hollywood billionaire

Chapter 104 The Giant Wheel of Media
Han Yi, who attended the board meeting for the first time, was listening attentively to the financial status of his first investment company.

The key data that seemed boring to outsiders poured into his mind, forming one conclusion after another to help him make decisions.

The operating income of US$1.674 million means that the United Artists Agency, as a one-person agency, created 10 times the total revenue for clients in the first quarter.Considering that this data was completed in the first quarter, which is the off-season of performances and film and television projects, UTA's performance in the beginning of the year is indeed not bad.

Even if this figure is multiplied by four quarters, UTA will be able to complete the revenue target of 6.7 million US dollars this year.The most important thing is that in the entertainment industry, the vast majority of business activities will not start to become active until April.

Summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve movies in the film field, autumn new drama purchases in the TV field, and summer tours in the music field, Halloween tours, and New Year’s Eve tours. These are all in the second to fourth quarters. the income that will be generated.

If Q1’s revenue is 1.674 million US dollars, then the other three quarters, especially the fourth quarter, will never be less than 3 million US dollars.The annual gross profit should be more than 4 million, and the net profit after calculating interest, tax, depreciation and amortization should also increase compared with last year, and about 7000 million US dollars should be achievable.

Han Yi wrote and drew in his notebook, doing calculations.

It's a pity that the Q1 financial report is being reviewed by the board of directors today, and Han Yi and Baihui Capital's investment in UTA was completed in April.This means that if he wants to get the [return on investment value] benefit from this acquisition, he will have to wait another three months.

Having said that, although the EBITDA margin is indeed very low, in fact, the entire industry is about the same average. WME-IMG's EBITDA margin is slightly higher, but because of the large-scale borrowing in the past few years, the actual net profit margin may not be as good as UTA. CAA's EBITDA profit margin can reach 27%. However, due to various acquisitions and debt factors in recent years, the final profit ratio is not far from that of UTA.

This is why the four major performing arts agencies are actively financing and launching an arms race.Business development alone cannot fundamentally widen the gap with competitors. This year you earn more, and next year I earn more. Essentially, they are all in the range of tens of millions of dollars.The capital management group has hundreds of millions of dollars in cash as soon as it makes a move. This is the hot money that can change the game.

With 1.4 million acquisition funds immediately available, coupled with the profits that have been accrued in succession, the current UTA really has the confidence to compete with the top two players.

Of course, no matter compared with WME-IMG or CAA, UTA's funds are still slightly insufficient.The latter, which is generally on the defensive, needs to find high-quality acquisition targets as accurately as possible, in the hope that the growth rate of assets can outperform the top two and achieve cornering overtaking.

"The next agenda, after obtaining the development funds from Parkway Capital and Han Capital, we will continue to promote the original cooperation and acquisition plan. Some merger and acquisition agreements have been reached, and some new projects are also being prepared. Andrew, please send Let me introduce you to everyone."

At this time, Jim Berkus, the chairman of the board of directors, has put Han Yi's abnormal performance aside for the time being. thing.

The final conclusion?

It should be that he has provided too little help to himself, and deliberately expresses his dissatisfaction in this way.

The child is having a temper tantrum.

Introduce a few resources to him another day, just to stabilize this impetuous investor.

"No problem, Chairman." In formal meetings, Chief Operating Officer Andrew Toh always referred to each colleague by their position, "First of all, UTA continues to adhere to the development concept of expanding new fields, new businesses, and new ecology. Brokerage companies in the e-sports industry have reached an acquisition agreement, Press X Agency and Everyday Influencers. Please read the profiles in front of you for their detailed introductions.”

Just as Han Yi opened the copper plate coloring page, Andrew Tor continued to introduce.

"We recognized that the acquisition of Press X and Everyday Influencers would be a forward-looking opportunity for UTA as we identified and began to learn from early trends in the digital ecosystem."

