civilwarnovels Chapter 991 Lin Haoran isn't as difficult to deal with as I imagined!
Chapter 991 Lin Haoran isn't as difficult to deal with as I imagined!
Lin Haoran took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
He was well prepared for the difficulties facing MGM Studios.
However, he did not expect that the people from the Squid Consortium would actually try to dismantle MGM from within. Under this tactic, public opinion was merely an appetizer.
Their real killer move was to bribe his people and drain MGM's assets from within.
This tactic is far more ruthless and covert than a propaganda war.
They planned to take advantage of Lin Haoran's absence from Hollywood, believing that MGM could do whatever they wanted.
If he hadn't commissioned Citibank to send legal and financial advisors to oversee the process, these three contracts might have already been signed, and MGM's most valuable intellectual property would have been sold off cheaply.
By then, it will be too late even if he realizes it.
Lin Haoran put the documents aside, picked up the phone next to his desk, and dialed John Reed's number.
The phone rang once and was answered.
"Lin, is something wrong with MGM Studios again? I heard that their legal counsel rejected several contracts, and they even wrote you a letter?" Clearly, John Reed already knew the reason for the trouble.
"Well, Frank Rothman wanted to sign three IP licensing agreements and even wrote a letter to try and fool me. I'm only grateful that the people at Citibank helped me block him."
John, could you please find me a temporary management team, the kind from a corporate crisis management company? They don't need to be exceptionally capable; they don't even need to be professional management teams from the film industry. Just someone who can stabilize MGM's current situation is enough.
"The management period is three months, right? You guys help me with the compensation!" Lin Haoran stated his purpose directly.
He didn't ask Citibank to help him investigate whether Frank Rothman had betrayed MGM, because there was no need for it.
Since these Hollywood moguls colluded with Frank Rothman, their deal must have been very secretive, and Citigroup might not be able to find anything.
Now that he is the controlling shareholder of MGM Studios, there is no need for him to find evidence before taking action.
Although he has not yet fully privatized MGM, he already owns more than 90% of the company and can fire Frank Rothman at any time without any reason or evidence.
Keeping this team around will only cause MGM to continue bleeding money behind his back.
Rather than letting them continue to cause trouble, it's better to replace them with a team that you can trust.
The temporary management team may not be the best, but at least they should adhere to professional ethics.
What they need to do is not to make MGM Studios bigger and stronger, but to stabilize the situation, protect the assets, and prevent anyone from taking any more ideas about MGM's IP before Lin Haoran finds a formal CEO.
Three months is enough time.
He believed that within three months, he would definitely be able to find a suitable leader for MGM Studios.
While searching for a leader for the MGM Grand Hotel, Lin Haoran had already commissioned Citibank to help him find a leader for MGM Studios.
However, compared to MGM Grand Hotel's ability to quickly recruit former Caesars Palace CEO Clifford Perlman, MGM Studios' progress has been less smooth.
Citigroup's headhunting team contacted many top talents in Hollywood, but most of them made various excuses to decline when they heard that they were to help Lin Haoran manage MGM.
It wasn't about the money; Lin Haoran's offer was generous enough.
It's not a matter of power; Lin Haoran is willing to delegate authority.
The problem lies in the xenophobia of the Hollywood circle; those people are afraid to come.
They were afraid of being blacklisted by the six major studios, afraid of being ostracized by their peers, and afraid of not being able to make it in Hollywood.
Offending the entire industry for a job is too high a price to pay.
Therefore, they would rather stay in their current positions and live a peaceful life than take the risk of gambling at MGM.
Therefore, MGM Studios has never been able to find a suitable manager.
Lin Haoran understands their concerns, but that doesn't mean he accepts them.
He believed that someone would eventually come.
Hollywood is so big that it's impossible for everyone to be willing to be suppressed by the Big Six.
He is looking for ambitious, capable people who are not content with the status quo.
John Reed paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, then said, "Lin, I'll arrange the temporary management team. Citigroup has a company that specializes in corporate crisis management. They have experience, connections, and capabilities. Taking over MGM Studios for three months is more than enough for them."
However, I must remind you that a temporary management team can only stabilize the situation, not drive development. If you want to revive MGM, you still need to find a permanent CEO!
He had already guessed that Lin Haoran was going to fire Frank Rothman, the current head of MGM Studios, ahead of schedule.
That's normal, though. If there were someone like that at Citibank, he wouldn't hesitate to kick them out.
The sooner these people who harm the company are eliminated, the better for the company.
“John, I understand what you’re saying. The temporary management team is just a transition. I won’t just hire a permanent CEO if he doesn’t have enough ability. Also, could you please help me find someone from Citibank? If you find a suitable candidate, I’ll talk to them personally.”
If those Hollywood people don't dare to come, I'll go find those who dare to come. I don't necessarily have to poach people from the other seven Hollywood giants. Independent studios, overseas markets, television stations, and even Wall Street may all be able to find suitable people.
