America's Road to Wealth

Strictly speaking, Smith Media has been established for less than a year.

It is a group company formed by integrating the entertainment and media companies that Abel acquired or established.

By MGM and its subsidiaries (Marvel, Dark Horse, DreamWorks, Pixar, etc.).

It is also composed of AMC Television, AB Smith Newspapers, AB Smith Entertainment, Elizabeth Back Garden and other companies.

On the day the group was established, Abel announced the rotating CEO mechanism.

This model, imitated from China, has achieved very good results within one year of operation.

The first CEO is Robert Iger, and the second CEO has been decided to be Michael Levine.

It will be officially replaced on June 1 this year.

Since its establishment, its major subsidiaries have all developed rapidly with the support of Abel's huge financial group.

For example, MGM Film Group has successively acquired companies such as DreamWorks Movies, Pixar Animation, Dark Horse, and Marvel.

Last year's performance was average, but since the beginning of this year, two movies in a row have box office of US$300 million.

Among them, "Spider-Man" has a global box office of US$1.156 billion.

It is more outstanding and more profitable than parallel time and space.

"Kick-Ass", which has a low investment, has a global box office of US$450 million.

These two movies alone will bring at least more than $400 million in profits to MGM this year.

What's more, this is just the beginning.

With the accumulation of last year, MGM Films and its various subsidiaries will definitely deliver more dazzling results this year.

This is Smith Media’s performance in the film industry.

But Smith Media’s more eye-catching business from last year to now is the television broadcasting business group.

The original cable television station AMC Classic Television Company is now AMC Television Group.

After Abel's acquisition of the NBC television network failed.

AMC TV turned around and merged with Bloomberg's TV business.

After the merger and reorganization, Abel and Bloomberg injected large amounts of capital.

AMC Television Group was able to begin rapid growth, acquiring independent television stations and channels throughout the United States.

In just half a year, AMC Television Group has become a large-scale television broadcasting group with 36 television stations and more than 100 channels.

Of course, this scale is still not comparable to those of several public television networks.

But its barbaric growth rate has already attracted the attention of the industry.

Michael Ovitz + Richard Plepler, these two people are one who focuses on the outside and the other on the inside.

One is mainly responsible for acquiring and annexing other TV stations, and the other is mainly responsible for the operation of the TV station itself and the quality of its programs.

The two people's joint efforts have enabled the rapidly growing AMC TV Group to achieve dazzling results in ratings.

From last year to this year, several high-investment, high-quality TV series and many variety shows have achieved outstanding results in the industry.

For example, the reality show "Into the Wild", filmed and hosted by the young retired British special forces soldier Bear Grylls and broadcast on AMC TV, once it was broadcast, the number of viewers reached more than 10 million a month later, directly creating a new Reality show type track.

As a result, other TV stations have begun to launch similar reality shows.

Follow-up Richard Plepler, who watches reality TV, invests in low ratings that are even better than some TV series.

This talented TV show manager has created another show called "Real Housewives".

This reality show chronicles the lives of wealthy housewives living in different parts of the United States.

Its ratings are not much better than "Into the Wild", but they are equally good.

The main reason is that the investment is very low, even lower than "Wild Survival", and the investment return ratio is extremely high.

At the same time, it also attracted a large number of loyal viewers to AMC TV station.

After the success of this show.

Richard Plepler keeps up the good work, in addition to the TV series.

This talented TV manager has created several reality TV series such as "Survivor", "The Bachelor", and "America's Next Top Model".

Especially for "America's Next Top Model," it was announced before the show even started filming that the judges on the show are famous top supermodels such as Gilsey Bundchen, who has already become famous.

He also said that in the finals, the devil Anna Wintour and others will be invited.

This gimmick alone has already attracted a large number of people's expectations even before even one episode of the show has been filmed.

There are also a large number of advertising consultations from clothing companies and fashion companies, and the total amount of intended advertising funds has exceeded 200 million US dollars.