"The first company, Press X, represents a lot of great clients in the professional electronic brokerage space, with a primary focus on League of Legends professional leagues and professional athletes... 100 Thieves support Zachary - 'Aphromoo' - Blake , Fnatic's...top lane, uh...Paul -'sOAZ'-Boyer, Echo Fox's support Adrian -'Adrian'-Ma, are a few of the brighter names on the list.”

For Andrew Toh, this unfamiliar game vocabulary is indeed too difficult for him.

"As for Everyday Influencers, they are more focused on cultivating gaming stars and managing post-professional esports business activities, with clients including Michael-'Imaqtpie'-Santana and Iman-'pokimane'-Ann."

"In addition to us, other institutions have also made a lot of moves in this field in the past few years." Jeremy Zimmer spread his hands and added to the directors, "WME-IMG acquired in January last year. The Global E-sports Management Company announced a few days ago that an e-sports league will be launched with TBS at the end of this month... Which game, Andrew?"

"Ah, let me see... Counter-Strike: Global Offensive."

"Thanks, Andrew." Jeremy Zimmer handed Andrew To a smile, and continued, "Our old rival CAA has also acquired Barrett Sports Group and has launched an in-depth cooperation with Riot Games. Last fall, the application process for the franchise of the "League of Legends" North American league was followed up by CAA."

"So, it's the right time for us to enter this field, and it can even be said that it's a bit late. Next, we will contact different game manufacturers and strive to obtain their business support."

Having said that, Jeremy Zimmer turned his gaze to Han Yi, still smiling kindly.Jeremy knew very well that UTA's actions in the fashion industry would most likely win the support of Han Yi, who belongs to the Z era.

Focusing on promoting business in the digital field is of course firstly out of consideration for the company's further development, but if investors can be satisfied on this basis, that is not a bad thing.

But his guess didn't come to fruition. Noticing Jeremy Zimmer's gaze, Han Yi nodded and smiled encouragingly. He even raised his thumb slightly and gestured towards Zimmer.

The e-sports industry is indeed an area of ​​brokerage services with great potential, but Han Yi is actually not that interested in it.

His slightly exaggerated praise was for the other two to see.

"I agree, Mr. Zimmer, that we need to be bolder in areas of our business where we haven't been."

Glancing at Han Yi, Jim Berkus squeezed out a smile and whispered to Jeremy Zimmer.

"Another area, it seems that our team has also expanded, right?"

Berkus bite the word team very clearly.

"With the High Times."

Dragging the ending of s a little longer than the normal pronunciation, Jim Berkus folded his hands on the long marble-topped table, looking at Zimmer leisurely.

You think forward-looking Gen Z loves esports.

What about the High Times?
Will that kid from Huaguo, who doesn't even smoke, support UTA's attempt to test the waters in this field?
"Yes, this is our next topic... Chris, you are responsible for the public relations of this matter, do you want to talk?"

Jeremy Zimmer kept his cool and dropped the bomb on Chris Day, director of corporate communications.

"Yes, Mr. Zimmer."

The specific business is not promoted by Chris Day. He is only responsible for helping this matter of different nature in the eyes of different people and doing some positive public relations work. Therefore, Chris Day has no burden to talk about this topic.

"We have entered into an unprecedented and extensive media, content, licensing and consumer product endorsement agreement with the world's leading plant-based media and events company."

Oh, no wonder.

Glancing at Jeremy Zimmer, who seemed to be carefully reviewing the meeting agenda with his head down, Han Yi understood.

Green plants are indeed not something that I can accept.

I have been in the United States for four years, and I can definitely smell it everywhere on campus, but I have never tried it once.

The idea remains the same: Only when the senses are not blunted by extreme stimulation can we make clearer and rational decisions and judgments, and the path to happiness will be wider.

Looking for food all over the world with our Xiaoru and Yuzhen, isn't it more fun than these?

