Chapter 315 Money comes from 4 directions
Chapter 315: Wealth from All Directions
"Four hundred million in financing is really nothing to a wealthy Wanda."
Wang Hao smiled slightly, looked at Zeng Yingrui, the director of Wanda Group's investment department, and said with a smile:
"Then how much equity would Wanda, represented by President Zeng, be satisfied with?"
As soon as Wang Hao finished asking this question, Zhang Ziming got angry and said, "Boss Wang, we haven't even finalized the valuation yet. Are you going to move on to the next stage?"
Zeng Yingrui remained silent, but Wang Hao did not indulge him and just smiled slightly.
"Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zeng is worried about having too few shares. If Shenzhen Guotou thinks there is a problem with the valuation, I think it would be better to let Mr. Zeng take over more shares.
It’s only 400 million. Any of Wanda’s cultural tourism projects are worth tens of billions. I think Mr. Zeng and his team can still come up with this amount of money.”
"Director Wang, you are just sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight," Zeng Yingrui immediately said, "We need to discuss the released equity, and we can also discuss the valuation. It's impossible to settle a business deal in one go."
However, Wang Hao shook his head.
“The 90 billion valuation is non-negotiable. Huayi’s current market value is billion. I am giving you a % discount, which is already a huge concession.
I'm not saying this, but besides your company, there are many others who want to invest in Galaxy Pictures.
For example, Alibaba’s CEO Ma clearly expressed his willingness to invest at the last Huayi listing reception.
There is also Mr. Jia from LeTV, who is also very interested in the financing situation of our Galaxy Pictures.
In addition, Magic Shadow, as well as Sony Group abroad and CJ Group in South Korea, all have ideas in this regard.
I only chose you two first because of our past relationship and your state-owned background."
He said this with absolute certainty, and his words revealed a strong sense of confidence.
Yes, just as he said, Galaxy Group is now thriving. Even if they don’t invest, there will be others rushing to invest.
Even if other people don't invest, the bank can still lend money to Galaxy Pictures.
Therefore, in addition to raising money, Galaxy Pictures' main focus in financing is to find partners and seek help with resources other than money.
Such as Wanda’s cinema chain, Huaying’s distribution and industry leadership, Shenzhen Guotou’s state-owned background, and Sony Group and CJ Group’s overseas distribution channels in the future B round.
Building a community of interests around Galaxy Pictures is the real purpose of Galaxy Pictures' financing.
And Wang Hao soon threw out new chips.
“In fact, you can rest assured that I, Wang Hao, am not a person who only wants to eat for myself, and policies do not allow individual shareholders of listed companies to have too high a stake.
Therefore, if you can take it, I can release another 5% of the first round of financing, but the valuation will have to float up a bit.
In addition, you may not know that the recently popular 'Tao Piao.com' is also invested by our Galaxy Group. If the website enters a new round of financing in the future, you may have the opportunity to participate in it. "
At this point, Zhang Ziming and Zeng Yingrui could only think in their hearts that they had no room for bargaining on the matter of valuation.
The conditions offered by Wang Hao were not something they could refuse, but they were not the first to speak.
"Director Wang, I will have to bring this financing matter back to the company and discuss it at the meeting.
So let Mr. Zhang and Mr. Zeng choose first, and then give us the specific share they want. It doesn’t matter whether it’s more or less.”
Li Hua said with a smile, his whole body showing a relaxed attitude.
After he finished speaking, Zhang Ziming and Zeng Yingrui looked at each other, and finally Zeng Yingrui said:
"Okay, this is just an initial investment intention after all, so I'll give the maximum amount within my authority, 2.5 million in funds and 6% of the shares, that's it for Wanda."
With the first person speaking, Zhang Ziming had no more reason to continue bargaining.
Just as Wang Hao said, Galaxy Pictures is now thriving and has no shortage of investors. If Shenzhen Guotou continues to procrastinate, he might really be kicked out.
So Zhang Ziming hesitated for a moment, and then said tentatively:
"If Director Wang is willing to let Galaxy Group raise funds, 200 billion, we at Shenzhen International Investment are willing to give a valuation of 200 billion."
Zeng Yingrui, who was standing by, also had his eyes light up when he heard Zhang Ziming's words. "Yes, Director Wang, if Galaxy Group raises funds for listing, Wanda will also agree to a valuation of 200 billion."
A valuation of 200 billion is already twice the current market value of Huayi Group!
Li Hua first looked at Zhang Ziming and the other man in surprise, then he looked at Wang Hao with a more serious look.
It's only in the A round and its valuation is 200 billion. If it goes public, I'm afraid the market value of Galaxy Group will be close to billion. By that time, Wang Hao, a billionaire under the age of , will no longer be regarded as a well-known director, but a big shot in the entertainment industry.
