dognovel Chapter 99: Media Empire Further Expands
Chapter 99: Media Empire Further Expands
Chapter 99 The Media Empire Expands Further
In just one day, Playboy Corporation, like a bombshell, once again ignited the headlines of media outlets across the United States.
This company, which once represented American sexiness, fashion, and a sophisticated lifestyle, has once again risen to the forefront of the times, leading a new wave of consumer frenzy.
As the mastermind behind all this, Ernst naturally became the object of media frenzy, with a flood of praise pouring in.
"Whether we like it or not, we have to admit that this young American tycoon is showing us his talent and his rise to power at an incredible pace."
"When MGM was acquired, everyone thought it was nothing more than an absurd farce, but reality has proven the doubters wrong. MGM has not only embarked on the right path of development, but has also given us a glimpse of the dawn and hope for the revival of this traditional Hollywood giant."
"When Hugh Hefner took over Playboy, many voices criticized him for making an incredibly stupid decision. Everyone felt that the American playboy was old and confused, which was why he was fooling around with Ernst, and the price he paid was ruining the future of the entire Playboy Group."
"But what about now? Who dares to say that Hugh Hefner's decision wasn't wise and decisive?"
"Just look at the long lines outside Playboy stores across the United States. The astonishing sales figures are enough to make all the competitors envious."
"And this is only a small part of the profits Ernst has gained from this program. MGM's television stations and the networks they have built will experience rapid growth because of the program's emergence—"
"Stop!" Ernst interrupted Robert Iger's impassioned speech. "Just read the newspaper, don't make it sound like a poetry recitation. It makes Ernst feel embarrassed."
He stretched out his palm and gently patted the desk twice, pointed to the newspapers he had subscribed to, and said with a serious expression, "This may not be a good thing. A lot of praise from the media could very well be a form of backlash against us."
Although Ernst initially promoted the cause through soft QS protests, the nature of the event could change once other capital got involved, transforming it from a mere publicity campaign into a sensitive political issue.
Those lawmakers would never let go of this opportunity to grab public attention; regardless of the final outcome, it would garner them a number of votes. On the political stage, any event that can attract attention is a bargaining chip for them to enhance their influence.
Robert Iger, naturally well aware of the intricacies of the situation, hesitated for a moment before suggesting, "Should we also learn from Epstein of Victoria's Secret?"
Yes, it's Epstein, the one with intricate connections to that island.
He is not only a close friend of Victoria's Secret's current owner, Wexner, but also his personal financial advisor.
In the fashion industry, it's commonplace for photographers to sell nude photos of models, for executives to threaten models' careers by demanding sex, and for blackmailing and controlling them with videos afterward. These are just the tip of the iceberg of the sordid phenomenon.
Epstein's actions were even more heinous. He first used Victoria's Secret's recruitment events to deceive and swindle young girls who longed to rise to fame and become the center of attention. Then he assaulted, abused, and photographed them. Finally, he used these incriminating acts to arrange deals for top American celebrities over a long period of time.
This kind of thing happens all the time, not just in the fashion industry, but also in Hollywood, a melting pot of societal influences.
But this is the real world, full of all sorts of unpleasant things, and Ernst was neither surprised nor repulsed by it.
"Where should we choose?"
Robert Iger hesitated for a moment, carefully glancing at Ernst before speaking his mind, "I think your agent would be quite suitable for this, perhaps we could give him a deputy position at Playboy."
Ernst fell silent.
Having Craig do this is mutually beneficial, both for Craig himself and for Ernst.
The benefits are obvious: Craig will have the opportunity to leap to another class, gain access to more exclusive circles, and build a more influential network.
These connections will be a valuable asset for Ernst personally, as well as for his business development.
However, the downsides are equally prominent. The most immediate risk is that Craig will face enormous risks. If the matter is exposed, he may face imprisonment or even "commit suicide out of guilt" in prison.
