Chapter 75: He Wasn't a Savior
[Chapter 75: He Wasn't a Savior]
On that day, a sensational piece of news broke out, published simultaneously by the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Herald, and WND News Network.
The Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Herald had established a betting agreement!
As soon as the news hit, it sent shockwaves across the country. Was the relatively new Los Angeles Herald really launching an aggressive attack on the Times?
The public buzzed with excitement, and the Los Angeles Herald saw a significant boost in sales, even trending -- although it wasn't a complete victory since it wasn't exclusive.
However, the benefits for the Herald were colossal.
People tuned in to the news, and most were focused on the news itself rather than the companies behind it. Ian Carr was a notable exception; as the company owner, he was already a celebrity, but ultimately, his personal brand overshadowed the company.
Today, the name of the Los Angeles Herald echoed nationwide!
Whether or not you bought their newspapers, you were aware of the Herald's reputation!
It was a paper brave enough to challenge one of the three major newspaper giants in the country: the Los Angeles Times!
...
For Ian, this move was risky.
He wasn't afraid of losing; he was concerned about when he would win.
With the 9/11 background, Ian had confidence that even if the conglomerate turned against him, allowing the Times to purchase news from its competitors at high prices, he would still prevail. But winning at that point would be too late -- his aim was to secure a deal with CBS before September.
This meant he needed to strike a deal with the Times by June. Only by boosting their size could he have the credibility to reach an agreement with CBS in three months.
Winning against the Los Angeles Times in three months was something Ian felt uncertain about.
Of course, even if he couldn't achieve this, it wouldn't be a total loss. It would just be a shame to lose the chance to report on such a significant event as 9/11.
The impact of 9/11 was of global and historical significance; it was unmatched, even overshadowing events like president's assassination attempt -- financial and health crises were not individual events; their news lingered for a long time, lacked the same explosive and shocking nature.
So, considering the explosive nature of these events and their long-term repercussions, nothing in the next twenty years would compare to 9/11.
In fact, it could be said that because of 9/11, the issue of global terrorism had truly become a common concern among people worldwide, leaving a profound impact!
Therefore, Ian had to go all-in to fulfill this betting agreement.
---
By the end of February, Carr Media reported a significant development.
Carr Media invested $10 million in cash along with assuming $60 million in debt to acquire the Signet Daily.
This was a medium-sized newspaper in America, with daily sales around 200,000 copies -- no small feat, though its operations were lacking.
It had been losing money for the past three years, nearing insolvency; yet despite this, it still had significant value.
To secure this acquisition quickly at the right price, Ian had to employ hypnosis.
When Ian Carr took charge of the Signet Daily, the staff cheered passionately.
They believed that Ian's arrival would revive the 40-year-old newspaper.
---
Denver, Colorado.
The plane gradually descended at Denver Airport.
Ian stepped off, accompanied by a red-haired beauty.
Her name was Shani, and she was Ian's newly hired secretary, somewhat competent.
They drove straight to the headquarters of the Signet Daily.
Editor-in-Chief Alexia Garretti was already there, waiting with the newspaper staff.
Upon seeing Ian, Garretti exclaimed, "You've arrived, boss!"
Ian nodded lightly. "Let's go inside and take a look."
With Garretti and others accompanying him, Ian entered the main office area.
...
Leading Ian and Shani to the front of the hall, Garretti clapped her hands and announced, "Hey, folks, look who has arrived! Let's welcome the greatest journalist of the 21st century, our dear boss, Ian Carr!!!"
At this, everyone broke free from their busy state, standing to applaud.
This was not just respect for the boss; it was a heartfelt admiration for all he had accomplished during this time!
Even if one was a conman, standing at the pinnacle would always attract a crowd.
Garretti exclaimed with excitement, "Who stood against four assailants?"
Everyone shouted, "Mr. Carr!"
Garretti continued, "Who saved an innocent girl from the hands of her predator step-father?"
