章節 524: Chapter 524: Warner Bros Executives
On October 10th in Brooklyn, phase one of the Atlantic Yards project by Forest City Group broke ground. The core structure was set to be the future home of the NBA team, the Barclays Center.
Charles Capet participated in the groundbreaking ceremony along with Nets Club President Thomas Wayne and the team's General Manager Rod Thorn.
"Charles, by 2011, you can move the Nets from New Jersey to New York. We'll be able to watch games in the Barclays Center during the 2011-2012 season," Forest City Group's Bruce Ratner congratulated Charles.
"Thanks, but we still have two years to go!" Charles replied, glancing at Ivanka Trump, who was being interviewed by reporters outside.
"By the way, will the Nets change their name after the move?" Bruce Ratner asked.
Charles nodded, "Thomas will gather suggestions for a new team name online. The Knicks don't represent New York's standards, right?"
"I see," Bruce Ratner didn't seem too surprised about the online name collection.
In the afternoon, Charles and Ivanka took a car back to Manhattan together.
"Charles, you're full of surprises lately," Ivanka said, wrapping her arm around Charles's as they sat in the car. "In Hollywood nowadays, nobody dares to ignore your words, right?"
Charles tilted Ivanka's chin and smiled, "You can only enjoy the most beautiful scenery standing at the top." He continued, "Capet Entertainment used to be just a major force in Hollywood. But now, with NBC, Capet is an international media power with the ability to guide public opinion."
Charles added, "In a few days, accompany me to Washington, D.C. It's time to pay a visit to some old political friends!"
"Sure, I've been learning at the Huffington Post, assisting Arianna Huffington," Ivanka said, kissing Charles on the cheek. "Our new president's healthcare reform plan sure got a lot of support!"
"Obama's healthcare reform, huh," Charles chuckled, pulling her closer and gently stroking her thigh.
...
In Los Angeles, at Warner Bros headquarters, Chairman Barry Meyer, Co-chairman Alan Horn, President of the Film Division Jeff Robinov, and President of the Television Division Bruce Rosenblum held a meeting in a small conference room.
"Unreal, the methods Charles Capet used to handle Universal are astonishing!" Barry Meyer's tone was genuinely shocked as James Schamus, the head of Focus Features under Capet Universal, had just submitted his resignation.
Alan Horn smiled, "Disney only lost their film division chairman, but it seems like Universal's top brass is completely wiped out. Even Jeff Zucker resigned. Also, Universal's termination of various film and TV projects recently has shaken Hollywood."
Among the six major film studios, except for Disney, which produced fewer films annually, the remaining five studios, plus their independent labels, collectively released over 150 films each year. Universal's recent actions were set to impact nearly a hundred projects over the next two to three years.
This would undoubtedly lead to widespread disappointment, despite many of Universal's projects being comedies and horror films, not the indie non-mainstream works like Lionsgate.
Film Division President Jeff Robinov glanced at Television Division President Bruce Rosenblum and laughed, "Has Capet TV's capability made you feel threatened? Quite a few top-rated shows are from Capet TV!"
Warner Bros Television had long been the world's largest TV production company, creating many popular series for the big four broadcast networks as well as various cable channels.
The competition between Bruce Rosenblum of the TV division and Jeff Robinov of the film division was because Barry Meyer was getting older and nearing retirement. The most likely candidates for the next Warner Bros Chairman were Jeff Robinov and Bruce Rosenblum.
Bruce Rosenblum only shot Jeff Robinov a glance before speaking, "Capet Films will hit an unprecedented $2 billion in North American box office this year. What's your take on that? After shutting down Warner Independent Pictures and merging New Line, we still can't keep our first place!"
"You..." Jeff Robinov adjusted his collar, not wanting to argue with Bruce Rosenblum any further. Rosenblum's point was clear: while Warner Bros TV had to face competition from Capet TV, it still held the top spot in TV production. However, Warner Bros' film division was now trailing behind Capet Universal.
"Enough," Barry Meyer knocked on the table to stop their clash. "You understand Capet Universal's strength without me spelling it out. Films, TV, music, home entertainment, streaming services, TV networks, and Universal Studios resorts - Charles Capet is Hollywood's leading figure now. If you can't unite, we might as well surrender!"
At this point, Co-chairman and Chief Content Officer Alan Horn spoke up, "Chairman Jeff Bewkes has authorized Warner Bros to participate in MGM's bidding auction. We need to consider our offer strategy carefully. Also, from what I know, Comcast, having lost the battle with Capet for NBC Universal, is now targeting MGM."
Jeff Bewkes was the newly appointed Chairman and CEO of Time Warner, having replaced former Chairman Richard Parsons last year. This year, Richard Parsons took over as Chairman of Citibank.
"MGM's debt is severe. The best option is to hold a controlling stake and manage it independently, securing the sales rights to MGM's film library," Jeff Robinov, overseeing Warner Bros' film division, had his own insights. "Then we can continue the 007 series and gain distribution rights for The Hobbit, which New Line holds the production rights for. We can directly develop The Hobbit!"
For Warner Bros, the most valuable assets from MGM were likely the 007 series and The Hobbit series distribution rights.
"Once we've assessed MGM's film library assets, we'll finalize our offer," Barry Meyer concluded.
*****
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