Michael Lynn froze for a moment, but nodded quickly, with a wry smile on the corner of his mouth. This matter is not a secret, and many old employees from the new line know about it.
At that time, Michael Lynn hoped that Robert Shea could wait a little longer, because although the profit of New Line was far lower than that of Firefly, its operating condition was good. Firefly, on the other hand, has nothing but the copyrights of a few blockbuster movies. It is basically just an empty shell. Therefore, Firefly's desire for a new line with complete distribution channels is far greater than the new line's demand for Firefly. After a year and a half, Firefly will definitely be able to offer a higher price.
After the release of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", Robert Shea expressed his remorse to him at a party. At least double the value, but it's too late to say anything now.
"Eric, that's true," Michael Lynn admitted with a nod, without any excuse.
Eric didn't care about Michael Lynn's cold reaction, and said with a smile: "Michael, actually, I can probably guess the reason why you stopped Robert from selling the new line, but he didn't listen to you, do you know why? ?”
Michael Lynn raised his head and looked at Ai Rui ●∵, Ke, waiting for the other party to take the initiative.
"Because I told him at the beginning that there is not much time left for us non-first-line film companies. If we can't seize the time to expand to a sufficient scale, we will eventually be swallowed up by film giants. Last year, Columbia Pictures was acquired by the Sony consortium. Acquisitions, the recent MCA, the parent company of Universal Pictures, is about to be acquired by Japan's Matsushita consortium, and at the same time, Warner Pictures and Time Communications merged into Time Warner. The integration of this system is proving that what I said last year is correct."
"Eric. I don't quite understand," Michael Lynn said suddenly.
"No, you can definitely understand," Eric said: "You should be able to see the purpose of my acquisition of New Line. In my original plan, the division of labor for Firefly was very clear. Robert was in charge of the company's operations and was in charge of film distribution. Expand the distribution network of Firefly to the whole world in the shortest time. And I will be in charge of the production. From the beginning, my goal is to expand and expand Firefly as soon as possible, but now Robert has gone astray.”
Michael Lynn lowered his head, unwilling to look into Eric's burning eyes, because those eyes did not have the childishness that a young man who had just turned 20 should have, but instead carried a sense of oppression from a superior.
A piece of confetti fell on the knee at some point, and it looked very conspicuous on the gray trousers. Michael Lynn slightly raised his arm to pat it, and then patted it again. The confetti clings tenaciously to the fabric, so he gives up.
"Michael. I know that you and Robert have always been very good friends, so I hope you can talk to him. It is not convenient for me to come forward in person, because it will cause misunderstanding between me and Robert. But you It's different, you are old partners who have been working together for more than ten years, so he should be able to listen to your words, as long as he can put all his energy on what he should be doing, I can even transfer part of the equity to him .”
"It's useless, Eric," Michael Lynn finally raised his head and said seriously: "I have worked with Robert for so many years, so I know his character very well, and this matter is of no use to me The reason why Robert and I can become friends is because I have never posed any threat to his power, to put it bluntly, I have no right to speak with him."
Eric put away the facial tissue sample box in front of him, took out a document from the filing cabinet next to him, and pushed it in front of Michael Lynn: "Then, you can take a look at this first."
There was nothing on the cover. Michael Lynn suppressed some expectations in his heart and turned to the first page.
This is an equity transfer agreement, the amount is 2%, and the effective date of the agreement is the end of the year. Before that, the selling party can terminate the agreement at any time.
"Michael, I know you will not be able to get the cash to buy the 2% shares of Firefly, but I can help you borrow such a sum of money without any legal risks. You must have read Firefly's financial statements last year, As long as Firefly maintains the current pace of development, you only need two years of dividends to pay off the loan, and then you will be one of Firefly’s shareholders.”
