Chapter 877: Separating Blockbuster Into One (Two-in-One)

The day after the financing party.

Lin Baicheng went to Morning Star Pictures. Because he informed Errol Kilman last night, he came to Morning Star Pictures earlier than Lin Baicheng to wait.

After greeting the executives of Morningstar Pictures, Lin Baicheng invited Shirley Lansing and Errol Kilman to talk to his chairman's office.

Lin Baicheng said to the two of them: "I won't stay in the United States for too long this time, and I have other matters to deal with, so the financing of Blockbuster, whether it is communication with MGM or other companies, is up to you. And the Secretariat is in charge.”

"Yes, Chairman."

Shirley Lansing and Errol Kilman echoed.

Lin Baicheng said: "I hope the financing can be settled before I leave the United States."

Shirley Lansing immediately said: "Chairman, we will try our best."

"Okay, I'm waiting for your good news."

Nodding, Lin Baicheng then said, "As for Blockbuster, I am planning to separate it from Morningstar Pictures. Manager Kilman, what do you think?"

"this"

Errol Kilman couldn't help being shocked when he heard this. He glanced at the expressionless Shirley Lansing. His mind was racing, but he said: "This thing is so sudden. I never thought about it." Let Blockbuster become independent from Morningstar Pictures, so I was a little confused for a while, and I hope the chairman can forgive me."

Lin Baicheng smiled and said: "Think about it now, what do you think of Blockbuster becoming independent? Will it be beneficial to the development of Blockbuster? Will it be beneficial to Morningstar Pictures and myself?"

"yes."

Errol Kilman thought hard.

As the manager of Blockbuster, it would certainly be a good thing for Errol Kilman if Blockbuster became independent and his position remained unchanged. He would only be responsible to the company's board of directors and would no longer be The high-level restraint of Morning Star Pictures is equivalent to the loss of a king, and the power in the hands is greatly increased. This is a great good thing.

However, even if Blockbuster becomes independent, Morningstar Pictures will still be the company's major shareholder, Shirley Lansing will still be his immediate boss, and Lin Baicheng will still be his boss. Errol Kilman will definitely not be too happy, lest the two People think that he can't wait to be independent.

In addition, Errol Kilman was a little worried that this inquiry might be a test to test whether he was loyal or not.

Errol Kilman was thinking, but Lin Baicheng did not interrupt. Seeing this, he looked at Shirley Lansing and said, "President Lansing, to what extent is the company's acquisition of United Artists Pictures progressing now?"

“Currently, the only two companies that are interested in and capable of acquiring United Artists are our company and MGM. The bid has now reached US$165 million, and the two companies will continue to increase their bids until one party can no longer accept it. "

Shirley Lansing heard this and replied that United Artists Pictures went bankrupt and the bank had split United Artists Pictures' debts and sold them at a higher price.

Although United Artists Pictures does not have many assets left, its label and film library are still of some use. Therefore, there are many film and television companies competing, but in the end only Morningstar Pictures and MGM are left. player.

At this price, both Morningstar Pictures and MGM can still accept it, so they will continue to bid. As for who will win in the end, it will depend on who pays the highest price.

Lin Baicheng is rich, but his support for Morningstar Pictures is not unlimited. He has already personally loaned Morningstar Pictures US$100 million, and also helped contact Goldman Sachs and Citigroup to lend Morningstar Pictures US$100 million. If the price of 200 million US dollars cannot win over United Artists Pictures, then there is no need to acquire it. Just give up United Artists Pictures to MGM.

"The company is now competing with MGM for United Artists Pictures. Regarding Blockbuster's financing, MGM is still willing to take a stake? Cooperate with Blockbuster?"

Lin Baicheng couldn't help but ask after hearing this. It was really unexpected that the two companies were still competing to acquire United Artists Pictures, but at the same time they were preparing to cooperate indirectly.

Shirley Lansing replied: "When Blockbuster was preparing to raise funds, we also tried to contact MGM. Unexpectedly, MGM did not refuse and was willing to cooperate. This is really surprising. Accident."

"There shouldn't be any intrigue or conspiracy here, right?"

Lin Baicheng raised his eyebrows. In business competition, anything can happen.

