Chapter 230

Chapter 230 Pixar animation in hand

Robert arranged a meeting with Jobs at this Emeryville location.

At the same time, Robert himself is also the CEO of MGM.

also brought Abel, the head of MGM, here.

Both go without saying. Jobs naturally knew Abel and Robert's main goal. In case Abel doesn't open his mouth.

The conversation between Robert Iger and Jobs would be much more comfortable.

"Steve." Robert Iger said:

"Clearly, you are the true soul of Apple. Without you, a missing apple would rot. You are the only one who can fill this void.

"You've done a great job at Apple over the past few years. Before you came back, everyone thought Apple was going bankrupt. But I don't believe that will happen because you have different feelings about Apple. I believe you will definitely come back and save Apple.

"It happened exactly as I thought it would. You returned to Apple and brought Apple back from the abyss."

"You are the soul of Apple and Apple cannot do without you."

Robert Iger is a serial courtier when he opens his mouth.

At the same time, closely connecting Jobs with Apple. Robert also indirectly reminded Jobs that Apple is the most important job for him right now, Jobs.

In that case, you might as well sell Pixar.

This way, you, Jobs, can better focus on saving Apple.

Of course, smart people like Jobs can hear everything at once.

How could Jobs, a barbarian, tolerate such comments? Before that, Jobs always thought he could do well with Pixar and Apple.

Fortunately, Robert Iger spoke very skillfully and his tone was very helpful to Jobs.

In addition, Robert Iger also has a good relationship with Jobs.

If someone else said so.

Bar Jing Qiao would not be so polite. Jobs said, "I know what you mean. Robert, Apple is really important to me. But that's not the reason I had to sell Pixar."

"Pixar has established its position in the industry very firmly."

"Even if I no longer pay attention to Pixar, as long as Ed and John are still at Pixar, they can still ensure Pixar's position in the industry."

John and Ed in Jobs' mouth.

refers to current Pixar CEO Ed Catmull and Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter.

These two, plus Jobs, are the three machines that Pixar animation has developed over the past ten years. Jobs was the big boss and president, responsible for leading the development of technology.

Ed Catmull is the company's director and producer of these highly profitable animated films.

John Lasseter is the animation director responsible for bringing these ideas and technologies to life in classic animation.

Jobs was right when he said that.

Parallel time and space after Jobs sold Pixar. Let's go to Pixar on the Disney side. Under the direction of John Lasseter and Ed Catmull, they also created many hit classics.

Faced with Jobs' evasive comments.

If the negotiator is Abel. He guessed he was playing tricks or directly spending money. Luckily the person in charge of negotiating with Jobs today.

is Robert Iger, a former Disney executive who knows Pixar and Disney very well.

I see Robert Iger smile and say:

"That's right. Ed and John are both very good and can develop Pixar very well."

"But Steven, have you ever thought about that? Michael doesn't really like Pixar. In Michael's eyes, Pixar is just one of many Disney animation production companies. »

What Robert Iger said made Jobs silent for a moment.

Because what Robert said is indeed true.

At the time, Michael Eisner was president.

Disney believes that "you can't put all your eggs in one cage".

From Disney's perspective, there's nothing wrong with that. But in the eyes of Pixar and Jobs, that meant they were a little full and were putting down their dishes and looking for other foods.

Robert Iger reiterated his efforts:

"You must have heard that Disney and Pioneer Animation collaborated on two 3D animated films at the same time. The names of these two projects are "Wild Nature" and "Flying Pigeons". Furthermore, Disney's animation department is also the main unit responsible for this activity. director of the 3D animation "Cow Story".

Robert Iger had a slightly mocking look on his face. Former Disney executives were mocking Disney...

"Look, Cow Story, even the name is a parody of Pixar's work."

"Steven, if all of this fails, that's okay. If these Disney works succeed, do you think Pixar will be as important to Disney?"

"Huh" Jobs couldn't help but take a deep breath, he looked at Robert Iger:

"You should say these words to John and Ed. They should think about this."

"But you are the real boss of Pixar." Robert Iger said:

"If Pixar's value drops. The person who gets hurt the most is you."

Jobs was silent again.

After about ten seconds, Robert Iger wanted to speak again.

The godfather of technology has spoken.

"I admit that I really hate Michael Eisner. I don't like Disney's approach either."

Jobs said:

"So Robert, what do you and Mr. Smith want Pixar to do?"

"It is very simple." Robert Iger smiled and said: "The acquisition, MGM acquired Pixar.

Seeing that he had finished speaking, Jobs sat up straight again, showing a very loud reaction. Robert Iger said before Gang Jing spoke:

"First listen to me, Steven!" Listen to me before it's your turn.

Sweet Mickey Mouse is rarely strong.

Jobs was a little surprised to give him this face.

