As soon as the wedding in Las Vegas ended, Lu Yun and Xiao Hongmei returned to China on the same day, and there was another one at home.
The rest returned to San Francisco. Zeng's mother, Zeng Yu and others stayed in the villa to take care of Lu Xia. As for the newlyweds——
Come to a world for two and spend your honeymoon on the west coast.
In the Malibu beach house, the sea-scented wind blew in slowly, lifting the gauze curtains.
The sound of waves crashing on the beach fills my ears.
In the bathroom, Zeng Li looked at herself in the mirror, with a face that was as charming as water and a silky lotus, and the corners of her mouth curled up.
When he reached out to pick it up, he saw that what was in his hand was the squeezed Vaseline. He immediately blushed and shyly took the sunscreen instead.
Then he put on his swimsuit and walked to the private beach. There were four deck chairs set up under the thatched hut, and Lu Fei lay on one of them.
"A Fei, help me put on the sunscreen."
Zeng Li sat on the lounge chair next to him.
"Um."
Lu Fei smiled and skillfully applied it on her skin as smooth and white as jade, and occasionally acted mischievously.
"Isn't it enough?"
"A little while longer."
"Pfft, you almost smeared my back three times."
"Hey, I'm going to wipe my legs now."
"Okay, okay, I'll do it myself next."
Zeng Li reached out and picked up the mobile phone on the table, glanced at Ivanka's number, and then handed it to him: "The phone is ringing."
"Just put it on even if it rings. It's a big deal that you can't put sunscreen on your senior sister for anything!" Lu Fei said in a joking tone.
"It's not serious."
"No way, you need to have this kind of little fun in life."
"I guess you're right. You answer the phone and I'll wipe it for you." Zeng Li rolled her eyes, "If you don't answer the phone, the call will be hung up."
"No hands allowed."
Lu Fei lay prone on his stomach and answered the phone at the same time.
I felt Zeng Li's softness on my back, and heard the good news from Ivanka in my ears. The two parties finally signed the acquisition agreement.
The final word!
Unless it is stuck in the approval process of the Foreign Investment Committee, Marvel will have the surname "Lu" from now on!
Thanks to the fact that Disney's board of directors failed to pass the budget proposal and had to withdraw from the bidding, Hantang was able to successfully win the deal.
Although the price of US$500 million is high, the box office profits earned by Marvel movies alone are enough, not to mention the fact that part of the money Marvel receives goes to the Three-Body Fund.
Because in the early years, IPs such as Captain America and Black Widow were mortgaged to Merrill Lynch, and Three-Body Problem was obtained in exchange for a CDO equivalent to US$2.5 billion, and then these IPs were backhandedly licensed to Han and Tang to make movies.
Now it’s time for Marvel redemption!
Equivalent to the left hand and the right hand, the Trisolaris Fund only paid more than 3 billion U.S. dollars, but the company had a solid foreign debt of 500 million U.S. dollars. Of course, the valuation has skyrocketed even more.
The North American business of Han and Tang Dynasties is estimated to be US$89 billion.
"I think it's time for us to raise capital."
Ivanka said worriedly on the phone.
"Why?"
Lu Fei groaned and asked for the reason.
"Marvel and Paramount still have two film distribution contracts. We must redeem them from Paramount, otherwise the distribution of "Thor" and "Avengers" will belong to Paramount.
, the most important thing is that we are at a disadvantage in terms of the account sharing ratio."
“How much does redemption cost?”
"I made a rough estimate, and the starting price for the two movies is at least 100 million."
"100 million is just 100 million, and you have to redeem it. These two movies, especially "Avengers", are worth more than 100 million US dollars." Lu Fei curled his lips.
"Of course I know, but I don't have any money now."
Ivanka made a calculation.
The company's debt ratio is extremely high. This year, it finally paid off the loan for the acquisition of Peak, and it also took on huge debt for the acquisition of Marvel. But next, "Twilight 2", "Thor" need money for promotion, and "Avengers"
Production costs money...
Money is needed everywhere!
Unless Disney is recruited to jointly develop it.
"'Avengers' is our best-quality project. It's okay to distribute it to Disney, but it's definitely not an investment."
Lu Fei refused directly.
"Then what do you think we should do?"
The only thing Ivanka thinks of for money is——
Loans, financing, listing.
"There is another option. We can license the copyright to online video media and get a large licensing fee."
“You mean the oil pipeline?”
"No, it's Netflix."
"Ugh, vomit, vomit~"
The cry of seagulls can be heard from the seaside. A few seagulls sometimes spread their wings and fly high, sometimes they glide in the air, this happens every day.
