Chapter 420: Chapter 420: Make Contact
After spending a perfect weekend with Anne Hathaway, Charles returned to his job.
As Capet Entertainment grew stronger, it attracted more capital attention. The entertainment industry was all about advancing or falling behind.
"Bridgewater Fund, BlackRock, Vanguard Capital, Goldman Sachs, State Street Bank, even Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is optimistic about us," Anne Depp said. In Capet Entertainment's headquarters office, Charles was astonished to see these Wall Street big shots' investment requests.
"Anne, what do you think?" Charles asked Anne Depp across from him.
As Capet Entertainment's CFO, previously employed at Morgan Stanley, Anne Depp pondered for a moment before speaking, "Is Capet Entertainment preparing to go public?"
Charles nodded, "Of course, General Electric might sell NBCUniversal. I've talked to their CEO, Jeff Zucker. When the time comes, we can hold a three-party meeting with General Electric, Vivendi, and Capet Entertainment.
NBCUniversal's key assets include NBC broadcasting network, Universal Pictures, and cable networks like USA, Bravo, Syfy, CNBC, and NBC itself.
These are what we need. Although NBC broadcasting network and Universal Studios' contributions to NBCUniversal's performance have dwindled, with Capet Pictures' help, Universal Pictures' performance, whether in movies or theme parks, would significantly improve!"
Capet Entertainment's current film and TV content output was unstoppable. The Marvel Universe was taking shape and could eventually be fully housed within Universal Studios.
Moreover, Capet Pictures had formed a strategic partnership with Hasbro. The release of the live-action Transformers movie was a great boost for Hasbro.
At the same time, Hasbro also obtained toy licenses from Capet's Marvel Entertainment and Capet Pictures.
Anne Depp nodded, "Acquiring NBCUniversal isn't easy. General Electric shareholders, including Berkshire and BlackRock, are board members."
"We can ally with them, and Goldman Sachs' extensive network can serve as a mediator for our NBCUniversal acquisition.
These investment institutions contacting us realized Capet Entertainment's next step would be to expand into television networks, and they have the capability to help us with the acquisition plan.
Besides ABC, CBS, and Fox, NBCUniversal is the most likely candidate. General Electric's condition can't be hidden from everyone!"
Anne Depp then looked at Charles, "Capet Entertainment isn't lacking funds right now. When do you plan to go public?"
"Going public?" Charles thought for a moment. "After we successfully acquire NBCUniversal Entertainment and complete the group's resource integration."
Anne Depp nodded, knowing that if the NBCUniversal acquisition failed, Capet Entertainment's IPO plans could be reshuffled.
"Let's get prepared. I feel General Electric can't hold out much longer. Stay in touch with major banks and investment institutions. When General Electric sells NBCUniversal, there will surely be a battle. Comcast has been preparing to enter the content production field for years!"
Charles was firm about acquiring NBCUniversal, regardless of competitors like Comcast Group or AT&T.
"Don't worry. Capet Entertainment's financial health is very strong, and the future looks bright. Both investment institutions and private capital have given Capet Entertainment high marks," Anne Depp responded with a smile.
Otherwise, when Capet Entertainment acquired Netflix earlier, it could have gone public. But because Capet didn't need money, they privatized Netflix as Charles planned to build group businesses first.
After Anne Depp left Charles' office, Charles understood that Capet Entertainment couldn't be modest anymore.
With successes in movies, TV, and music, Capet Entertainment genuinely stood at the forefront. Charles knew the principle of sharing profits.
Without giving Wall Street capitalists a chance to earn big, Capet Entertainment would face difficulties from all sides.
After all, Capet Entertainment wasn't an industrial business. The entertainment industry's bubbles were destined to rise and fall in the stock market.
Fortunately, Netflix's transition to streaming led other companies. NBCUniversal and Fox's joint venture Hulu was just starting, so no rush there.
Capet Animation's subsidiary, Illumination Entertainment, also began production on its first 3D animated feature, Despicable Me.
In two years, Capet Entertainment's 3D animated feature would hit theaters. Everything was progressing positively!
Unfortunately, acquiring George Lucas' Lucasfilm was tough. The Star Wars IP was truly a golden goose in America.
Afterward, Charles called his mother to ask if Michael Jackson was interested.
"Of course he's interested. But Michael has no intention of signing with a management company. He's got his own company handling things now!"
"At the last gala hosted by Philip Anschutz, I talked to him. If he needs help, he can reach out to me. As for his concert contract with AEG Entertainment, I can't interfere," Charles said, thinking. "But with Michael Jackson's current health, if stressed too much, he might struggle to complete the concerts. If there's an opportunity, send someone to contact him. Capet Records can help resolve his debt issues."
"Sure. What's your condition?" Evelyn inquired over the phone.
"Sign an album contract with Capet Records. I won't set a release deadline. He can release albums whenever he wants," Charles had been waiting to hear from Michael Jackson but got nothing. Sending a manager might help.
"Resolving his debt issues? His debt is astronomical. Without releasing albums or touring, his current income won't cover it. Every month, he's in the red."
Evelyn was implying Charles shouldn't get involved.
"Make contact anyway. He's the King of Pop. The more AEG invests in him, the more they'll squeeze him. He's a mess now and might have an accident," Charles sighed. "Have him mortgage his music rights to Capet Records. We'll help him resolve his personal debt crisis first. Let's see what happens next."
"I'll send someone to try."
*****
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