America’s Road To Wealth

  Chapter 243 Smith Media Group

  In the brandy restaurant.

  Abel smiled and said to Dayao: "Are you still used to living in the United States?"

  The young Dayao smiled honestly: "Fortunately, people here take good care of me."

  Dayao was talking about caa's manager.

  In CAA, although Abel only holds about 36% of the shares.

  But this share has allowed him to become the chairman steadily.

  After he became the boss of MGM and gained his current social status and fame.

  Invisibly, it also strengthened his position in CAA.

   Now even if Abel’s shares are lowered a bit.

  The shareholders of caa will still make him the chairman with a high probability.

  In the United States, Abel has become a famous brand in the famous brand effect to a certain extent.

   This also makes his influence on caa unprecedented.

   Much bigger than founder Michael Ovitz.

  The shareholders of caa are not so stupid to let such a big boss not let him be the chairman.

   It is also for this reason.

  Abel doesn't have to do anything to CAA, but his influence on CAA has been increasing day by day.

   Therefore, it is only necessary to let caa's agent know that Abel attaches great importance to Dayao.

  The attitudes of these spirits towards Dayao have naturally become very good one by one.

   Besides, after Abel took control of CAA and Michael Ovitz returned to the company.

  caa in addition to continuing to maintain the original entertainment brokerage business.

  At present, it is also vigorously developing the brokerage business of sports events.

  The four major leagues in the United States are a feast not to be missed, and the NBA is naturally the focus of caa's attention.

  Since the boss attaches so much importance to this Chinese person.

  In addition, the company will also focus on developing the business of the NBA.

  caa also paid special attention to Dayao.

   A side note—Dayao's main manager is the same as Scarlett Johansson's main manager.

   That's Mr. Derek Wright.

   This is a person in charge of Abel's roll call for Dayao.

  Because Abel knew that Derek Wright was very smart and capable of judging his intentions.

  After understanding Abel's intentions, Derek Wright naturally took good care of Dayao's life in the United States.

   Even the young people in Huaxia have a good impression of this capital country.

   It made Dayao feel that capitalists are so gentle.

  The little giant doesn't know, it's just because there is a super capitalist who pays more attention to him.

  Other small capitalists, or the lackeys of the capitalists, will take him so seriously.

"It's good if you can adapt." Abel nodded with a smile. He looked at Dayao's figure, "You look too thin. It may be fine in your country, but not in the NBA. The NBA is full of muscular bodies , too thin and too easy to get hurt."

  Yao also knew this.

  Da Yao came to the United States without any income, not even a contract.

  Derek Wright has been funded and named by CAA.

   Within a few days, a professional physical trainer and nutritionist were found for Dayao.

   This part of the cost is euphemistically called investing in advance, and caa is paid first.

   Later, after Dayao has income, it will be deducted from his income.

   This kind of treatment is only available to Dayao who is kissed by the boss.

   Michael Ovitz signed and supported, and Abel, the big Buddha, stood behind.

  Even if someone in caa has an idea, they dare not bring it up.

   "I'm already gaining muscle and weight, and I'm accepting the guidance of the nutritionist and trainer here." Dayao said honestly.

   Abel smiled and nodded again.

  Next, Abel didn't know what to say.

  Let’s talk about basketball. In fact, Abel doesn’t like basketball much.

  The pre-rebirth Abel liked football more, but the original Abel Smith liked baseball.

  As far as basketball is concerned, that is Abel before his rebirth. In junior high school and high school, he just happened to meet Dayao in the years when he was playing in the NBA.

  He watched it with his classmates, was fascinated together, and enjoyed the atmosphere together.

  In other words, Abel’s memories of basketball and the NBA all come from Dayao.

  Because of this feeling, he thought of bringing Dayao over when he bought his basketball team.

   For Abel, this can be regarded as a feeling.

  For ordinary people, it is probably after growing up and working and getting their first salary.

  When I have money, I want to buy back the toys I bought when I was a child because I had no money.

  But after buying it back, I found that apart from my feelings, I no longer need this toy.