Robert Iger was able to go on to say:

"We all know it. Even every American knows it. Steven, your energy and time over the past few years has been devoted to Apple. Pixar isn't as important to you as it used to be."

"So now. Give Pixar a better future, give John and Ed a better future. Give yourself dozens of times more revenue than your investment, then focus on focused on restoring Apple."

"Do you think this is a very good choice for you, for Pixar, for John and both of you?

After listening to Robert Iger's set, I found it very attractive.

The tone was even softer but firm, like a speech.

Don't talk about work. Even Abel who was watching felt that what Robert Iger said sounded completely reasonable.

This made Abel feel like he had spent a lot of money back then.

Let the headhunters go, bringing Robert Iger to MGM is certainly worth it.

It's no surprise that Disney is in another space and time.

After Robert Iger took office, it began to grow by leaps and bounds. It only took Robert Iger about ten years for Disney to dominate almost all of Hollywood and become the second largest media corporation in the world.

Then Disney started again after Robert Iger retired.

The new CEO took power and it didn't take long for him to fall into the strange LGBT group.

The family in turn directly lost Tianchao market, which had just become the largest film market in the world at that time.

Abel felt it today. This man looks elegant and gentle, like Mr. Bean and Mickey Mouse, indeed, are capable.

Jobs remained silent for several minutes after Robert Iger's comments.

After a while, the tech crazy guy said:

"Robert, I didn't expect you to be so eloquent. But I must say, to some extent, I was convinced by you."

Jobs then looked at Abel, who was watching the whole process.

"THEREFORE." Jobs looked at Abel:

"Mr. Smith of Wall Street, what price would you offer for Pixar?"

Abel did not immediately answer this stupid question, first he looked at Robert Iger. The latter gently nodded at him. Abel knew that it was Robert who was asking him to quote directly.

Because this was the case, Abel also made an offer to Jobs.

"Pixar's current market capitalization is $2.895 billion."

MGM could pay a premium of up to $3 billion to buy all of Pixar, Abel said.

Hearing Abel's suggestion, Jobs quickly calculated.

Jobs saw that if prices were followed. His own shares in Pixar could make him worth nearly two billion dollars. Compared to Jocks' $10 million and $54 million for Pixar, a total of $64 million was invested.

Profit of two billion US dollars, profit margin more than thirty times.

The average annual profit margin nearly doubled, and Jobs remained satisfied.

And what Abel said next really excited Jobs.

Because Abel said:

"Mr. Jobs, you will be able to receive at least two billion US dollars in cash. With this amount of money, if you buy Apple shares at the current price. This amount of money could instantly make you Apple's first major shareholder.

However, in 2001, Apple did not launch the first IPOD.

At the time, Apple's stock price, like Qualcomm's, was negative.

Qualcomm costs -$3 more.

Apple is even more exaggerated, it's over -$6. The Nasdaq bubble has burst and these are high-tech companies that are more or less linked to the Internet.

was also implicated in some aspect, combined with the economic recession, stock prices fell miserably.

At that time, Qualcomm's market value was more than $2 billion, and Apple was not much better, with a market value of just over $4 billion.

If Jobs could really exchange two billion dollars for Apple shares.

Abel's claim about becoming Apple's largest shareholder is completely correct. Even if Apple's shares are widely dispersed.

You should know that we are in 2001, not 2007.

Parallel in time and space, in 2007, after Apple launched the first iPhone, the market value exceeded 100 billion USD for the first time.

After that, Apple stock became the real meat and potatoes.

Before that, if anyone was willing to pay a premium for full ownership acquisition. At this time, even IPOD has not appeared yet.

It's actually possible to take Apple private and make the company your own.

But if he did so, it is estimated that Jobs would never stay in this apple.

Jobs, who was fired from Apple, this time played the role of savior.

If he couldn't play the savior, Jobs would never want to be a mere employee again. Without Steve Jobs, would the iPhone have been born?

Maybe, but that has to be postponed for a few years.

We will have to wait until the industrial chain is mature enough for it to appear on its own.

But it will never be like parallel time and space, because the existence of employment, the industrial chain has matured several years in advance, laying the foundation for the later mobile Internet era.

This is also the reason why Abel is not interested in Apple shares at the present time. Abel's talent told Abel that Apple's stock price would be negative for at least four or five years.

When stock prices were at their lowest, market capitalization once reached more than 3 billion US dollars, and the lowest stock price was -7 US dollars.

After going through the most difficult period, he will be reborn from nirvana.

In the meantime, Abel will leave him alone.

Leave it to Jobs to get started.

"call"

Jobs took a second deep breath and then exhaled. This time he thought for a long time.

After exhaling, Jobs said:

"I might consider selling Pixar. It's not wrong, like you said, Robert. Pixar deserves a better future. Ed and John deserve a better future."

"But." Jobs turned to Robert Iger, then to Abel. "I don't want all the cash. My request is half cash and half MGM stock."

