An additional stock issuance cannot be as exciting as an IPO. However, Time Warner has gone through ups and downs for this US$3 billion additional stock issuance plan, and the additional issuance ceremony is very grand.
The three blockbuster movies of the summer, "The Dark Knight," "The Fugitive" and "Robin Hood," injected a very powerful shot in the arm into Time Warner's additional issuance, which made the final step of the additional issuance appear... It's logical.
In addition to supporting this additional issuance, Simon also purchased 1 million shares of Time Warner in his private name at the request of Steve Ross, officially becoming a shareholder of Time Warner.
Although there are only 1 million shares, and they are preferred shares without voting rights, which can only be sold after a 12-month lock-up period, the price of the new shares issued by Time Warner this time is US$80, which also cost Simon US$80 million.
Fortunately, this batch of shares is very worthwhile even from a pure investment perspective.
After a rebound in the first half of the year, Time Warner's currently publicly traded common stock has reached a trading price of $109 per share. What's more, Simon also knew that throughout the 1990s, Time Warner's stock price would continue to rise due to the bull market brought about by the new technology wave.
In addition to the 1 million shares Simon purchased privately, Cersei Capital also recently reached another cooperation with Time Warner.
This is an investment in Six Flags Amusement Park, an amusement park company. Apollo Management, a subsidiary of Cersei Capital, plans to invest US$80 million to invest in Six Flags Amusement Park together with Time Warner. Subsequently, Time Warner plans to revive this sluggish amusement park company by licensing its owned cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny as a promotional tool.
Speaking of which, this cooperation is actually an exchange.
It not only once again increases the cooperative relationship between the two parties, but also boosts the market's confidence in Time Warner's development prospects. Moreover, Cersei Capital has invested in Six Flags amusement park, and Time Warner has officially agreed to build a DC superhero attraction at Universal Studios under Daenerys Entertainment.
Six Flags Amusement Park is an amusement park that mainly operates roller coasters, Ferris wheels and other entertainment facilities. It has little competition with theme parks such as Universal Studios. This cooperation between the two parties is both an exchange and a win-win situation.
The issuance ceremony lasted all morning, and Time Warner held a reception at the Gramercy Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
Most of the Hollywood superstars who are close to Time Warner were present today. Steve Ross also invited a large number of politicians and celebrities, making the reception very lively.
Today's protagonist is not himself, and Simon has no intention of stealing the limelight. He simply greeted some acquaintances and hid in a corner of the hall chatting with Spielberg.
"Steven, Schindler's change of mentality is actually easy to solve. There are many similar techniques in Hollywood movie scripts."
What the two discussed was Spielberg's plan to shoot "Schindler's List" after "Jurassic Park".
Spielberg has been struggling with this project for many years, and Simon also knows the reason for his struggle. He didn't understand why a capitalist who was only interested in profit and lust would suddenly transform into a savior who was willing to give up all his wealth to save the Jews.
As a latecomer, Simon certainly understood how this matter was resolved.
I originally planned to find an opportunity to talk to Spielberg, but it happened to come up today, so I brought it up.
Spielberg shook his head and said: "I don't want to use those simple techniques of watching the sunset on a bench or being touched by some accidental scenes. It was a tragic period. Tragedies happened at any time. Schindler should also It’s happening every moment.”
Simon continued to be persuasive: "Then make this touch longer."
Spielberg looked at Simon's expression and asked: "Simon, you must already have an idea. Tell me. Don't be pretentious anymore."
Simon didn't beat around the bush anymore and said, "Are you planning to make "Schindler's List" into a black and white film?"
Spielberg nodded.
Simon continued: "In this case, then insert a touch of color in the film, preferably red, for example, a little girl in red. When such a color that appears repeatedly in Schindler's vision suddenly withers, I think , his transformation is a matter of course.”
Spielberg thought for a moment after hearing this, and his expression soon became a little relieved.
While the two were chatting, New York Mayor David Dinkins came over with another white man in his sixties.
After just a few words of greeting, Spielberg realized that David Dinkins probably had something to talk to Simon about, and he wisely walked away.
