Chapter 168 New Direction of the Toy Industry
Soon, the two started talking about work. Sun Lina still knew her limits, otherwise Liu Zhicheng would not have been interested in her.

He knew that Sun Lina came to the Federal Building today mainly to report on matters related to toys.

The sales of toys involve a wide range of areas, the first of which is the broadcasting of the cartoon "Transformers".

The broadcasting of this cartoon is very important, as it is related to the market development and sales of the toys of the same name.

The planning started in May last year and it has now been released in Southeast China. A huge amount of money has been spent on producing a cartoon with the same name.

During this period, Liu Zhicheng was particularly concerned about the sales of toys. He said to Sun Lina:

"What is the purpose of making Transformers? It is to release toys of the same name, and the sales focus of the toys is in Europe and the United States."

Currently, the animated series "Transformers" has been broadcast free of charge in some markets in Southeast Asia. The regions with the highest ratings are Hong Kong, Taiwan Island and several Chinese communities in Southeast Asia.

These places should be able to make Transformers popular, and toys of the same name have already started selling.

Sun Lina bluntly told Liu Zhicheng about her confusion and said, "The broadcasting work in the United States is the most difficult work for the City Group at present. Boss, do you have any instructions for the broadcasting work in the North American market?"

Liu Zhicheng thought for a moment and said, "In the North American market, we should contact the American Broadcasting Corporation. This media group has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Disney.

They have specially developed children's programs 'Disneyland Animation' and 'Mickey Mouse Animation'. If 'Transformers' can be inserted into the Disney Channel, it will be exposed all over the world. "

The American Broadcasting Corporation ABC is currently the media group with the highest ratings. As long as "Transformers" is promoted, it is inevitable that it will become popular.

Liu Zhicheng suddenly discovered that the biggest shortcoming of the City Group was that it did not have a TV station of its own.

In the past year, Sun Lina has been working very hard on "Transformers", and now the direction for its broadcast in North America has been determined.

Moreover, after being tested in the Southeast Asian market, she has confidence in the future of this animation.

Next, Sun Lina will go all out to prepare for the overseas launch of Transformers toys.

Sun Lina then asked, "Boss, I have asked the factory to prepare a plan for one million sets of transforming toys. Do you think this number can meet future market demand?"

Liu Zhicheng did not hesitate and gave the instruction directly: "One million sets is a bit too few, it would be better to double it."

Although Sun Lina would resolutely follow Liu Zhicheng's instructions on how much to prepare, she couldn't help but wonder, "How about preparing two million sets of goods at once?"

Liu Zhicheng said confidently: "Don't worry, the gap won't be too big. Of course, the stocking work can be done simultaneously with the broadcasting work."

In the first year of the launch of "Transformers" in the previous life, 10 million transforming toys were sold within six months. This is a reference.

When talking about increasing toy production, Liu Zhicheng thought of the carrying capacity of Hong Kong's toy production capacity.

"You should go north to Pengcheng, establish a toy production base, and take over some of our toy production tasks."

Sun Lina nodded and said, "I have a plan for a long time, and I will go to Pengcheng in person to invest in building a factory to obtain greater profits for the City Group."

"Moreover, you should increase the placement of the comic weekly in the Southeast Asian Chinese market, and you should also find ways to place it in the Australian, European and American markets. Don't even think about making money from the weekly." Liu Zhicheng said again with concern.

Liu Zhicheng smiled and thought to himself: Don’t be too happy and let the women around you make money for you willingly.

And they have to serve me obediently, and they will appear in front of me whenever I want them.

Liu Zhicheng turned his thoughts back and continued to say to Sun Lina: "How about you go to the mainland for an investment inspection and have a trip around?"

Sun Lina had never been to the mainland, so she had no idea what it was like and could not imagine what it was like. She was somewhat curious.

"I really enjoy traveling. The older the place, the more interested I am."

Sun Lina used the word "ancient" instead of "backward". Liu Zhicheng found it funny after hearing it.

"Transformers is already on the market, and we need to launch a new work. I recently came up with a good idea.

But this idea is related to a rare animal that is only found in the mainland.”

"Animal? What animal?"

"It's called Panda, have you heard of it?"

"I have seen illustrations of this animal in books before. It has a similar physique to a bear, but its fur is black and white. The food it eats is also rather strange, and it only has a special liking for bamboo.