The film industry is ultimately a creative industry, but creative industries also need people who understand business, management, and capital. I don't need to find a CEO who understands creativity best; I need to find a CEO who understands how to turn creativity into money best.
Upon hearing this, John Reed joked, "Alright, leave this to Citibank. But business is business, we can't skimp on the commission for all this work!"
Lin Haoran was not going to take advantage of the situation for free. He knew John Reed was joking, but he also knew that Citibank was not a charity. They were doing so much for Lin Haoran because he was an executive director of Citibank and an important client of Citibank.
But even the best relationships need to be based on mutual interests.
A relationship without mutual benefit cannot go far.
Even if John Reed were willing to help him for free, the other shareholders wouldn't be.
They would wonder, why should Lin Haoran be able to use Citibank's resources for free?
Citibank also needs to spend money to do these things.
Lin Haoran chuckled softly and continued, "John, don't worry, you won't lose a penny of your commission. I will pay you the market price for everything Citibank does for me."
Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. I won't let you work for free, but business is business, and you can't cheat me. I want value for money, not more than it's worth.
"The crisis management team needs to sort this out as quickly as possible, ideally within two days. You can probably guess what I'm going to do next—that's right, fire the current MGM Studios team!"
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things and won't let you down. I'll go take care of things for you now!" John Reed replied.
"This is troublesome, John."
"We are the best allies, aren't we?"
The two hung up the phone while laughing heartily.
He was very confident in entrusting Citibank to help him find a crisis management team.
After all, with a top financial institution like Citibank involved, the team they bring in is unlikely to have any issues with professional ethics.
Those people won't be like Frank Rothman, taking his salary while working for his rivals.
They get paid to do things cleanly and efficiently, without any unnecessary delays.
Lin Haoran didn't need them to be outstanding; he only needed them to protect MGM's assets within three months and prevent anyone from taking any more ideas about the IP.
As for three months later, he will naturally find a suitable official CEO to take over.
Lin Haoran put down the phone, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the three contracts and the letter.
Frank Rothman's letter made him realize a fact: the Hollywood circle cannot be bought with money.
Lin Haoran sighed. Although he appeared confident during his phone call with John Reed, he knew that finding a suitable candidate within three months would not be easy.
Hollywood is almost entirely monopolized by the Squid Corporation, including its talent pool; in terms of elite talent, it is almost entirely comprised of Squid people.
These squid people are intricately connected. They may belong to different companies and be business competitors, but when faced with outsiders, they will put aside all differences and stand together.
This isn't because they're particularly united, but because they know that if they don't stand together, they'll lose control of Hollywood. Controlling Hollywood means controlling the discourse of global popular culture.
They will not easily relinquish this power to anyone, especially outsiders.
Lin Haoran leaned back in his chair, pondering a question: what if a suitable CEO couldn't be found within three months?
Were they transferred from Hong Kong?
This is not the best option.
The Hollywood and Hong Kong film industries are completely different, with vastly different production systems, market rules, audience tastes, distribution channels, and other aspects.
When Hong Kong filmmakers come here, it's like someone who's used to swimming in a pond is suddenly thrown into the ocean. The waves are too big, the water is too deep, and the tides are too complex. It's not something that can be adapted to overnight.
Lin Haoran would not do something like forcing growth.
He would rather let the temporary management team hold on for a few more months than not find someone who truly understands Hollywood, MGM, and the film business to take over.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Haoran called MGM Studios again and said only one sentence: "I do not agree to license any IP to other companies. All three contracts are rejected!"
After saying that, he hung up the phone.
Footsteps came from behind.
Lin Haoran turned around and saw Liu Xiaoli carrying a cup of coffee into the study.
She placed the coffee on the coffee table, sat down next to Lin Haoran, and glanced at the three contracts and a letter on the coffee table.
"Boss, what happened?" Liu Xiaoli walked behind Lin Haoran, massaging his shoulders as she asked curiously.
They departed on December 20th, and today, February 1st, they have been in the United States for over a month.
During this period, Liu Xiaoli may have been living too comfortably, as her body became somewhat plump. Her curves became more pronounced, and her fuller figure became more voluptuous. She exuded a unique charm of a mature woman and felt very fleshy to the touch.
She was wearing a beige knit sweater and her hair was tied in a ponytail, looking more relaxed and at ease than when she was in Hong Kong.
She was indeed living a very comfortable life during this period. She slept until she naturally woke up every day, spent her days shopping, watching shows, and eating gourmet food in Las Vegas, and took good care of Lin Haoran when she came back at night. Her life was even more comfortable than in Hong Kong.
Liu Xiaoli naturally knew that all of this was a gift from Lin Haoran.
Without Lin Haoran, she is nothing.
Therefore, she always put in a lot of effort when serving Lin Haoran.
"It's no big deal. By the way, we're going back to Hong Kong in a few days. You can prepare in advance if you want to buy anything to take back. You didn't go back to your home in the mainland for Chinese New Year last year, so I'll approve your request to go back this year!" Lin Haoran said with a smile.
