[Chapter 602: How Much Will This Cost?]
Over 5 million daily visits -- this number, when shared, was hard for most people to believe, including Elisabeth. However, it remained an undeniable fact.
Since the advent of personal computers in the '80s, North Arica had accumulated tens of millions of users. This provided a solid foundation for the successful promotion of Internet services. Once Bill Clinton took office, he further pushed the initiative for the information superhighway at the governnt level.
The key factor, though, was the introduction of graphical user interface browsers two years earlier, which dramatically lowered the barrier for ordinary people to explore the online world. Combined with the content support provided by Yahoo's portal and free email services, internet services were no longer the domain of tech experts and began expanding to a wider user base. This expansion led to Yahoo's impressive user count today.
"If we really wanted to understand the reason," Eric explained in response to Elisabeth's skepticism, "it's similar to the rise of television in the '50s and '60s. People discovered they could watch the world through a little box, so they rushed to buy them. Investors saw a profit opportunity and started creating television stations to provide content, which gradually ford a massive industry. Now, computers and networks not only allow us to observe the world but also to connect with it. After over a decade of developnt in software and hardware, when it explodes, the expansion happens incredibly fast."
Elisabeth said, "But the traditional print dia industry won't just disappear, right?"
Eric nodded. "Of course not. It just won't be as glorious as before."
Suddenly smiling, Elisabeth remarked, "So what do I tell my old man -- oops, I an, my father -- Should I tell him the newspaper industry is about to decline and we should not buy? Do you really think your few words will change his deeply rooted beliefs?"
Eric shrugged. "Well, when Firefly decides to publicly auction off that portion of assets later this year, News Corp can participate in the bidding. In business, the highest bidder wins."
Elisabeth thought that was a fine enough plan. She would relay Eric's comnts to her father. Even if it didn't sway his ultimate judgnt, at least during the auction, News Corp might be more cautious and not bid so aggressively.
"Oh, one more thing," as they were about to leave, Eric called Elisabeth back. "Don't let the news about Yahoo's user data slip out."
Although Yahoo, IE, and Hotmail had just launched and were under close scrutiny, the industry had only seen three companies burning cash without substantial returns. Moreover, these three companies had never publicly released any data. This allowed them to maintain a low profile while continuously growing. Many had begun to realize these companies had amassed a substantial user base, but without specific numbers, few people felt a significant need for urgency. If that data got out, industry giants would quickly understand what 20 million total users and over 5 million daily visitors ant. Such a massive user base -- even without imdiate profit potential -- represented a huge investnt opportunity, likely inviting a flood of competitors to enter the field.
Elisabeth stopped and asked, "What about my dad? Can't he know?"
Eric shook his head earnestly. "Especially not your dad."
Elisabeth smirked and playfully hit Eric. "Fine, I get it. But I suppose these things can't stay hidden forever, right?"
Eric confidently raised a fist in the air and waved it lightly. "As long as I have another year to set the groundwork, my chips will be enough to crush any competitor!"
Portal sites and online email services were relatively easy to replicate, but once Steve Mitnick's instant ssaging software took off, combined with proprietary technologies like those in IE, a vast user network could form, drawing in new Internet users like a black hole. The Matthew effect in the Internet industry -- where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer -- was starkly evident. Once a giant erges in a specific area, it becos exceedingly difficult for similar companies to compete.
Elisabeth found herself unable to resist staring at Eric's self-assured profile for a few monts. When she sensed his gaze upon her, she quickly looked away. "By the way, you ntioned wanting to recomnd an editor for Yahoo?"
Seeing Virginia wave to them from outside, Eric asked, "Do you have anyone in mind?"
"I don't know if they are a good fit; you'll have to judge," Elisabeth replied. "You're familiar with Vanity Fair, right?"
"Yeah," Eric nodded, suddenly recalling soone. "You're not suggesting Tina Brown, are you? Would she really be willing to leave Conde Nast?"
With the rise of portal websites, Eric could only select from traditional dia. He needed soone with a strong drive and not a conservative mindset, or else they'd struggle to navigate the new landscape of internet dia. Tina Brown had led Vanity Fair and The New Yorker back to prominence through a series of innovations, and she would currently be in her early forties -- full of the qualities needed to fit the role. If Eric could bring her onto Yahoo as editor-in-chief, it would certainly be a solid choice.
However, recalling past events, Eric rembered that Tina had left her position at Vanity Fair to take over as editor at The New Yorker under Conde Nast.
Elisabeth said, "Tina just left Vanity Fair earlier this year. We're sowhat familiar. I saw her at a party the other day, and Conde Nast wants her to switch to The New Yorker, but she's hesitating. She's not soone who enjoys moving from one role to the sa position; if there's a better option, I think she wouldn't mind exploring it."
Eric replied, "Make sure to leave her number for later."
...
As night fell, the lights both inside and outside the mansion twinkled brightly.
Being a birthday party, it naturally began with blowing out candles. Everyone tried hard to get the two adorable one-year-olds to partake. Hawaii, who could already say "Mama," eagerly pointed at the candle on the cake, grinning impatiently. In the end, she reached out with her tiny hand and snuffed the candle out, eliciting laughter from all. Kevin, however, was completely overwheld by the sea of unfamiliar faces and burst into tears. Ultimately, little Emma blew out the remaining candle.