Without much introduction from David Dinkins, Simon knew that the man next to him was Marlo Cuomo, the current governor of New York State, and one of the important candidates for the Democratic Party in next year's new presidential election. .
The Westeros system has quietly bet on Bill Clinton.
However, this matter is of course very secretive.
Letting the outside world know too much about Simon's political leanings, especially things like the presidential election, will not do much good for the candidates that the Westeros system is betting on.
Simon's afternoon schedule happened to be related to the next US presidential election. Unexpectedly, David Dinkins, who was funded by the Westeros system, would suddenly bring Marlo Gummer to him.
"Simon, this is Marlo Cuomo, he's our governor of the state of New York. Marlo, this is Simon."
Simon smiled and stretched out his hand to Marlo Gummer and said: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Gummer."
Marlo Gummer was also very enthusiastic, shaking hands with Simon and saying, "I've always wanted to see you, Simon."
No one was stupid enough to immediately change the topic in a certain direction. After introducing each other, David Dinkins took the initiative to chat with Simon about the Westeros Building that was being built.
As a super building expected to exceed 600 meters, this building requires approval from the New York City Government.
Apparently, with connections like David Dinkins, there was no trouble getting the project approved.
David Dinkins took the initiative to mention it, and there was also some intention of asking for credit.
After just over a minute of chatting, David Dinkins walked away with Marlo Gummer, giving the impression that it was just an inconsequential greeting.
Of course, people with a keen enough sense of smell will definitely be able to realize that it is unusual.
Marlo Gummer was definitely not clueless during the chat.
If Simon intends to support the other party, he only needs to have someone contact Marlo Gummer, and he will definitely get a response.
Simon couldn't help but think about this matter.
It’s not that I want to make a multi-faceted bet, but that putting Marlo Cuomo, a politician who currently has a stronger advantage than the junior Bill Clinton, on the table may have unexpected results.
"Simon, what are you thinking about?"
Steve Ross's voice interrupted Simon's thoughts.
Simon retracted his thoughts and said with a smile: "Build the plank road openly and build the warehouse secretly."
The Chinese that blurted out made Steve Ross a little dazed.
Simon explained quickly, but deliberately adopted an ambiguous tone, which did not let Steve Ross think of his true thoughts.
Steve Ross didn't go into details. He praised Simon's proficiency in Chinese and then said: "When Reagan ran for office, the entire Hollywood fully supported him, and we got enough rewards. However, although Reagan As Vice President, Bush’s actions in recent years are really difficult to satisfy everyone.”
Simon raised his eyebrows slightly, and suddenly understood why Marlo Gummer appeared in front of him just now.
There should also be a factor of Rose's involvement.
Although Warner Bros. Pictures is one of the seven major Hollywood studios, Time Warner is headquartered in New York. Steve Ross also lives in New York and is very familiar with the political circles on the East Coast.
"So, Steve, you're going to support Marlo Cuomo next year."
Steve Ross shook his head and said: "Of course not. Although I am very optimistic about Maro, he has not even received the party nomination yet. I will only support the one who gets the party nomination."
Simon said: "The Gulf War was fought so well, and Bush should win very easily next year. If all of Hollywood turns to the Democratic Party, we may be in trouble once Bush is re-elected."
Ross laughed, raised his hand and patted Simon's shoulder lightly, saying: "Simon, George Bush is a very mature politician. You know, such politicians don't easily make enemies for themselves, they are better at weighing things up. And , The Bush family also has longer-term political ambitions, and they will not blatantly suppress Hollywood just because we switch to the Democratic Party. They see our dissatisfaction and are more likely to choose to win over us."
Simon actually understood some of this truth, but he still nodded with a taught expression.
After finally chatting with Rose for a while, Simon said goodbye.
Although Steve Ross was a little disappointed, he did not hold back too much and sent Simon out of the reception hall himself.
Rushing from the Gramercy Hotel to the nearby Westeros company headquarters, it was almost one o'clock in the afternoon, and James Raybould was already waiting for Simon.