This is a super golden hen that has already started laying golden eggs crazily even before the photo was taken.

While producing a large amount of excellent content, it is also frantically annexing other small TV stations.

Compared with MGM Film Group, AMC Television Group is more feared by its peers.

It's moving so fast!

The other subsidiaries of Smith Media Group also performed as well as the above two.

The original Smith's Newspaper has now expanded into Smith's Newspaper Group.

Within a few months, the newspaper group had five newspapers with daily sales of more than 200,000 copies and nine newspapers with daily sales of more than 100,000 copies across the United States.

There are also 19 regional newspapers with daily sales exceeding 10,000 copies.

Based on the approximate daily newspaper sales, the Smith newspaper group can already dispatch the sixth largest newspaper in the United States.

What's more, it also has a large number of branches and newspapers abroad, mainly in Europe.

Films, television, radio, newspapers... Smith Media has delivered excellent results under Robert Iger in all its fields.

Even if Abel no longer supports it with the golden bullet.

Now Smith Media can also support itself because many of its businesses have begun to make profits.

A virtuous cycle has been entered.

This is also the reason why Abel took Smith Media public.

A huge media group that has begun to make profits, has excellent operating conditions, and has excellent development prospects.

Even without considering the existence of Abel, it is a very attractive treasure in itself.

After adding Abel's identity.

In the eyes of the world, buying its stocks is almost a guaranteed profit without losing money.

this day.

Smith Tower, in the conference room of the media group.

Sitting in his seat, he looked at the senior executives of the media group who were looking at him eagerly.

Abel smiled and said: "Everyone knows what the first theme of today's meeting is. I won't go into details."

"Smith Media Group currently has a total share capital of 1 billion."

He smiled and continued softly: "I have discussed with other shareholders and will give out 10 million original shares as a reward for your hard work."

As soon as these words came out, even though Abel was extremely majestic.

But upon hearing such a great thing that was related to one's own vital interests, a small burst of surprise and cheers erupted in the conference room.

Regarding the listing of Smith Media, public opinion has been fermenting for several days.

Now every American knows that Smith Media's stock will be very valuable.

But now, people like them can get its most valuable original shares before it goes public.

Although there are only 10 million shares, so many people still need to share them. There will be a lock-up period of at least half a year, and you may have to spend money to buy them.

But those are Smith Media’s original shares!

On the market, some media now believe that even if it has not yet been listed, Smith Media's market value is at least US$40 billion.

After listing, depending on the enthusiasm of investors, it may double at most, or even 1.5 times, or more!

Even if you get its original shares at a listing price of US$40 billion.

After half a year, you can earn at least half and at most twice as much by selling the stocks.

They were naturally excited that such a good thing could happen to them.

Looking at the excited management, Abel smiled slightly.

He spoke again:

"In addition, in view of everyone's contribution, I convinced other shareholders. Everyone can get these original shares for only half the price."

Seeing that there were already people there, they were so excited that they wanted to applaud.

Abel raised his hand slightly to suppress the group of already excited and somewhat manic senior executives of the media group.

"Another piece of good news. I will personally provide a six-month interest-free loan, which can only be used to buy these original shares. Do you understand what I mean? Now you can cheer."

As soon as he finished speaking, Richard Plepler, the youngest among the media executives, was the first to jump up.

"I understand, it's so clear! Boss, I declare that you are the greatest, most generous, kindest, most handsome, most submissive, and most want to kneel down boss in the world!"

This guy used a choir-like, rhythmic aria-like voice to sing crazy praises to Abel.

It is true that many professional managers in the United States can earn crazy high salaries.

But that usually happens in the financial industry, and those most profitable industries.

Today's media industry is not as profitable as it will be in the future.

Since its establishment, Smith Media has only started to make profits in the past two months.

In this case, their group may not be able to get equity incentives or the like until next year at the earliest.

But now, on the eve of Smith Media’s impending IPO.

