Maybe it's because the FFIE version from this era is a bit outdated, but West Cotton's PPT isn't exactly a looker. Still, it's packed with solid info.
On the slide labeled page 21, Dunn spotted another company name—Dick Clark Productions.
Now he was curious. They'd just been talking about the movie business, and now… they're jumping to TV?
This West Cotton guy's got some serious ambition!
Clearly, he's not content just being Dunn's right-hand man, following orders to set up an indie film distribution arm. He's got his own vision for growth.
Right or wrong, Dunn really liked his attitude!
At Dunn Films right now, all the big strategic calls come straight from Dunn himself.
Bill Mechanic might hold the title of president, but he's a movie producer at heart—an expert in film content. When it comes to company strategy and high-level decisions, he struggles to offer much insight.
It's a shift Hollywood's been going through as it moves from the old days into a new era.
Back in the day, the Big Six studios were all run by seasoned film veterans. But as times changed and the industry branched out, the heads of these companies started shifting from traditional movie folks to sharp, forward-thinking strategists.
Take Warner Bros., for example. The chairman of the board, Terry Semel, is on his way out. The hot pick to replace him as CEO isn't Alan Horn, the president and movie content guru, but Barry Meyer, the administrative chief.
Bill Mechanic? He's definitely a manager from the old school.
That said, he still plays a key role at Dunn Films.
Dunn's situation is unique, and Bill's advice has been simple: go after as many Oscars as possible!
Leverage Dunn's personal fame to boost the company's clout.
It's not an easy path—Dunn hasn't snagged a single Oscar yet.
But now, West Cotton's bringing a fresh angle.
TV production!
Talk about creative!
Dunn and Bill exchanged a glance, both showing a mix of admiration and surprise.
Picture this: if events like the Golden Globes or the American Music Awards carried the Dunn Films stamp, how could that *not* skyrocket their influence?
Even better, this isn't just some awards-show outfit—it's a TV production company that can churn out reality shows too!
For Dunn, with his knack for seeing what's coming, this was like a gift from the heavens!
*American Idol*, *The Voice*, *America's Next Top Model*, *The Biggest Loser*, *America's Got Talent*, *Dancing with the Stars*, *Wipeout*…
Seriously, his brain's overflowing with ideas for ratings juggernauts that take the world by storm.
"Alright, West, you're exactly the guy I've been looking for!" Dunn waved a hand, standing up with a serious look. "Buying Dick Clark Productions is a great idea—and it's gotta happen. Bill, can you take the lead on this one? It's a big ask."
Acquiring a private company is pretty straightforward, but Dick Clark Productions is publicly traded, which makes the process a headache. With West Cotton's VP title, he doesn't quite have the clout to handle a deal this size.
Plus, Dunn had a plan. He'd make West a VP at Dunn Films *and* have him double as a CEO assistant. It'd be a busy gig.
Dunn already has one assistant, George Paxton, but that's his personal guy—nothing to do with company business.
What he needs now is a business-side helper. Someone like Isla Fisher, his little secretary, is fine for fetching tea, warming the bed, or scribbling a book, but she's not cut out for tossing out creative ideas.
Down the road, as the company grows, Dunn might even need a whole team of business assistants.
Bill Mechanic nodded, his eyes lingering on West Cotton with growing respect.
The guy's proving his worth!
"So, what's the third acquisition idea?"
Bill's question piqued Dunn's interest too.
Clearly, when it came to Dunn Films' strategic growth, West Cotton—even with just some basic info to work from—was dishing out ideas way sharper and more forward-thinking than Bill Mechanic ever had.
"The first acquisition was movies, the second was TV, and the third… animation."
"Animation? What's that about?"
"Pixar."
"Pfft!"
Dunn couldn't hold it in—he burst out laughing.