Late June.
Golden Dawn Entertainment Group held its second mid-year executive meeting.
The core of this meeting was still the establishment of overseas film distribution channels.
"First, we need to clarify a fact: our cooperation with Paramount on overseas film distribution is over!"
"It no longer exists!"
"I also want to tell everyone that we do not rule out cooperating with other Hollywood film companies in the future, but regarding overseas distribution, our Page Pictures must independently establish film distribution channels outside of the American mainland. This is non-negotiable!"
"We must have distribution channels in the four major continents: South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia!"
At the beginning of the meeting, Kyle uncharacteristically displayed an extremely strong stance, cutting off some executives' intentions to mend ties with Paramount.
Kyle's assertive demeanor left many executives present feeling a sense of suffocation.
Many executives still held illusions about cooperating with Paramount for overseas film distribution.
Firstly, by following the lead of the Hollywood Big Six, they could set aside the difficulties of distribution and focus entirely on film production, ensuring the company's high annual profits.
Secondly, countless people inherently felt inferior when facing the Hollywood Big Six.
Because the Hollywood Big Six companies were simply too powerful and too dominant!
Looking back at the development of Hollywood over the past 20 years, too many companies rose, attempting to challenge the Big Six's position, but what was the result?
They were either acquired or turned into dust in history!
Even the currently powerful DreamWorks was suppressed by the Big Six to the point of being unable to breathe!
"Gentlemen, please remember, I am not a Quixotic challenger; I am a rich man, a very rich man!"
Kyle scanned everyone present and said in a deep voice, "Victor, you are the Group CEO, please state your position."
Victor?
Immediately, all eyes in the room focused on CEO Victor.
Kevin Feige remained composed;
Bill Macnick crossed his arms, looking intrigued;
Donna Langley was expressionless;
Taro Hashimoto stared intently;
Domino's eyes gleamed;
The various executives displayed a range of expressions. As the top person in the group company under Kyle, Victor possessed such influence; otherwise, how could he receive stock option rewards next year?
"I support the boss's decision to terminate the subsequent cooperation with Paramount regarding overseas film distribution!"
Victor, ignoring the changing expressions of many, immediately said, "On this matter, I have a set of data to show everyone."
"[1996, Film 'Run Lola Run']"
"North American Box Office: $14.9 million;"
"Overseas Box Office: $60 million;"
"Page Pictures sold the overseas rights of the film to Paramount for $2 million."
"As of June 1998."
"For the film 'Run Lola Run,' Page Pictures' total profit from box office, offline market, merchandise licensing, and other channels was $9.2 million."
"In contrast, Paramount Pictures, in just over two years, generated at least $45 million to $55 million in profit from 'Run Lola Run' related income."
"This means that in the 'Run Lola Run' matter, Page Pictures' profit was merely a fraction of Paramount's."
"Completely reduced to a mere hired hand!"
Suddenly, even the prepared executives of the group looked very displeased.
"The 'Wrong Turn' series, 'The Human Purge Plan 1,' 'Memento,' 'Juno,' 'The Sixth Sense'—a total of six films... a series of related data was continuously presented before everyone."
""Everyone, do you know?""
""These six films alone, in terms of various overseas channel revenues,""
""Paramount earned at least $300 million!""
""Especially 'The Sixth Sense,' which grossed over $600 million globally. The final profit from a film we invested countless human, material, and financial resources to produce was barely on par with, or even slightly less than, Paramount, who acted as the overseas distributor.""
""Is there still any need for us to continue this exploitative, blood-sucking cooperation?""
Victor looked around and said in a deep voice, "Remember, we are not film companies like Touchstone, Dimension, or Lionsgate. Our chairman, Mr. Kyle Page, is a super-rich man with a net worth of over $2 billion. He has the ability and, more importantly, the financial resources to make us an even stronger entity."
Ms. Donna nodded, "I agree with the decisions of the boss and Mr. Jones."
Old Bill: "Nothing to say. Since the boss has money, we have nothing to worry about. Support!"
Kevin Feige: "Our cooperation with the Carlos Foundation, the self-established Mexican distribution channels, and the layout in South America are currently generally good. Markets like Europe naturally cannot be missed."
Domino: "I'm in charge of music, but the expansion of the company's film business channels will undoubtedly have a good promoting effect on the music sector. I have no reason to object."
Taro Hashimoto: "In the current globalized market situation, channels are still an indispensable and important component. I agree with the boss's decision."
...
The successive statements from the subsidiary heads directly made Kyle's decision an unstoppable reality.
In fact, the outcome of the statements at this meeting was not very important!
Because Kyle had already made up his mind!
However, the support of the subsidiary executives and heads would also drive the illusionists and fence-sitters onto the fast track, working together with the company to achieve greater efficiency.
At the same time, looking at the data report provided by CEO Victor... it was indeed Paramount that captured a huge amount of revenue, but Victor "deliberately" overlooked a fact.
"Without Paramount's strong overseas distribution capabilities, those films would not have achieved such high box office numbers!"
Victor deliberately overlooked it;
Kyle and others also deliberately overlooked it!
Because this meeting was not a "discussion" meeting at all, but a meeting to clarify facts to all executives and to give everyone confidence.
"I'm going to go it alone; I'm not cooperating with Paramount anymore!"
This was the key.
Furthermore, at the meeting, Kyle waved his hand and immediately set the goal.
Abbreviated as: European Strategy!
...July 3rd.
During the 1998 France World Cup, Bill Macnick, as a representative of Golden Dawn Entertainment Group, personally traveled to Europe to discuss certain collaborations with high-level officials of the UEFA committee.
"Goal!"
"Mr. Macnick, your company intends to obtain authorization from UEFA to film this 'Goal!'?" UEFA President Gerhard Aigner frowned.
(Note: Before 1999, the UEFA president was referred to as the Secretary-General. Here, the post-1999 title is used directly.)
"Yes."
Old Bill said solemnly, "Our first stop is to inquire about your and UEFA's intentions. The second stop is to cooperate with FIFA as well, striving to create one, or even a series of football films. We can profit, and your side can expand your influence. This is a win-win situation."
The "Goal!" series, apart from the first film's decent box office, the other two did not perform well, yet its influence is renowned worldwide.
You might not have seen the movie "Goal!", but you must have heard of it.
This is an important entry point for Page Pictures and Golden Dawn Entertainment Group to expand their influence in Europe.