However, Han Yi didn't care too much about whether UTA got involved in these aspects. After all, in the North American continent, this is an entertainment activity that has gradually begun to be legalized.

As a Chinese, Han Yi has no motivation, let alone the need, to undertake the important task of purifying the social atmosphere of other countries.

Since Miami in the 70s, it has been repeatedly fought and failed, but don't get involved with yourself.

What's more, how could Han Yi not know the meaning of Jim Berkus's initiative to ask Jeremy Zimmer about this cooperation case.Although the scope of business involved is relatively wide, the cooperation with High Times is nothing more than an ordinary brand agency business. Is it worth deliberately mentioning it at the board meeting?

Berkus knew very well that Han Yi, who is a native of China and does not smoke or drink, is definitely on the side of the cultural spectrum that hates or even opposes green plants.He wanted to use this method to plant the seeds of alienation from Jeremy Zimmer in Han Yi's heart.

Don't underestimate the power of cultural differences. This power has been infinitely magnified in American society in the 2010s, perhaps the most politically correct place in the world. In 2016, the so-called "Cancel Culture" was in its infancy.From then on, every behavior of every public figure is carefully scrutinized under a magnifying glass and a spotlight.

Accidentally said a homophobic word at the dinner table? "Bourne Bourne" is a classic, but Matt Damon, you're blocked.

Does the MV imply that Britney is cheating? Cry me a river, Justin Timberlake, you're blocked.

Against gender pluralism?Even if you are the author of "Harry Potter", you will be blocked.

In terms of banning culture, the two big countries facing each other across the ocean have many similarities, but there are also some subtle differences.In the United States, banning is usually not an official action, but a spontaneous behavior of a certain ethnic group or community.Every race, every city, every individual has a very different definition of who should be blocked.Whether you can gain widespread support depends on whether your "blocking spectrum" can be extended to both ends.

Jim Berkus, who has seen Jackie Robinson play with his own eyes, may have come from a few generations ago, but he has been immersed in the entertainment and media circles all year round, so he knows how to use culture to manipulate people.

But unfortunately, it was Han Yi he met.

A man from 2023.

Berkus's move may be very effective in Los Angeles in 2016.

But in Rongcheng in 2023, these politically correct platitudes have long been sniffed at.

Facing Jim Berkus' inadvertent glance at him, Han Yi didn't say a word, but sat forward a little, and glanced at Karen Guo who was sitting on his right.

"High Times, huh?"

This seemingly carefree Korean woman has been carefully observing the situation on the court, and her similar cultural background also means that she can fully understand Han Yi's situation and thoughts at this time.

She laughed heartily twice, and skillfully resolved the embarrassment for everyone in the conference room in a way that only her character could explain.

"As directors, do they give freebies?"

As soon as this remark came out, the whole room roared with laughter.

The ones who laughed the loudest were, of course, Jeremy Zimmer, Peter Benedek and David Kramer.

Only the corners of his mouth twitched, and it was Jim Berkus who sat where he was.

"Ms. Guo, they only do marketing and media activities related to green plants, and they are not responsible for sales." Chris Day, the communication director of the all-rounder, helped Karen smooth things over with a smile, "But I think I can get you a few 420 sweater."

"I have a closet in my home for clothes with this theme."

Karen Guo waved his hand nonchalantly, then smiled apologetically at Jim Berkus and said softly.

"Sorry, Mr. Chairman, you shouldn't make jokes on such an occasion... Please continue to the next topic."

"Ah, yes." Jim Berkus licked his lower lip, with a look of uncontrollable irritability, "The next topic, let's ask Andrew to continue."

"Okay, Mr. Chairman."

Looking at the nose with the eyes and the heart with the nose, Andrew Toh, who was far away from things, quickly pulled himself back from space.

"Let me continue to report the company's developments in the last quarter to the directors."

