Hollywood:Starting out as an MV director

"Click!"

"Click!"

"Don't pose like that. You look like a bear gnawing on corn!"

"Yes, pull your chin back. If you can't control it, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. That'll help reduce your double chin."

"Click!"

"Don't make such exaggerated expressions. The lines on your face are so deep they could crush flies."

After the Little Miss Sunshine crew officially started filming, Ethan, as the producer, had a much easier time. The cast was experienced, and working with them posed no difficulties.

Moreover, Ethan decided not to serve as the cinematographer. While he could certainly elevate the film's quality with his skills, this movie wasn't designed to captivate through its cinematography. Ethan believed that a simpler camera movement style would better suit the film's tone.

Additionally, if he continued to handle cinematography himself, Greta wouldn't have the chance to hone her abilities. So this time, Ethan chose to step back, intervening only during critical scenes to provide guidance.

Since the crew was filming some straightforward scenes at the moment, Ethan took the opportunity to visit Angel Declaration and shoot promotional photos for the Hot Angels group.

Recently, Hot Angels had been gaining traction in New York due to their theater performances, which attracted a considerable audience. People found their down-to-earth style refreshing and relatable.

Moreover, Akimoto Yasushi proved to be a talented manager, keeping everything running smoothly and even freeing up Kane to focus on securing new business opportunities.

Once Ethan finished the photoshoot and returned to his office, he found Kayden waiting for him.

Lately, Kayden had been spending most of her time walking in fashion shows and gracing magazine covers, only occasionally dropping by the company. She had also released several risqué photo albums, proving that even though she had left the adult industry, her allure remained undiminished.

The moment Kayden saw Ethan, she eagerly locked the office door and indulged in a passionate "review session" with him on the desk.

The session lasted over an hour before they finally stopped.

After tidying up the desk, Kayden leaned back on the couch and let Ethan rest his head on her lap. As she massaged his temples, she asked, "Ethan, have I gotten bigger recently?"

"You have, and it's a good look. Seems like there's still room for improvement in your figure," Ethan teased.

"I've learned a lot from movies recently..." Kayden whispered into his ear, trying to tempt him again.

Resting on her smooth, soft thighs, Ethan closed his eyes. "Wait till tonight for your lesson. I've got plenty of new material to teach you."

"Alright, I'll be waiting," Kayden replied with a playful laugh. She then added, "Hope you haven't been drained by other women."

Ethan smacked her playfully on the hip, causing a slight ripple. "You'll know what it means to be drained soon enough."

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Ethan immediately got up from the couch, and Kayden gracefully stood up to unlock the door. It was Jimmy.

After letting Jimmy in, Kayden grabbed her coat and left the office.

Jimmy gave Ethan a knowing look and smirked. "So, how was it? Must've been amazing, right?"

Crossing his legs, Ethan ignored the comment. "What's so urgent that you needed to find me?"

When it came to serious matters, Jimmy's expression turned solemn. "I recently heard some important news."

"Let's hear it," Ethan said.

Though he hadn't been managing Supreme Creative's day-to-day affairs for a while—aside from occasionally providing creative ideas—he still paid close attention to the company. After all, advertising was crucial for spreading films far and wide.

Supreme Creative might seem like the least profitable of his ventures, but it played a vital role. Angel Declaration's growth, for example, depended heavily on Supreme Creative's support.

Unfortunately, they had recently lost a deal with an automobile company, as Ogilvy Advertising outmaneuvered them with a broader range of services.

Competitors had also learned to exploit Supreme Creative's lack of an in-house advertising distribution network, forcing them to rely on third-party companies for ad placements—a significant disadvantage.

Jimmy's news, however, was related to advertising distribution.

"United International Media is planning to sell its billboard and elevator advertising businesses across 21 states in the U.S. These segments have been losing money for years, frustrating their executives, so they've decided to offload them."

This was precisely the opportunity Ethan needed. Hearing this, he couldn't help but slam his hand on the desk. "Perfect! We must acquire these two businesses."

"But Ethan, do we have enough money for that?" Jimmy asked. Acquiring such businesses would undoubtedly require a substantial investment.

"No matter the cost, we need to secure them," Ethan replied decisively.

This was a golden opportunity to save Supreme Creative years of effort and quickly transform it into a creative agency with its own advertising distribution network. It would also help them expand beyond New York and achieve their goal of becoming a top-tier agency in the U.S.

To ensure the purchase, Ethan consulted the accounting department to assess the company's financial resources.

Supreme Creative currently had $3.6 million on hand. The proceeds from their film would be credited to Norton's Eye after the Oscars, totaling $53.26 million from box office earnings, merchandise, and DVDs. However, the global box office revenue wouldn't arrive until next June, as the film was still screening.

Angel Declaration, on the other hand, had $2.12 million in its account, thanks to strong song sales and consistent theater performances boosting album purchases. However, it was also the most expensive venture due to training costs and venue management.

By early 2004, Ethan estimated they could access around $30 million in liquid funds, though part of this would need to go toward paying off bank loans and funding future film projects.

This was far from enough for a full acquisition, which Ethan estimated would require at least $200 million.

Fortunately, United International Media wasn't in a hurry to sell. Such deals typically involved long negotiations. Furthermore, the assets could be split, allowing Ethan to target key states rather than buying everything outright.

"Jimmy, get Lauren over here. I need his help with projections," Ethan instructed.

Jimmy called Lauren, who arrived shortly after.

"Lauren, I need you to investigate United International Media's advertising business, including their assets and market value. Prepare a detailed offer."

"Jimmy, find someone within United International Media familiar with the business in each state. Gather intel on the current situation and scale of their channels, and coordinate with Lauren."

"Got it," they both agreed and immediately set to work.

Meanwhile, at Ogilvy Advertising, CEO Vinod had also caught wind of the news and brought it up in a board meeting.

"We need to acquire United International Media's assets. Their network spans 21 states, providing a comprehensive distribution system. Securing it will give us a significant advantage in negotiations with clients," Vinod explained.

"But their advertising business has been losing money. Can we turn it profitable?" a board member asked.

"Losses aren't due to a single factor," Vinod replied, presenting a report. "For the past three years, they've bundled their advertising services with their distribution channels, forcing clients to purchase both. While this initially worked, clients now demand higher-quality creative work to stand out in an increasingly competitive market."

In other words, the industry had become too crowded.

"Several new creative agencies have emerged, like Supreme Creative and the recently launched Crown Creative, which secured the Pepsi account. There are also countless smaller agencies specializing in niche markets.

"To stay competitive, we must seize this opportunity."

The board agreed, recognizing the strategic value of the acquisition.

"How much do you estimate this will cost?"

"A full acquisition would require about $200 million. However, if we focus on select assets, $70 million should suffice."

"Then let's move quickly. Begin negotiations before other companies react and secure this deal!"

While Vinod's strategy mirrored Ethan's, the latter had already anticipated fierce competition.

Though Supreme Creative lacked the resources of established firms, Ethan's secret weapon was Fernando Uri, a seasoned negotiator with a friend in United International Media's upper management.

As the evening approached, Ethan sat in his chair, peeling an orange while contemplating the acquisition. He was prepared to take out another bank loan if necessary.

Suddenly, his phone rang, breaking the silence.

"Hello, Mr. Spielberg? What's the matter?" Ethan answered.

"Memoirs of a Geisha? Director? No problem. Looking forward to working with you!"

.....

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