Michael Lynn pursed his dry lips, and tightly squeezed the contract in his hands. Although the 2% shares may not seem like much, but according to the current profit status of Firefly, he can get close to 1,000 shares every year. The dividend of 10,000 US dollars is several times higher than his annual salary, not to mention that the 2% of the shares themselves are also worth a lot. From Eric's words, he knew that this share was completely tantamount to giving away for nothing.
But there is no free lunch in the world. Taking this share means that he will completely betray Robert Shea and turn to Eric. Moreover, not only that, it can be seen from the additional clause that came into effect at the end of the agreement, If Robert Shea insists on going his own way, Eric will drive the other party out of Firefly at the end of the year, and what he has to do is to help Eric stabilize the situation of Firefly at that time, and try to avoid Robert Shea, who is dead and broken. Obviously, this is not an easy task.
"Eric, this is not an easy task," Michael Lynn said in an interfering tone after being silent for a few minutes.
"Well, okay then," Eric nodded, and took out another document from the filing cabinet that was ready to hand over: "So, what about this time?"
Open it again, all the conditions are almost exactly the same, but the transfer share has become 3%.
Michael Lynn twitched the corners of his mouth, wanting to laugh, but felt that the muscles on his face were stiff and uncomfortable. He wanted to throw the document back on Eric's face to show off his youthful spirit, but he wasn't a brat, he was gone. The high spirits of the year.
"Eric, I..."
"This is my bottom line, Michael, and Jeffrey is only 3%."
Eric didn't offer another price this time, because in his heart, Michael Lynn was only worth this price.
He had a detailed understanding of Michael Lynn. The other party was Robert Shea's classmate at Columbia University. He had received a Ph.D. and almost entered the industry with Robert Shea. He had more than ten years of film distribution experience. , after Robert Shea left, Michael Lynn was fully capable of taking Robert Shea's place.
Moreover, compared to Robert Shea, who has excess desire for power, Michael Lynn does not have such great ambitions. A person with such a character is suitable to stay in the position of Firefly CEO, and assist Eric to develop Firefly.
The top executives of film companies will generally receive a certain percentage of equity rewards, just like Eric converted Jeffrey's dividends into 3% equity at the beginning of the year. What you want to get, take it out in advance and sell it for a good price.
Michael Lynn didn't hesitate for long, stretched out his hand to flick off the obtrusive piece of paper scraps on his trousers, then raised his head and asked with a smile: "Eric, aren't you afraid that I won't agree to it in the end, and instead put this piece of paper away?" Tell Robert about it?"
"I rarely do things I'm not sure about," Eric could see that Michael Lynn had made a decision that met his expectations, and said with a relaxed face: "Tell Robert about this, you won't get Any benefits, I think Robert will definitely not give you 3% of the shares for free, but at that time, I could only risk the violent turmoil of the fireflies and drive the two of you away together. Create a new line?"
Michael Lynn shook his head with a wry smile: "I just think this is too... cruel to Robert."
"Competition in Hollywood is cruel. If I hadn't survived the turmoil at the beginning of the year, Firefly would have become a vassal of the Seven."
Michael Lynn sighed, found a pen on the desk, and signed his name on the agreement. Eric quickly handed over another agreement. After signing, Eric will The copy was taken back.
"Then, Michael, from now on, I hope you will use the next six months to take all the resources in Robert's hands into your own hands. I believe Robert will not be too defensive against you. I don't want Robert to leave, Any business of Firefly has come to a standstill. Of course, as for the old employees of the original new line, I think they will definitely not choose to leave with Robert under the promotion at the end of the year and the generous dividends."
"I understand." Michael Lynn nodded, picked up the agreement in front of him: "Eric, if there is nothing else, I'll go get busy."
"Well," Eric nodded, watching Michael Lynn leave, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, the matter was finally settled.
The reason why he is so cautious is not that Eric is unfounded. Miramax in his previous life is an example. Because of the conflict with Michael Eisner, the Weinstein brothers left Miramax, which directly led to Miramax’s death. The business stalled, and after struggling for a few years, Disney had no choice but to close Miramax. (To be continued..)