Eric plans to arrange the first Victoria's Secret catwalk show in New York, the fashion capital, but in order to match his personal intense work schedule, the initial programming of the show is in Los Angeles.
After initially selecting the catwalk list, these newly promoted Victoria's Secret angels will also participate in a custom body shaping plan for at least one month at Eric's request, and maintain their figure until the end of the catwalk. Because in Eric's opinion, compared with the hot angel supermodels in memory, most of the current models are still accustomed to maintaining a thin figure. Of course, this figure can better display those famous brand fashions in fashion shows The design concept, but it does not look so seductive when wearing underwear.
Except for the planned five spokespersons who will sign a special contract, the salaries of other models throughout the big show are not high, and most of the models are paid around 50,000 US dollars. While that's a lucrative sum to invite most of the top models to a show, it's usually not accepted if the show takes four months to work.
This is also the main reason why the two popular supermodels, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell, did not agree at the beginning. Their daily salary has reached more than 10,000 US dollars, and they are unwilling to waste four months on just It's not difficult to understand just on a catwalk. It is impossible for Eric to be free now to personally tell the two about the benefits of being the spokesperson of Victoria's Secret. For other models, Eric's attitude is the same. The contract is there. If someone can't see them If you will be the benefit of the forty out of thousands of models, you can also choose to refuse. However, the forty selected models finally accepted the contract wisely, and started the next step according to the arrangement. plan.
At the same time, at the Yahoo headquarters in Boston on the west coast, after a month-long wrangling negotiation, the cooperation negotiations between Yahoo and Microsoft finally came to fruition.
"Within five years, any advanced technical achievements of Yahoo browser must be used on the Windows platform first, and the version updates of other operating system platforms must be updated three months after Windows." During the phone call, Chris, who was in Boston, told Ai Rick described the general content of the agreement: "In addition, Yahoo must license all browser patents to Microsoft within five years. Unless Microsoft agrees, Yahoo must not transfer any browser software technology patents to other third parties..."
Eric leaned on the leather chair in the office, listened to Chris's narration, and said with a smile: "It seems that Microsoft has really put most of its thoughts on the browser, which is just in line with the result of our original discussion."
Chris on the opposite side also nodded and said: "Yes. Microsoft originally hoped to gain some power in Yahoo Mail, but when we made concessions in the browser negotiation, Microsoft also gave up these ideas."
In Eric's view, e-mails that can attract a large number of users with high stickiness are definitely more important than browser software: "They must think that Yahoo will be owned by Microsoft after five years anyway, and as long as they can use the Yahoo browser The bundling of the new generation of Windows to gain an advantage over other operating systems is trivial. Also, what about the rest?"
Chris continued: "In addition to the browser software cooperation, the most important thing is the 30% share option. Microsoft will provide Yahoo with 100 million US dollars in debt financing to obtain Yahoo's 30% share option after five years. The effective date of this agreement is July 1999, and then Microsoft will have three months to consider whether to start the acquisition of 30% of the shares of Yahoo Networks. After three months, if Microsoft does not come up with a feasible acquisition The plan is considered as Microsoft voluntarily giving up this share option. Now, that’s about it, the detailed contract has more than 100 pages. I have faxed it to your assistant’s office, if you are interested, you can read it.”
Chris said that there was a little smile in his final tone. Of course he knew that Eric couldn't spare any time to read such a highly professional contract.
Eric also shook his head with a wry smile. He said: "I just finished the audition for "Resident Evil" in the morning, and now I have a pile of materials to deal with, and I have to attend the premiere of "The Lion King" tonight, do you think I have time to watch it?"
"Then let the lawyer review this agreement as soon as possible. If there is no problem, I will formally sign the document with Microsoft next Monday." Chris on the other side of the phone said in a professional tone: "In addition, Ian and the others can't wait to wait After the signing of this agreement, the launch of scripting language and instant messaging software has given Microsoft a big surprise."
"Of course, I will give you an answer as soon as possible."
Eric nodded, and the two chatted a few more words on the phone. Eric hung up the phone, and at the same time, a big stone fell in his heart. The signing of this agreement will also indicate that Microsoft will not be in the browser software. Jumping out to make trouble on the technical standards of the Internet, this will greatly promote the promotion of the Internet. Of course, this contract neither restricts Microsoft's involvement in Internet services nor can it restrict Microsoft's involvement in Internet services. Although the response in many fields is very slow, Eric believes that with the outbreak of the Internet industry in the next few years, even if Microsoft holds Yahoo's purchase Equity, and will definitely enter the market in advance to compete for 'turf'. However, as long as the Internet has no "entrance" to the technical standard disputes, Eric believes that with his forward-looking vision, it is absolutely impossible for Microsoft to take advantage of Yahoo in other competitions.
Busy work always makes time pass quickly, and it was already evening in a blink of an eye. Eric changed his clothes in the lounge and drove to the Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
Although the decision to cancel Disney's hand-drawn animation project has been made, of course Eric will not ignore the pinnacle of 2D animation in the original time and space, so he specifically asked to participate in this premiere.
"The Lion King" has been screened on a small scale since the first two weeks. At present, there are only a dozen theaters in North America, and the box office has exceeded 3 million US dollars. At the same time, Firefly has also invested a huge amount of publicity and distribution. Funds are used for advertising and promotion, and the premiere ceremony is even more impressive.
When Eric arrived in front of the China Grand Theater, the entrance ceremony for the premiere ceremony had already begun. Eric did not step on the red carpet in the same order as other guests, but got off the car under the guidance of the staff, directly Walked on the red carpet, and coincidentally walked with the director of "The Lion King", Roger Ailes.
