Chapter 689: Chapter 689: Prada Listing
With The Avengers premiering in 4,350 theaters across North America, its first weekend box office grossed a whopping 208 million, making it the highest-grossing movie for an opening weekend!
Downtown Los Angeles, near California Plaza, Charles attended a charity auction at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.
"Hey Horn, you interested in coming over to Universal? Michael Lynn is about to retire, and Universal still needs an operating president," Charles chatted with Alan Horn from Warner Bros. Universal had already heard that Warner Bros. wasn't planning to renew Alan Horn's contract, meaning he would leave Warner Bros. this year.
Hearing Charles' invitation, Alan Horn was quite surprised, "Mr. Capet, your sources are really something!"
Alan Horn's departure had only been decided internally at Warner Bros. in the past two to three days and had not been officially announced yet.
Charles smiled, patted Alan Horn on the shoulder, "Give it a good think. You know Universal's momentum now. You and Donna Langley together could definitely take Universal to the next level!"
Alan Horn nodded, "Thanks!"
"I heard that the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art wants to imitate the annual charity gala of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and even got the Italian fashion brand Gucci to collaborate," Charles commented, eyeing Alan Horn, "What do you think, can they pull it off?"
The Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art on the West Coast hoped to emulate the charity gala of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art on the East Coast to become a signature event of the city.
Alan Horn shook his head, "It's tough. The reputation of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art is far higher than that of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. If it were the Los Angeles County Museum of Art leading it, there might be a chance!"
"Yeah, some people and things just don't know their place," Charles said with a mocking tone, "like putting on a tiger's skin and ending up looking like a dog!"
Alan Horn also responded with an awkward smile. Charles' implication was clear as day. The Marvel Cinematic Universe planned by Capet, starting with The Avengers, had an astonishing effect; Warner Bros., on the other hand, tried to establish the DC Extended Universe, planning to compete with Justice League, but unfortunately, Green Lantern didn't even come close to the success and acclaim of Iron Man!
"Alright, I need to leave now," Charles had to fly to Hong Kong tomorrow.
Alan Horn's situation could be handled entirely by the group's Nomination Committee, as Universal Entertainment was an essential aspect of the Capet Group!
...
At the end of July, the Italian luxury brand Prada got listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange at an issue price of HKD 39.5 per share, offered 424 million shares (10%) in the IPO. The total share capital soared with a market value reaching nearly $11 billion.
At the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, Charles Capet clinked glasses with his mother and Lily Ying. "The Hong Kong stock market is really booming, huh?"
Lily Ying took a sip of champagne, "European luxury brands still have a strong reputation, and the star-studded promotion strategy arranged by Mrs. Capet worked well. Prada listing in Hong Kong filled the luxury stock gap in the exchange."
"No wonder everyone wants to go public; the financial market sure is a fast way to make money," Evelyn, who owned a considerable stake of Prada through her private investment company, commented. Her stake was now worth over $1.4 billion!
Charles owned less than 4%, holding around just 100 million shares.
Soon, Charles spotted Gao Yuanyuan from across the room.
"10 million shares, nearly 400 million HKD, that's generous of you! Just gave them away," Gao Yuanyuan smiled as she clinked glasses with Charles.
Charles wasn't bothered about his 100 million shares of Prada; he was planning to give them away.
After all, when Capet went public, all the Hollywood women benefited too, receiving between 200,000 to 1 million Capet shares!
"You deserve it! And I bet Lily Ying has given you some perks; you must've made quite a bit this time?" Charles joked.
Gao Yuanyuan pursed her lips, "I'm Lily's right-hand woman, managing Red Fruit Entertainment!"
...
Blue waters, clear skies, bright sunlight, and sea breezes surrounded the Starlight yacht anchored near Hong Kong. Charles lay on a deck chair, basking in a sunbath.
After a while, Gao Yuanyuan came with some newspapers. "Charles, here's the international papers you wanted!"
"Oh," Charles got up from the beach chair and moved to the shade nearby. "Thanks," he said, taking the papers and setting them aside while pulling the lady closer for a kiss.
Gao Yuanyuan, with her amazing figure, leaned against Charles. "Want something to eat? I can get it for you."
"Not really hungry," Charles chuckled and pulled Gao Yuanyuan onto his lap. "If you're hungry, just go get something for yourself."
"I want to eat you..." Gao Yuanyuan whispered seductively into Charles's ear.
Charles gave her thigh a gentle slap and caressed it, "Haven't you had enough these past two days?"
Then, Charles began flipping through the newspapers beside him.
Hong Kong had a lot of news regarding the UK, and right now, anything about News Corporation was big news, with plenty of coverage on Rupert Murdoch's wife, Wendi Deng.
Unsurprisingly, there were scandals involving former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Wendi Deng, as well as stories about Wendi's disagreements with Rupert Murdoch's children.
"News Corporation," Charles muttered to himself. It still had a powerful promotional capability.
The entertainment section of the newspapers was filled with news about Marvel's The Avengers. Not only was it a blockbuster in North America, but it also performed crazily overseas. In just ten days, The Avengers had grossed 310 millions in North America and even more worldwide.
*****
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