America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 283
Aiden Barkley felt a bit shaky in tonight's talks.

Because it's too soon to be talking about an expensive media conglomerate worth £3.5 million.

On the contrary, it is as simple as buying a potato in the vegetable market.

But in fact, in the negotiations with Aiden Buckley tonight, Abel's advisory group has done a lot of work in private.

Including investigating and observing the value of British Telecom Media Group in real time, as well as the value of several newspapers under the group.

The only real valuable thing under this company is the "Daily Telegraph".

The Daily Telegraph is an influential national newspaper in the UK.

It was founded on June 1855, 6. In 29, it merged with the "Morning Post" in England, called "Daily Telegraph and Morning Post", and later changed to its current name.

It is the largest-selling of the four national "premium" daily newspapers in the UK.

The newspaper has a compact layout and extensive content, but its news is shorter than other national newspapers. In 1994, the newspaper became the first online newspaper in Europe.

Like its counterparts in the United States, the Internet appeared and entered the new century.

The British newspaper industry, which was originally particularly developed, has been gradually shrinking.

"Daily Telegraph" at its peak period, the daily sales record is 245 million copies.

It was the day of the victory of World War II, and the news it published about the victory of World War II.

On that day, the sales of newspapers in the UK and even the world almost doubled compared to usual.

The highest sales volume in history has a slightly lower gold content.

However, in the long period of more than 1990 years from post-war to 40.

The "Daily Telegraph" can almost maintain a sales volume of about 100 million+ copies.

When the new era comes and the Internet appears.

The Daily Telegraph, like its peers, has seen sales decline.

As of 2001, the average daily sales volume of The Daily Telegraph is only about 80+.

Even with this sales volume, it still allows the "Daily Telegraph" to secure the top spot in the daily sales volume of British newspapers.

No.2 "The Times" and No.3 "Guardian", their results are even worse.

The point is that these newspapers, which are more serious and cannot allow too many advertisements to affect sales, have not even been able to make a profit in recent years.

Like the "Daily Telegraph", it has been losing money for two years. The Times has been losing money for almost three years.

The worst is the "Guardian", which is said to have been losing money for more than five years.

"The Times" is okay, behind it is the British News Corporation, which is Murdoch's News Corporation.

With the "Times" backed by a super tree, that little loss is not a problem at all.

The "Daily Telegraph" and "Guardian" who have no thighs behind their backs gradually became a little bit unbearable.

As the largest newspaper, the "Daily Telegraph" has a relatively thick blood bar.

On the "Guardian" side, since last year, there have been frequent news of bankruptcy and liquidation.

In the current era, the fate of these overlords in the era of paper media is like the fate of the empire on which the sun never sets.

We are getting old, and only the glory of the past is left.

Aiden Buckley was a little uncomfortable. Abel's quick and concise negotiation style was too inconsistent with the rules of the business world.

This is what Aiden Buckley didn't know. The background of Telecom Media Group and "Daily Telegraph" had been searched by Abel.

Even the group's possible quotation, the advisory group also gave a reference.

Aiden Barkley's offer of 3.5 million pounds is among the reference prices.

Abel, there are still many negotiations to be carried out tonight.

Make sure this offer comes after mental anticipation.

Abel cut the mess quickly, and quickly resolved the matter with the Telecom Media Group in Aiden Buckley's messy mood.

Of course.

After Aiden Buckley goes back, he will have a meeting with the family and shareholders.

It is finally determined whether to sell BT Media Group for 3.5 million pounds.

Not to mention Aiden Buckley's messy emotions.

This is the Savoy Hotel.

Abel has already started the next negotiation immediately.

The second person was sitting next to Aiden Buckley who had just left.

The second businessman's name was Kerry Kirsch.

Kerry Kirsch is not British, he is German, and he just arrived from Germany today.

Kerry Kirsch is a member of the Kirsch family, the founders of the Kirsch Group.

As for the Kirsch Group, it is one of the largest media groups in the world, the largest media company in Germany and the top three media companies in Europe.