Ernst must now sever all ties with him completely to avoid being implicated later.
This is undoubtedly a huge opportunity. If all goes well, Craig may rise to prominence, enter the Arc de Triomphe, and even one day become a big shot on Capitol Hill.
Given Craig's knowledge and status, he certainly has a brighter future than following me.
But it is also a bottomless pit of fire, where one can easily fall into an abyss if one is not careful.
On the contrary, following Ernst, although it would be difficult to reach that level, one could live a stable life and be guaranteed a lifetime of wealth and honor.
"I'll think about it some more. Ultimately, it's up to Craig to make the decision," Ernst said after a moment's thought. He decided to leave the choice to Craig and wouldn't interfere with whatever Craig chose.
"Let's talk about the television network," that's what Ernst is most concerned about right now.
The success of a program only brings monetary benefits, but the establishment of a television network is the true manifestation of influence and voice.
Robert Iger gathered his thoughts and replied, "We have received inquiries from several television stations in the Midwest and East, but they are all small stations. It is clear that the more established stations are still taking a wait-and-see approach."
Ernst could understand that the success of one show was not enough to convince those television stations to commit to MGM.
If MGM cannot prove its sustainability and provide more high-quality content, then joining the MGM Television Network would undoubtedly push it to the brink of destruction.
Building a television network is not as simple as you buying my content and broadcasting it.
Both parties are to sign a long-term cooperation agreement. If MGM's programming content cannot keep up, it will lead to a loss of subscribers for these TV stations and a decline in GG's revenue.
If you want to switch employers when the contract expires, the market may have already stabilized, and you won't even be able to improve your situation. It will be a question whether anyone will want you at all.
Although the new Telecommunications Law has broken the limit on the number of television stations a company can own, there are still restrictions on market share.
No individual, team, or company can have more than 35% of the audience. Therefore, major television networks carefully select their audiences to ensure that their coverage reaches every corner of America, rather than simply having as many viewers as possible.
"However, in a few days, I believe things will change, and quite a few television stations should decide to join us," Robert Iger said with a hint of confidence.
The first episode of MGM's "The Amazing Race" will air tonight. Despite the rushed preparation time and the fact that the contestants were selected from the California area, the production quality is still quite good. The first episode's mission begins at MGM's headquarters in Los Angeles.
With Better Call Saul premiering tomorrow night, and Gossip Girl scheduled to air next Thursday, along with more high-quality shows to follow, viewership is sure to increase.
"Content production is important, but I hope you can give the television network more attention," Ernst instructed.
"Don't worry," Robert Iger said, not feeling burdened, but rather feeling challenged.
"By the way, the acquisition of Orion has been basically finalized. Together with the TV station we acquired earlier, the total cost is $2.67 million."
The successful acquisition of Orion is undoubtedly a powerful boost for MGM, further expanding its media empire.
"Do you think we should keep an eye on those print media outlets? If we find any good ones at a reasonable price, we might as well acquire them," Ernst suggested.
One of the major advantages of comprehensive development is cost savings. The same news can be broadcast on television and published in newspapers, but the cost of obtaining the news is only one copy.
The print media industry is currently facing a difficult situation, with more than 7% of newspapers in the United States operating at a loss. Even media giants like The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Hearst are actively seeking transformation.
Therefore, many newspapers with a certain influence in the local area offered relatively low prices, and Ernst felt this was a rare opportunity.
Robert Iger agreed, saying, "I think so. Although the reach of print media is declining, and people tend to watch TV and listen to the radio more, print media still retains its credibility, especially among middle-aged and elderly people."
What the other party said was also Ernst's consideration: although the Internet age has made it easier to obtain news and information, there is also more fake news, which further highlights the influence of print media.
Another aspect is the diversity of dissemination. The same news story can be reported in depth by newspapers, featured on television, and updated in real time by online platforms. This not only saves on news gathering and editing costs but also creates a three-dimensional dissemination matrix.
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