Chapter 475 The profiteering comic industry
“Container terminal?” Dai Linzhi was a little surprised after hearing this.
Yang Wendong nodded and said: "Yes, container terminal plans have begun all over the world. Even small countries like Brunei in Southeast Asia are thinking about investing in container terminals;
I don’t need to introduce it further. Mr. Hong Kong Governor should know that this is a revolution in terminal transportation and a takeover of traditional terminal forces. In the past, Hong Kong was once the largest cargo transshipment center in Asia. If it did not implement container terminals in time, it might lose this position, just like London. In this case, the losses would be heavy
And once the terminal is lost. If it fails, Hong Kong’s industrial and economic foundation will be completely destroyed.”
Just like history, traditional British dock workers went on strike to prevent investment in container terminals, which led Norway to take the opportunity to build Europe's first container terminal. Then the British terminal business declined sharply. In the end, those workers were still unemployed. However, Britain's former position as the European freight center also disappeared. Gone, never coming back.
The same is true for Hong Kong. Historically, it was overtaken by Singapore and many other Southeast Asian countries, and its status as a freight center is in jeopardy. However, there is a mainland behind it, which serves as the only bridge between the East and the West, especially In the early days after the reform, a large amount of goods could only go through Hong Kong, which allowed Hong Kong to recover. Even after the 21st century, the central government took special care of Hong Kong and did not build too many large ports hundreds of kilometers away from Hong Kong, otherwise the Hong Kong Terminal would have been abandoned long ago. .
In this life, Yang Wendong naturally wants to change a little, maybe not a lot. After all, he can't change the international situation. It may be a little better. Hong Kong will only have 7 million people in the future. A little better will give a lot. People benefited.
"Yang Sheng, the investment in the container terminal is no less than that of the Hung Hom Tunnel." Dai Linzhi reminded: "And once this project is started, it will inevitably trigger social unrest again. You also mentioned the UK, then Do you know what should happen? "
The Hong Kong government is not stupid. It naturally knows the benefits of the container terminal and has done relevant investigations. It just wants to promote this project at a huge cost, not only the economy, but also a lot of money. The problem of worker unemployment.
Yang Wendong nodded and said: "I know, but it's impossible not to do such a thing, and the export volume of traditional terminals has also decreased in recent years, especially for exports to the United States and Europe, a small part of which needs to go to Japan. For container transfers, these data are real. "
Container terminals are connected to each other. When Europe and the United States begin to transform containers on a large scale, if other places want to do these businesses, they must also have container terminals. , otherwise, how can a traditional cargo ship unload its cargo?
Of course, this change is also gradual, and it is impossible for Europe and the United States to change terminals at once. But the trend is here, and the lower cost of container transportation will inevitably squeeze the market of traditional freighters.
"It seems that Yang Sheng is also very confident in the future of Hong Kong." Dai Linzhi laughed.
Investing in Singapore does not actually prove that Yang Wendong is not optimistic about Hong Kong. It is just speculation in the media. But now that Yang Wendong wants to invest in the Hung Hom Tunnel and Container Terminal, he must be optimistic about Hong Kong.
Yang Wendong nodded and said: "Yes, so I also want to use these two large investments to send signals to the outside world, instead of relying on various explanations, which is meaningless."
Dai Linzhi said: "I understand, it's just that The container terminal is different from the Hung Hom Tunnel. Such a large-scale project will inevitably require bidding, and it will take a long time to prepare. "No problem, I will compete fairly with all capitals," Yang Wendong agreed.
In fact, there should be capital competition for the Hung Hom Tunnel, but this project was proposed in the 1950s. At that time, neither the Hong Kong government nor British giants wanted to invest, thinking that they would definitely lose money. At that time, Chinese capital They have no ability to participate in this matter. Of course, their judgment is based on the future economic forecast in the 1950s. It cannot be said that they have no vision. After all, no one can know the future development speed of Hong Kong and the reform of the mainland.
But port terminals are still different. The whole world knows that this project can make money, so there will naturally be competition. Even today, traditional terminal giants such as Jardine Matheson, Swire, and Wheelock will not necessarily give up.
But as long as they wait until the middle of 1967, let alone investing in the port, they will probably have to sell a lot of their real estate, and then it will be easy.
