hollywood billionaire

Chapter 101 The Key Link

"One million..."

On the way back, Zhao Youzhen kept deliberating over the transaction figure revealed by Han Yi in his heart.She was so shocked that even Xu Yiru seemed a little out of her mind when she got off the car at The Vermont and waved goodbye to the two of them.

Diplo's already famous record company, Mad Decent, took 55% of the shares, and Han Yi only spent 3600 million US dollars.

This time, for the wholly-owned acquisition of this little-known music creator management company, Electric Feel Management, Han Yi unexpectedly paid $5200 million.

Zhao You was really shocked, not because of the amount of investment, after all, there were 1.9 million US dollars of pearls and jades in front, and now if there were no eight zeros, it would be difficult to cause waves in You Zhen's heart simply by virtue of the amount.

But what Han Yi bought was just a start-up company that had just been established for three years.

Producer Louis Bell, and Austin Rosen, founder of the so-called Electric Feel, who are they?
Zhao Youzhen believed that not only himself, but even Karen Guo would be at a loss.

It's not such a great figure in the music circle, is it?
Youzhen flipped through the Google search records on her phone, but after only three pages, she was able to confirm her inner judgment.This company doesn't have any honors or records to show for it.

At this moment, no matter how much she trusted Han Yi, the girl couldn't help sneaking glances at him with worried eyes, hesitated to speak.

"I see."

Han Yi keenly noticed the change in Zhao Youzhen's mood. He glanced to the right and opened his mouth. Youzhen, who was about to speak, spoke first.

"Giving so much is not a decision I made by scratching my head. Before investing, I have negotiated with Todd many times, and he agreed with me."

What Han Yi didn't disclose was that the so-called consent was what Todd Gelfand, the business manager of music copyright, said helplessly after repeated fierce dissuasions to no avail: You are the boss, and the final decision-making power still rests with you.

"Not to mention anything else, they have Post Malone's management contract in their hands, and that alone is worth a lot of money."

"Really?" Zhao Youzhen's tone rose half a point, and he didn't hide the doubt in his words.

Post Malone is indeed a rapidly rising supernova. She herself is also very optimistic about this kind of cloud rap with a strong melody, which can almost be called a pop-rock hip-hop music style...but anyway, it’s not worth 5200 million. ?

"Well, believe me, his future development will definitely exceed everyone's imagination."

For such conclusions that cannot be falsified or verified in the current time and space, Han Yi has only one method of persuasion, and that is "trust me bro", the most common authoritative information source on European and American networks in later generations.

Otherwise, how should he explain it to Youzhen?

It is said that Post Malone's first studio album debuted at No. [-] on the Billboard album chart, and the single "Congratulations" directly entered the top ten?
Said that he will cooperate with 21 Savage, who he is about to sign, on a new song called "Rockstar", which will be the number one on the Billboard singles chart for eight weeks?
Or when it comes to 2019, within a month, his tour income alone has 2840 million US dollars?
I can't say, I can only trust me bro.

"Also, the Louis Bell I was talking about is also a very good producer. Justin Bieber and DJ Snake are looking for him to work with, you will know when you hear that song."

which song?
"Let Me Love You".

DJ Snake's #[-] most listened-to single, higher than the now-seemingly insurmountable mountain of "Lean On."

"How do you know?"

"Adrian told me that he has a good relationship with Snake." This kind of white lie, Han Yi opened his mouth.

"Let Me Love You" was recorded on April 2016, 4, and released on August 9 of the same year. Therefore, even if Han Yi revealed it to Zhao Youzhen in advance, it would not appear abrupt.

So what would appear out of the ordinary?
2021 Justin Bieber Releases Peaches.

"Without Me" released by Horch in 2018.

"Real Friends" released by Camila Cabello in 2018.

"Havana" released by Camila Cabello in 2017.

Kygo and Selena Gomez released "Wolves" in 2017...

Now see why you paid $5200 million for Electric Feel?

Louis Bell, not only signed a management contract with this company.The copyright distribution contract is also in the hands of Electric Feel.

Don't look too far, just the music copyright produced by Bell alone in the next three years is enough to pay back the ticket price.

In the previous life, Louis Bell signed a copyright distribution agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group in 2021. At the same time, Universal also took advantage of the trend to acquire the copyright of the music he had created before.How much money was spent in total has not been announced to the public, so it is unknown.

But just after signing the agreement, Louis Bell bought a $1200 million Beverly Hills mansion in full.

No one was surprised; after all, he was the so-called freelancer Billboard magazine hailed as "pop's most prolific, most accomplished, most uninhibited" freelancer.

In the music industry, freelancers are creators who are not bound by the three major distribution groups and independently cooperate with various musicians.

Most importantly, Louis Bale is just one of Electric Feel's more accomplished creators.

In addition to him, what other high-quality musicians has Electric Feel signed?
Juice Wrld's creative partner Nick Mira, the song "Lucid Dreams" which is popular all over the world is the brainchild of the two.

Omar Feidi, who wrote "Mood" with 24kGoldn and "Stay" with The Kid Laroi.

