Chapter 526: Universal Studios

Washington D.C., outside the Oval Office in the Rose Garden, President Obama was giving a speech.

This year, on October 9th, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize would be awarded to President Obama.

Obama would travel to Oslo, the capital of Norway, by the end of the year to receive the Nobel Peace Prize!

Charles saw all this as just another dinner table joke.

At this moment, Charles and Evelyn Capet were sitting on the chairs below, surrounded by reporters with all sorts of cameras. After the speech, there was a small party.

"Charles, congratulations," President Obama warmly hugged Charles at the party.

"Thanks, but the future challenges are also significant!" Charles had not come to Washington just to listen to a speech.

Obama smiled, "I know you want the land near Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, to expand the park. But you know, Florida's conservatives are quite strong. Disney World benefited from early legal loopholes, but now it's impossible!"

Charles nodded, "I'll handle these issues myself, but I need someone to block the resistance from the Disney shareholders in Orlando. The competition between the two companies is too obvious. Expanding Universal Studios will undoubtedly face obstacles from the county and state councils, which will delay the project!"

Disney World owns vast land in Orlando, with its own fire department, administrative services, police, and other government agencies, almost like a small autonomous domain.

Compared to Disneyland in California, Disney World in Florida is far more important. In California, everyone's first choice is the better-located Universal Studios Hollywood!

"So, what do you plan on doing?" asked Obama, who understood that having good relations with powerful media empires was essential, especially those who had supported his rise to the presidency.

"I'm going to have someone bring up the issues of Disney World's taxes, environmental protection, and wildlife protection in the Florida legislature," Charles intended to throw a wrench in the works.

"These issues have always existed; they won't have much impact," Obama frowned. "It'll just add a few lawsuits and hearings!"

"That's enough. NBC will fully cover this event and publicize every detail about Disney World in Florida," said Charles, who didn't want Disney to hog the spotlight. "Either the Florida legislature grants Universal Studios the same preferred rights, or they retract Disney's remaining privileges. Disney World can solve local employment issues and stimulate the economy. Under similar policies, Universal Studios can do the same!"

Of course, Universal Studios was unlikely to obtain the same autonomy as Disney, but Charles primarily wanted more land and permissions for Universal Studios Orlando.

Otherwise, if the additional land turned out to be wetlands or wildlife habitats, it'd be useless!

"Hmm, I'll have Rahm Emanuel contact legislators in Florida," said Obama, who already knew how to deal with businessmen - mutual help and support are indispensable.

Rahm Emanuel was currently the White House Chief of Staff and had deep ties to Hollywood as co-chairman Ari Emanuel's brother.

However, Charles's mother, Evelyn Capet, was soon to replace Ari Emanuel!

"Cheers, this healthcare reform will indeed become an important policy milestone. Hollywood fully supports your healthcare policy," Charles laughed and clinked glasses with Obama.

...

In the evening, Charles and Ivanka returned to their hotel in Washington D.C.

"Charles, I heard the president invited you to a White House dinner next month. Why did you turn him down?"

In the hotel's bathtub, Ivanka leaned against Charles' chest, looking puzzled.

"Ha, it's not that big of a deal. There are many White House dinners. I don't need to show up all the time," Charles responded casually while toying with Ivanka's 32D, feeling rather nonchalant.

"Ugh," Ivanka groaned in pain, pinching Charles' certain area, "Honey, when are we leaving Washington D.C.?"

"Hmm, we will return to New York tomorrow, then I'll visit Universal Studios Orlando," Charles said, pressing against her back.

Leaning into her ear, he asked, "Did you get a boob job, honey?"

"What do you think?" Ivanka responded while adjusting her position and starting to kiss Charles...

...

Charles highly valued Universal Studios as a movie-themed park, second only to Disney in brand recognition.

Universal Studios Hollywood had no external land for expansion, but internally, there were plenty of production bases that could be renovated.

The Marvel series and Transformers were gradually rebuilt on the original Universal backlots, decreasing the reliance on the internal backlots of Universal Studios, shifting focus to Capet's Burbank base.

Charles also aimed to manage Universal Studios Orlando well, currently negotiating with the Blackstone Group to reclaim their 50% stake in Universal Studios Orlando.

While increasing the theme park, water world, and brand hotels, expanding also required more land - issues Charles needed to resolve promptly!

Additionally, Charles planned to reclaim shares of Universal Studios Japan, located in Osaka, and run it independently.

As for Universal Studios Singapore, inside Resorts World Sentosa, construction was almost complete. Though it was run under a licensing model, Charles didn't have high hopes for that market!

...

While Charles was envisioning the future and working hard for Universal Studios, his biggest competitor, Disney, faced another high-level resignation.

Rich Ross, chairman of Disney's movie group, announced the departure of Mark Zoradi, head of marketing for Disney's film studio.

Mark Zoradi had worked at Disney for nearly 30 years as a key lieutenant to former Disney film studio president Dick Cook.

Dick Cook left in August, followed by Miramax president Daniel Battsek in September.

Mark Zoradi was now the third senior executive to leave Disney's film group!

Universal Studios underwent a major shake-up due to its acquisition by Capet Pictures, while Disney's situation suggested internal reform. Still, losing several top executives in a short period inevitably made outsiders suspect Disney's internal instability, leading to a drop in stock prices.

*****

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