Kirsch Media, a subsidiary of the group, monopolizes the broadcast rights and advertising industry of the Bundesliga.

Abel's purpose in finding Kerry Kirsch was simple.

"Mr. Kirsch," Abe said.

"To be honest, I want to buy the shares of SELC owned by the Kirsch Group."

Kerry Kirsch is the same as Aiden Buckley.

To be able to come here, I have already negotiated with Abel's advisory group many times.

Those who can come to the scene are basically the ones that have already agreed on the price and various terms and conditions.

It can be said that there is a transaction intention.

These people are all in front of them, and they came here to make final contact with Abel.

As long as both parties have no doubts, the next step is to formally sign the contract.

Kerry Kirsch looks at the young, over-the-top Abel.

The German businessman, already in his 50s, sighed and said:
"Okay. I'm here to sell SELC. The Kirsch Group has no objection to the offer."

Abel smiled and said, "We've already made an agreement, haven't we? Since we already have mutual intentions, it will be good for both parties to confirm as soon as possible. Time is money, my friend."

"You're right, Mr. Smith. Time is money!"

Kerry Kirsch, who is over 50 years old, agrees with this sentence very much.

"Then it's like we said. 8 million euros, 75% of SELC's shares." Abel smiled.

Kerry Kirsch nodded in agreement.

Before the old man came.

The headquarters and shareholders of the Kirsch Group have already agreed to this price.

The old man came here, basically for a cutscene.

Seeing Abel's hearty look with Aiden Buckley and himself just now.

Kerry Kirsch, who had no extra thoughts, couldn't help but said:

"By the way, Mr. Smith. Are you interested in the Kirsch Group?"

"Kirsch Group?" Abel smiled and said, "As far as I know, your current situation is very bad."

Keri Kirsch's face sank, but she also knew that what Abel said was true.

Everyone now knows that the Kirsch Group has serious problems.

As the largest media group in the world, the situation of the Kirsch Group at this time is very bad.

At present, the total debt of the entire Kirsch Group is as high as more than 65 billion euros.

It is not terrible to have too much debt, what is terrible is the sharp decline in profitability.

From 2001 to now, Kirsch Media is the only company within the integration, and the pre-tax profit has dropped by 9%, reaching only 1.78 million euros.

Up to now, the debt of this subsidiary of Kirsch Media has reached 22 billion euros.

Even in Germany, the local media used the term "cancer" to describe the debt problem spreading within the Kirsch Group.

The Kirsch Group claimed to the outside world that Germany's Bavarian State Bank, Mortgage Union Bank, Commercial Bank and DZ Bank will all participate in the action to help the Kirsch Group.

The banks will also jointly decide who will take over the Kirsch Group.

None of this is a secret in Europe.

It is also because the situation is not good.The Kirsch Group will have to start selling some of the high-quality assets that are wanted.

In order to obtain new capital injections to save the dying parent company.

It's just a drop in the bucket, and at the same time some drinking poison to quench thirst.

"The hard times will pass," was all Kerry Kirsch could say. "My brother always told me that."

Kerry Kirsch is the younger brother of Leo Kirsch, founder, chairman and CEO of the Kirsch Group.

"Then I wish the Kirsch Group to get through this difficult time as soon as possible." Abel smiled.

Kerry Kirsch sighed inwardly.

The old guy knew that the American tycoon in front of him didn't want to take over the mess of the Kirsch Group.

But Kerry Kirsch couldn't blame Abel either, because Abel wasn't the only one.

Even the local banks in Germany, and even the German government, do not want to lend a helping hand to the current situation of the Kirsch Group.

The reason is very simple. The Kirsch Group is in the current predicament because it has asked for it.

This media group company is a typical example of wanting to pretend without money.

It is the Kirsch Group, which abruptly increased the price and cost of the Bundesliga broadcast rights by two times in five years and three times in ten years.

