proceed, risk examination.
Curiously, the highly anticipated trailer arrived ahead of schedule—a swift teaser for Mulan, rated for all audiences. The backing of Universal and Fox played a significant role, despite the irony of aiding in the creation of their competition.
The foundation of Mulan's development was rapid, showcasing a picturesque landscape. The initial sequence depicted Mulan handling horses and being prepared to fulfill her duty as a concubine, followed by a fresh scene of the Huns marching to war. Quick and sharp, the trailer's final ten seconds featured Mulan wielding her sword, cutting her hair, and executing a striking blade movement.
The trailer aired repeatedly across five channels available to Billy, scheduled every two hours. In some variations, Mushu was included, delivering moments of comic relief.
-It's perfect. A brand-new animated film from Lux Animation.- murmured Michael Eisner, utterly defeated. Though it seemed irrelevant, they had once again lost in different ways. The film's composer was an Oscar contender, Toy Story 2 had amassed over $1 billion—the first animated film to achieve this milestone, and the highest-grossing film of all time. This turning point forced every studio to reevaluate animation, now competing to craft stories that were more intricate, weightier, and infused with a unique sense of fantastic realism.
Billy's approach to animation extended beyond traditional styles. He ventured into more mature, dramatic, and realistic storytelling, pushing the boundaries of the genre.
-We have several films lined up for release this year. In Florida, we're establishing a solid production team, but producing two films annually is still a challenge. We simply don't have the means to sustain that pace.- responded Michael Ovitz, whose standing with the board was increasingly precarious. This time, he was unable to execute his usual strategy of strengthening the company's business model. There were two primary obstacles: they needed a major success, and their market value couldn't rely solely on talent acquisition.
What they lacked was attention—fame. That was where they were being crushed. Their films had grossed between $120 million and $150 million, but that was insignificant compared to their rival, which had not only surpassed them in revenue but also in cultural impact. Children adored their films. Their presence was cemented in key markets—television, technology, hospitality—and they weren't afraid to exploit their properties through vibrant advertisements or towering character displays in the main streets of Los Angeles, San Jose, and New York, transforming these locations into must-visit photo ops for tourists.
-So, our main difficulties are time and money.- Eisner remarked, increasingly irritated by the word "time." He suspected that Michael Ovitz failed to grasp the abyss they were approaching as a company. Their operations were stable, yet they were plummeting like shooting stars.
-I fear that, in most cases, the risk lies in the company itself… It was difficult to foresee such expansion. Our acquisition of ABC has somewhat fragmented our investments.- Ovitz exhaled deeply. -As for a possible solution, I believe the best approach is to replicate the model, test the waters in Korea and Japan. Their labor costs are low, and they have established animation studios. If we build a sustainable relationship, this could help us compete with Lux Animation in the long run.-
-That won't work.-
Eisner dismissed the idea outright. Most films were produced domestically, and they were now venturing into live-action series—a move that directly contradicted the company's original vision. Simply imitating their competitor wasn't a viable path to success.
Ovitz noted the simmering anger in Eisner's mind, but he maintained his cold, corporate demeanor, though something about his stance seemed slightly different this time.
The industry was growing amidst struggles and setbacks.
Anne remained acutely aware of the tangled web of investments entangling Apple and Microsoft. Now, as third parties, they were funneling money into opportunistic firms that never ceased demanding more capital. But Anne had played her hand well, following the strategy of gradually scraping away at shares in response.
-They underestimate the gaming industry. Still, Jobs is content with his 10%.- Anne remarked as she discussed the matter with Rachel Sanders, who managed corporate connections in Asia—a task that never exceeded her workload. The real challenge was maintaining operational control. Two companies were now generating revenue at unprecedented rates.
-Then what's Jobs doing with the extra earnings?- Rachel inquired.
-Various avenues—investment promotions, technology development… It differs across resources, but I fear we need to start pushing back. Jobs' influence over the board needs to be curbed, yet Billy is the only one with the authority to do that. Unfortunately, he's too engrossed in his new film franchise. I doubt he'll be of any use until next year.- Anne admitted.
Rachel struggled to grasp the nuances of revenue allocation and boardroom power dynamics. Apple had repurchased the majority of its shares in scattered portions, leaving five individuals on the board with minimal ownership stakes. Billy controlled 83% of the company, while Jobs held 10%, and the remaining four members shared between 1% and 2% each. Despite this, Billy continued investing.
-You'll handle Jobs. That's your responsibility now. Conduct an exhaustive review—turn time into our ally. By January, I expect you to have scrutinized every contract down to the last detail. I'll send Anna Washington to Korea and Japan. You're the most skilled in operations—I need you to analyze every single agreement with a magnifying glass.- Anne Hall commanded, her tone carrying a decisive authority. -One mistake, and you lower yourself in rank. I'll personally inform Jobs that you have full jurisdiction over this matter—it's Billy's order.-
-Yes, Director.-
Rachel flipped through her notes. Apple was investing in processors, RAM enhancements, connectivity solutions, portable computing, and microchip development. The Macintosh line needed a revolution, and that was precisely what Jobs intended. But he had fast-tracked multiple projects, bridging time gaps with financial leverage and forming alliances beyond Intel, including IBM and Pixar. His goal was to develop a groundbreaking series of computers by 1996, far ahead of the current technological curve. Jobs had a keen eye for selecting the right partnerships, while Billy was planning a merger with NeXT, Jobs' company, valued at $200 million. That, too, was another key factor in the power struggle.
Did Anne suspect sabotage? It was her job to foresee failure. But Jobs was ambitious, and that very ambition could be the company's downfall.
-This job…-
-You're right, Rachel. You're sharp. I want you to take a permanent leadership role at Apple. It's a promotion. However, you'll need to train a replacement to take over your current duties. We're working with HR on recruitment, and we have strong candidates lined up. That brings us to the next step—do you want to choose your successor?- Anne asked.
-Yes, Director, I'd like that.- Rachel replied, suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of nostalgia. She tucked her hair behind her ear, nervously stirring her coffee, watching the contrast of dark and light swirl together. She truly loved her job as Director of Operations.
-Good. We'll discuss your formal appointment at Apple later. You'll take on the role of President alongside the CEO. In some cases, you'll share responsibilities and act as a direct advisor for your superior's interests.- Anne stated. She had long wanted to take charge of Apple's internal affairs. However, there was a glaring issue—handling Jobs would require at least two people. It was a daunting task. His request for an annual salary of $3 million was already a red flag.
Even CEOs like Gianopulos only demanded compensation tied to their workload, yet Anne couldn't ignore the ambition in his eyes.
Was everyone in this industry making that kind of money?
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