Chapter 208： 3 strategies for acquisition

After waiting for three full days, the person Tang En was looking forward to finally appeared in his office.

West Cotton is 45 years old this year, with a medium build, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and he is very polite and somewhat bookish; he is dressed in formal clothes, with a red tie, very festive; he is carrying a black computer bag , suits and leather shoes, and shows the professional style of business elites.

Under the introduction of Bill McNick, West Cotton said respectfully: "Hello, Director Walker. You may not know me, but we have already had four film cooperation experience. "Titanic", "My Big Greek Wedding," "Wedding Crashers," and "Star Wars Episode 1: The Ghost Man Menace" are all promotional work that I run."

Dunn smiled and shook hands with him, "West, you are too polite. I have heard about your experience in Fox. Bill said that you are very capable, and I am looking forward to your continued cooperation."

West Cotton looked indifferent, "It can't be said to be an encounter, it makes sense. After all, Twentieth Century Fox just changed its CEO half a year ago, and changing the decision-maker in a short period of time may cause a bigger problem. turmoil.”

Dunn glanced at him in surprise.

This person is not arrogant or impetuous, and has a good attitude. He should be a hero of 20th Century Fox, but he was unjustly dismissed. It is reasonable to say that he should be resentful.

However, he is downplaying it now and doesn't take the resentment of the past to heart. This is a very professional moral spirit.

Dunn glanced at Bill McNick, and then joked: "West, three days ago, Bill mentioned you to me. I've been looking forward to seeing you for the past three days."

West Cotton explained professionally: "I'm sorry, Director Walker, for making you wait for a long time. But I'm here this time, after all, it's an interview, so I always have to do some preparations. Even with Mr. McNick's recommendation, I think it's more important to show self-worth."

Bill McNick added: "In the past few days, he has a comprehensive understanding of our company's strategic planning and development needs, and made a 60-page PPT to show his management philosophy and development ideas."

"60-page PPT? The workload is not small!"

Dunn glanced at West Cotton in amazement, and only then did he realize that his eyes were indeed a little red, and his face was a little tired.

West Cotton said: "This is also thanks to Mr. McNick's trust. If it weren't for the documents he provided, I would only be confused about the strategic thinking of Dunn Pictures."

Tang En waved his hand and said with a smile, "It doesn't matter, it's okay to buy and sell benevolence and righteousness, then... let's take a look at your PPT?"

"Can."

West Cotton came to sit down on the sofa, opened his computer bag, took out an HP notebook, and operated it simply.

Dunn and Bill McNick sat on both sides, and soon saw the simple and simple PPT interface, and the title on the first page deeply attracted his attention - "About the Formation of the Distribution Department of Independent Films" .

West Cotton didn't pay attention to Dunn's expression, and all his attention was on his PPT, "Mr. McNick said that the business that Dunn Films is most committed to developing at present is the distribution department of independent films. It just so happens that I am in this area. There is some experience, so let’s tackle that first.”

"it is good!"

Tang En's voice was very deep, trying his best to suppress his inner joy.

West Cotton said: "The distribution department of mainstream commercial films is usually a large multinational company. Take 20th Century Fox as an example. The company has a total of more than 16,000 employees, including more than 11,000 employees in the global distribution department. To complete the publicity and distribution work in more than 100 countries and regions around the world, this is a very large industrial resource. With the current scale of Tang En Films, it is still unable to support such a large distribution department, and even if an international distribution department covering the whole world is established , at least five years.”

Tang En looked at the data on the PPT and nodded frequently, "Yes, so I plan to acquire this part directly. Now, Tang En Films only needs to create an independent film distribution channel throughout North America."

"Direct purchase?"

West Cotton, who was immersed in his thoughts in the PPT, couldn't help being surprised and turned his head to look at Dunn.

He had already heard from Bill McNick that Dunn Walker was very ambitious and ambitious! When making PPT, it doesn’t matter if you can be a little more aggressive, or even come up with some crazy ideas, just don’t be too conservative.

Therefore, West Cotton set three acquisition strategies for Dunn, which is the strategic plan for the current Dunn Films.

But he didn't expect that Tang En's ambition was much bigger than he imagined!

What does it mean to acquire a company that has distribution channels all over the world? There are only six film companies with such capabilities, looking at Hollywood!

Disney, Paramount, Sony Columbia, Universal, Warner, Twentieth Century Fox!