When I was a kid, I couldn’t believe that there was such an animal in the world? What do you mean, boss? "

"You also find it incredible, right? I mean, you organized a certain amount of comic talents, observed it up close, and then launched our series of comics?"

"Ah? You asked me to go on this trip to the mainland just to visit the zoo? That's great."

Sun Lina was very excited. Girls are girls, and she felt that this would be a wonderful trip.

But the giant panda's hometown is in Sichuan Province, which is still not open to the public and the living conditions are rather difficult. Sun Lina may not be able to adapt to it.

Considering the particularity of the tourism environment, Liu Zhicheng said to Sun Lina: "The giant panda's homeland is in the mountains. There are no high-rise buildings or luxurious and comfortable hotels, but the natural scenery is very beautiful.

If you are not used to the living environment after you go there, you can ask the photographer accompanying you to take photos of the pandas’ hometown. After you return to Hong Kong, you can use these materials to create comics for the weekly magazine. This is also feasible.”

After creating the Transformers animated series, Liu Zhicheng began to consider making animated films, mainly targeting the North American market.

There is currently a great demand for high-quality animations in the North American film market, especially next year's movie "Shaolin Temple" will become a global hit.

If the "Kung Fu Panda" animated film can be released immediately afterwards, it will be impossible for it not to be a hit.

But what subject matter should be chosen for City Group’s first feature-length film, and what genre should it be produced in?
Liu Zhicheng had considered it for several times and finally decided to produce the previous life's "Kung Fu Panda" with a strong oriental style.

This film has a strong oriental style and adds commercial kung fu elements. It also tells a story that suits the tastes of North American audiences, making it perfect for promoting City Group's peripheral products.

But creating this movie was not easy at all.

The previous version of "Kung Fu Panda" was a 3D animation produced by computer. Liu Zhicheng could not do 3D creation no matter what. He had to abandon the computer and use traditional hand-drawing to create page by page.

Once hand-drawing is involved, you have to go to the giant panda's hometown and observe the giant panda's living habits and living environment firsthand.

Although the zoo is open for viewing, there are only giant pandas in the zoo, and there is no bamboo forest scenery shown in "Kung Fu Panda".

This is also the reason why Liu Zhicheng sent Sun Lina to the mainland. Similar works often require field investigations to provide the most detailed materials for creation.

Having said that, "Transformers" was completed by a professional team hired by the City Group. Liu Zhicheng had to form a team of experienced animators and also go to the giant panda's hometown with Sun Lina.

Liu Zhicheng first told Liu Zhicheng about the concept of "Kung Fu Panda". Then he said: "Cartoons are all hand-painted. If you have never seen a giant panda, it is difficult to create a vivid image. Therefore, some colleagues from the animation department of the City Group will accompany you on this trip to the mainland."

Sun Lina suddenly said, "Boss, you just told me that giant pandas are national treasures. Since they are so rare and precious, and so valued,

There must be many animators in the mainland who specialize in drawing giant pandas. Can we recruit them and form a mainland team? It should be easier to create this cartoon, right? "

Liu Zhicheng smiled and said, "The fact that you can think of this proves that you already have good management skills. This is also my next plan.
But this will have to wait until you come back from the pandas’ hometown and create the first batch of materials. I can only give new instructions after seeing the results.”

Just now, Sun Lina suggested recruiting animators from the mainland. Liu Zhicheng had the same idea. He planned to introduce a group of professional animation talents from relevant institutions in the mainland.

But Liu Zhicheng may not have time this year. The upcoming shareholders' meeting of China Light and Power Co., and Yang Minli's due date are approaching. He has no time to leave Hong Kong in the near future.

If a live-action movie is to be shot, relevant people in the mainland may not be able to adapt to the local environment and it will be difficult for them to capture the dynamics and trends of the global film market.

But cartoons are different. Animation tests solid hand-drawing skills.

As long as the city group creates a complete storyline and general drawing direction, the animators can create according to the theme.

As for how long it takes to create Kung Fu Panda, it is largely determined by the number of professional animators.

If there are enough people, it can be completed in half a year. Of course, Liu Zhicheng requires the work to be perfect and does not care how fast the progress is.

The release date of the animated film must be after "Shaolin Temple", and the earliest will be the second half of next year.

In this way, the two of them decided on Sun Lina's plan to go north.

…………

After Sun Lina left, Liu Zhicheng was in the office, thinking about the 'China Power Shareholders' Meeting' in October.