However, faced with such temptation, Wang Hao just waved his hand indifferently.
"No rush, let's talk about Galaxy Pictures today."
Zeng and Zhang looked at each other and sighed helplessly. Finally, Zhang Ziming said:
“Well, Director Wang, even if this cooperation is to make a good start for the future, with 2.5 million yuan in funding and 6% of the shares, we will do the same as Wanda.
However, we still have to follow the formal procedures for the subsequent financing process. When the time comes, Director Wang will…"
"Don't worry, we at Galaxy Pictures will definitely cooperate with the necessary due diligence, so Mr. Zhang doesn't have to worry about that.
But the whole financing process still needs to be accelerated, because the schedule of my new film is quite tight, and the sooner the financing is completed, the sooner the project can officially start. "
Zhang Ziming and the other two nodded repeatedly, and Li Hua said:
"Of course. Director Wang, your new project has already been registered with the bureau. The leaders above are paying special attention to it, so we will naturally cooperate with it."
Wang Hao laughed out loud when he heard that, and the smile on his face was very bright.
"Hahaha, Brother Li, thank you for the compliment. I wish us a happy cooperation. I will toast to everyone with tea instead of wine.
I have things to do in the evening, and I have to communicate well with the new project while all parties are present.
Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zeng, let Brother Li accompany you for a simple meal. Please sit for a while."
"Okay, okay, Director Wang, you go and get busy first." Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziming and the other two stood up and sent Wang Hao out the door.
And Wang Hao's words were not an excuse. He was indeed very busy at the moment, and there was actually a dinner waiting for him that evening.
In addition to Wang Hao, those who participated in this dinner were the bosses of major film and television companies who had participated in the second phase press conference of "Galaxy Cinematic Universe".
In addition to familiar faces such as the Wang brothers from Huayi, Xu Peng from Magic Shadow, Lu Zheng from Starry Night, and Huo Wenxi from Eagle King Entertainment, there are also several new faces.
Like Li Xiaoping, vice president of Light Media, Wu Kebo, CEO of Orange Sky Entertainment, and Huang Kui, vice president of Bona Film Group, it can be said that those who can participate in this banquet are basically the top bosses in the domestic film and television industry.
People like Zhang Yimou and Feng Xiaogang, despite their fame, are not qualified to sit up there.
Of course, not to mention those actors, if they really come, they are just there to adjust the atmosphere.
For example, Huang Yi who follows the vice president of Bona, Li Binbin who follows the Wang brothers of Huayi, and Song Jia who follows Wu Kebo.
These dazzling female stars are all doing the job of serving tea and water.
Wang Hao did not bring any female companions like them today, because Jing Tian also came with Lu Zheng. She was sitting next to Wang Hao and serving him like other female stars.
This naturally made the other CEOs look at Lu Zheng in surprise, and also made the female stars at the scene extremely jealous. Jing Tian was stupid enough not to notice this, and Wang Hao didn't care either.
Today's banquet is actually a follow-up to the night before yesterday. The heads of the film and television companies present here are not here to play with the female star. What they want to discuss is the investment matters of Wang Hao's new film project.
"Sony has already taken 30% of the investment in Inception, and Huaying Group wants 10%. In addition, our Galaxy Group has a dominant share of 40%, so now we can only give up 20%."
After they had almost finished their meals and drinks, Wang Hao got straight to the point and gave the investment situation of "Inception".
"Based on the $2 million film cost, this is $4 million, which is 2.6 million Chinese Yuan. I wonder what you guys think."
What can the many film and television company bosses here think? It's nothing more than that the investment cost of this movie is too high. They all know that there must be a premium in it.
However, they cannot say it out loud because there is still competition among the companies. They may complain about the severe premium but rush to buy it privately.
So without hesitation, Wang Zhongjun of Huayi took the lead and said, "I have no objection to this price. Let's do it this way. Huayi wants 5%."
"Mo Ying also wants 5%." Xu Peng immediately followed.
Lu Zheng was not to be outdone, "Then we at Xingguang Canlan will also subscribe for 5%."
In less than half a minute, 15% of the investment share of "Inception" was divided up by three companies. That's million Chinese yuan, and the bosses of these film and television companies didn't even blink an eye.
Although the female stars sitting next to them had seen money before, seeing such a magnificent scene made their lips and tongues dry, their hands and feet weak, and they felt that their entire outlook on life had been overturned.
However, this is not the end. In addition to Wang Hao, there are seven heads of film and television companies present.
They are all tasked with participating in Wang Hao's project. Now, three quarters of the 20% investment share has been taken away by others, leaving the rest to grab the 5%. How could they be willing to accept this?