  After realizing this, Abel directly asked Alan Baker next to him to call George Postolos, the current general manager of the Houston Rockets.

  The current general manager of the Rockets is not that thunder.

  George Postolos joined the Rockets in October 1998 and is responsible for all aspects of business management.

  During Abel's acquisition of the Houston Rockets, George Postolos was also taken over here.

  Abel didn’t have the right talent on hand at the time.

  In addition, George Postolos can make the Rockets profitable under the hands of a stingy boss like Alexander, which is already considered a good management ability.

  Abel did not let George Postolos leave, but let him continue to serve as the general manager of the Rockets.

  Abel wanted to see Dayao today, but George Postolos was already waiting outside.

  As soon as the call was made, George Postolos walked in respectfully.

  Abel didn’t know George Postolos either, but the other party knew him.

  After confirming that this is the general manager of the Rockets.

  Abel pointed directly at Dayao, which made the latter a little at a loss.

   "This tall guy sitting in front of you, he is the cornerstone of my Rockets team for the next ten years."

  Abel said to George Postolos:

   "His mission is to serve as the cornerstone of the team and fight for the Rockets."

   "My task is to stand behind you and provide you with support including but not limited to funds."

   "And you, George, your task. It is to match him with players who can win the championship, as well as other configurations. Can you do it, George."

  George Postolos was very surprised in his heart by how much the boss paid attention to this Chinese man.

   While coming in, even before this.

  George Postolos has already read Dayao's information.

  Honestly, after George Postolos saw it.

  The general manager of the Rockets thinks that apart from the height.

   Compared with many NBA rookies this season, Dayao's various conditions can only be regarded as excellent in some statistics, and generally pass the level.

   To put it bluntly, Dayao is not the best in statistics.

   What's more, Dayao in 2001 had one year less experience in the CBA than he did in 2002.

  It is indeed more youthful and less capable.

  But reality is reality, and the will of the boss is the will of the boss.

  Compared to the two, George Postolos naturally pays more attention to the will of the boss.

   "Understood. I can do it." George Postolos said to Abel seriously:

   "I will definitely tailor a system that suits Yao best! It will definitely bring a good result to the Rockets!"

  Abel nodded in satisfaction, although it was actually just feelings.

  But after having Abel's level of wealth and power.

  Many times, feelings are something that people like him cherish very much.

  It's like the Celestial Dynasty. There are also many rich people.

   What they are actually remembering is not something from the past.

  What they remember is actually their lost youth.

   It just happened to be something that carried their memories in their youth.

  Things like this became the past they cherished.

  This is the so-called feelings.

  Dayao, for Abel, is one of the carriers of the lost youth in junior high school and high school.

  Abel is willing to spend a little money in his eyes for his feelings.

  Abel stood up and patted George Postolos on the shoulder.

   "Then I'll hand him over to you. By the way, I should be there to watch this year's NBA draft."

  How to think, George Postolos doesn't know why.

  Abel would value this Chinese person so much.

   But Abel's last words immediately made George Postolos happy.

  Since Abel bought the Rockets, so far, he hasn't been to the Rockets headquarters once.

   This was a cruel thing for the Rockets, who were excited about being acquired by Abel at the time.

   When they were first acquired, the Rockets collectively were very excited.

   Everyone has had enough of Alexander's stinginess.

  If you can change to any boss who is not stingy, everyone will be happy.

   Then the stingy boss changed, and a super-rich man with the best match came directly to be the team's boss.

  This super rich man is also recognized by the media as one of the most generous bosses to his subordinates.

  At that time, everyone felt that the Rockets had also become the opponent's company.

   Doesn't it mean that they can also welcome the most generous boss in the United States?

   Then everyone's treatment, can't it be improved?

  Anyway, all the Rockets, including the players, thought so.

   As a result, Abel bought the Rockets. That's right.

  But it just sent a professional manager to come and walk around and declare sovereignty again.

   Then two more finances were sent over to take over the financial work of the Rockets.

  In other respects, let alone Abel himself.

   Not even the people from Abel's side came to have a look.

  The Rockets, which were acquired by Abel, felt abandoned over time.