After a short five-day honeymoon, Zeng Li took the lead and left the villa. After all, there were still premieres of "The Wind" and "Iron Man 2" waiting for her in China to cooperate with the publicity.
Not to mention Lu Fei, there are too many businesses to take care of.
So the honeymoon is over here for the time being, and next year I may go to the Bahamas for a good vacation to make up for it.
“Ding-deng-deng.”
At this time, there was a sound of shoes stepping on the floor.
As the founder and leader of Netflix, Hastings unexpectedly received Lu Fei’s invitation and came here immediately.
There was no one in the huge sea view room, and he was lying in the thatched house outside. Lu Fei was wearing beach shorts and an open short-sleeved shirt, cuddling with Ivanka who came early.
Seeing her wearing a crochet beach skirt over her swimsuit, Hastings's eyes widened and he was secretly envious——
Good guys, monsters will enjoy it!
"sit!"
Lu Fei put the "Netflix Culture Manual" on the table.
Hastings' eyes immediately lit up. This was a book he and the chief talent officer co-edited, and it went viral in Silicon Valley as soon as it was published.
Lu Fei was obviously doing it for a show, but he said that he didn’t read it just because he was here, but wanted to learn about Netflix’s corporate culture from the book. “This is definitely one of the most important documents in Silicon Valley!”
"Hahaha~"
When Hastings heard this, he immediately felt that Mr. Lu was close to him, and he was like a confidant that he rarely met in his life.
Ivanka watched them trade business and drank drinks in silence.
"Lu, on behalf of Netflix, I would also like to thank you. During this subprime mortgage crisis, when Netflix was at its most difficult, you were still willing to choose to believe in Netflix and invest in Netflix." Hastings couldn't help but sigh, "If not,
You and Netflix will not get through the crisis so quickly, nor will they have the opportunity to reshape a new corporate culture."
"I support you because I see the potential of Netflix on the Internet." Lu Fei waved his hand modestly.
"potential?"
"I know that Netflix is hiring a technical team to improve the algorithm and transform from offline to online streaming, right?"
"That's right."
Hastings nodded: "Actually, in 2000, I thought that as long as the Internet was developed enough, there would be no need for DVDs at all. It would be enough to use the Internet to deliver videos to users. But at that time, the broadband technology was too backward and could not be supported.
I had this idea in mind, but when I saw that Penguin’s oil pipeline was successful, I realized that the time had come and finally made up my mind.”
"But YouTube is not in the business of streaming media. You are the world's first streaming media platform. What are you going to do next?"
Lu Fei crossed his arms.
Hastings was stunned, weren't you here to discuss cooperation?
Why are you suddenly talking about Netflix’s business model?
But the person sitting in front of me was the major shareholder, who told me frankly: "You also know that Netflix is the world's first streaming media website. We are still in the exploratory stage, slowly building a team and customizing a set of big data mining solutions.
Algorithms are just like YouTube. Doesn’t YouTube have a unique recommendation mechanism?”
"Um."
Lu Fei poured him ice water: "This is our unique skill. We will continuously push videos that suit users' preferences. This set of recommendation algorithms will also be applied to Penguin News to solve the problem of recommending content to users.
problem, but there is another problem, which is the lack of content, especially the lack of 'hot content'."
"Yes, yes, there is no content!"
Hastings suddenly realized: "You want to give Netflix cooperation content?"
"You can say that."
Seeing Ivanka opening her mouth, Lu Fei was the first to take the lead, and at the same time patted the back of her hand, hinting to be calm: "But to be precise, I want to cooperate with Netflix on more popular content."
Hastings took a sip of ice water and remained silent.
Lu Fei knew that he was neither a hawk nor a hawk when he saw the rabbit, nor did he hide it, explaining the business operation model of streaming media.
Creating popular items will bring about user growth, and only then will there be an increase in subscriber membership. Only with increasing revenue will you have the money to create more popular items.
"hiss!"
With these shocking words, Hastings suddenly had an earth-shaking understanding of streaming media and couldn't help but swallow his saliva.
"Lu, can I write down everything you said?"
"sure."
Lu Fei glanced at Ivanka and saw her go straight to the house to get it. While waiting, he began to "fool" Hastings, convincing him that as long as Netflix was willing to spend more on content production
With the money, there will be more subscribers around the world.
"Lu, but..."
"There is nothing but, if you think about it, if you think about it carefully, as long as there is the support of big data and production fees, you can increase the hit rate and have enough hit content. If a hit movie can make Netflix
With millions of subscribers, think about how many potential users there are around the world, and now you are the only streaming media company."
"Gulu, Lu, can you get me another glass of ice water?"
