Ten days ago... America Online CEO's office.
"Mr. Page, welcome... Although this is our first meeting, your name precedes you."
Steve Case, Chairman of America Online, personally stood up to greet kyle upon his arrival.
"I'm also very happy to meet you, Mr. Case!" kyle shook hands with Case, his face beaming with excitement and a smile.
Actors!
Undoubtedly, neither kyle nor Case were as happy as they appeared; both were putting on an act.
kyle was thinking about how to persuade Case;
Case was thinking... hmm, why are you looking for me?
After a series of polite exchanges, kyle went straight to the point.
"To be honest, I came to Mr. Case to seek help," kyle said solemnly.
"Oh?"
Case showed a slight smile.
kyle laughed loudly, "My company, Page Pictures, will have a new film released soon, titled 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding.' However, for days now, Warner's media, and even its parent company Time Warner, have been involved in slandering our new film, causing a very negative impact. Therefore, I need the media power of your company."
"Haha!"
Case shook his head and laughed, "Mr. Page, you should know that Time Warner is the world's largest media group, capable of global coverage. Why do you think I would risk offending them to help you? This is a thankless task."
Indeed, the America Online chairman immediately refused kyle's request.
What good would it do him for two major media giants to suddenly go to war?
No one is a fool!
"What if... I said what if, I could persuade your company's board members, Treffert Davis and Francis Anko, to support your acquisition of Time Warner Group at the board meeting?"
kyle said lightly.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Acquire Time Warner?
As soon as these words were spoken, Case, who had been as steady as Mountain, was immediately stunned.
"You can do that?"
Steve Case couldn't help but be skeptical.
Several months earlier, as Chairman of America Online, Case had proposed a plan at a board meeting.
—That was to fully acquire Time Warner Group!
In this way, America Online, the world's largest emerging internet media company, would merge with Time Warner, the largest media group in the traditional sector, to form a colossal media conglomerate.
The combination of these two old and new media giants would undoubtedly elevate America Online to new heights!
Steve Case called this acquisition plan—The Great Plan!
However... Case's proposal was met with opposition from a considerable number of shareholders.
Among them, Treffert Davis and Francis Anko were the most vocal opponents!
Treffert Davis, male, 58 years old, was an early farmer in New Mexico.
As early as 1982, the predecessor company of America Online, named Kinsey Company, was established. It was a company dedicated to video control technology research. At that time, Treffert Davis, as an investor, became a major shareholder of the then small Kinsey Company.
The following year, Steve Case acquired Kinsey Company.
Based on this, America Online was founded, and Treffert Davis immediately became a shareholder of America Online.
His wealth rapidly soared.
His transition from a farmer to an internet mogul was incredibly fortunate, as all of this exceeded his expectations.
Francis Anko, male, 59 years old.
He was one of Apple's first employees in the early days, later made his fortune in the financial market, then resigned from Apple to become a Wall Street investor.
Anko invested in Mexican mining, but fate was unkind; he encountered a military coup in Mexico and subsequently went bankrupt.
However, it was at this time that Francis Anko saw the potential of America Online. He immediately used his connections on Wall Street to borrow a large sum of money from banks and invested in America Online. After many years of development, he is now a billionaire with considerable wealth.
Treffert Davis, being from a farming background, wasn't particularly intellectual; his actions followed one principle: recklessness!
Francis Anko, on the other hand, started as a computer programmer and later dedicated himself to Wall Street finance, making him a very cunning and shrewd fellow.
The reason why the two opposed Steve Case's acquisition of Time Warner was because they feared their own interests would diminish.
"You can really convince them to support my plan instead?" Case asked incredulously.
"Of course."
kyle said without hesitation, "In fact, I have already convinced them, and they have gladly accepted."
"Tell me, your conditions."
Case didn't care how kyle convinced Davis and Anko; he cared about kyle's conditions.
kyle spread his hands and laughed, "My condition is very simple: to fully support me on the 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' project and launch an attack on Warner. Moreover, since you plan to acquire Time Warner, isn't this a perfect opportunity to show them your strength? This is a win-win!"
Win-win?
It truly is a win-win!
Even if America Online can acquire Time Warner, is the acquisition complete just because it's done?
Of course not!
Internal struggles within large companies are even more intense, especially with the merger of two giant companies!
"That's right. Showing Warner our muscle before the acquisition proposal will be beneficial for later integration efforts. I agree to this!" Case said emphatically.
Immediately, kyle also smiled.
As for how kyle convinced shareholders Davis and Anko?
Of course, kyle paid a significant price!
—Shares in LinkedIn!
However, not now!
As an internet company, LinkedIn's inevitable development trends are going public, financing, and seeking growth.
kyle promised Davis and Anko that once LinkedIn initiated its Series A funding round, they would have priority participation rights.
Although this priority participation right doesn't represent anything and isn't valuable in itself, it is an entry ticket to invest in LinkedIn.
After all, if kyle were to expand shares and seek allies, he would look for large companies and major capital, and they wouldn't necessarily have the qualifications to participate.
A promise in exchange for America Online's media support—it seemed like a profitable deal no matter how you looked at it.
"Moreover, after the dot-com bubble bursts, America Online's market value will plummet. By then, even if Davis and Anko want to invest in LinkedIn, they probably won't have the money. I'm truly too clever," kyle thought to himself...
Time returned to February 22nd.
On this day, after kyle arranged the overseas release of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," he received a notification from Kevin Feige.
The preliminary preparations for "Spider-Man" were successfully completed;
The selection of the male and female lead actors was also successfully completed;
"Boss, funding is in place, actors are in place, the crew is in place. Now 'Spider-Man' can officially begin filming," Kevin Feige's voice was filled with excitement.
Everyone in the company knew that Kevin Feige was a loyal comic fan. A large part of why he joined Page Pictures was because he coveted the superhero copyrights kyle held.
kyle immediately nodded and said, "Alright, you and director Sam Raimi come to me immediately. I want to see the detailed filming plan."
"Yes, boss!"