  The former boss Alexander is very stingy, yes, but Alexander will appear in the team at least a few times a week.

  Now it’s better to change to Abel, and don’t even come here once.

   The Rockets were a little panicked because of this.

   I'm afraid that Abel will sell them again, and even more afraid that the next buyer will be a stingy guy like Alexander.

  George Postolos came to New York this time, ostensibly for Dayao.

  In fact, there are also attempts to represent the team's management to find out what the boss means to the Rockets.

   What does the owner mean to the Rockets, George Postolos doesn't feel it.

   But now George knows that the boss attaches great importance to this tall Chinese man.

   He even paid attention to the extent that he would go to the NBA draft and watch the show.

  George Postolos felt that if the boss really went to the scene.

  The boss will probably become the audience with the most wealth and the highest status in the history of NBA draft shows.

  At that time, the Rockets are bound to become one of the most watched NBA teams because of this boss.

  This also means that George Postolos thinks in his heart that he must let the boss focus on the team.

   Maybe it will fall on the tall Huaxia man in front of him

   This made the general manager look at Dayao more friendly.

   It's like looking at a baby.

   This also made Dayao even more flattered. The little giant felt that after coming to the United States, he seemed to have become a favorite.

  Are all Americans so nice?

   The little giant, who was still a little ignorant, thought.

  But, in fact, it’s just Abel’s attitude of reminiscing and protecting one of his many feelings.

   Just like this, George Postolos and CAA's Derek Wright have the same attitude towards Dayao as if they were looking at a big baby.

  What is good at the top will be worse at the bottom.

   That's probably what I'm talking about.

   After meeting the youthful Dayao once, he fulfilled his youthful feelings.

  Abel's focus of work has shifted away from F1 and the NBA, which are more entertaining for him.

  His attention is on the integration of his media companies.

  Currently, there are many media companies under Abel’s banner.

  MGM and its subsidiaries (Marvel, Dark Horse, DreamWorks, Pixar, etc.).

  AMC Television, AB Smith Newspapers, AB Smith Entertainment, Elizabeth's Backyard and more.

   Between these companies, except for AB Smith Entertainment, which has a little jurisdiction, they basically fight on their own.

   At most, it is just a business cooperation between brother companies.

  This situation is obviously not conducive to the circulation between resources and channels

  With the advice of the Advisory Group.

  Abel decided to integrate them and put them all under one group.

  Like Time Warner, News Corporation, Hearst Corporation, ABC Disney Group.

  The difficulty of this job is actually not high.

   Mainly the above companies, almost all of which are wholly owned by him.

  He is the chairman of so many companies by himself.

   All of them have the greatest power, and it is impossible for them to defy the integration issued by Abel.

   So on May 25th.

  Abel summoned all the heads of these companies to New York.

   All called to the Woolworth Building.

  Negotiations for the acquisition of the Woolworth Building are almost in progress.

  The shares of several major consortiums, under Abel's sincere offer, have agreed to sell the shares they hold in the building to him.

  At present, only the last 10% minority shareholders are still in negotiation.

   But it is only a matter of time, and the attribution issue is expected to be resolved within the next month.

   At that time, the entire Woolworth Building will be owned by Abel.

  Abel intends to place the headquarters of the integrated media group here.

   Calling everyone over is also a way to let everyone know the way in advance and know where the group headquarters is.

  The first senior meeting of Smith Media Group.

   Also on this day, it was held on the 33rd floor of the Woolworth Building, the original Smith Capital headquarters.

  Robert Iger, Michael Levine, Dylan, Richard Plepler and other high-level media companies also arrived at the scene.

  CAA's Michael Ovitz heard about the meeting, and Ovitz also wanted to come.

  But Abel only holds about 36% of the shares of caa, and he does not have absolute control.

  Abel is too lazy to carry out share split work after the integration, plus he already has a new love, MGM.

  caa, this old love, is no longer as important as it used to be.

   Not including caa in the territory can also prevent caa from being boycotted by other media giants.

   This is also good for caa itself.

   But Abe ended up having Michael Ovitz come over to the meeting.

