume of more than 10 copies throughout the United States."

Abel stated clearly:
"I request that the areas where these newspapers are located should be dispersed as much as possible, and they should not be gathered together. At the same time, I request that at least [-] or more copies be acquired within two years."

Expanding the newspaper conglomerate, buying the Indianapolis Star, and other big regional papers.

Abel was spawned during a conversation with Richard Lugar.

At first he wanted to buy the Indianapolis Star.

Purely to pay Richard Lugar back.

At the same time, find a way to win over this senior senator, the elephant party boss.

It's the same as his donation to the NRA Association.

In America, everyone does it.

At most, Abel played more directly, and they played more slowly.

During a chat with Richard Lugar.

Abe found Richard Lugar and took the Indianapolis Star seriously.

After analysis, Abel guessed that this should be the "Indianapolis Star", the reason why it is the largest newspaper in Indiana.

Even for senators with more stable positions, they still have to be elected every six years.

At election time, influential newspapers in the constituency.Not only is it important to the House of Representatives, but it is also important to the Senators.

From the Indianapolis Star.

Abel thought of similarly influential newspapers in other regions.

In its area, it should also be highly valued by these senators and representatives.

This opened up Abe's thinking about Smith Press.

What he wants to do is simple.

That is except for the national and even world-oriented newspapers such as the American Sun and the New York Observer.

In my own newspaper company, I also need to add some skeletons.

These regional newspapers are the skeleton.

That's why he temporarily called the advisory group over tonight and held this brief meeting.

The meeting ends soon.

Alan Baker and the others will submit feedback from Abel to the following.

Then, it started operations with Smith Newspapers, a subsidiary of Smith Media, to carry out large-scale mergers and acquisitions across the United States.

All Abel had to do was mobilize capital and be there personally when certain acquisitions ran into trouble.

In other respects, only inspection work remains.

The rest is all the work of the advisory group and Smith Media.

Walking out of the meeting room in the executive lounge, Abel raised his hand to check the time.

It's already 11:30.

Under the protection of the Four King Kongs, he returned to the hotel living room.

Donnie and Hannah Catherine watched in the drawing room.

After Abel came in, he looked at Hannah Catherine and asked Donnie, "Where's Lauren?"

Donnie replied softly:

"After Miss Bush came back, she went to take a bath. After taking a bath, she came out and waited for you here for a while. She couldn't bear it anymore and went to sleep. She should have rested."

Abel couldn't believe that little Laura had fallen asleep so quickly.

But he also knew that it was impossible for little Laura to open the door for him at this moment.

Her aunt was guarding the door with a blood-red rolling pin.

Smiling and shaking his head, Abel turned and walked into another bedroom.

the next day.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This car track was originally built with more than 300 million bricks, so the name "Brick Factory" has spread like wildfire.

它启用于1909年，并在 1961年改铺柏油路面。在1950到1960年之间举办过十一次的F1大赛，是一个相当有历史的赛道。

At the same time, motor sports is also one of the major industries in Indiana.

Indiana has the reputation of being the center of motorsports at all levels in the world.

The city of Polis is also known as the "Global Racing Capital".

Indiana has more racetracks per capita than any other state in the United States.

The state hosts events such as the Indy 500, Brickyard 400 and Red Bull Moto GP each year, most of which are held at this track.

The auditorium of the track is on the front, which can accommodate about 2 spectators.

When Abel and others arrived, the place was already crowded with people.

Racing fans from the United States or all over the world turned this place into a sea of ​​festivals.

"It's so lively!" Li Xinyu and little Laura hugged each other, and the two beautiful girls looked very excited.

Li Fuzhen and Abel were one step behind.

"Let's go." Abel said, "Do you want to go to the box, or go directly to the convoy?"

"Of course it's the team." Li Xinyu said happily, "It's the closest distance to watch the game!"

Little Laura also nodded with a smile.

Everyone came to the Prost team, which is the rest area of ​​the MGM team.