"Chairman, we all agree that there should be no problem."

Shirley Lansing explained: "All Blockbuster wants is the video license for MGM movies. As long as the licensing contract is signed, Blockbuster doesn't have to worry about MGM going back on its word or doing anything that will damage Blockbuster's interests." Things, when the time comes is liquidated damages, it will be enough for Blockbuster to make a lot of money.”

"As long as you think it's okay."

Lin Baicheng nodded and said no more. Senior executives such as Shirley Lansing were professionals and should not make stupid mistakes.

"Manager Kilman, what do you think?"

Lin Baicheng looked at Errol Kilman. He looked like he was listening carefully, and he seemed to have thought about it.

"Chairman, if Blockbuster becomes independent, it will be beneficial to the development of Blockbuster itself."

Erol Kilman replied: "For Morningstar Pictures, if Blockbuster becomes independent, it will be detrimental to Morningstar Pictures' control over Blockbuster, but if Blockbuster develops well, Morningstar Pictures, which holds a large number of Blockbuster shares, will also benefit. At the same time, only when Blockbuster becomes bigger and stronger can it help Morningstar Pictures. If Blockbuster is just a small company, it will not be of much use to Morningstar Pictures."

"For you, Chairman, Morningstar Pictures is a company under your name. If Blockbuster becomes independent, it is equivalent to being independent of your business. But as I said, only if Blockbuster develops well will it be the most beneficial to you, Mr. Lin."

"Then do you also agree to make Blockbuster independent?"

Lin Baicheng did not comment, and people could not see his thoughts.

"Chairman, I will listen to you in everything. If you think it is more appropriate for Blockbuster to be independent, then let Blockbuster be independent. Otherwise, it is also good for Blockbuster to continue to stay in Morningstar Pictures."

Errol Kilman said cautiously. Of course, he hoped that Blockbuster could be independent, but he could not show urgency, as that would not do him any good.

Errol Kilman knew very well that he could not take the position of manager of Blockbuster without the support of Lin Baicheng and Shirley Lansing. If these two were dissatisfied, even if Blockbuster was at a critical moment, they would not do anything to him, but it was hard to guarantee that they would not find an opportunity to replace him as a manager later.

If Blockbuster did not become independent, it would be needless to say that Blockbuster was a subsidiary of Morningstar Pictures, and Errol Kilman would definitely listen to the big bosses Shirley Lansing and Lin Baicheng.

Even if Blockbuster becomes independent, Errol Kilman still has to listen to Shirley Lansing and Lin Baicheng based on Morningstar Pictures' shareholding ratio. He doesn't think he can unite with other shareholders to resist, and other shareholders will definitely not listen to him.

Errol Kilman is very clear about one thing: Blockbuster's development route was planned by the big boss Lin Baicheng, and he is just the implementer of the plan. Blockbuster is not indispensable to him, on the contrary, he really needs Blockbuster as a platform.

Errol Kilman's words only made Lin Baicheng nod his head. He said to Shirley Lansing: "President Lansing, Blockbuster is going to be independent, but I don't want Blockbuster to be out of Morningstar Films' control. What do you think of the current management of Blockbuster? Do you think Blockbuster will be out of control after it becomes independent?"

"Chairman, although there are middle-level managers sent by the company among Blockbuster's senior management, it is still unknown whether they will be loyal to the parent company or Blockbuster after Blockbuster becomes independent, because no one has thought that Blockbuster will become independent before."

"Now that Blockbuster is going to be independent, in order to prevent Blockbuster from being out of control, I think it is necessary for the company to send senior executives there. It is best for the executives sent there to receive the company's salary, so that they will naturally be loyal to the company."

This is a rare opportunity to strengthen control over Blockbuster, and Shirley Lansing will naturally not give up.

Errol Kilman could not help but say, "President Lansing, if the management sent by Morningstar Pictures to Blockbuster is paid by Morningstar Pictures, it means that no matter how Blockbuster develops, it has nothing to do with them. How can they work seriously?"

"Manager Kilman is right. Since they are working at Blockbuster, they should be paid by Blockbuster."

