Chapter 200： Talk to Jobs

Although Dunn invested in an animation studio, Shriwood, he never thought that a layman could do a good job in animated films.

Therefore, his pursuit of the animation industry should still focus on Pixar!

Jobs put a lot of effort and money into Pixar animation.

Since Jobs bought the Industrial Light and Magic Animation Department from George Lucas and renamed it Pixar, he has invested heavily in this computer studio!

At that time, Jobs' total assets were only 200 million US dollars, but since the acquisition of Pixar and the release of the first movie, he has successively invested more than 70 million US dollars, and put a third of his family into it.

Fortunately, Pixar is really upbeat!

In 1995, the first fully computer-generated animated feature film was born - "Toy Story".

The film, which cost $65 million, earned $373 million worldwide, making it the number one in the global box office that year!

In the same year, Pixar went public, and Jobs, who owns 70% of Pixar's shares, jumped to more than $1 billion and entered the rich class.

It is precisely because of the success of Pixar that it gave Jobs enough financial protection to let him abandon everything, dig into the camp wholeheartedly, and return to Apple!

At the beginning, in order to please Apple shareholders, Jobs did not even ask to hold Apple stock, receive salary, or have options. There was only one requirement, and that was to regain power!

Even NEXT, which had a market value of $500 million at the time, was acquired by Apple in a "cash + stock" situation of $150 million, just to return to Apple.

In the end, Jobs' repeated concessions to his interests finally persuaded the shareholders' meeting to return to Apple.

The reason for all this is because Jobs has Pixar's stock protection, he can pay more benefits.

Now, Dunn's goal is directed at Pixar, which naturally aroused the alertness of Jobs.

Looking at Jobs' panicked appearance, Dunn smiled, "Steve, you should know that, in the final analysis, I am a filmmaker, and Hollywood is the circle I pay most attention to."

Jobs frowned, displeased.

He smelled a threat.

Dunn seems to be threatening Pixar with an apple.

"what do you want?"

Jobs has a bad temper, but now he is in a weak position and should try his best to forbear.

Dunn said with a smile: "If you pay attention to Hollywood news, you should be clear that I originally wanted to acquire the DreamWorks Animation Department, but he refused. But the animation industry... those old diehards in Hollywood may not see the future prospects of animated films. , but I understand."

Jobs sullen, staring at Dunn's eyes, "So you got the idea of ​​Pixar?"

"Pixar has the best animation production team in the world, and several films made are great. If Pixar can merge into Dunn Pictures, I believe it will be of great help to the industrial development of Dunn Pictures."

Dunn's eyes were clear and he talked freely, but he made no secret of his expectations for Pixar.

"You want to buy Pixar?" Jobs narrowed his eyes.

Tang En said: "If possible, I am willing to start the privatization acquisition immediately."

Jobs said solemnly, "What if I refuse?"

For him, Pixar and Apple, there is a big difference.

The real power of Apple lies in the hands of the shareholders' meeting, and Jobs is only the spokesperson elected by the shareholders' meeting.

As for Pixar, Jobs firmly remembered the lesson that he was sacked by Apple. Although he has also reduced his holdings in recent years, 70% of the total share is still in his hands.

In other words, Jobs is the king of Pixar animation! He can do whatever he wants!

Don't care how Dunn shows off financial means in the market, he doesn't want to sell it, and Dunn can't buy it anyway.

Dunn laughed twice and patted him on the shoulder like an elder, "Steve, you are too serious! I came here today to talk about cooperation, not threats."

Jobs' lips curled slightly, unmoved.

Dunn stretched his fingers to the waves under the bridge, "Do you know how to surf? Even the best runners can't surf against the waves. When the waves get closer, the surfer will adjust the direction of the board and follow the direction of the waves. Paddle. This is a fight against the waves, but every time the players will follow the trend under the impact of the waves, they can also get the pleasure of riding the waves.”

Jobs shook his head, ignoring Dunn's high school-level metaphor, and said lightly: "Now is the stock market crash, and Pixar's stock price has also been hit a lot. In the past few months, the market value has dropped by 400 million US dollars. Moreover, Pixar The potential is far from that, we've moved into a new office building, and there's a new movie coming out for Christmas..."

Tang En waved his hand, interrupted quickly, and looked at him in surprise, "Steve, I'm helping you!"

"help me?"

A sneer appeared on Jobs' face.

But Tang En felt it was a matter of course, "Yes, I can buy it all with cash. At that time, if you have enough funds in your hands, you can buy Apple stock! With my help, the stock price won't be too high!"