February 12th is Lunar New Year's Eve, and Lin Haoran naturally has no plans to spend the Spring Festival in the United States.
Therefore, he plans to return to Hong Kong in a few days and come back to deal with things here after the Lunar New Year.
Upon hearing the words "return to Hong Kong," Liu Xiaoli paused in her work, a complex emotion flashing across her face.
There is anticipation, but also reluctance.
What I look forward to is returning to familiar places and seeing familiar people.
What I'm sad to say is that this leisurely period in the United States is about to end.
She paused for a moment, then said softly, "Boss, thank you. I'll go buy some gifts for my family these next few days. I can't go back to America empty-handed."
My parents have never been abroad, so I'll bring them some American specialties; they'll definitely be very happy.
Lin Haoran gently patted her hand and smiled, "Go ahead, buy whatever you want, don't worry about saving money. Go back to the mainland for the New Year and spend some quality time with your family!"
……
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
In Universal's conference room, the heads of Hollywood's six major companies gathered again, just like in previous meetings.
But this time the atmosphere was clearly different; it wasn't tense or solemn, but rather a relaxed feeling that bordered on smugness.
Given the situation at MGM Studios and Lin Haoran's continued absence, some even wondered if he was about to give up on MGM Studios.
If they hadn't known that the other party hadn't stopped the privatization process of MGM Studios, they would have almost thought that Lin Haoran was already preparing to sell it.
But even if he didn't give up, in their eyes he was already at his last gasp.
The acquisition has been going on for so long, and the other party has never been to Hollywood. It seems that the other party is afraid.
Universal Pictures Chairman Ruwoserman glanced at everyone and then said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I just received a call from Frank Rothman. He told me that Lin Haoran has rejected three IP licensing contracts from MGM Studios because he 'does not want to make any major asset disposal decisions before the privatization is completed.'"
That's alright. If he doesn't agree, he won't sign. We're not in a hurry. He'll sign when he's thought it through. Frank Rothman is still the CEO of MGM Studios. We have plenty of opportunities.
Next time, let's try a different approach. Instead of signing three contracts at once, let's sign them one by one, making sure the price for each one is reasonable and doesn't seem too outrageous to him.
"Like boiling a frog in lukewarm water, let him slowly accept it. By the time he realizes what's happening, the IP address will already be in our hands."
Although Lin Haoran refused, no one present showed any resentment; they all appeared quite indifferent.
For them, this was just an experiment.
If the other party is foolish enough to agree to the deal, it would be a windfall for them.
Disagreement is nothing to be surprised about.
Lin Haoran has Citibank's people around him, and John Reed won't just stand by and watch him sign such a obviously disadvantageous contract.
But that doesn't matter. Their goal has never been to achieve everything at once, but to slowly and gradually wear down Lin Haoran's patience and resources.
"Even so, isn't the other side angry? Shouldn't we put our distribution blockade plan into action?" Warner Bros.' Steve Ross asked.
The theatrical release blockade was a plan they had prepared long ago.
However, because the movie that MGM recently invested in and produced, "Blood Demon" directed by Tony Scott, will not be released until April 29, and because starting this step would indeed raise suspicions of monopoly, and because the publicity plan has been very successful, the release blockade plan has not been in a hurry to start.
Frank Rothman said that Lin Haoran's tone on the phone was very calm, without anger or excitement; he simply said, "I disagree, rejection."
This reaction is not normal. A normal person would feel some emotion if they found out they had been misled by the CEO. He didn't feel any emotion at all. I guess it's because MGM can't do without Frank Rothman either.
Once MGM loses Frank Rothman, it will be difficult to find someone in the short term who understands Hollywood, understands MGM, and is willing to take over in the public eye.
Hollywood's top talents either dare not come, are unwilling to come, or cannot come. It's not that Lin Haoran doesn't want to replace Frank Rothman, but that he can't replace him.
He didn't have a suitable candidate, so he could only endure it. This endurance wasn't tolerance, but helplessness. What kind of waves can a helpless boss make? "Louweserman laughed.
This remark was met with a burst of laughter from the audience.
They practically monopolized all the talent in Hollywood.
This is not just a matter of funding, but also a matter of the social circles involved.
Talented people who want to make it in Hollywood must get into their circle;
To enter their circle, you must abide by their rules;
To follow their rules, you must stand with them.
This is an unspoken rule that has been in place in Hollywood for nearly a century; no one can break it, and no one dares to break it.
Lin Haoran thought that money could buy him anything, that he could buy everything with money, but he couldn't buy circles, connections, or loyalty.
In Hollywood, these three things are far more important than money.
"It seems that Lin Haoran isn't as difficult to deal with as I thought!" Orion's Arthur Krim laughed, his laughter carrying a sense of relief.
“We used to think of him as a huge threat, but now it seems he’s just a rich outsider. He can’t even handle his own CEO, so how can he fight us?”
Did we overestimate him before? We spent so many resources on a propaganda war, but he didn't even react; it was like punching cotton. (End of Chapter)