Jobs gave his own final answer.

This reaction immediately lifted Robert Iger's spirits.

MGM's CEO apparently saw Pixar animation calling to him.

But what Abel said next brought Robert Iger back to reality. MGM's CEO almost thought Pixar animation would stay away from him.

"MGM stock is not good." Robert heard his boss say:

"It is now a private company, it has been deregistered. Mr. Jobs, I'm afraid we will judge him differently and that will be a barrier to this deal.

"What do you mean?" Jobs frowned.

Abel frankly said:

"I think MGM is worth at least $20 billion now. If Pixar Animation merges, in my mind it's worth $30 billion. One billion US dollars can only get you 3% of MGM stock.

Jobs laughed angrily.

Before Jobs arrived, he calculated the approximate market value of MGM.

Before Abel acquired MGM, its market value was about $35 to $38 and it was heavily indebted.

Later, Abel acquired MGM and acquired Marvel and DreamWorks.

Currently, MGM's total value is about 6-6.5 billion USD. Abel has invested more than $1 billion in multiple injections.

Combined with the overlap of these IPs, MGM's current market valuation has reached approximately $10 billion.

According to Jobs' idea, a valuation of $10 billion was MGM's limit.

Abel opened at a value of 20 billion US dollars. After adding Pixar, it went directly to 30 billion US dollars.

Jobs certainly disagreed. Luckily, Jobs was about to speak again.

Abe suggested something else that interested Jobs.

"I own about 5% of News Corporation's shares. If Mr. Jobs is interested in media companies, I can transfer News Corporation's shares to you."

Abel said:

"News Corporation's current market value is approximately $45 billion. I can give you 2% equity, worth $900 million, and use the rest in cash, how about that?

Abel's News Corporation's 3% stake came from a transaction with Middle Eastern stock god Walid at the time. 2% comes from Wall Street investment banks.

For this part of the action, he later spent almost 2 billion US dollars.

At the time, News Corporation's market value was approximately $40 billion.

Murdoch has made big moves this year and has repeatedly stated in the media that he wants to bring News Corporation into the fold.

This allowed News Corporation's Wall Street valuation to increase to $45 billion. Abe's 5% stake, initially worth $2 billion, also rose with the tide.

Jobs then expressed interest in the media company and Abel simply offered to trade the shares.

Regardless, Abel knew he couldn't join News Corporation anyway.

The Murdoch family's control of News Corporation is stronger than that of any other media giant.

This stake, other than allowing Abel to have two seats on the board of directors on the News Corporation side, can be said to have little effect. Since this is the case, it's best to use it as a resource now and exchange it with Jobs.

Abel's proposal clearly touched Jobs very much.

Especially in the first two years of the 21st century.

News Corporation has captured the attention of the American media.

The crazy pace of its expansion makes people feel angry in Australia. This also makes many investors very optimistic about News Corporation.

That is, only one Fox movie has been released so far, and it's not a full Fox movie.

This disappointed investors.

To Fox Films' parent company News Corporation.

Investors are more interested in it. But shareholders who own News Corporation stock also know that News Corporation has a bright future.

They will not sell their lightly held News Corporation stock.

As a result, there are very few News Corporation shares on the market.

Jobs may not have been familiar with media, but this tech enthusiast also knew that News Corporation stock was valuable.

This will be more valuable in the future. Compared to the still uncertain MGM, it is clear that News Corporation's shares will be more valuable.

Jobs agreed to Abel's terms of the acquisition.

But Jobs requested more shares from News Corporation.

"I want 3% and the price is $1.2 billion." "Pixar is worth the money," Jobs said. »

Robert Eger suddenly looked at his boss a little worriedly.

In MGM CEO's mind, he also believes that News Corporation's shares are more valuable. At least this value is much higher than MGM.

Unexpectedly, Abel directly agreed.

"3% is 3%." Abel smiled, stood up and reached out to Jobs:

"I hope we will have a happy cooperation. I also wish Apple, under your leadership, Mr. Jobs, another great success."

"Sure." Jobs stood up, shook his hand and spoke firmly.

At this moment, Robert Iger finally realized: Pixar is really about to become part of MGM!

The complete MGM of the CEO's imagination has finally come true. After confirming the intention to trade.

Robert Iger stayed with Jobs to do further negotiating work.

Abel has no interest in staying here to watch the duel between Steve Jobs and Robert Iger.

He returned to Los Angeles in the evening.

By then the sun had set and dusk was spreading over Beverly Hills. Along the way, watch the sunset over Beverly Hills, one of the most famous and wealthy areas in the world.

Abel is back in Beverly Hills, 812 North Bedford Street.

In this nest of love between him and Annie.

Abel meets a girl that surprises him.

Not Annie, she hasn't come back yet. The girl who surprised him was Laura Shrub Lauren.

Little Laura has arrived in Los Angeles.

(end of this chapter)