Capítulo 422: Chapter 422: Naming Rights
At the Santa Monica Beach Hotel, the main venue for AF, Charles accompanied Gao Yuanyuan to explore the film festival while also enjoying Los Angeles.
Since Santa Monica Beach was crowded, Charles took Gao Yuanyuan to relax at the private beach of his villa at Malibu Dume Point.
In the morning, in the bedroom, Charles rolled off Gao Yuanyuan and exhaled, "I need to go to the office later. I'll come back in the afternoon or evening to spend time with you."
Gao Yuanyuan hugged Charles' waist, "Sure, you've already spent a few days with me. I'll check out AF and maybe find some good movies."
"Alright, time to get up. Do you want me to drive you to the Santa Monica Beach Hotel?" Charles asked as he got out of bed.
Gao Yuanyuan shook her head, "No need, I'll drive myself. Just follow Highway 1 straight down!"
Charles nodded. They had no shortage of cars.
...
In an Italian restaurant near the Capet Entertainment headquarters in Burbank, Charles Capet was having afternoon tea with Jack Sterling, a representative from Bank of America.
After merging with Merrill Lynch, Bank of America managed assets worth a trillion dollars, surpassing Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase, becoming the largest bank in the United States.
Additionally, BlackRock, the world's largest publicly traded asset management company managing over a trillion dollars in assets, was nearly 50% owned by Bank of America.
"I really want to finalize a naming rights agreement for the Miami Dolphins' Dolphin Stadium with Bank of America, and I've already planned the stadium renovation to start after this season ends," Charles said, taking another sip of his coffee.
"And to welcome the Super Bowl that will be held in Miami at the beginning of 2010!"
Jack Sterling nodded; he knew all this already, having had several discussions with the general manager of the Miami Dolphins Club.
"Charles, a naming fee of $10 million per year isn't low, and for 18 years, it's a contract worth hundreds of millions!"
Charles smiled and pointed out the window just as a female production manager from Capet Pictures got out of a Mercedes sports car.
"Look, before she joined Capet Pictures, she was just a producer in the independent film circle, divorced, raising two kids, and renting her place. Now look at her, wearing an $8,000 custom Armani suit, driving the latest Mercedes SL500, and living in a single-family home in North Hollywood. She joined Capet Pictures just three years ago and not only paid off her debts but also gained a life many envy. Why is that?"
Charles looked at Jack Sterling with a smile, "It's because Capet Pictures' rapid development has provided her with a platform and opportunities!
The NFL has always been the most popular sport in America. If not for the financial crisis, I wouldn't have had the chance to acquire the Miami Dolphins Club. You know how ambitious my CSE company is.
So, $12 million per year for a 15-year naming rights sponsorship is my bottom line. Think it over carefully!"
Charles wasn't going to waste too much time on this. Without Bank of America, there were other companies to negotiate with.
After seeing Jack Sterling off, Charles went to meet with Dan Glickman, the chairman of MPAA.
In Dan Glickman's office, upon seeing Charles, he specifically poured two glasses of champagne to welcome him.
"So, how does it feel to become the seventh full member of MPAA?" Dan Glickman asked with a smile.
Charles shook his head indifferently, "Just a bit late in joining, I guess!"
With MPAA's involvement, Slumdog Millionaire was changed from R-rated to PG-13 much more conveniently.
Dan Glickman looked at Charles. "I heard you are contacting the GE board to bid on NBC Universal?"
Charles nodded. "GE is slimming down anyway. Finance and entertainment aren't their strong suits. Capet Entertainment is now a significant force in Hollywood. In my hands, NBC Universal will definitely shine again!"
Dan Glickman smiled, "Seems you're quite confident. NBC Universal is quite a prize for many. One of the Big Four broadcast networks, and one of Hollywood's historic studios is certainly an attractive brand!"
"It's indeed challenging. However, not many companies can digest NBC Universal in this financial crisis," Charles replied with a smile.
"Of course, the key is to manage the company well. Coca-Cola, Panasonic, Seagram, Vivendi, and the current parent company GE - how many owners has Universal had in just twenty years?"
Coca-Cola, due to Universal's losses, sold it to Japan's Panasonic, which soon sold it to Canada's Seagram Group due to losses, and the same situation happened with Seagram and Vivendi.
Now the parent company is GE, and the results are equally disappointing!
"You're quite right, NBC Universal and your Capet Entertainment make a good fit. If you truly acquire NBC Universal, Hollywood will undergo a revolution," Dan Glickman laughed.
"A victory of new Hollywood forces over the traditional ones."
Compared to Wall Street and Silicon Valley, Hollywood is no match - Hollywood is ultimately just superficial.
"I met with Jeff Zucker before, and the GE board isn't satisfied with NBC Universal's performance," Charles continued. "As for how strongly GE wants to sell NBC Universal, it depends on the upcoming developments!"
"Don't worry, I'll definitely support you in this," Dan Glickman, who always had faith in Charles, assured. Charles rarely opposed the government, which was crucial since Washington, D.C., couldn't do without Hollywood but also hated Hollywood's political grandstanding.
When Charles left MPAA's headquarters, it was already 6 PM. He declined Dan Glickman's dinner invitation and drove directly back to Malibu's Point Dume estate.
Gao Yuanyuan had already prepared dinner, and Charles obviously ate at home.
"How was today? Any promising movies there?" Charles asked Gao Yuanyuan at the dining table.
Gao Yuanyuan shook her head, "Not really. A lot of the projects haven't started shooting yet, making it hard to judge."
"Don't rush. If there are none, so be it. I've arranged for you to shoot a magazine ad in the next few days. Since you're Fendi's ambassador, take this opportunity to shoot a set while you're in the U.S.," Charles reminded.
"Alright, I have no issues. But I can't stay in the U.S. for too long; there are still many things to handle back home!"
Charles smiled, "Not going to my ranch to ski during Christmas?"
"I've got movies releasing. Let Lin Chi-ling accompany you skiing. She's in Japan promoting Red Cliff now and will start shooting a new movie at the end of the year. She can take quite a bit of time off during Christmas!" Gao Yuanyuan was now not just an actress but also a boss, with many things to manage, busier than an actor.
Charles nodded, "We'll see; there are still more than two months to go after all!"
"Let's take a walk on the beach later," Gao Yuanyuan suggested.
"Sure thing!"
*****
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