SZA's queen producer, Carter Lang who wrote "Kiss Me More" for Doja Cat.

By 2023, the behind-the-scenes production team formed by Austin Rosen has become the most indispensable mercenary in the world music industry.Any single touched by them can occupy a place on the Billboard chart.

Including Tik Tok, the music created, produced or co-completed by Electric Feel has a total play volume of more than 2150 billion times, and has won 625 platinum single certifications. The monthly listeners on Spotify alone exceed 1.73 million people, accounting for the platform's monthly audience. 35.4% of the number of active users.

In the past half a month, Han Yi built a tripartite operating system of HMG's internal record company, copyright distribution company, and artist management company from scratch, and introduced professionals in various fields. Artists who have the opportunity to shine in front of the stage, such as Smith, Holch, and Madison Beal, have reached a signing agreement.

In terms of structure, Han Yi has completed 95% of the work, but in terms of success rate, the current HMG wants to challenge the three major music groups and become the fourth most powerful force in the world music market, the hope is still very slim .

Because, HMG does not yet have an internal hematopoietic copyright distribution mechanism.As mentioned before, a complete music ecological chain is composed of five types of people. Music creators buy food back into the kitchen, recorders process raw materials into ingredients, and mixing engineers use these materials to fry a plate. Cooked food, and finally the mastering engineer adds exquisite presentation and decoration to it, and then, the A&R manager and other behind-the-scenes promoters can present the dishes to consumers for enjoyment.

Now, the waiters have been found, the cooks for cooking are ready, and the staff for processing ingredients are in place one after another, so it is just a matter of purchasing.

Electric Feel is the gold medal purchase that Han Yi wants to recruit.

With the help of this company and the team behind the contract, HMG really has a soul.

To put it bluntly, as long as there is a steady stream of excellent works produced, the singer standing in the recording studio can be a big hit for anyone.

This is why Han Yi is willing to bet heavily on Madison Bill. As long as he can pile up good songs, anyone can take off on the wind, not to mention that Madison, who has a natural sense of the Internet, has his own talent. A singer with a fan base of several million.

The acquisition of Electric Feel is to turn the inherent confidence when placing a bet into a reality within reach.

Therefore, unlike Mad Decent, which is used as a signboard in the record sector to attract potential new stars, Han Yi, who owns 3.99 million US dollars, is bound to win 100% of the shares of Electric Feel this time.

Of course, a private company is not a listed company, and there is no way for a hostile takeover.Han Yi must make Austin Rosen willingly accept the deal before his plan can be fully implemented.And to be able to grow from a small recording studio to the top of the European and American music copyright field, Austin Rosen's ability, talent, ambition and appetite, all require Han Yi to be careful.

In other words, while there are no future big names yet, Austin knows how far the company and the young creators he's scouting can go.If it wasn't for an agreement that was too rich to refuse, it would definitely not be able to impress him at all.

After all, there is no need for any investment to engage in music copyright. How much money can a group of people write songs behind closed doors?
Therefore, after two or three indifferent emails, Han Yi directly raised the price to 5200 million US dollars.

Every penny goes directly into Austin Rosen's pocket.

No matter how ambitious and self-motivated people are, they will not be able to calm down in front of such sky-high prices.

Who can resist the temptation to achieve the goal of financial freedom ahead of schedule three years after starting a business?

Of course, Han Yi's acquisition agreement is not without conditions.In front of Austin Rosen is a long-term follow-up term.After the completion of the acquisition, he needs to continue to serve as the CEO of Electric Feel for at least seven years, and accept the vertical management of Renyu Management, HMG and Hanyi in the name of TGO Senior Partner.

A strict non-competition agreement was also written into the acquisition memorandum. Through Jordan Bromley, Han Yi asked Austin Rosen not to accept any offers from competitors or potential competitors within ten years after leaving HMG and its subsidiaries. A job offer with a detailed list of the business areas in which the "competitor" is involved.

In California, though, the noncompete agreement is essentially a gentlemen's agreement, and under the California Business and Professions Code, the law prohibits employers from restricting anyone who engages in the practice or trade of law.Therefore, any existing or newly added non-compete agreements in California will be deemed invalid by the courts.

That is to say, the employer can ask for it, and the employee can also agree, but when it comes to the court, this clause will be rejected [-]% of the time.

Therefore, adding a non-compete clause to the acquisition agreement can also be seen as Austin Rosen's commitment to Han Yi.

$5200 million for his 17-year career in the music industry.

In fact, Han Yi does not need his 17 years of effort at all, and 7 years is too much.As long as the current development momentum is maintained, Electric Feel will be able to fully embark on the fast track of development in the next two years, and Han Chuan will become a rising star that creates one traffic miracle after another in the international music market.

"You are the boss, and the final decision-making power is still with you."

After listening to Han Yi's statement, which kept most of the advanced information, Zhao Youzhen pressed the window of the car and let the night wind from Wilshere Avenue pour in, shaking his long hair in a charming arc.As May approaches, Los Angeles has gradually begun to enter the hottest season. Although the scene of sports underwear and yoga pants all over the streets has not yet appeared, it is not far away.