"We have prepared a gallery called UTA Artist Space at 403 Fort Hill Road. The company's advanced art department will display a series of paintings of UTA clients here, which not only provides a more customized exhibition hall for our artists, It also allows us to break out of the shackles of traditional galleries and speak directly to consumers.”

"The news came back from the London office that they had reached an agreement with Michael Osindeyan, an executive from Facebook's UK office, and Jamie Leaming from Capitol Records London. The two will join UTA's London office at the end of the year to take care of the company's international accounts Digital marketing work in the UK and Europe. We are at the headquarters and will continue to support the strategic decisions of our colleagues in the UK.”

"An important music client we represent in all aspects, Kanye West, recently signed a management contract with Scooter Braun. It is said to be a management contract, but it is actually a relatively loose consulting agreement. However, the subsequent It is up to us to work with the team at SB Projects. Preparations are well underway for the Saint Pablo Tour, which will be one of our biggest tours of the year, especially at the Inglewood Forum Three games are expected to become the benchmark for live entertainment in LA this year."

"In February, our senior partner Lisa Jacobson left the company to start her own business. We will always remember and appreciate Ms. Jacobson's 21 years of dedication. UTA's brand department will not be affected in any way. , on the contrary, we will continue to cooperate with Ms. Jacobson in various fields to strive for better exposure and publicity opportunities for our clients..."

"One of the most famous actresses in Bollywood, Sonam Kapoor, has just signed us an international agency deal, which is what we do in the Indian film industry..."

In the following four and 10 minutes, Andrew Toh fully and clearly recounted the important moves of the United Artists Agency in various sectors to the directors present.

Taking notes seriously, Han Yi listened very carefully.When he made up his mind to acquire UTA, he mainly valued the company's strong influence in Hollywood, especially in the music field, as well as the status and reputation that the golden sign of "the world's four major performing arts agencies" would bring to him .

Until now, he has a more macroscopic understanding of the brokerage agency in which he holds 41% of the shares.

United Artists Agency is not just an entertainment intermediary that helps artists find performances and film appointments.

Up to now, UTA, which ranks among the top three in the brokerage industry, has become a full ecological chain media giant full of various customers and businesses.

From music to comedy, from movies to news, from high art to e-sports, it can be said that the active figure of United Artists Agency can be seen behind the scenes in various cultural activities in modern human society.

This company should never be just a springboard for him to join the music industry.

It itself is a majestic and magnificent Roman city.

The roads extending from it lead to the entire Roman Republic.

And if you want to turn the republic into an empire, the first thing you need to do is to turn this eternal city into your own territory.

"Mr. Seuss, now please report to the board of directors the business progress of the TV, radio, news, and cultural sectors."

"Okay, thank you Andrew. First of all, in the field of TV literature, we will welcome a heavyweight, Lina Brannen. She will leave the Gersh Agency and is expected to join us early next month..."

"Mr. Kramer, business in the film, comedy, distribution and exhibition sectors, please report."

"Of course, Andrew, first of all, in the field of film and television agency, Sophia Vigla has confirmed that she will leave CAA and sign an agency contract with us. Carlson contacts..."

"Mr Warnock, it's your turn."

"Thank you, Andrew. Ladies and gentlemen, the music sector had a great season, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, and two managers from Nashville, Kurt Motley and Toby Keith Join us one after another, the music department has never been like this…”

The reports of the business leaders of each core sector are still lingering in his ears, but Han Yi's eyes have gradually lost focus.

Such a complex line of business, such a huge departmental structure...

What method should be used to make this company truly obey its orders?

Can your own plan proceed smoothly according to the expected route?
Han Yi bit the barrel of the black signature pen, his eyes flicked across the faces of Jeremy Zimmer, Peter Benedek and Jim Berkus.

None of them looked back, but Han Yi knew that they must have felt his gaze.

In the next few years, whether it is Hezong or Lianheng, the victory of Alesia, or the Pompeii-Guria Conference, it depends on how these three giants who have just made their first bet will make their moves.

(End of this chapter)