Once the cake was distributed, the party truly began. The dinner table was filled with a buffet- style dinner for guests to help themselves, and people began gathering in groups, sitting or
standing.
Eric, with a glass of red wine in hand, mingled among guests, continuing the afternoon discussion about films with Pierre Clark from rrill Lynch, when Joanna suddenly walked over and gently tugged at his sleeve.
"Sorry, I've got to step away for a mont," Eric said, nodding to the others before trailing Joanna to the side. "What's up?"
Joanna softly responded, "Eric, can you co with for a second?"
Unsure of what was happening, Eric followed Joanna into the mansion, through a busy room filled with guests, and upstairs, where Joanna pointed toward the bedroom. "Vicky is crying. Can you go comfort her? I don't know how to handle it."
Eric halted, asking, "What happened? Wasn't everything fine just a mont ago?"
"It's about Kevin," Joanna explained. "Hawaii has been talking for over a month, but Kevin hasn't said a word, and just earlier..."
Realizing the situation, Eric chuckled helplessly. "Why don't you join the guests? I'll take care
of it."
...
Pushing open the bedroom door, he found Virginia bent over the bed, changing the squirming little one's diaper. Eric casually flopped onto the big bed, observing Virginia's slightly red- rimd eyes and saying, "This isn't necessary. Boys develop later than girls. Einstein didn't speak until he was three. He's only one; what's the rush?"
"Everyone thinks Kevin is slow," Virginia replied, her nose tinged with emotion, and she passed the little guy to Eric. "Maybe you should hold him. When he grows up, you might not
even like him."
"Quit saying silly things," Eric said, giving Virginia a disapproving look as he held the little one in his arms. He extended one finger to tease his son, who was staring wide-eyed at the finger dangling above him. Kevin grabbed it and instinctively tried to put it in his mouth, tickling his newly sprouted baby teeth.
Virginia watched the bonding mont between father and son, and her tension eased a bit as she sat on the edge of the bed, suddenly regretting her earlier words. "I should have opted for
a C-section; Kevin is probably this way from prolonged oxygen deprivation."
"But didn't the IQ test say he was fine?" Eric countered.
Virginia protested, "For such a small child, how could it be accurate?"
Understanding that it was pointless to argue with her, Eric quietly spoke to his son beside
him. "Buddy, you've got to learn to talk faster. If you don't, Mommy might stop liking you."
The little guy blinked up at Eric with his big eyes, seemingly confused yet at the sa ti understanding.
Seeing his son's response stirred sothing inside Eric. He tentatively prompted, "C'mon, give 'Daddy' a try. Repeat after , 'Da--Da--""
After a brief silence, the little guy suddenly made a series of baby sounds: "Pa--Pa--"
Though the words were indistinct, both Eric and Virginia clearly heard in the quiet bedroom. Virginia imdiately leapt from her chair, her expression lighting up with joy, erasing the
earlier sadness.
"I told you; this little bastard is definitely playing dumb," Eric chuckled, flipping the little guy over while gently patting his rear end. "He was just waiting for to say it first." Although Eric hadn't applied any real force, the little fellow began to wail imdiately. Virginia rushed in to scoop up her son with loving coos, making sure to scold the 'culprit' who
had inadvertently upset him.
...
As Eric descended the stairs, Joanna approached him nervously.
"It's all cleared up," Eric smiled, relaying what had just happened. Joanna sighed with relief,
"Now Vicky can finally relax."
"She just overreacted," Eric chuckled.
Most of the guests in the mansion were won. After exchanging a few words with Joanna, Eric was about to leave when Emily, Chris's girlfriend, blocked his path.
"You can't just drop a line and leave! I've been in touch with so many models. I just need your
ideas now."
Eric laughed, gesturing outside, "Do you still have ti to worry about this right now?"
Emily looked frustrated but couldn't complain about Eric bringing Jeffrey along. "Chris will explain that to Jeffrey. We just bought LTD, and we're so busy that we barely have ti to sleep. Where on earth will we find ti to plan a wedding? Let's not change the subject. You're the one who encouraged us to buy LTD; you can't just walk away from it now."
"I never intended to abandon it," Eric countered. "It's just that I haven't had the ti lately; you know how it is. Even if I share my plans, you still wouldn't be able to execute them. This will require my personal involvent, and you all will just have to follow."
"What can't I do? At least give a hint so I can prepare," Emily pressed.
"I'm planning to personally direct the Victoria's Secret annual fashion show." Emily appeared a bit disappointed. "Is that it? That's sothing I can handle; I was at last
year's New York Fashion Week! I personally orchestrated the fashion show in Brighton, and Victoria's Secret already has annual product launch shows."
"That's not all. I want to gather top models from across the globe and invite the hottest pop stars to perform live. Through dia marketing across newspapers, magazines, TV broadcasts, and online discussions, I'll turn the fashion show into a fashion carnival, making Victoria's Secret a global sensation."
Even though Eric only outlined a basic concept, Emily seed almost speechless, her jaw nearly dropping as she stamred, "This... how much will this cost?"
"First off, my directing fee will be at least $10 million, and that's the discounted price," Eric joked before adding, "We should focus on how much this marketing strategy will earn the company, not how much it will cost. I promise, relative to the expected returns, this
investnt will be minimal."
*****
spatreon/Sayonara816.
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