December 26th.
Today was the first day after Christmas. Normally, many workers across the United States would still be on vacation today.
However, today was different for Page Pictures.
Whether it was President Bill McNickle, vice president Kevin Feige, or the executives from the various departments of Page Pictures, they had all canceled their vacations and gathered in the conference room.
"Vacation?"
Marketing executive Buck Dai Nong laughed. "Mr. Page is about to give everyone stock option rewards. At a time like this, who would be in the mood for a vacation?!"
Stock option rewards.
Exactly. Many people had given up their holidays to gather for a meeting today precisely for these stock option rewards.
Looking at the major film companies in Hollywood, which executive didn't have at least some stock options? Otherwise, if they relied solely on their salary, how much would they really make in a year?
Barry Meyer, CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures under Warner, had an annual salary that barely exceeded $2 million. But with the dividends from his stock options, it was a different story; his annual income was at least over $10 million.
Is an annual income of over $10 million a lot?
Of course it is!
Many people wouldn't earn $10 million even if they worked their entire lives!
But... look at Disney Chairman Michael Eisner, known as the "Disney Tyrant." According to incomplete statistics, excluding his earnings from his Disney shares, his annual salary plus options and dividends alone amounted to $49 million.
His income was the highest in Hollywood!
"So, what about Mr. McNickle's income this year?"
Suddenly, an executive from Page Pictures spoke up.
Instantly, everyone's eyes in the conference room were fixed on President Bill McNickle.
Mr. Bill smiled without saying a word.
In fact, in the year 2000 alone,
Mr. Bill's income reached as high as $8 million.
Annual salary: $1.5 million;
Dividends: $5 million, mainly from his producer's share of the two films, Spider-Man and Harry Potter.
Allowances: As the President of Page Pictures, his various living allowances and benefits in the year 2000 also amounted to $500,000.
Bonuses: As the head of Page Pictures, his year-end bonus was no less than a seven-figure sum.
All added up, his total income for the year reached $8 million.
What about stock options?
None!
Because before this, Kyle had not given any stock option rewards to any of the Page Pictures executives.
"I wonder how many options Mr. Kevin Feige will receive this time?" Zack Snyder, the head director of the Production Department, suddenly asked.
"I'm curious too."
Marketing executive Buck Dai Nong spoke again, "As the President, Mr. McNickle should theoretically receive the highest allocation of options. However, Mr. McNickle is retiring in a few days, so he definitely won't be getting any."
He paused and then added, "Therefore, it's beyond doubt that Mr. Kevin Feige will receive the highest allocation of options."
After he spoke, everyone in the room nodded in unison.
Page Pictures was founded at the end of 1995. Many of the executives present were people who had started out with Kyle and were considered meritorious officials.
As for Kevin Feige, the vice president of Page Pictures, he joined the company on January 1, 1997. Although his tenure wasn't as long as some of the veteran executives, his status was high!
Not only that, but before Mr. Bill joined the company, he had also served as the Acting President of Page Pictures for a period of time.
"High position and great power" perfectly described Kevin Feige.
Kevin Feige was only 28 years old now, and in a few days, he would be 29. He was still very young, but looking at all of Page Pictures, no one would look down on him because of his age. After all, his ability and status were obvious to everyone.
"Everyone, nothing is settled yet. Don't start praising me too early," Kevin Feige waved his hands dismissively.
Director Zack laughed loudly, "It's not early! This is definitely a done deal."
"Exactly!"
Marketing executive Buck Dai Nong chimed in, "Mr. Feige, in my opinion, not only will you receive the highest allocation of options this time, but after Mr. McNickle retires, the position of President of Page Pictures will undoubtedly be yours."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present began to agree.
"That's right."
"Makes sense."
"In my view, Mr. Feige is the most suitable person to succeed Mr. McNickle."
"During his tenure as President of Page Pictures, Mr. McNickle made enormous contributions to the company, and all of it was supported by Mr. Feige's assistance. Therefore, Mr. Feige is the most appropriate choice for the upcoming vacancy of the President's position."
...One after another, people spoke up... Many were jubilant, while only Mr. Bill felt a bit lonely.
"I don't get a share of the options, and I'm about to retire~"
In truth, Mr. Bill actually wanted to work for a few more years. If for nothing else, the stock option rewards potentially worth tens of millions of dollars alone were enough for anyone to fight on for a few more years.
But his health wouldn't allow it!
Mr. Bill was already in his 70s, definitely part of the older generation. Furthermore, while serving as the producer for Spider-Man and Harry Potter, he had fainted several times.
"How could someone about to retire receive stock options?" This was a logic everyone understood.
Of course, Mr. Bill didn't dwell on it too much.
Having been in Hollywood for decades, he had seen many great storms. He had started from scratch, reached the pinnacle of success, seen all the world's beauty, and commanded the scene.
A life of iron horses and frozen rivers!
He had no regrets in this life!
He wasn't short on money, but he really didn't want to leave the film industry he had fought in for decades. Alas, his health wouldn't permit it~
...Time passed slowly.
Kyle arrived!
Not only did Kyle arrive, but Victor, the CEO of the parent company, along with the parent company's finance and legal staff, also arrived.
"Everyone, today is definitely a day to remember!"
As soon as Kyle sat down, he got straight to the point, "Back at the end of 1995, when I acquired Hughes Film Company and reorganized it into Page Pictures, I said that as long as you follow me and we all work hard together to make high-quality films, everyone being able to live in luxury mansions and buy luxury cars would definitely not be just a dream."
"Now..."
"Five years have passed!"
"We have successfully filmed 'run lola run', 'juno', 'the purge', 'the sixth sense', '300', 'Spider-Man', 'Harry Potter', and more. The total global box office has accumulated to over $3 billion."
"I, Kyle Page, have transformed from a young man who was nothing into a nationwide famous media tycoon, an entertainment mogul, and a multi-billionaire with a net worth of tens of billions."
"And what about all of you here?"
"Nowadays, which one of you isn't an enviable entertainment industry executive with an annual salary exceeding hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars?"
"But is this enough?"
Kyle looked around at everyone and said loudly, "Five years ago, I promised that those who followed me would all be able to live in luxury mansions and buy luxury cars... Now, today, I will fulfill the promise I made to you by giving you stock options and dividends!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the room erupted in excitement.
Everyone present, except for the retiring Mr. Bill, was incredibly excited.
They were determined to follow Kyle; what for?
Without money, everything is nonsense.
Without money, you can't retain talent at all!