   Only participated in this meeting in Ovitz's personal capacity, not as the CEO of caa.

  The meeting is held at ten o'clock in the morning.

  At half past nine, the leaders of these media companies had all come to the conference room to wait.

  The meeting hasn't started yet, and the boss hasn't come yet.

   These elites in the media industry smiled and got acquainted with each other first.

  Because if there are no accidents, after the group integration is completed.

   After this, everyone will become colleagues.

   One of them may become everyone's immediate boss and the CEO of the group company.

   In terms of relationship, it is natural that they can get along better, so they can get along better.

  The meeting room was very active for a while, everyone talked to each other, and the atmosphere was very friendly.

   Until around ten o'clock, the door of the meeting room was opened from the outside.

  Abel walked in first, and everyone in the conference room fell silent.

  Everyone looked up at Abel, and Abel walked in front with a smile on his face, and behind him were Alan Baker and David Jones from the advisory group.

   "Everyone, good morning." Abel greeted everyone as he walked towards the main seat.

   Everyone naturally responded to the boss with a smile, and the atmosphere was full of joy.

   After Abel sat down on the main seat, he smiled and said:

   "Everyone should already know the purpose of today's meeting. That's right, you can no longer fight alone like this. I want to gather you together and make you one of the most powerful media groups in the United States and even the world!"

   "Right now, I would like to announce one thing first, that is—Smith Media Group, which ranks eighth in the world and sixth in the United States, is officially established today!"

   As soon as Abel’s voice fell, Michael Ovitz, who was closer to him on the conference table, was the first to applaud.

  Other executives were taken aback for a moment, and quickly followed suit.

   For a while, there was thunderous applause in the conference room, until Abel smiled and raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

   The applause disappeared.

  Abel's voice sounded again: "The specific integration work, as well as the internal structure adjustment work, will be held later. This aspect will not be discussed at the meeting."

   "Today's meeting will mainly discuss two things."

"the first thing"

   Speaking of this, Abel deliberately paused, and smiled at the people present: "The first thing is probably the thing you are most concerned about."

"The first thing is that in addition to myself, I will serve as the chairman of Smith Media. The group will also introduce a CEO who is responsible for the daily management of the group and coordinates the work of various departments and subsidiaries, that is, the CEO. !"

   Just like Abel said.

  Who will become the CEO of this new huge media group is the most concerned thing for everyone present.

  The person who is qualified to be the CEO is smiling on the surface at the moment, but he is a little nervous in his heart.

   Those who are obviously not qualified look at several qualified people.

   Among them, it seems that the most qualified to be the CEO at present should be the CEO of MGM Entertainment, that is, Robert Iger.

  Who is it? In the current Smith Media Group, MGM Entertainment is the highest subsidiary in terms of scale and importance.

  It is also reasonable for the most important company leader of the group to be the CEO of the group.

  So everyone feels that Robert is the most likely to become the first group CEO.

   But in addition to Robert, there are two other people who may hold this important position.

   One is Michael Levine.

  In Abel's media company, everyone knows that Abel trusts him.

  Michael Levine can be said to be the first media person who joined Abel and worked for Abel.

  Plus everyone knows that although there are many boss women, there are always one or two who have a special status.

   Among them, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba are quite special.

  As the son of Anne Hathaway's mother's godfather, Michael Levine has a natural advantage in this regard.

   Although Robert is the most likely to become CEO, Michael Levine also has some hope.

  In addition to these two, another Michael, Michael Ovitz, is also hopeful.

  Michael Ovitz is currently the one with the highest qualifications in the media and entertainment industry in the entire group company.

  As early as the late 1980s, Michael Ovitz was already one of the Hollywood giants.

  At that time, Robert and Levine had just entered the industry not long ago!

  And Michael Ovitz was also one of the first media personalities to work for Abel, only a few days later than Michael Levine.

   What's more, he is the CEO of CAA, and CAA will not be merged into the group.

   are able to participate in this group's highest-level meeting.

   That means that the boss also trusts him a lot.

  So Michael Ovitz is also expected to take the position.

   Now I just don't know who the boss is going to choose.

  (end of this chapter)