Lin Baicheng agreed with Errol Kilman's point of view. He separated Blockbuster to make Blockbuster develop better, not to restrict Blockbuster. If he really did what Shirley Lansing said, he might as well not send people there, or not separate Blockbuster.

"Forget about the salary, but before Blockbuster becomes independent, the company needs to send some people there to strengthen its control over Blockbuster."

Shirley Lansing did not object to it. After all, it was a sky-high price, and it was normal to be rejected.

"Please prepare a list for me when the time comes."

Lin Baicheng agreed. Except for the shares of option rewards, all the shares of Morningstar Pictures are in his hands. This company cannot be out of his control, unlike Blockbuster.

Errol Kilman couldn't help but say: "Chairman, Blockbuster was founded by you, and many of us became the company's management under your appointment. You are also the company's major shareholder. We will definitely listen to your instructions. You don't need to do anything unnecessary."

"After this round of financing, Blockbuster will definitely go public. This time will be at most one or two years, or even earlier."

Lin Baicheng looked at Errol Kilman and said: "After Blockbuster goes public, the company's shareholders will increase, and as the shares held by Morningstar Pictures are diluted and reduced, it is hard to say whether I can still control Blockbuster. While Blockbuster still belongs to me, I must take some precautions. Since you said you are my man, then Manager Kilman, what you should do is to cooperate with Morningstar Pictures, right?"

"Chairman, you are right."

Errol Kilman nodded helplessly. He actually has no other choice now.

"That's all for now. I'll have the secretariat work with you on the two issues of financing and Blockbuster's independence."

Lin Baicheng waved his hand and said, "President Lansing, please report to me on the situation of Morningstar Pictures during this period."

"Yes, Chairman." "Chairman, I'll leave first."

Shirley Lansing and Errol Kilman stood up and said goodbye tactfully.

The two walked out of the office together. Shirley Lansing signaled to Errol Kilman, and the two walked toward Shirley Lansing's office.

In the office.

Shirley Lansing looked at Errol Kilman sitting opposite and said: "Manager Kilman, you were recruited by me and recommended to the chairman. I hope you understand that without me and Chairman, you can’t get to where you are today. Even if Blockbuster becomes independent, don’t even think about letting Blockbuster get out of the company’s control, do you understand?”

"President, don't worry, I don't have such thoughts."

Errol Kilman immediately replied that he really didn't have such thoughts now. He just wanted to develop Blockbuster, lead Blockbuster to go public, obtain option awards from the board of directors, and make himself a millionaire and leapfrog. class.

"It's best not to have such thoughts."

Shirley Lansing reminded: "Even if the shares are raised this time, the company still holds nearly 50% of Blockbuster's shares. At the same time, the company's three existing shareholders have a lot of cooperation with the chairman. They will not because of If Blockbuster and the chairman fall out, they will definitely support the chairman in controlling Blockbuster, so even if you have this intention, you will not succeed. "

"The reason why I remind you and tell you so much is because I don't want you to do something stupid, which will not only harm yourself, but also implicate me."

"I recruited and promoted you after all. If you do something stupid, I might be implicated as well."

There was a threat in the warning, but Shirley Lansing also had her own small thoughts. She didn't want Blockbuster to break away from Morningstar Pictures and weaken Morningstar Pictures.

Errol Kilman immediately said: "President, don't worry, I won't do it."

"It won't be the best."

Shirley Lansing looked at him and said: "You may know a little, but you don't know much. The chairman has many businesses under his name, and he not only has a big business in the United States, but also in Japan. Xiangjiang also has a great career. If you work well for the chairman, as long as you do well and are valued by the chairman, there is no possibility of further advancement in the future. "

"Thank you, President."

Errol Kilman heard this and thanked Shirley Lansing for the reminder.

Shirley Lansing said: "Let's do this for the time being. You go back to Blockbuster first. I have to sort out the information here, and then report to the chairman."

"President, I will go back first."

Errol Kilman stood up to leave, thinking that he would be well prepared when he went back and prepare the information to be reported. He believed that after the big boss listened to the report here, he would go to Blockbuster.

After Errol Kilman left, Shirley Lansing took out the materials she had prepared to report. After checking them a little, she took the materials and walked to the chairman's office to report on her work.