Dai Linzhi asked again: "Yang Sheng, there seems to be no direct relationship between the Hung Hom Tunnel and the container terminal, right?"
"It has no relationship." Yang Wendong said: "But I want to wait. Wait and see the future trend of Hong Kong before deciding whether to invest. Hong Kong Mr. Governor, as a businessman, I have to be cautious.”
The core of everything is to wait until mid-1967, not now. Anyway, it is normal for such a large-scale project to take a few years. After all, Hong Kong The government had not made up its mind for more than ten years before, so of course it was his turn to wait.
But we have to keep hope. If we refuse, the Hong Kong government will shut down this project.
"I understand." Dai Linzhi nodded and said: "Okay, I will organize government personnel to negotiate the container terminal project."
Even the Hong Kong Governor cannot speak out on many major issues, and even many things have to be discussed. Ask the British conglomerates for their opinions.
"Then I'll wait for the good news." Yang Wendong said.
After the meeting, Yang Wendong said goodbye and left. Dai Linzhi arranged for someone to call Sanders from HSBC and informed him of the previous news.
"It seems that Yang Wendong wants to invest in the Hung Hom Tunnel after acquiring the pier." Sanders analyzed: "It is estimated that the pier will definitely be able to make money, and the Hung Hom Tunnel can afford to maintain it even if it loses money."
Dai Linzhi said: "So you are saying that Yang Wendong deliberately proposed the tunnel first to make us all feel hopeful, then proposed the port, and then tied them together. His ultimate goal is the port?"
"It's possible." , only in this way will it be easier for him to get Chinese capital to Hong Kong’s container terminal Management rights." Sanders paused and looked at the Governor: "Mr. Governor, aren't you excited about two big projects together?"
"It's quite exciting. Now I understand why Yang Wendong. To propose an undersea tunnel that would result in a loss of investment, it turned out to be for the dock." Dai Linzhi said with a smile: "It's just a code. It is impossible for me to directly approve such a large-scale project to him, and what he may mean is that if he cannot get the terminal, he will not invest in the undersea tunnel.”
“There is also Singapore’s investment. , or it may be to put pressure on the Hong Kong government." Sanders added: "It seems that all this is caused by Yang Wen. Dong did it deliberately."
Dai Linzhi shook his head and said: "No, they started investing in Singapore before Singapore was established in 1965. It was impossible to prepare for today at that time. Who would have thought. Will such an economic crisis happen today? ”
"That's true, it may be a coincidence, but now it is like this. On the other side of the dock, if Yihe Taikoo is not very tough, then it is most appropriate to leave it to Yang Wendong." Sanders nodded and said.
The main reason for Hong Kong's economic crisis this time is not internal, but external influences, so it is impossible for anyone to predict it. It can only be said that Yang Wendong was lucky and encountered such a thing. "Okay, I'll arrange for someone to ask what Jardine Swire means." Dai Linzhi said again: "On the loan side, can HSBC support these two projects?"
"Of course this is not a problem. No matter how bad Hong Kong's economy is, I still have plenty of Hong Kong dollars in my hands." Sanders said.
"Yes." Dai Linzhi nodded.
If it involves overseas investment, HSBC may not be completely sure, but within Hong Kong, any large-scale project is easy.
Yang Wendong, who was not sure about Dai Linzhi's follow-up arrangements, could only wait for the Hong Kong government's next move after making his request. However, he did not expect the Hong Kong government to take the initiative until it was the most urgent moment. Support Chinese capital to win the most important terminal project in Hong Kong.
The investment in Singapore is also the top priority of the group in the future. Before the reform, Hong Kong’s population of 3.5 million could not accommodate the various industries of Changxing Group in the future. In terms of employment impact, The current layout in Hong Kong is enough, and there is no point in adding more.
The time soon came to early January 1967.
On this day, Yang Wendong saw the "Peppa Pig" cartoon that had just been broadcast on TV.
Naturally, he was accompanied by Wu Hailin and Zhang Zhiyuan from Changxing Culture Company, Qi Ruifan from TVB, and Zou Wenhuai from Changxing Film Company.
After watching one episode, Yang Wendong said: "The content seems very simple, but it should be very attractive to children."
