The Industrial Giant Reborn.

Chapter 411 Disney's Future Direction
"I would like to congratulate Eric, you became the boss of Disney. When I first heard about this acquisition, I didn't have any hope for this acquisition. I didn't expect you to complete it." Michael Eisner said with a smile.

"Although Disney was once the largest entertainment company in the United States, it has been on the decline since Walt Disney's death 15 years ago. It's just that the background is enough, but after more than ten years, the entire company can no longer support it. If no one injects capital or does not change the current situation, it will probably go bankrupt within a few years." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

In the original history, in 1984, Disney had a serious capital chain problem, and many senior management members were forced to leave or run away. In this case, Michael Eisner came to Disney as the new CEO. If it wasn't for his joining, it is estimated that Disney may not be able to survive until the 90s. No matter how glorious the past is, it will not be able to change the current decadence. Just like Nokia in the era of smart phones, it can only rely on what it once had. Patent fees paid.

"Same." Michael nodded.

"How did you think about my invitation to you before? How about coming to Disney as CEO?" Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

Although he knows a little bit about the development process of Disney in the original history, he just filmed those few animation movies, and he has seen them. In theory, Disney can make them. It is only in terms of finance and operation, but the animation-related technology is still very strong, maybe not as good as it was at its peak, but it is much stronger than other peers.

But the problem is that if you want Disney to reach its peak, it is definitely not something that can be done with a few animation movies. These animations can only be said to provide a certain amount of funds for the company and help the company develop, but if you want to do it well, you need a strength A strong management team is in charge. After all, animation movies are only one of Disney's businesses, and Michael Eisner is the leader of this team.

When the acquisition was first announced, Chen Zhiwen entrusted a headhunting company to find Eisner, intending to recruit him from Paramount, and Chen Zhiwen met him once more than a month ago, which was the first time he met , but at that time whether Disney could be acquired by itself was still controversial in the United States, so there was no in-depth discussion at that time, and it was regarded as making a friend.

Now, it's a formal invitation.

"Then what rights would I have?" Michael Eisner pressed.

"An investment of more than 300 million US dollars, and personnel changes above the vice president require my consent. Others, you have the final say, but any investment of more than 5 US dollars needs to be summarized to me every quarter. I need to know These investment intentions, income and other information, but these are just for understanding. In addition, I will have some requirements of my own, such as changes to Disneyland, new Disneyland or other small parks in the future, etc., or some movies. "Chen Zhiwen said simply.

In fact, in the future, my own boss will inevitably interfere with some things. Now I can't explain clearly in a few words, and there is no need to make it clear. For professional managers with strong abilities, Chen Zhiwen will respect him, not because he thinks there is a big problem Chen Zhiwen will also agree to the project, but he will not limit his own rights.

"You want to make a movie yourself?" Michael Eisner said in surprise.

"It's just some small ideas. When the time comes, we will discuss it together. If you think it's okay, we'll shoot it. If you don't think it's okay, then we'll shoot two or three movies. If it doesn't work, then I won't get involved in it again. How about it?" Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

Some classic animation movies in the future, with part of the content provided by myself, coupled with Disney’s professional team and Michael Eisner’s professional ability, will fail for no reason. Even if there are some differences, it should only lead to a lower box office. But it is far from the word "failure".

And if it is really because of the butterfly effect or your own reasons that the shooting results are mediocre, then it doesn't matter. Anyway, in the original history, Michael Eisner can also take Disney off, and providing financial resources by himself will only make Disney stronger.

"You just said, build some small parks?" Michael Eisner asked again, he noticed every sentence and every word of the boss in front of him, because a rich man of this level may have a single meaning. Represents an investment of tens of millions of dollars or more.

"This is an idea of ​​mine." Chen Zhiwen paused and said: "Disney's existing two parks are too big, and each of them is a huge investment. The park in Los Angeles spent 50 million US dollars in the 1.3s, and the park in Orlando It cost 7.6 million US dollars ten years ago, you and I both know what the concept of 7.6 million US dollars ten years ago was, the two twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York cost 7 million US dollars, but now you look at Orlando Disney Not only does the park not make money, but it also suffers a huge loss, and the annual rent of the World Trade Center is now [-] million US dollars.