On this crazy night, Abel gave them such a reward.

Looking at the entire world, no capitalist would be so generous.

"BOSS, your decision really makes us excited." Even Robert Egger, who had always been elegant and rarely flattered Abel, began to flatter Abel.

"Boss, among all the rich people in the world, no one is more generous than you. I don't know how other people feel, but I will be so excited that I can't sleep for three days and three nights."

But Robert was thinking: How much can I get? I am the first CEO, the MGM Group has developed the best, and I have contributed the most, so I should be able to get the most, right? But the two Michaels may not be low, but they started talking to their boss too early.

Others followed suit, licking Abel frantically.

For a moment, those who knew it knew that this was the conference room of Smith Media.

For those who don’t know, they might think that this conference room is now a training camp for flatterers.

Money moves people's hearts.

10 million original shares, purchased at half price.

Based on the media’s lowest valuation of 40 billion, this share would be worth 400 million US dollars before it is listed.

They can get shares with a minimum guaranteed value of $400 million for $200 million.

Even if it had to be divided among so many people, the good thing they could earn was worth letting them treat Abel like this.

"The specific reward list will be announced later."

After listening to a few minutes of flattery and praise.

Abel smiled and stopped the group of media executives who temporarily turned into sycophants.

"Let's move on to the next topic, the group's target strategy after its listing."

The frantic conference room finally calmed down a little.

And this matter was quickly exposed by Smith Media to the public opinion media.

Time has entered the end of February 2002.

I used to celebrate Christmas and New Year's Day.

The media in the United States generally goes quiet for a period of time.

This period is usually January and February every year.

During this period, the news they published was basically related to people's livelihood and entertainment.

For example, there are some celebrations, the Grammy and Oscar awards, any major quarrels, which star's new movie or new album is released, etc.

But this year is different. From 2002 to now, not even February has passed.

The news about Abel has almost never stopped.

"Attack" news, "New Consortium Core" news, "Smith Media going public" news...

Each one is a big news that has shaken up the country and is hotly debated among both the elite and the common people.

These news are all related to Abel, ever since his "Gossip Girlfriend" incident.

In the past two years, the news about him has almost never stopped.

He has been in the market for almost two years and is more popular than the most popular entertainment stars.

Why do the media always catch Abel for hype?

In addition to the deliberate guidance from relevant parties, even Abel himself also contributed.

And because Americans like to watch it.

The United States is the stronghold of capitalism, a country of immigrants whose ordinary people come from all ethnic groups around the world.

We all come together in the same country. To put it nicely, we are all here for a better life.

To put it simply and crudely, everyone is just running for money and wanting to get rich.

This makes most ordinary Americans very fond of gossip about self-made rich people.

Abel's entrepreneurial deeds are wonderful, dreamy and magical, and are supported by the vast majority of Americans.

Whatever people like, the media will naturally publish it.

"Abel Smith is generous and the best boss in the world. He may reward his subordinates with more than a billion dollars!"

This is the American Sun, a headline that detonates news across the United States and hangs on the front page.

The media followed up with reports the next day.

"Future working emperors!"

"Lucky Michael Levine!"

"A new way to achieve the American dream. Want to become a multi-millionaire or even a billionaire? Go work for Abe Smith."

The national media went crazy and speculated on Abel's stock award. As a result, tens of millions of Americans wanted to work for Abel.

Michael Levine, the executive who can get 1 million original shares of Smith Media this time.

He also became popular inexplicably, and his photos were posted on the front pages of major newspapers and on many Internet websites.

At the hottest time, the limelight even suppressed the boss.

A few days later, on March 1, the Washington Post published a serious report on Michael Levine.

“The American Dream, Smith!”