The climate during this period, as well as the breeze that was born at a constant speed of thirty miles, is the most pleasant.

"I will do what you do."

After a while, Zhao Youzhen turned his head, stared at Han Yi, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said what she thought were the most gentle words.

It is inevitable to have doubts in my heart, but since I choose to trust him, I will not give up halfway.

Sticking to one's point of view is no stranger to Zhao Youzhen.In her life so far, she has never considered other options.

But the man in front of him can always overcome the thorns of doubt, fill up the swamp of reality, cut off the vines of reason, walk up to her, reach out his hand, and lead her to a path that deviates from common sense and experience .

The more you persuaded him to stop, the firmer his steps became, and the harder he held his hand.

This feeling is quite fascinating.

"I believe you."

"Well, this matter... this matter can definitely be done."

Zhao Youzhen's delicate voice made Han Yi subconsciously look at her, and bumped into those increasingly clean and clear eyes.As if getting an electric shock, Han Yi quickly turned his gaze back to the road in front of him, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, Yoo Jin, this time UTA's board of directors, besides me, another candidate nominated by Han Capital is Karen Guo."

"Okay." Zhao Youzhen blinked his peach blossom eyes, as if he didn't quite understand why Han Yi suddenly said this in such a serious tone.

"Her business scope does not overlap with UTA, but she has enough reputation. In terms of resume, she is very suitable to be an internal director. And as an Asian, Karen has a good relationship with you and me, and her cultural background and values ​​​​are also similar, which is convenient. In the future, we will... cooperate in the board of directors."

"I also think she is very suitable." Zhao Youzhen felt that Han Yi's tone was getting more and more wrong. She tilted her head and asked, "What's the matter? Is there any problem?"

"What I want to say is that the first thing I considered was you, but I also want to join the board of directors. If the two directors of Han Capital are both..."

"So that's what it means." Zhao Youzhen shook his head amusedly, "Are you worried that I would mind? I never thought about it."

"I'm not worried that you will mind, Yujin, I have never worried at all... Our relationship, whether it is business or life, has been built on the basis of honesty, truth and respect from the very beginning. So, I just want to put Everything is laid out and made clear."

"I know you don't care about a so-called board seat, but I still want to tell you that you are my first choice."

Hearing this, Zhao Youzhen opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't make a sound, but quietly listened to Han Yi continue to describe his inner thoughts.

"Let me tell you the truth, no matter how many amazing things we have done now, Yoo Jin, in front of outsiders, the most conspicuous one among your series of identification marks must be a student at UCLA." Han Yi's words were very cautious , but this does not change the bluntness of the words, "If you are given too many high-profile positions now, it will not help your career in any way, but will harm you... let your personal image be stained... ..."

"Your stain, isn't it?" Han Yi said bluntly, and Yoo Jin was more blatant than him, "People will say that I rely on you to get to the top."

"Yes, I am very worried about this. In fact, when I am gradually improving the team structure, I am also very afraid that the newcomers entering HMG will look at you like this." Han Yi paused, then nodded calmly, "However, I am very relieved The strange thing is, at least so far, no one thinks so. Because of your efforts and achievements, everyone can see it.”

"Yeah, because what am I?" Zhao Youzhen asked softly with his eyes slightly bent.

"Battle Yujin."

"That's right." Zhao Youzhen raised his chin, and glanced at himself in the rearview mirror, who was still in good spirits despite his plain face, "Zhan Yuzhen, why are you afraid of this? The more they talk, the more energetic I become."

Speaking of this, Zhao Youzhen raised her arms quite childishly, tensed her muscles, and showed Han Yi the results of her years of training.Still slender, but toned lines are clearly visible.

"Who did you praise me that day?"

"Candice Swanepoel."

"Well, yes." Yoo Jin nodded, "But I'm better than her."

"I think so too." Han Yi smiled and echoed softly, "Your diligence and talent should be known and admired by the world. So, I hope that when you finally step into the spotlight, they can first Marvel at your accomplishments, not your looks, or anything else."

"Having said so much, what I want to express is, Yujin... I was a little skeptical at first, but now I am more and more convinced that you are more like a future superstar than Billi. One day, you will walk in In the middle of the crowd, I applaud you from the corner."

"We have to separate, can't we be together?"

"I……"

"One day, we can walk together in the center of the crowd and have everyone applaud us."

I don't know if the picture in Zhao Youzhen's mind is the same as that in Han Yi's mind at this moment.

"But now, I still need to hone it...you have confidence in me, and I also have confidence in your confidence."

After finishing this sentence in Chinese, Zhao Youzhen couldn't help laughing softly, the car happened to pass by LACMA's city lights, 202 retro street lights, filled Zhao Youzhen's eyes with a whole piece of bright stars.

"The day after tomorrow, come on and finish your first board meeting."

"Don't worry about the company's affairs, I'm here."

(End of this chapter)