With the current scale of Dunn Pictures, which one can it eat?

West Cotton shook his head, returned his thoughts to the PPT, and said slowly: "The distribution department of independent films is relatively easy, usually only requires a team of about 50 people, and it takes half a year to complete. "

"Half a year?" Tang En frowned, "No, it's too slow!"

Disney's movie "Undead" will be released in mid-November, just over 3 months from now. Dunn Films must complete the establishment of the distribution department as soon as possible, and then operate the distribution of "Chainsaw".

West Cotton changed a PPT page, "I know, Mr. McNick mentioned to me that in November, Fury Pictures, a subsidiary of Dunn Pictures, is going to release a movie. But if you create a distribution department, you won't be able to do it for half a year. If it's less, it's still under the premise that I have a lot of connections and resources. It took me 10 months to create the distribution department for Fox Searchlight."

Tang En pondered: "Then what should we do?"

"Acquisition!"

"Acquisition?"

Dunn's eyes lit up and he seemed to understand what he meant.

"Yes, that is to directly acquire a small production company with an independent distribution channel in North America." West Cotton pressed the shell button again, and a company's name appeared on the PPT page - Good Machine Film Production company.

Tang En raised his eyebrows, always feeling that the name was a bit familiar.

West Cotton explained slowly to the PPT content: "This production company, founded in 1991, was founded by James Shams and Ted Hooper."

"James Shams? As I seem to recall, he was Ann Lee's producer."

In the preparation of the project "The Chronicles of Narnia", Dunn vaguely remembered that Ann Lee had one of the biggest helpers, who also served as screenwriter and executive producer, this James Shams.

West Cotton smiled and said, "That's right, it's him! Mr. Shams is Director Li's biggest partner, and all the films that Director Li made in Hollywood have his support. The beginning of Good Machine Pictures, It is also by investing in Ann Lee's "Pushing Hand"."

After a long silence, Bill McNick said, "Is this a small company? They have a full distribution department?"

West Cotton said: "The scale is not large, but it is relatively sound. Although they do not have the ability to distribute movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it is enough to release a low-cost B-level film."

Dunn squinted his eyes and didn't make a sound.

He seemed to remember something.

Good Machine Films...seems to be a well-known independent film production company. In 2004, it was acquired by Universal Pictures and changed its name to Focus Pictures, and it was known as the second "Miramax".

Dunn has long made up his mind to buy Universal Pictures.

Since Universal Pictures will acquire this company, Tang En made a move in advance and bought it at a lower price, which just fits the situation that Tang En Pictures is facing now.

Well, this acquisition proposal is very good!

"What's the price?"

"Good Machine Pictures has now produced 13 films, all of which are low-cost independent films with little profit, so the price is not too high, and it is estimated to be about 15 million US dollars."

Dunn nodded heavily, "That's it! I agree to the acquisition proposal West, this job is handed over to you. Acquire the Machine Pictures in the shortest time, and then expand the distribution department for me. Improve it! In addition, the name Good Machine Pictures is too ugly, after the acquisition is completed, it will be renamed Focus Pictures!"

West Cotton was a little surprised, "Director Walker, I...I..."

Tang En patted him on the shoulder and said lightly: "With your suggestion, it is enough to take the position of the vice president of Tang En Films. In other words, West, you have been accepted."

"what?"

West Cotton was both surprised and surprised, and his brain was a little swelled.

Although at 20th Century Fox, he was also a vice president, but Dunn had not known him for more than 20 minutes before accepting him as the vice president of Dunn Pictures. This trust was a bit heavy.

From the vice president of Fox to the vice president of Dunn Pictures, of course, it is a "demotion".

But Bill McNick was in front, and no one could speak.

He used to be the leader of 20th Century Fox, and he could jump to Dunn Pictures to be the second leader. How could West Cotton be dissatisfied?

Bill McNick has been accustomed to Dunn's unruly playing cards, and his out-of-the-box personality and decisive decision-making are absolutely wonderful in Hollywood.

"Okay, Dunn, let's put it aside in advance and talk about it later. Didn't West say that three acquisitions were prepared? Let's see what the last two acquisition proposals are."

Bill McNick touched West Cotton's arm, telling him to quickly gather his heart and prepare for the following introduction.

Tang En crossed Erlang's legs and said with a smile: "Yes, maybe...Tang En Pictures can send three invitations to purchase applications today."

For West Cotton, he has enough confidence.