This is the title and the content is as follows:

[This is an extraordinary country, this is an extraordinary company, this is a typical American dream. 】

[In America, all dreams are possible, and Michael Levine’s success is unquestionable proof! 】

[The United States gave birth to Smith, and Smith brought together dream chasers. 】

[Two years ago, Michael was just an ordinary agent in a brokerage company, with an annual salary of no more than $500,000. Since he joined Smith Entertainment, his talents have been fully exploited by his boss Abe Smith. In a very short period of time, he has become one of the most influential figures in the American entertainment industry. 】

[Abel Smith initially recruited him to do errands for him. He was later promoted to the general manager of Smith Entertainment, and then the CEO of Elizabeth Back Garden, and finally became one of the presidents of Smith Media. Abel Smith had high hopes for Michael, and Michael Not living up to the great trust, the two sides achieved a good story. 】

[But talents are always available, but good employers are not always available. I hope that all employees in the United States can meet employers like Abel Smith. 】

While praising Michael Levine, it also promoted Abel's reputation as a good boss, which raised his already good reputation among the lower classes of American society to a higher level.

After reading this report, Abel responded by giving David Jones an order:

"David, all Smith companies' recruitment plans are ahead of schedule. Also, give 1/10 of our advertising share this year to the Washington Post."

When Abel was "reciprocating love".

Michael Levine is having breakfast at home.

He is 41 years old and has been married twice.

He and his ex-wife had no production. After the divorce, he married his current wife and gave birth to two children in 7 years. The eldest son is 5 years old and the youngest daughter is one year old.

Meanwhile in New York, Michael Levine was living with his parents.

During breakfast, the family of six was beaming with joy. Michael Levine’s mother asked him excitedly:

"Oh, Mike! Mr. Smith, did I really give you 1 million original shares? I read in the media that they are worth at least 40 million US dollars, maybe even 80 million, or more than hundreds of millions of dollars. You will soon be a billionaire. La?"

"Absolutely." Michael Levine said while holding his one-year-old daughter and feeding her cereal with milk powder.

"My annual salary is 4 million U.S. dollars, and my bonuses are basically the same. My annual income is now 8 million U.S. dollars. Plus these stocks and daily benefits, billionaires are not talking nonsense."

"Mr. Smith appreciates you so much, so you have to work hard."

Michael Levine’s mother began to educate her son, “There will never be another good employer like this in the world.”

"Mike knows what he knows, and he's still using you to be nagging." Michael Levine's father glared at her.

"If Mike hadn't been loyal and capable, would Mr. Smith reward him like this? By the way, Mike, let's go to Kate's house as a guest tonight."

Michael Levine almost didn’t hesitate and immediately nodded with a smile: “Okay, no problem.”

He is different from his mother who always thinks her son is the best in the United States.

Anne's mother's godfather, Michael Levine's father.

Although the old man didn't say it with his mouth, he knew in his heart the real reason why his son was able to get to where he is today.

Yes, Michael Levine is indeed very capable and loyal enough to Abel.

But the most important reason why he was able to be trusted by Abel at the beginning was because of his relationship with Anne Hathaway.

Because Michael Levine’s father is the godfather of Anne’s mother, Kate McGauley Hathaway!

Judging from this relationship, Michael Levine is Anne's "goduncle", which is a relatively serious social relationship in the United States.

Annie was able to make her debut so early and serve as the heroine in a TV series so early because of her relationship with Michael Levine.

Jessica and Cameron also have this relationship.

The reverse happened later, because Anne became Abel's mistress.

When Abel had no one available at the beginning, Michael Levin also gained Abel's trust because of this relationship.

Later, Abel discovered that he was indeed capable and very "eye-catching", and Michael Levine was reused step by step.

But there is no beginning brought about by this level of relationship.

No matter how powerful Michael Levin is, he will never have his current status.

Both father and son knew this very well, and they also knew that Anne still had a high status with Abel.

So continuing to maintain a relationship with Kate, his goddaughter, is of course the natural choice for Michael Levine's father.

Michael knew this very well and would certainly not contradict his father's decision.

The family decided to visit Hathaway's house in the evening.