Hearing this, Eric frowned. Hasbro was being a bit greedy, asking for 20% right off the bat. He really thought money grew on trees.
But he also felt helpless about it. After all, the copyright was in their hands. If they didn't cooperate with him, they could cooperate with other companies among The Big Six.
If they didn't cooperate with The Big Six, they could also cooperate with powerful independent production companies. Such a big IP wasn't short on buyers.
Especially the success of the X-Men series and spider-man made more companies realize the potential of comic adaptations.
As for Hasbro's outrageous demand, MGM had long anticipated it and had prepared a series of contingency plans.
In business, it's always about asking for the sky and settling for less!
"Mr. Hassenfeld, I have a question. Why does Hasbro want to film transformers?"
Hassenfeld didn't answer, just looked at Eric, wanting to hear his explanation.
"In my opinion, it's nothing more than expanding influence, or injecting new blood into transformers, and the fundamental goal is to sell merchandise and toys, as that is your core business, isn't it?"
"Exactly, Mr. Cooper, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Eric took a deep breath: "Then I have a proposal. How about we sign a gambling agreement?"
Hassenfeld was stunned for a moment and asked, somewhat surprised: "A gambling agreement? What do you want to bet on?"
"It's very simple. We'll bet on the impact of the movie's release on toy and merchandise sales, linking it to sales volume and profit.
"If the movie has no impact on toy sales, and the sales growth is less than 10% within one year, then MGM will pay Hasbro twice the copyright fee, which is 100 million US dollars."
"If transformers toy sales increase by more than 50% within one year, then MGM will pay Hasbro five times the copyright fee, which is 75 million US dollars."
"If toy sales increase by more than 100% within one year, then MGM will pay Hasbro a 50 million US dollar copyright fee."
"If toy sales increase by more than 150% within one year, then MGM will only pay Hasbro a 25 million US dollar copyright fee."
"And if toy sales increase by more than 200% within one year, then MGM will still only pay Hasbro a 25 million US dollar copyright fee, but Hasbro must give 10% of its toy profits to MGM."
"Finally, if toy sales increase by more than 300% within one year, then MGM will still pay Hasbro a 50 million US dollar copyright fee, but Hasbro must give 3% of its equity to MGM, or pay 40% of its toy profits."
"Of course, this is just a rough idea of mine. We can discuss the specific details, but I hope Hasbro can see our sincerity."
Indeed, proposing this gambling agreement was Eric's spur-of-the-moment decision.
You covet my money, and I covet your body.
In 2002, the America toy market was in a three-way struggle. Hasbro, Mattel, and Lego dominated the market, while other small companies could only tremble, unsure when they would face bankruptcy or acquisition.
Chinese friends are most unfamiliar with Mattel because their main product is the Barbie doll series, and playing with Barbie dolls is not mainstream among Chinese people.
Among these three giants, if following historical trajectory, Lego undoubtedly took the right path. Relying on various superhero and Disney licenses, it developed a large number of film, television, and game merchandise, becoming the world's number one toy manufacturer in one fell swoop.
But looking at 2002, Lego was at a disadvantage. Hasbro and Mattel had larger market shares.
Eric's idea was also very simple: to enter Hasbro's management without bloodshed, and then slowly gain influence.
If he could become a decision-maker, with his foresight, it might not be impossible to defeat Mattel and Lego in the future, and even within the bounds of laws and regulations, an acquisition might not be a dream.
After that, invading RB and taking over Bandai Namco would mean a monopoly in the global toy market, establishing an absolute dominant position.
What in this world brings greater profits than a monopoly? Of course, this was just a beautiful vision.
Before he transmigrated in 2007, because of the hit movie transformers, his little nephew pestered him to buy toys, so he bought an authentic movie Optimus Prime, and the price was incredibly expensive.
He then paid attention to Hasbro's financial report for that year. transformers toy sales soared fivefold, making a huge profit, far exceeding Paramount's.
So he really hoped Hasbro would sign the gambling agreement, and was even willing to make a bigger concession, as long as they signed.
"Mr. Hassenfeld, I hope you will seriously consider this gambling agreement. I think this is more cost-effective than raising the copyright fee by 20%."
Inside the conference room, the Hasbro team had collectively fallen silent. Not just them, but even the MGM people were in a state of bewilderment.
Volvo was already roaring in his heart: "Can you at least give me a heads-up before making such a decision? We're supposed to catch others off guard, not ourselves!"
After a moment of silence, Hassenfeld looked at the time: "Mr. Cooper, although you are very young, I must say, your proposal is very bold!"
"However, this is not something I can decide alone; it requires board review. I think we should end here for today. After all, Hasbro has seen your sincerity."
"It's getting late anyway. Why don't we take a break and, after talking about work for so long, discuss other things like friends?"
Eric also knew that the other party couldn't make the decision, and besides, the details still needed to be perfected, so he laughed and said, "Then I won't decline."
At 2:30 PM, Eric and Chen Xing boarded a flight to Israel.
In the first class cabin, a beautiful flight attendant in uniform approached the two with a smile.
"Sir, would you like something to drink?"
"I'll have a glass of ice water, please. Thank you."
Eric rubbed his dizzy head. During lunch, Hassenfeld had been very enthusiastic.
Even though there was a more than ten-year age difference, the other party seemed genuinely interested in Eric, and they chatted a lot.
When the mood struck, they naturally drank a lot of alcohol. Don't think there's no drinking culture abroad, so now the alcohol was kicking in, and he felt a bit parched.
"Coke is fine for me."
The flight attendant quickly returned with a tray and, seeing Eric looking dizzy, asked, "Sir, are you feeling unwell?"
As she spoke, she grabbed Eric's hand: "Do you need me to call a doctor?"
Shaking his head and feeling the tickle on his hand, Eric finally scrutinized the flight attendant in front of him, who remarkably resembled Brooke Shields.
It's important to know that unlike China, American airline flight attendants are almost all older women, and only in first class might you encounter young ones. The probability of meeting a beautiful one is not high.
"I think so, but not a doctor. Can you help me?" Eric said, then walked towards the restroom.