Dunn's influence is too great now, and he is Apple's largest shareholder. If a signal is released that he wants to sell Apple's stock, it will definitely cause a negative momentum, and retail investors will sell frantically.

With a few simple operations, Dunn and Jobs can even privatize Apple.

But Dunn's idea is obviously too selfish.

"Dawn, you really don't know how to negotiate." Jobs shook his head frequently and laughed angrily, "Pixar's prospects are very good, you should be clear about this. After a movie or two is released, it will not be a problem for Pixar's share price to double. But Apple... do you think I'm an idiot?"

Tang En was stunned and a little dumbfounded.

He thought that he had shown the greatest sincerity, and even expressed his willingness to sacrifice part of his personal image. The two joined forces and used some financial tricks to control Apple.

But Jobs...he's clearly not optimistic about Apple!

Jobs thinks Pixar's prospects are better than Apple's!

Tang En took a deep breath, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry, he really didn't know what to say.

It is true that Pixar's prospects are very good. In the past five or six years, its market value can quadruple to more than 6 billion US dollars.

But how does this compare to Apple?

Apple's market value is only $5 billion now, what about 10 years from now? $300 billion! What about 15 years later? $700 billion!

A world of difference!

I just didn't expect that Jobs, who had to leave his family and business and return to Apple's power, didn't have enough confidence in Apple, and was even unwilling to replace Apple's stock with Pixar's stock...

Tang En touched his nose, was speechless, and said embarrassingly, "That... I thought you had confidence in Apple."

"Of course I have confidence, but..." Jobs shook his head, "It's like investing in movies. Even the best directors won't invest their own money in movies. That's the reason. The director must have full confidence in his movie. , but the future is blank, and it is difficult for anyone to predict.”

Tang En laughed and said, "My movies are all invested with my own money."

Jobs paused for a moment and said, "You are the exception!"

Dunn has understood that it is no longer feasible for Jobs to abandon Pixar and invest heavily in Apple.

"Steve, don't get me wrong, the reason why I bought so many Apple stocks is just to have a cooperation with you. After all, your focus is Silicon Valley, and mine is Hollywood." Tang En sighed and said sternly, " But don't worry, I don't mean to threaten, and I agree with you to take charge of Apple."

Jobs took a deep glance at Dunn, his face improved, and he pondered a little, "I am a layman after all, so Pixar... When the right opportunity comes, I will choose to sell."

What is the right opportunity?

Naturally, Pixar's market value satisfied Jobs' appetite. Anyway, he is not short of money now, so there is no need to rush to cash out.

Tang En understood what he meant and smiled knowingly, "Okay, as long as you sell it, I'll buy it!"

Cooperation, Dunn said good, Jobs will naturally give back.

In any case, Dunn is now Apple's largest shareholder, the right to speak is very important, which is very important to Jobs.

"By the way, one more thing. Pixar and Disney signed a 5-film partnership agreement, including the already released "Toy Story", "A Bug's Life", "Toy Story 2", and two future Pixar films. , will be handed over to Disney for distribution.”

When it comes to Disney, Steve Jobs is a little annoyed. He hates Disney's big boss Michael Eisner Even he has long made up his mind to complete this contract, and he will speak loudly if Disney does not cooperate , then change to another film company to cooperate with.

Now Dunn has appeared, and it is Disney's opponent. Jobs is happy to see Dunn and Disney's confrontation.

In this way, Pixar, sandwiched in the middle, will gain more benefits.

Tang En frowned, "This is not easy to handle!"

Generally speaking, the producer can only get a profit share, and the issuer gets the right to use.

That is to say, although the film is produced by Pixar, the copyright authorization of the film is determined by Disney, and it will definitely enter Disneyland to gain more benefits.

This is of course not the result Dunn wants to see.

Pixar is in his pocket, but Pixar's animated characters are attracting tourists to Disney, isn't it a big joke?

"No, the distribution rights can no longer be handed over to Disney!"

Tang En gritted his teeth, his face was firm and unquestionable.

Jobs looked at him in surprise, "But he signed a contract."

"Then just buy it out! It's a big deal, I'll pay for it!"

If Disney didn't pull out those nonsense before, Dunn might have given them some opportunities, and now... They don't even think about making a penny from Dunn.

This time, Jobs was even more surprised, and looked at Dunn in disbelief.

This young man has an unusual idea!

Have the courage, have the courage!

Apple and Microsoft are also competitors and are even fighting copyright lawsuits now. But on the other hand, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have a very good relationship, the two companies also cooperate in many aspects, and Microsoft is also a shareholder of Apple.

Like Tang En, once they challenge, they will never get along with each other...

It's even more iron-fisted and overbearing than Michael Eisner!