Wu Hailin smiled and said: "Yes, Yang Sheng, "Little Children" "Peppa Pig" has been sent to the UK's ITV television station It is free to broadcast and the ratings are very high. ITV is already planning to purchase the cartoon after 10 episodes, and the price is still being negotiated.”
“Okay, it seems that it will be given to customers for free first. What a great move," Yang Wendong said with a nod.
In the early days, he made post-it notes by sending them to some companies for free, and then got orders and gained some fame. This was also the case in many other industries later. When new products were launched, they would be sent for free in the early stage. Some very expensive ones will be considered for sale at discounts and so on.
In the cultural industry, aside from the initial design and production costs, the subsequent dissemination cost is almost zero. It is the same price for one person, and it is the same price for 100 million people.
Wu Hailin said: "Yes, this is how the Japanese version of the "Tinker Bell" cartoon entered the Japanese market. Now many TV stations in Japan are asking us to buy the copyright."
" Haha, it seems that our Changxing Culture Company has achieved something." Yang Wendong turned off the TV and came with a few people. In the office area next to him, he sat down and asked: "What about toys and some derivative industries?"
It is not important for comics to make money. Even if they can be disseminated, it does not matter if they lose money. The Internet in a few decades This is also the logic. WeChat itself does not make money, but after having countless users, various derivative businesses have made a lot of money.
Zhang Zhiyuan replied: "Yang Sheng, the sales of Tinker Bell's various toys last year were as high as 3.7 million, and the data is growing rapidly every month. It is not a problem to exceed 8 million this year, and every year For a toy, our average profit is 2 yuan
The sales volume of stickers is higher, with the number of various types reaching 20 million, and the profit per sheet is about 30 cents.
In addition, many companies have asked us to buy image licenses, especially for some children's products. Last year, the total quotation was 2.1 million. "
"In other words, the net profit of a Tinker Bell derivative last year was as high as tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars? "Yang Wendong asked.
Zhang Zhiyuan said: "Yes, Tinkerbell is very popular in Japan. Almost all children in Japan know Tinkerbell, so various related businessmen in Japan are also willing to spend money. . "
"Okay, then this year we will continue to promote Tinker Bell cartoons, especially in Japan and Southeast Asia. For Europe and the United States, we will focus on "Peppa Pig". Yang Wendong nodded and said: "If this trend continues, your net profit may one day exceed that of Changxing Industrial." ”
The special thing about the cultural industry is that, similar to the Internet, once the quality of the content is good enough, the cost of dissemination is very low; unlike the manufacturing industry, no matter how good the quality is, it still has to be produced, transported, and even has quality issues. Wait, the growth rate is very slow.
Historically, a single animation of "Peppa Pig" could bring the parent company more than 1 billion US dollars in net profits a year. Although times are different, after deducting inflation, it is still reasonable. Tens of millions of dollars possible.
Of course, this is just profit. In terms of social influence, this kind of industry is far behind physical manufacturing. But with enough profits, this kind of industry can also support its own manufacturing industry and achieve multiple goals with one stone.
“It’s Yang Sheng’s credit for being able to do this.” Zhang Zhiyuan and others said.
This is not a lie. Changxing Group has been able to develop to this level because Yang Wendong guided almost every business in the right direction.
Yang Wendong asked again: "What about other comics?"
Zhang Zhiyuan replied: "The "Journey to the West" comic has also been made into an animated film. It also has a certain market in Japan and Southeast Asia, and the related stickers are selling well. , but the toys are not selling very well;
There are several other comics that have not left the Chinese area and are only popular in Hong Kong, Bay Area, Singapore or the Chinese areas in Southeast Asia. Their profitability is much smaller, with a total of only more than 6 million Hong Kong dollars last year. "< br>
“Well, neither Wrong, it is impossible for every product to be a hit." Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Now that the company has funds, you can go to find people around the world, especially Japan, where you can set up a company. Then we sign a contract with a local painting master, and we want to improve the content To become stronger, we have to rely on more talents.”
Although there are still many classic comics in his memory, many of them are of Japanese background and are not suitable for adaptation to Hong Kong background or Chinese social background. We can only wait until we establish a branch in Japan later.
And just like Changxing Industrial, its own companies relied on themselves for development in the early stages. After they gain scale, they should get rid of their dependence on themselves and build their own blood. Only such enterprises can be considered successful.
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(End of this chapter)