The exaggerated broadcast fee allowed the Kirsch Group to monopolize the broadcast rights of the Bundesliga, which made the Bundesliga teams very happy.

It's just that what you eat will eventually be spit out
In the parallel time and space, the Kirsch Group will be liquidated next year.

Then the Bundesliga, which has lived a good life with the Kirsch Group for several years, is all unlucky except for Bayern, which was suspected of insider trading and took a sum of money from the Kirsch Group in advance.

The big teams are okay and can survive.Those small and medium-sized teams almost followed suit after the collapse of the Kirsch Group.

The 8 million euro contract between the Kirsch Group and the Bundesliga has come to naught, and many small-scale clubs are on the verge of bankruptcy. Kaiserslautern, Nuremberg, etc. even need player donations to maintain their operations.

It was later that the German banks and local governments came forward to provide loan support, which allowed the Bundesliga to continue.

Only after that, the Bundesliga changed from extravagance to frugality again after a few years of fun, and the hard days passed.

In the parallel time and space, the Kirsch incident caused Berbatov and other stars to leave the Bundesliga one after another.

This crisis has even spread to distant Italy.

Before the start of the 2002-03 season, the Italian national TV station greatly reduced the broadcast fee paid to Serie A, from 8850 million euros to 4500 million euros.

The sharp drop in broadcast revenue has put a large number of small and medium clubs in trouble, and Fiorentina, one of the seven Serie A sisters, directly declared bankruptcy.

The same example is the World Cup.

The Kirsch Group was able to build up so much debt that it is exaggerated.

It has something to do with Leo Kirsch, the founder and chairman, who insisted on buying out the global TV broadcast rights of the 16.7 and 2002 World Cups at a sky-high price of US$2006 billion.

Leo Kirsch's series of wise operations since the 90s have almost ruined the German No. [-] media group.

Kerry Kirsch saw Abel's "richness" at this time.

The desperate Kirsch Group, if it can get funds from Abel.

Or if Abel is allowed to take over the Kirsch Group, Kerry Kirsch feels that there is hope to bring the Kirsch Group back to life.

Who is the name of Abel Smith, who has already crossed the Atlantic Ocean and passed it to Europe?

Maybe that way, the turnover can be maintained and the company can last longer.

It's just that Abel's advisory group has already reflected these situations to him.

Even suggestions are given.

That is, the Kirsch Group is not worth owning, it is so heavily indebted that it has become insolvent.

What's more troublesome is that Leo Kirsch's wise judgment has gone wrong.

The profitability of most of the things under the Kirsch Group is very mismatched with its cost.

Like Kirsch Media, the average annual pre-tax profit in the past three years is only about 2 million euros.

Had corporate tax been paid, the €1.5 million profit might have been lost.

The profit of 1.5 million euros is only enough to pay off the interest on the debt, and this year's situation does not even seem to be enough.

In addition, within a few years visible to the naked eye, it is impossible for its income to increase significantly.

This means that Kirsch Media will continue to lose money for at least five years.

With a debt of 22 billion euros and continuous losses, few people can bear it.

Subsidiaries like this can be said to spread throughout the entire Kirsch Group.

The description from the German local media is the most appropriate. At this time, the Kirsch Group is covered with cancer, and the cancer cells have spread to the whole body.

It is good to only have two or three ounces of flesh left all over the body, and the rest are all cancer cells proliferating.

This made Abel, who was quite interested in the Kirsch Group, back down.

It is true that Abel is not short of money, and it is not false that he wants to let the world hear the voice of Smith Media.

But such a huge pit, even he would not jump into it.

Fortunately, the advisory group also gave him advice.

The advisory group suggested that Abel may not take a stake in the Kirsch Group.

But if the Kirsch Group wants to borrow money, it can be lent out with some terms.

In that case, the Kirsch Group really has a chance. With the priority clause, Smith Media may have the opportunity to acquire some high-quality assets of the Kirsch Group.

It's just a pity that everyone thinks so.