The rest area of ​​the Flying Sword Racing Team or the Tesla Racing Team is on the other side, and the angle of watching the game is not as good as that of MGM.

The team had already known that the bosses were coming back and had already prepared the seats.

Everyone chatted for a while.

The first day of the 2001 F1 American Grand Prix officially opened soon.

As the starting sound sounded, the F1 cars of eleven teams galloped on the track.

Today's game is not scored, and today is the driver's familiarization stage.

In other words, it is a friendly match, and the drivers on the field are just running laps to get familiar with the track.

Abe, who is not a car fan, found this a bit boring.

But Little Laura and Li Xinyu watched it very enthusiastically.

With each car speeding past, they can know which racer is on the car, what record it has, and which team it belongs to only by the shape, number and paintwork of the car.

Unlike Abel, he only knows one Schumacher.But even which car Schumacher drove was told by little Laura.

Li Fuzhen was the same, she also saw that she was yawning.

Li Xinyu saw the two people who were bored, she didn't dare to talk to Abel, but said to her sister: "Oni, if you are bored, you can go back to the hotel and have a rest first."

Little Laura also reacted, looking at Abel's bored look.

Little Laura expressed apology on her face, and said to Abel gently:
"Honey. If you don't like it, you can go back and rest."

Abel was going to reply that I am with you.

He saw Li Xinyu and Li Fuzhen looking at him, his heart moved, he smiled and said:
"It's really boring, but I agreed to watch the game with you, so I'd better stay here. At worst, I'll play mobile games."

While talking, he took out his mobile phone, and opened the Snake in the mobile phone in two or three clicks.

"Ha~" He shook his phone at Li Fuzhen and Li Xinyu, "This is still a phone made by your family."

Li Xinyu and Li Fuzhen smiled at him.

Seeing that Abel really wanted to play Snake at the F1 scene, little Laura pushed him with a smile, "Forget it. My dear, you should go back first. We will watch the game later, and I will go back to accompany you it is good?"

Abel hesitated, but little Laura pushed him with a smile.

Abel also stood up, "Then I'm leaving? Go back to the hotel first. I have to meet a client in the afternoon."

"Hmm" little Laura thought for a while and said, "Then why don't I go back in the afternoon. There is also a game in the afternoon. Jessica and I will go back in the evening?"

There is no competition on the track at noon.

But many car fans will not leave. There are plenty of places for them to rest temporarily, as well as restaurants, cafes, fast food restaurants and other places to eat.

Little Laura probably wanted to watch the game with Li Xinyu in the afternoon.

"Yes." Abel knew that he would run one day today, another day tomorrow, and another day the day after tomorrow.

Based on how much these two little girls like it, it is estimated that they can really watch it for three days in a row.

Abel couldn't bear it. He could watch it for half an hour or an hour at most.

"That's right." When Abel stood up, he looked at Li Fuzhen and Li Xinyu.

"Miss Anna. I see you are yawning. Do you want to go back and have a rest? Shall I drop you off?"

Li Fuzhen smiled, but Li Xinyu hurriedly said:

"Ernie, I know you don't like it at all. Instead of sitting here all day, you might as well go back to the hotel and rest."

Li Fuzhen took advantage of the situation and said, "That's fine too. If you want me to come over, remember to call me."

"Hmmmm." Li Xinyu responded repeatedly.

Abel left Doni and a few bodyguards, plus the secret service staff carried by little Laura, and Li Xinyu's bodyguards.

Even if there is some riot here accidentally, with so many people protecting them, the two of them can ensure safety.

Abel and Li Fuzhen turned over and returned to the corridor, preparing to leave the Indianapolis racetrack.

When she was about to enter the corridor, Li Fuzhen suddenly ordered her two attendants to also protect Li Xinyu.

"I'll go straight back to the hotel. I'll be protected by Mr. Smith's bodyguards. I'm safe. It's too chaotic at the stadium. You have to watch Xin." She said to her bodyguards.

The two bodyguards were a little hesitant, but seeing the cold face of the young lady, they still nodded and left.

(End of this chapter)