How to gain the trust of a group of small shareholders is the primary problem Liu Zhicheng faces.

Small shareholders invest in China Power in order to make a profit. It is not enough to just promise something; they must provide tangible benefits.

In the middle of next month (October 10), the shareholders' meeting of China Power will be officially held. The term of office of Chairman Lawrence Kadoorie has expired, and shareholders need to re-elect a new chairman.

At the same time, Shanfeng Investment proposed a proposal to "dispatch a director to China Power" at the board meeting, and the proposal will also be voted on that day.

Liu Zhicheng naturally hoped to win both of these agendas and was confident that he would win. After all, he was already the de facto majority shareholder.

If I lose the election under such circumstances, I will have no face to continue to survive in the Hong Kong capital market.

But we must also be prepared for failure. Even if we cannot get the chairmanship, we must win the second proposal of "dispatching a director".

The public opinion war between Liu Zhicheng and the Kadoorie family has been going on for so long, it is time to enter the final sprint.

For small shareholders or ordinary investors, the most unpleasant situation is to face uncertainty.

The Kadoorie family has been managing China Power for decades. Small shareholders are naturally worried that Liu Zhicheng's entry into China Power will lead to expansion too quickly or even splitting up China Power.

Of course, Liu Zhicheng is not without advantages. He enjoys the reputation of "Investment King" and "Stock God", and at a young age he is already the richest Chinese in Southeast Asia.

Liu Zhicheng's shareholding in China Light and Power is already not low. In fact, it is higher than that of the Kadoorie family. It is really unknown who will win or lose at the shareholders' meeting!

Liu Zhicheng smiled! In fact, no matter what happens at the shareholders' meeting, he has a trump card, so why worry too much?

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt relieved.

After a while, he took out paper and pen and began to write a "press release" - "How to Save China Light and Power".

This is a speech he plans to publish in the newspaper, using his advanced vision and understanding of the power industry in recent months.

Describe the current problems faced by China Power Company and its general plan for future development.

In fact, the content is very simple. It analyzes the gains and losses of the Hong Kong market and the layout of foreign markets.

.........

Liu Zhicheng's article "How to Save China Power" caused a huge public outcry in Hong Kong, with mixed voices coming in.

Some people criticized Liu Zhicheng for being "too adventurous", while others praised him for being "pioneering and enterprising".

Of course, the biggest reaction came from the Kadoorie family, who immediately organized their words and openly refuted Liu Zhicheng in the newspapers.

And once again "intimidate" a number of small shareholders, Shanfeng Investment's acquisition of China Light and Power may bring "devastating disaster" to the company.

The Kadoorie family may not really have the confidence that they can defeat Liu Zhicheng at the shareholders' meeting?

At the family meeting, Lawrence said to his son Michael seriously: "Liu Zhicheng's reputation is much better than those snipers. In addition, he has his own "great achievements", so he is likely to be recognized by some shareholders.

So we also have to think about possible surprises at the shareholders' meeting, such as Liu Zhicheng being elected chairman of the board, or Shanfeng Investment joining the board. What should we do then? "

Liu Zhicheng put a lot of pressure on the Kadoorie family and made them more difficult to deal with. If he was not careful, he might be completely driven out of Hong Kong.

Michael nodded. He also felt the strong pressure brought by Liu Zhicheng. Moreover, having had contact with Liu Zhicheng many times, he found that this man was always so confident and intimidating.

"Even so, our family will not give up China Light and Power easily. At least, our reputation in the company is still far greater than Liu Zhicheng." Michael said seriously.

The Kadoorie family has been running China Light and Power for so many years, and the recognition from management and shareholders is very high. This is not something that Liu Zhicheng can easily change.

Lawrence nodded, agreeing with his son's statement.

"Yes, no matter what, we must protect the honor of our family. Of course, I have convinced the vast majority of shareholders.

I believe the Kadoorie family will defeat Liu Zhicheng at the shareholders' meeting. Also, did you go to the Securities and Futures Commission to complain to Shanfeng Investment last time?"

"Father, I have submitted the materials." Michael replied.

“You should not only submit materials, but also campaign with the Hong Kong government. It would be best if the Hong Kong government takes action before the shareholders’ meeting.”

"Okay, father." Michael nodded and replied.

If Lawrence's conspiracy succeeds, it remains unknown whether Liu Zhicheng can obtain the management rights of China Light and Power.

(End of this chapter)