I know that the meaning of Disneyland is not to rely on the park to make money, but to rely on the park to promote the fame of various cartoons, help movies and various toy derivatives expand the market, so even if it loses money, I agree with the existence of a large Disneyland , including in the future if the Disney company's economy improves, I am also planning to build a Disneyland in Europe.

But my idea is, why don't we make small parks, not one for each city, but at least New York and Chicago.Can a big city like San Francisco have one?A small park can live very well by relying on a big city. This has been proved by many theme parks of other brands. They all live very well, even if it is the simplest children's playground. "

"From an operational point of view, this is indeed feasible. The current two Disney parks have high investment costs and high maintenance costs. To make a profit, you need to attract a large number of customers, but many customers are far away. It might not be difficult for them to come to Disney for a special trip, but it would be 10 times more difficult to come to the second time. Building a small park near the city can indeed solve this problem, but in this case, there will also be a very big side effect, then That is, when people have a small Disneyland around them, who pays to go to a big park in the distance?" Michael Eisner analyzed.

"So these new small parks will not be called Disneyland. They have nothing to do with the big Disney brand. They are just another brand, another theme park, but with cartoon images and so on. Disney needs to find a way to make the name Do it." Chen Zhiwen said: "Stagger the operation, so that people who come to our little park will not see Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck, and it will not affect the two Disneylands."

"That is to say, we are purely investing in some other theme parks, which is equivalent to opening a new business of a small park?" Michael asked.

"Yes, it's just that Disney's existing team is required to be in charge of this project. I'll be in charge of the funding in advance, but it's up to you to decide what kind of park to build." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said.

"If that's the case, then there's no problem." Michael nodded. It's purely to increase a business of the company, and the boss is willing to contribute capital alone. No professional manager will object.

"One more thing, this kind of small paradise, you are trying it in the United States now, and I will transfer this type to Asia in the future." Chen Zhiwen said again.

"Asia? Japan, Hong Kong?" Michael asked.

"There will be, and there are some Southeast Asian countries, as well as the mainland." Chen Zhiwen said.

After the mainland further liberalizes foreign investment restrictions next year, it will welcome foreign companies even more. However, foreign-funded real estate companies basically do not allow foreign capital to set foot in them except for the "International Trade Center" and "five-star hotels". Yes, it is difficult even for Hong Kong capital, and there are too few projects required by the central government, and the low profitability of investment in five-star hotels will always be a dilemma. As a result, a lot of Chen Zhiwen's capital cannot enter the country.

Large-scale shopping malls and super office buildings can be invested, but these are long-term projects, and it will take until after the 21st century, or even after the 10s, to achieve huge gains.

In this case, investing in recreational park projects is a good choice, but Disneyland is obviously not good. This kind of huge investment must be in a place with a large population and a developed economy, such as Shanghai 30 years later. Now it is totally not enough.

With the help of the Disney team, the small theme park developed can well meet the needs of the mainland, with a small investment, serving one or several surrounding cities, and a little more convenient transportation, it will be perfect immediately.

Michael asked: "Does the mainland have such a strong consumption power?"

"Of course there is. Shanghai used to be the largest city in Asia. Even if it's not close now, the economic consumption power is still very strong, and they are also developing." Chen Zhiwen said.

"Okay, it's not a big problem to try a few first." Michael nodded and said. The investment in the small park is not large. Anyway, the boss has money, so I just need to try my best to make the theme well. In addition, I have done other subjects.

And if this small paradise is really built, it will be a good thing for Disney. Not only will it have new profits, but it can also use the new paradise to promote new IPs. This is equivalent to giving Disney an extra promotional channel. In the past, it was really not a good idea to squeeze customers into two big parks, which made customers very tired.

"Our previous public relations also said that we will invest 2 million US dollars to renovate the current Disneyland. This is a promise to the US government and society. I will naturally implement it, but if you were the CEO, how would you implement it?" Chen Zhiwen added asked.

"Eric, you didn't tell the time, did you?" Michael said with a faint smile.

"Indeed not. This itself is a non-mandatory requirement of the Ministry of Commerce. Although I do have this plan, I will not take the initiative to set up a frame to kill myself." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said, how much he invests is his own business, but There is no need to set limits for yourself.

"Disneyland does need a proper renovation. Some old places can be improved with money, but major renovations need to wait. We need a project that can make quick money to bring Disney back to life." Michael said.

(End of this chapter)