[Chapter 446: Comprehensive Cleanup and Restructuring]
After leaving MCA Television, it was already past 5 p.m., but Linton still couldn't head home. Instead, he rushed back to Linton Films.
With Bob, Mary, Klinsman, and Megan all departing, personnel adjustments at Linton Films had to be handled quickly.
When he arrived, Robert was already waiting for him. After a brief discussion, they promoted producer Kenneth Talley to Deputy Manager of the Production Department to replace Bob.
Originally, they planned to appoint Meena as Office Manager, but she firmly declined, wanting to continue serving as Linton's assistant and as head of the Chairman's Secretary Office.
Linton considered it and realized Meena was so indispensable; it would be tough to part with her. Besides, assistant Li Xiaoran hadn't quite settled into the role yet. So, reluctantly, Linton promoted a longtime office employee named Elizabeth Hanton, age 36, to Office Manager.
From the Distribution Department, a newcomer named Sullivan Bailey was promoted to Deputy Manager, replacing Klinsman. And from the Finance Department, an experienced staffer, Jennifer Carter, 32, was promoted to Director of Finance.
By the time they finished the personnel adjustments, it was already 8 p.m., too late to call a staff meeting to announce the changes. Linton signed the appointment letters and entrusted Robert to announce the new appointments at a meeting the next morning.
---
Later, in his office, Linton met with Sharon Layman, editor-in-chief of Hollywood Gossip Daily.
Since Linton acquired Hollywood Gossip Daily, after injecting initial funding and implementing performance-linked rewards and penalties, under Layman's leadership, the paper underwent bold innovation and reform.
They focused on both content and distribution channels and leveraged Linton and various female stars' scandalous stories and exclusive insider information. The paper exploded with energy, growing rapidly.
In just three years, Hollywood Gossip Daily transformed from a barely surviving small tabloid, with daily circulation of around 4,000 copies, into a major national publication with over 100,000 daily circulation, expanding from Los Angeles to nationwide distribution.
The office had grown from a rented 2,000-square-foot space to an independently owned three-story building on a main street, boasting over 54,000 square feet of workspace.
Staff increased from about a dozen to nearly a hundred, with over 70 frontline reporters.
Hollywood Gossip Daily had become one of the top entertainment newspapers in Hollywood, with fixed assets exceeding $50 million -- the most successful among the eight newspapers Linton had acquired.
Its profits were remarkable, hitting $30 million last year, and already surpassing $32 million in the first ten months of this year.
Linton's initial $700,000 acquisition cost plus $3 million startup investment had proven to be an outstanding deal.
More importantly, it gave him significant influence in Hollywood's media, playing a crucial role in promoting himself and his films.
That Hollywood Gossip Daily reached its current heights was due in large part to Sharon Layman, whose skills and leadership were thoroughly proven.
Now, with the general manager of Putnam Publishing under Universal being dismissed by Linton, he didn't use a headhunter for a replacement; instead, Layman was the ideal choice.
Putnam Publishing included three publishers, seven magazines, and thirteen newspapers, with fixed assets over $400 million.
Unfortunately, none held significant influence in the industry. Their performance, circulation, and overall impact paled in comparison - purely average players.
More egregiously, last year they posted a $3 million loss, reflecting severe internal mismanagement.
Still, the importance of Putnam Publishing for Universal's promotions was undeniable, and the platform's size was substantial enough to give Layman full scope to showcase her talents.
Faced with this new opportunity, Layman was understandably excited and grateful during their meeting, but she also expressed expectations that Linton continue supporting her as he did with Hollywood Gossip Daily, granting her full authority over performance-related decisions and personnel recommendations for the publishers, magazines, and newspapers under her management.
"No problem. I'll give you those powers. More than that, once you get Putnam Publishing in order, I plan to merge all eight of my newspapers -- including Hollywood Gossip Daily -- into Putnam and put them under your management."
"Thank you for your trust. I'll work hard and do my best to grow Putnam Publishing into one of the most influential publishing companies in the U.S."
"I have another request."
"Go ahead."
"Publishers are mainly about sales and profits, with limited social impact. However, magazines and newspapers that become industry leaders wield enormous influence and have irreplaceable promotional power. I want you to build a star-studded flagship magazine and a leading newspaper from the magazines and newspapers, respectively."
For the magazine, target something on par with Vogue or Vanity Fair. For the newspaper, aim for standards like The Hollywood Reporter.
Of course, that's a long-term goal. Let's set a timeframe of three years. I hope you can deliver a satisfactory outcome within that period."
"Understood. After I take charge, I'll draft a feasible plan for your review. As for newspapers, circulation is key, but for magazines, it's about status and editorial quality. You'll need to provide extra support."
"What kind of support?"
"Every issue's cover star needs to be the hottest celebrity, like yourself, Madonna, Naomi, Sophie Marceau, Cristiana, Monica, Nicole Kidman, or Jennifer -- these top female stars. That's how the magazine's image can improve quickly. But right now, they probably wouldn't give us the time of day. You have to help me get them on board."
"Good idea, no problem. Once your plan is ready, in the first year, any star you need for a cover, I'll help you secure -- including myself."
"That's fantastic. With your support, none of these challenges will be a problem."
...
The next morning, Linton headed first to Universal's headquarters, meeting Sharon Layman outside the building. After a tour of the offices, he signed the appointment papers naming her General Manager of Putnam Publishing, then they set off straight for Putnam's offices.
---
Over the following two weeks, Linton worked relentlessly, inspecting each branch thoroughly.
With the help of Korn Ferry International headhunters, he replaced general managers and other key positions in all branches.
During his inspections, he used Soul Induction to identify corrupt executives, who were immediately dismissed.
Employees who were hardworking and talented but hadn't been promoted due to refusing to join corrupt practices were elevated.
Unfortunately, due to Universal's deeply unhealthy political environment over the past five years, such upright employees were extremely rare; Linton found only three across the entire group.
Finally, he summoned all overseas branch leaders to headquarters for performance reviews, again using Soul Induction to weed out corruption and select new leadership.
By the end, Universal's corporate culture and work ethic were completely revitalized, gaining new vigor and combativeness, laying a solid foundation for future growth.
Of course, since Universal was not yet fully back on track, Linton decided not to consider merging Linton Films, UPN Network, Meluva Publishing, Fire Elf Games, and Universal any time soon.
*****
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