Chapter 257 Li Fuzhen takes the initiative to stay alone

In fact, it doesn't matter to Abel personally whether he can be the chairman of the board of directors.

This position is mostly an honorary position and is a mascot.

Many celebrities have served as this chairman.

Abel knew one of them. For example, Herbert, once served as the chairman of the NRA Association.

Abel had just turned twenty-one.

Being a director at such a young age is already very eye-catching.

If you become a director, you will be elected as the chairman immediately.

This can already be recorded in the history of the NRA association.

Abel thought for a moment and realized that this didn't seem to be a big deal.

The most important thing is this position, which is an honorary crown.

Other than adding a few more credits to your resume and increasing your influence in the NRA association, it doesn't have much use.

Thinking of this, he acquiesced to LaPierre's approach.

But he reciprocated the favor, or he knew what LaPierre's real purpose was.

Abel also smiled and said: "As the boss of Rock Security, I think PMC companies like Rock Security should strongly support the NRA."

Rock Security has many guns, even cannons, and some retired US military equipment.

Security guards who play with guns all day long can also be associated with the NRA.

Since last year, Abel has donated most of his donations to the NRA through Rock Security.

Hearing what he said, LaPierre immediately understood the young man in front of him and understood what he meant.

LaPierre laughed happily.

The three of them chatted for a while. As the de facto chairman, LaPierre couldn't just stay here.

LaPierre soon left to interact with other NRA executives.

Abel chatted with Richard Luger.

"Mr. Smith, I heard that you are receiving NBC television network?" Richard Lugar asked curiously.

Abel thought to himself that this would soon become a question that people related to politics would ask when talking to him.

Abel knew this was normal.

Public television networks like NBC can be said to be one of the most powerful tools for politicians when conducting elections.

This makes these people, of course, more concerned about this matter.

Abel smiled: "For now, yes. But things are not that easy."

"After all, it's General Electric." