Chapter 200: Tina Brown

Regardless of whether it's Catherine Zeta-Jones or Elizabeth Hurley, now they are entirely on the fringes of the entertainment industry. Perhaps they have some fame in the British television circle;

But no matter what, both of them now primarily play the role of beautiful trophies!

Last year, Catherine Zeta-Jones met Jon Peters, an executive at Sony Pictures Entertainment, but all she got was a supporting role in the TV series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and the TV movie Christopher Columbus. Moreover, because of Jon Peters' controlling nature and his desire to marry her, Catherine Zeta-Jones was scared back to the UK this year.

In the private room of the club, Arthur sat on the sofa, sandwiched between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Elizabeth Hurley. "Arthur, have another drink!"

The two beauties offered a toast separately, and Arthur showed a lot of face, drinking several glasses in succession. "Are you trying to get me drunk to do something bad?"

Arthur said this with a playful smile, hugging the two women and leaning back on the sofa.

Elizabeth Hurley took the initiative to kiss Arthur on the cheek, "No way, we're just happy to see you now."

Catherine Zeta-Jones, unwilling to be outdone, hugged Arthur's arm and rubbed her chest against it. "Arthur, didn't you say you wanted to find me at the party in the US last time?"

Arthur thought for a moment. Catherine Zeta-Jones was indeed more professional in acting than Elizabeth Hurley; With her exotic charm and suitability for classical looks, Catherine Zeta-Jones was more in line with Hollywood's tastes. Besides her beauty and figure, she had other qualities that Hollywood lacked, making it easier for her to become famous!

"Rest assured, you'll get your chance," Arthur said as he reached out and gently touched Catherine Zeta-Jones' still slightly baby-faced cheek.

Luckily, Catherine Zeta-Jones was only 21 years old now, so young. Who knows why in the future she aged so quickly? Was it because she married the much older Michael Douglas?

Arthur then stood up from the sofa and shook his head. "Alright, it's getting late. It's time to leave!"

Arthur had decided today to make a move on the UK Mirror Group, which was a serious matter. Women's affairs could entirely be put on the back burner...

With the formation of Galaxy UK, Jim Colter had also come to London. By late April, Galaxy had persuaded PolyGram Films and the Bertelsmann Group to jointly acquire the UK's Mirror Group;

24 million pounds in cash plus 56 million pounds in debt. Galaxy, together with PolyGram Films and the Bertelsmann Group, jointly acquired the Mirror Group, with share proportions of 40%, 30%, and 30% respectively!

On Fleet Street in London, in the office on the 9th floor of the Mirror Building, Arthur sat behind the desk as Anna Walker reported, "Ms. Tina Brown is here!"

Arthur nodded, "Bring her in."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Smith," Tina Brown, in her forties, with her short blonde hair, looked savvy and shrewd.

"Have a seat, call me Arthur," Arthur smiled and looked at Tina Brown. "The Mirror Group now has very high debt, and circulation is decreasing. The gap with the old rival, The Sun, is 800,000 copies. Ms. Brown, do you have the courage to take on this challenge?"

Tina Brown looked at Arthur, "Although I left the editor position of Vanity Fair last year this year, Conde Nast Publications, the parent company of Vanity Fair, is negotiating with me to take over as editor of The New Yorker!"

Tina Brown took over Conde Nast's Vanity Fair in 1984, and in just a few years, she turned Vanity Fair into a popular magazine. 

As a seasoned British editor and publisher, Tina Brown had the capability. After taking over Vanity Fair, she carried out drastic reforms in magazine management, editing policies, content, and packaging.

The combination of celebrity effects, compelling reports, and news sensitivity equated to money. Tina Brown focused heavily on the entertainment aspect of news, which was key to profitability!

However, to become a mainstream magazine, it needs not only loyal readership but also broad influence. Entertainment alone isn't enough.

Arthur looked at Tina Brown, "If you take over The New Yorker, you will surely increase its circulation and advertising significantly in a short time. But The New Yorker is not just a news entertainment magazine. It's a comprehensive one covering knowledge, literature, international politics, technology, and business.

Enhancing entertainment value can ensure success, but The New Yorker will face increasing criticism. If S.I. Newhouse can disregard you once, he can do it twice. At the Mirror Group, you can report freely: royal scandals, political scandals, and entertainment gossip. It's all up to you!"

S.I. Newhouse, Samuel Irving Newhouse Jr., the chairman of Conde Nast Publications, acknowledged Tina Brown's capability. But her flamboyance catered mainly to the tastes of the lower echelons, making celebrity scandals, entertainment news, and various people scandals her specialty!

Otherwise, why would Vanity Fair be so popular yet not renew Tina Brown's contract?

Because she lowered the caliber of Vanity Fair, and Conde Nast has many low-tier publications. A magazine like Vanity Fair can't focus solely on advertising at the expense of influence.

Tina Brown was most suited to tabloids like The Sun and the Daily Mirror, which only cared about circulation!

Arthur knew very well that if events followed the previous timeline, Tina Brown indeed handled The New Yorker but left amid controversy. After all, The New Yorker's audience was not as accommodating as Vanity Fair's!

Tina Brown sighed. She was well aware of her strengths and weaknesses. "Arthur, the competition among the Mirror Group's rivals is fierce. If you indeed want me to manage it, you mustn't over-regulate the content of the reports. I will report some sensational news, which you can't stop meaninglessly. Of course, I will definitely report to you about some controversial news!"

"Of course," Arthur snapped his fingers. "You can carry out extensive reforms at the Mirror Group. Employees who do nothing but occupy their positions can be completely dismissed. In the future, even if we engage in a price war with The Sun, I will support you. Moreover, I suggest that you sell the group's printing business and outsource it. The Mirror Group only cares about circulation. I am neither a Conservative nor a Labour supporter and there's no worry about the Mirror Group becoming their pawn!"

Tina Brown nodded, "In that case, I am willing to take on this challenge. I will definitely make the Daily Mirror surpass The Sun."

Of course, what Arthur didn't say was that if the Mirror Group's circulation surged, should any party members offer vested interests in exchange...

*****

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