In over a decade, stores like Starbucks and McDonald's would offer free WiFi as standard. Tinkobair proposed introducing mini internet café functionalities within Starbucks chains. However, determining whether to charge for the service and who would bear the costs was still a challenge. Submitting the proposal to Simon, C-Girl also hoped Eaglet would get involved to share the costs.
A few years ago, Eaglet would have eagerly supported such initiatives to get more people online. Even now, Silicon Valley tech giants, much like Facebook and Google once did, actively strive to connect more users to the internet. However, this proposal primarily served Tinkobair's interests and had limited benefits for Eaglet, making the company less enthusiastic about the idea.
Simon arrived directly from the airport at the West 66th Street headquarters for a 10 a.m. meeting. With a little time to spare, he quickly jotted down his opinions on the proposal in the conference room.
Simon did not approve the plan.
If the goal was merely to provide convenient upload interfaces for iCam, iRec, and iPlayer users, Tinkobair didn't need to partner with Starbucks. Instead, they could deploy standalone upload devices in high-traffic public areas, akin to vending machines or phone booths, specifically designed for Tinkobair products. A closed system offering services like photo uploads, video uploads, and audio downloads would significantly enhance efficiency.
By comparison, creating mini internet cafés in Starbucks would require full PC-based internet access, which Starbucks customers might not necessarily use for Tinkobair products. Alternatively, deploying a closed-system device in Starbucks would entail licensing fees.
It wasn't worth it.
With the plan rejected, cooperation with Eaglet was naturally off the table.
Finally, Simon suddenly remembered something and added a note suggesting C-Girl initiate the acquisition of Apple. This had been part of Simon's long-term strategy. Currently, Apple was at its lowest ebb, making it an opportune time for the Westeros system to acquire the company. Securing Apple would provide access to core operating system patents. While expanding its hardware product line and global operations team, Tinkobair could leverage Apple's technological foundation to develop a closed-system network upload device in the shortest possible time.
A win-win.
After finishing the note, Simon handed it to A-Girl to relay to Silicon Valley just as the clock struck 10.
Robert Iger and other key members of the West Coast division of Daenerys Entertainment were already present. The meeting focused on finalizing the $9 billion broadcasting deal between ESPN and the NFL. After rounds of negotiations, the deal was finally near completion, with the meeting set to iron out the final details before the agreement could be signed and announced next Monday.
Given the size of the deal and its implications for ESPN's future, Simon's presence was necessary.
However, during the two-hour morning meeting, Simon contributed little to the discussions. Not being a sports enthusiast, he preferred not to interfere in areas outside his expertise.
The morning meeting concluded, followed by lunch with Robert Iger, Steve Bernstein, and others. Simon didn't leave afterward as he needed to review the upcoming fall lineup for the core television platforms under Daenerys Entertainment. The review session lasted from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Current hit shows such as Seinfeld, Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City, and the Real Housewives reality series, as well as last year's breakout hit American Idol, continued to dominate on ABC, USA Network, A&E, and Fashion TV. Even Friends and ER, which Simon had strategically transferred to rival networks, were performing exceptionally well. This year, the strategy was to maintain stability, with no urgency to launch new flagship programs.
One of Simon's main focuses was the second season of American Idol.
The show had sparked a nationwide sensation in its first season, generating $860 million in ad revenue, sponsorships, and licensing deals for Daenerys Television. With production and marketing costs totaling $230 million, the first season delivered a gross profit of $630 million.
Since then, revenue from nationwide concert tours, album sales, and other related ventures had exceeded $300 million. This didn't include the indirect boost American Idol provided to ABC's overall ratings, Daenerys Records, or even other companies within the Westeros system, such as Tinkobair.
A bona fide golden goose.
Thanks to meticulous planning from the outset, production costs for the second season of American Idol wouldn't increase significantly. However, with an extended episode count, the show was poised to set new records for revenue and profits.
After a full day's work, Simon returned by helicopter to his estate north of Greenwich. That evening, he hosted B-Girl Becky Hope and her fiancé, Mark Hinal, who worked at Long-Term Capital Management, for dinner.
Unlike A, C, and D, Simon had seen less of B-Girl in recent years. Nonetheless, the company she founded, Alia, continued to thrive. Riding the wave of the tech boom, backed by the Westeros system, and leveraging a low-cost strategy, Alia's software had garnered over 260,000 global subscribers.
Even at just a tenth of Bloomberg Terminal's price, Alia's user base generated over $30 million in monthly revenue, with projected annual revenue for 1996 reaching $400 million.
Although still trailing Bloomberg's $1 billion in revenue, Alia's extensive user base of over 260,000 far surpassed Bloomberg's 20,000, enabling the company to build its own financial data ecosystem.
Historically, Bloomberg's success stemmed from its ecosystem, despite its cumbersome interface. All users were locked into this system, with all data housed within, making it indispensable for obtaining relevant information.
Alia's entry into the market during Bloomberg's peak caught the latter off guard. Over the past two years, the two companies had been locked in fierce competition, battling over technology, lawsuits, and talent. Alia's backing was clearly superior, and Bloomberg, having previously alienated its partners by buying back shares, found itself isolated and at a disadvantage.
Despite having no plans for an IPO, industry analysts valued Alia at $2.5 billion based on a conservative 30x P/E ratio and a net margin exceeding 20%. If it went public, its clear internet attributes and high growth potential could easily double its valuation.
Even at the conservative estimate, B-Girl's 15% stake in Alia was worth $375 million.
Another rising star nearing the threshold of the Forbes 400 Richest Americans.
That evening's dinner wasn't focused on Alia. Instead, the couple shared news of their upcoming September wedding. Privately close to B-Girl, A-Girl had arranged the dinner to offer congratulations in advance.
As for the wedding, although the couple extended an invitation during dinner, Simon politely declined.
Accepting would have been disruptive.
Interestingly, among the A, B, C, and D girls, Simon had never been involved with B. Yet, outsiders would never believe it—nor was Simon entirely sure himself.
Was he?
Too many women. Hard to remember.
A scoundrel indeed!
That was A-Girl's faint complaint when she teased him later that night. Taking advantage of a rare private evening together, she made full use of the opportunity.
The next morning, as Gemma joined them for breakfast and noticed the unusually visible marks left on Simon, the otherwise demure young woman couldn't help but roll her eyes at him multiple times.
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