Surrounded by enthusiastic movie fans, the two walked to the interview area together, answered a few questions selectively, and Eric was about to leave. A chubby reporter suddenly tried to stretch the recorder towards Eric, and shouted: "Mr. Williams, I heard that you plan to close the hand-drawn animation department of Disney Animation Studios after "The Lion King". Is it true?"
Eric froze for a moment, and glanced at Roger Eiles beside him. Roger Ailes, who was originally full of interest, also had a strange expression on his face. Eric didn't know if this was an arrangement of someone with a heart, but after all, it was impossible to hide this matter for too long, so he nodded and said, "Yes."
This answer made all the other reporters boil. The reporter who just asked the question asked loudly again: "So, does this mean that Firefly is trying to suppress the influence of the Disney brand?"
Eric did not immediately answer this somewhat sharp question, but interviewed: "I don't know why you would ask such an ignorant question. Do you think that the Disney brand and Disney hand-drawn animation are equivalent?"
The reporter replied: "Disney's brand images are represented by Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. These are traditional 2D hand-drawn animation images. If Disney's hand-drawn animation department is cancelled, doesn't it mean that Disney's core values disappear? ?”
"I don't think so," Eric shook his head and said, "Technological growth is inevitable. Therefore, replacing 2D animation with more advanced 3D animation technology is like replacing black and white movies with color movies. In my opinion , This is a doomed trend, Firefly will never try to suppress any of its brands, and Disney will always maintain the core value of using excellent works to bring joy to the audience."
The reporter didn't expect Eric to be able to answer so sharply even when he was unprepared. He was taken aback by other reporters: "Mr. Williams, according to the test performance of "The Lion King" And great word of mouth. Would you stick with that decision if The Lion King did well at the box office?"
Eric nodded: "I will continue."
After saying this, Eric ignored the questions from other reporters and walked straight into the theater.
At the beginning, Eric personally selected "The Lion King" from the alternative projects of Disney Animation Studios. As a result, Katzenberg has always been personally in charge of the project, so today he was also present at the premiere. Hearing some commotion outside from the staff, Katzenberg immediately greeted him from the theater.
"Eric, what happened?" Katzenberg greeted Roger Ailes, and then asked Eric.
Eric waved his hand to signal Roger Ailes to enter the field early. Then he came to a corner with Katzenberg, told what happened just now, shook his head and said with a smile: "It seems that some people are still not reconciled."
Katzenberg was silent for a moment, and then said: "Eric, according to our data survey during the screening stage and the current premiere scale of "The Lion King", most people think that the box office of "The Lion King" is very good in the first week." It may exceed $40 million, which will break the previous box office record for all Disney animated films. If you insist on canceling the hand-drawn animation department, there will definitely be a lot of dissatisfaction.”
"I've already given you a detailed analysis, you won't object to me, will you?"
Katzenberg smiled and shook his head. Most of Firefly's executives recognized Eric's intention to make this decision. However, people are often affected by the sudden benefits in front of them. Just like this time, If the box office of "The Lion King" really reaches 40 million US dollars in the first week, it will create a new 2D hand-drawn animation record. In this case, Eric will continue to do so, which will definitely bring a series of effects.
"Eric, if you think it is necessary, Michael and I will hold a special meeting to discuss this matter. "The Lion King" was a project that you personally decided, that is to say, even if this project is a box office success , the biggest credit is also on you, if you straighten out the cause and effect of this matter, there will definitely be no big problems."
Eric nodded, and added: "In addition, the media should also pay attention to the fact that Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank's bond issuance has been more than half in progress. I don't want any changes at this time."
"I know that if it really doesn't work, we can shut down the hand-drawn animation department after the bond issuance is over."
After talking about this matter, Eric and Katzenberg walked into the theater hall side by side.
However, the media obviously did not intend to let go of this explosive topic easily, especially some things were far beyond Eric's expectations.
Although Eric remembers that "The Lion King" made a box office of 300 million US dollars in North America when it was first screened, but the specific box office curve, he still follows Disney's original "Aladdin", "Beauty and the Beast" and other hand-drawn animations. According to the analysis, it is expected that "The Lion King", like other 2D hand-drawn animations, will have a long-term box office curve that lasts for half a year.
However, the fact is that after many newspapers reported that Eric was about to cancel Disney's hand-drawn animation department the next day, a piece of news on Saturday once again ignited the media in North America and the world.
Because the first-day box office of "The Lion King" greatly exceeded everyone's expectations, with 15.6 million US dollars.
Compared with the "Mummy" and "Saving Private Ryan" released some time ago, this data is not too conspicuous. However, if you compare it with movies of the same type, it will definitely shock many people's jaws. Disney's 2D animation, the previous highest box office was "Aladdin" two years ago, with a box office of 220 million US dollars in North America. However, Aladdin’s box office on the first weekend was only 19 million. Note that it was 19 million in the first three days of the weekend, while “Aladdin” had a box office of just over 6 million on the first day of its large-scale release during Thanksgiving in 1992. Ten thousand. This also means that the first-day box office of "The Lion King" not only almost caught up with "Aladdin" in the first week, but also reached more than twice the box office of "Aladdin" on the first day. Everyone realizes that "The Lion King" is likely to become the first animated film in North American box office history to surpass $300 million.
And Eric, in this case, wants to close Disney's hand-drawn animation department! (To be continued.)