Those banks and companies that lent money to the Kirsch Group have already divided up the high-quality assets of the Kirsch Group.

Unless the Kirsch Group can survive, it will not be able to mortgage Abel with high-quality assets that can be disposed of.

In other words, even if Abel wanted a loan, the Kirsch Group would not be able to produce the high-quality assets he wanted.

The shares of SELC are already the only high-quality assets that can be sold.

Everything else has been mortgaged.

Kerry Kirsch did not mention the loan, but directly asked Abel if he was interested in shares.

That is naturally not there.

Keri Kirsch had to leave with regret.

Abel was also a little sorry.

There is no doubt that the Kirsch Group is a big piece of fat, but it is a pity that this piece of fat is full of cancer, which makes people daunting.

Fortunately, it is not without gains, at least bought 75% of SELC's shares.

After Kerry Kirsch was settled, Abe talked to everyone else.

As said before.

These people who can come here have already negotiated with Abel's advisors in advance.

Coming here is just a formality, to make a final confirmation.

Among the remaining guests were the bosses or representatives of several newspapers such as the British "Daily Mail", "Daily Star", and "Daily Express".

Don't look at these newspapers, each has a "Daily" prefix.

They actually have nothing to do with Telemedia Group.Just like the "Daily Telegraph", there is a "Daily" in front of the name.

The "Daily Mail" is a "high-end newspaper" similar to the "Daily Telegraph", which is similar to the Times and the Guardian, with serious international and financial news.

"Daily Express" is a mid-level newspaper, famous for its short, concise and easy-to-understand articles, and its readers are mostly middle and lower classes.

As for the "Daily Star", it is a pure tabloid, and its status in the UK is similar to that of the British "Sun".

This newspaper includes gaming, weather forecasts, girls and sports news, entertainment news and more.

It is also one of the most famous paparazzi newspapers in the UK.

For the bosses of these newspapers or the representatives of the bosses, Abel also cut the mess quickly.

If you have no questions about the price, start preparing the contract and transfer agreement.

If there is a problem, let people leave first and talk to their own advisory group.

In this way, it only took him about an hour to deal with the first five guests.

After sending off the five guests, there was only one old man in his 70s left in front of Abel.

Allen continued to introduce Abel, "BOSS. This is Mr. Kerry Landzer. He is the chairman and CEO of Landzer Entertainment Media Company."

"Hello, Mr. Landzer." Abe smiled.

In a short period of time, he made many deals.

He is now very glad that he has set up this advisory group similar to the "Military Aircraft Department".

Otherwise, if you bring people by yourself, go and talk with these people in detail one by one.

He felt that he would not have to do other things in the future.

It is estimated that the negotiations are going on all day, and the time spent on the way to the negotiations is terrible enough.

Fortunately, there is this "Military Aircraft Department" now, and most of the trivial matters and preliminary preparations can be entrusted to them.

I just need to be cautious and make a judgment.

The only thing to worry about is that the internal members of the advisory group may collude with the outside world.

Abel had thought of this, but now he was still negotiating with the last guest.

Kerry Landzer shook hands with Abel, and the old man said with a smile:
"Mr. Smith, that's brilliant. I've never seen anyone buy a company like they buy potatoes, a bunch of them"

Abel thought to himself, do you Europeans really not know how to make metaphors without potatoes?

"It's okay." Abel smiled: "After all, they are some inexpensive companies."

When Kerry Landzer heard his answer, the corners of the old man's mouth couldn't help twitching.

While the old man was still muttering, Abel said:
"Mr. Landzer, let's be straightforward. I want the shares of MUPLC held by Landzer Entertainment Media."

"Of course, of course." Kerry Landzer smiled back at Abel, and the old man said:

"I came here to sell you these shares. One hundred million pounds, right?"

"That's right." Abel smiled.

The old man stood up straight away and stretched out his hand to him: "I am willing to sell, sir."

Abel got up and shook hands with him, and said with a smile, "Good cooperation, sir."

(End of this chapter)