Simon took the initiative to mention what he had just met Marlo Gummer and expressed his thoughts.
James also expressed his approval.
Judging from the current situation, Marlo Cuomo is the most promising candidate among the politicians who intend to participate in next year's presidential election. There is no harm in giving him some support. A little disclosure of the news can also make some people ignore another chip in the Westeros system's bet.
After roughly discussing the specific implementation plan, at 1:30 in the afternoon, the guests they were waiting for arrived on time.
The guest's name was Albert Gore Jr., also known as Al Gore, who is currently a senator from Tennessee in the U.S. Congress.
Albert Gore Jr. comes from a political family. His father, Albert Gore, became famous in the 1950s for proposing the "American Interstate Highway Plan" that allowed the U.S. economy to take off after the war. This year Forty-three-year-old Al Gore has inherited the political ideas of the elder Albert and has been promoting his own "Information Highway Act" in recent years.
As a latecomer, Simon also knew that Al Gore later became Clinton's vice president and lost the 2000 U.S. presidential election to George W. Bush with a very narrow and controversial disadvantage. After losing the 2000 presidential election, Gore The White House dream of the Er family that lasted for two generations was completely shattered.
From the information currently collected, Simon discovered that Al Gore is the kind of politician who can be called 'flawless' by standard. He has received a good education, has a harmonious family, has no scandals, and has a very steady political career, one step at a time. .
Compared with Clinton, who was riddled with scandals like a sieve, Al Gore seemed more suitable to participate in the 1992 presidential election.
However, it was precisely because he came from a political family and was so experienced in this area that Al Gore did not choose to participate in the 1992 presidential election.
Because in the eyes of these veteran politician families, it is almost certain that George Bush will be re-elected with the prestige of victory in the Gulf War. According to the practice of US presidential elections, unless running for re-election, a politician only has one chance to attack the White House in his lifetime.
As for Clinton, this politician who came from a low-level background in American politics and was not very clean at all probably never thought that he would be able to enter the White House at the beginning, just like no one thought that Hillary Clinton would miss out on the White House.
Al Gore's problem, perhaps, as Steve Ross said at the noon cocktail party, is that mature politicians are too good at weighing things up.
In 1988, Al Gore expressed his intention to participate in the presidential election, but after some 'weighing' at that time, he probably thought that he was too young and the time was not right, so he voluntarily chose to give up.
In 1992, after some "weighing", I thought that George Bush could not be defeated, so I decided to be Clinton's running mate, intending to accumulate some prestige. Unexpectedly, I became the vice president, who actually didn't want to be the vice president at all. Eight years.
In 2000, taking advantage of the economic prosperity brought about by Clinton's eight years in office, it was almost as expected, and it was possible to continue the campaign ideas of Bush Sr. when he was elected president from Reagan's vice president. As a result, they ran into another more powerful political family. Unfortunately, they lost and completely missed the pinnacle of power in the United States.
Simon is not interested in this 'perfect politician''s bumpy road to the White House. He is just interested in the "Information Highway Act" in the hands of the other party.
In the original plan, Simon planned to wait for the new president to take office after next year's presidential election before participating in promoting this plan. If all goes well, this could be considered a big gift to Bill Clinton.
However, the development speed of the US Internet industry has exceeded Simon's imagination, and he does not plan to wait another two years.
If any industry can receive policy support from the national level, its development will definitely be smoother.
Just as some traditional media have recently criticized content copyright issues related to Internet platforms, if the information highway plan becomes a basic national policy of the United States and the related "Internet Safe Harbor Act" is promoted, the obstacles will be reduced a lot.
Moreover, it will take at least one or two years from the introduction to the adoption and implementation of a bill like the Information Superhighway Plan involving an industry level of hundreds of billions of dollars.
By then, the 1992 presidential election had been settled.
Since the bill was proposed by Al Gore, a Democratic senator, the political performance is unlikely to fall into the hands of the Republican Party in any case, and it will not have much impact on next year's presidential election.
Even if the White House deliberately blocks the passage of the Information Highway Act, it may have a counterproductive effect on George Bush's re-election campaign.