Hastings felt his head was hot and his mouth was dry.
While pouring water, Ivanka came back with pen and paper.
Immediately afterwards, Lu Fei transformed into Hongjun and gave a lecture.
The more Hastings listened, the more excited he became, as if a door to a new world had opened, and he frantically took down Mr. Lu's notes.
“Streaming is not a business for the faint of heart!”
Lu Fei said seriously: "Even if you have a small loss or a small debt in order to make money, it is not a problem. As long as the number of members is growing, investors like me will give Netflix enough patience and a high enough valuation.
Do you think what I said is right?"
"Yes, Lu, you are right!"
Hastings held his hand excitedly: "After you said that, I seem to have figured out how Netflix should transform into streaming media. Lu, thank you, thank you!"
As he spoke, he shook his hands vigorously.
"You're welcome. I'm always willing to give advice to companies I like, as long as you don't think it's a bad idea."
Lu Fei smiled.
"No! Absolutely not!"
Hastings said: "You have been a great help. No wonder, no wonder so many companies ask you to be a director. Now I also want to invite you to join the board of directors and continue to provide advice to Netflix."
Just him?
Ivanka pouted, you don’t know how dark his heart is!
But just thinking about it, she has realized Lu Fei's intention to exploit every opportunity. Netflix needs to make hits when it comes to streaming media. What Han and Tang are best at is making hits, so they can cooperate.
"..."
Hastings was lost in thought and said nothing.
"As for the content, don't worry, we have enough content. To be honest, Han and Tang have already acquired Marvel."
Lu Fei said it lightly.
But when Hastings heard this, he was immediately shocked, "What! You acquired Marvel! When?"
"We are still going through the process, but it is only a matter of time. If nothing happens, Marvel will integrate with Han and Tang. You are the first outsider besides us to know the news."
Lu Fei made a silent gesture.
"Please keep it secret for the time being. We don't want to make too much publicity." Ivanka raised her chin proudly, "We are planning to launch movies, live-action dramas, and animations. Marvel has more than 5,000 superheroes, which is completely enough for us.
Develop!”
When Hastings heard this, he couldn't help but feel moved.
For Stud streaming media, the most important thing is content.
Just look at the hotly released "Iron Man 2". Hantang has never failed in superhero movies, and he is also very good at horror movies, such as "Dead Silence" and "Saw"...
Netflix + Han and Tang, sounds very good!
"That's not all. In addition to purchasing the copyright, Netflix can also create original arrangements and try to produce series by itself. Of course, the team can be outsourced, such as looking for Han and Tang." Lu Fei glanced at Ivanka.
Seeing that she immediately understood what he meant, she said that Netflix could provide the money, and Han and Tang could contribute, and jointly produce a titled original hit drama.
Hastings touched his chin: "Lu, since you know so much about streaming media, why don't you let YouTube do it? YouTube is yours, Penguin is yours, Han and Tang are also yours, why do you just go with Nai who has nothing?
What about Fei’s collaboration with ‘streaming media’?”
"It's very simple, YouTube is not planning to be a streaming media company."
Lu Fei shrugged.
The market segments of YouTube and Netflix are different. One is a subscription service and the other is a UGC platform. YouTube's first priority is advertising, and the focus is on users, not subscribing members.
Therefore, YouTube and Netflix are not competitors!
"Haha, Lu, how do you want us to cooperate?"
Hastings thought for a while and felt relieved.
"Hua Hua Hua..."
The tide surges, and as the sky gradually darkens, the blue water is illuminated golden, sparkling, and the water is calm.
After discussing the general framework of the licensing agreement, Hastings stood up and said, "Lu, I will discuss it with the management when I get back."
"Hope for a happy co-operation"
Lu Fei stretched out his hand.
Hastings shook hands with him and Ivanka, and left in a hurry, not even bothering with dinner.
"No wonder you would invest in Netflix. Did you already think of this step before acquiring Marvel?"
Ivanka stared at Lu Fei, her eyes twitching.
"What do you think?"
Lu Fei walked into the house with a smile.
"But in terms of TV series, we are not as experienced as movies, and we don't have a team like HBO or Starz. Also, what exactly is the first TV series going to be about?"
Ivanka frowned and said, "Marvel?"
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is really good.
Lu Fei showed a mysterious smile.
"House of Cards" seems to be pretty good too. The reason why it failed in its previous life is that I never thought that reality would be more magical than the TV series.
Maybe Bai Dengqiao and Dong Jianguo can be added...
Ivanka is still the producer...
"what are you thinking about?"
Seeing that he was absent-minded, Ivanka was puzzled.
"I'm thinking it's time for you to take off your armor."