So the CEO of Orange Sky Entertainment, Wu Kebo, directly said: "For 5% of the share, Orange Sky will pay million."
While quoting the price, he looked around and exchanged glances with his colleagues, his eyes full of determination to win.
However, how could anyone here be afraid of him? It was only 5 million Chinese yuan and % of the shares. This price was indeed too much.
If that's the case, the film's global box office would have to exceed $9 million for Wookober to make a profit from the film.
9 million US dollars! No Chinese director has ever achieved this result. Even Wang Hao's highest-grossing film "Taken" only earned 3.1 million US dollars, which is almost three times that of "Taken".
After a brief hesitation, Huo Wenxi immediately said, "Our Eagle King can also offer 100 million."
crazy!
This thought popped up in the minds of Wang Zhongjun, Xu Peng and Lu Zheng, who had just spoken first.
These people are absolutely crazy!
However, even if they think those people are crazy, what can they do?
Seeing Wang Hao playing with the wine glass with a smile on his face, they expressed their opinions almost without hesitation.
"Huayi also offered 1 million."
"Like a demonic shadow."
"The stars shine brightly with 1.1 million!"
Wang Zhonglei and Xu Peng almost cast angry glances at Lu Zheng, but Lu Zheng remained unmoved.
Starry Night is different from Huayi Brothers and Magic Film Studios. Movies are not their main business.
This money was originally intended to be used to make a big production to promote Jing Tian. Now Wang Hao's project seems more reliable, and Jing Tian is also clearly eligible to join the [Galaxy Cinematic Universe].
So he doesn't mind doing a favor, and it doesn't matter whether he loses or not.
The atmosphere at the entire banquet became tense at a speed that was almost visible to the naked eye. The CEOs of the other six film and television companies looked at each other and froze there for a moment.
5% investment share, million Chinese Yuan, this premium is already very high.
And the key point is that in this situation on the spot, even if you offer a higher price, others may follow suit, and then you still won’t be able to get a share of the investment.
Just at this moment, Li Xiaoping, vice president of Enlight Media, who had been silent all this time, spoke up.
“Director Wang, I remember that for such a big project, as a director, you should also have a portion of the investment quota.
We at Guangguang are willing to purchase 4.5% of your investment share at a price of million. What do you think?"
Wang Hao didn't expect that someone would target him, but Li Xiaoping guessed correctly. As the director of "Inception", Wang Hao himself also had a 6% share. This, together with the 30% of Galaxy Pictures and the 4% of Xingdou Culture Agency, accounted for the total 40% of Galaxy Group.
The 34% is public property, and the 6% is Wang Hao's personal property.
Now Li Xiaoping has set her eyes on this part of the investment quota in Wang Hao's hands and is ready to buy it at a premium.
It is difficult for Wang Hao to judge whether this is good or bad.
After all, being able to get 100 million Chinese yuan immediately and save one or two years of time costs seems to be quite good.
As for Li Xiaoping, although according to the other party's offer, she will have to wait until the global box office of "Inception" reaches 10.25 billion before she can recover her costs.
But with "Inception" as an entry ticket, Guangguang has at least connected with Wang Hao, the best commercial director in mainland China, and will not fall too far behind Huayi and others.
What, you said there are peripheral benefits?
Please, these domestic film and television companies cannot enjoy the peripheral revenue of "Inception". After all, domestic films rarely have any revenue in the peripheral sector.
As for the overseas peripheral income, it will be divided among the copyright companies of Sony and Galaxy Group. Huayi and Guangguang are not eligible.
The others hadn't thought that there was another way to acquire the investment quota from Wang Hao, but without the competition from Guangxian Entertainment, their pressure was much less.
Finally, with the help of Wang Hao, Huayi, Magic Film, Starry Sky and Orange Sky, among the companies present, each acquired a 8800% investment share of Inception for RMB 4 million, dividing up the 20% share.
In addition, Guangxian Entertainment purchased a 1% stake from Wang Hao for 4.5 million yuan.
Only Bona felt that there was little profit to be made at this price and eventually gave up participating in the project.
At this point, the 200 million US dollar cost of "Inception" was finally properly resolved with the support of all parties.
Among them, Galaxy Pictures accounted for a total of 35.5% of the investment share, which is 7100 million US dollars.
Galaxy Pictures itself is about to raise 8 million Chinese yuan, which is equivalent to 1.23 million US dollars.
It can be said that Galaxy Pictures and Wang Hao themselves did not have to spend a penny on the project of "Inception".
Even if they add in the revenue from the movie's own advertising placements, as well as co-branding authorizations and distribution rights in other overseas countries, they have already recovered part of the cost before the film even starts shooting.
This is the influence of “commercial special effects blockbuster + big director + big star”!
(End of this chapter)