The crowd shouted, "Mr. Carr!"
Garretti asked, "Who revealed the dark side of Hollywood?"
"Mr. Carr!" the crowd cheered.
Garretti raised her voice again, "Who exposed the Oakland Paints scandal, the Charlie Mills incident, survived the gunfight of Bates Killers, and rescued a desperate boy from disgusting police officers? Who issued a challenge to the Los Angeles Times, one of the big three newspapers in America?"
"Mr. Carr!"
"Mr. Carr!"
"Mr. Carr!"
Everyone screamed in unison.
The applause was thunderous, rolling in waves.
Ian smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
Garretti nudged, "Say a few words to them, boss."
...
Ian cleared his throat, taking in the hopeful expressions before him as he chuckled, "The world is vast, filled with countless individuals!
Every day, untold events unfold!
As media, our mission is to uncover this world and present its truest nature to everyone.
What are we?
The kings without crowns!
Our profession is noble and sacred; we possess the agility of agents, the strength of superheroes, and the eyes of an eagle. We are willing to do whatever it takes for the truth!
We embrace this world with our eyes, our pens, and our voices, standing at the pinnacle of existence!
We see!
We conquer!"
Ian raised his arms high and shouted.
Everyone responded in a fervent roar, "We see! We conquer!"
---
After calming everyone at the office, Ian retreated to his office.
He sat in his boss chair, propping up his legs.
Garretti stood in front of Ian, speaking with utmost respect, "Mr. Carr, with you here, the Signet Daily is bound to shine once more!"
Ian waved his hand gently, "No, Garretti, you misunderstand. I'm not here to lead the Signet Daily to glory; I'm not your savior."
Garretti was taken aback, "What do you mean?"
You weren't saying that in the hall just now!
Ian looked seriously at Garretti, "The quarterly sales for the second quarter are about to begin. From now on, all sales of the Signet Daily must be bundled with the Los Angeles Herald subscriptions. The Herald cannot lower its prices, but the Signet Daily can."
Garretti was shocked as she turned to Ian, "Mr. Carr!"
"Let me finish!" Ian said firmly, looking at Garretti, "First, mobilize all your channels to promote the Herald's quarterly sales! Secondly, relinquish most of your effective channels to the Herald; they must at least be shared! From now on, all sales targets need to be centered on the Herald!"
Garretti felt as if she had fallen into an ice pit.
You're looking to drain the Signet Daily!
In that moment, she understood.
...
Ian Carr wasn't there to save the Signet Daily.
He was there to destroy it!
In his wager with the Los Angeles Times, only the Herald's sales were counted.
Relying solely on self-expansion was costly and inefficient. Thus, Ian Carr chose acquisition!
He bought the Signet Daily, which had size but lacked profitability, then funneled its core resources to the Los Angeles Herald, a simpler and more convenient option than expanding channels independently.
Once he drained the Signet Daily, Ian would then look to sell it!
This showcased the ruthlessness of the capitalistic world.
Only the strong survived; only the victors reigned.
...
Garretti felt cold dread, looking at Ian, "Mr. Carr, if that's the case, what will happen to the Signet Daily?"
Ian smiled, "Don't worry. It will still thrive. Under my leadership, the Signet Daily will become a profitable enterprise... why maintain such a large operation if it's losing money? Slim it down, and it will become profitable."
Garretti gazed blankly at Ian, "What about the employees?"
Ian's gaze turned icy, "Of course, layoffs! Employees who do not contribute to profitability have no reason to stay. Garretti, I give you one month to accomplish everything I've instructed. After the paper is streamlined, you must lay off at least 50% of the staff. Once that's done, I will shift some business over, and the Signet Daily will undoubtedly turn a profit!"
His tone was as cold as winter, making Garretti shiver.
His words echoed like a haunting whisper from the depths of hell: "If you can't do it, I'll find someone who can!"
*****
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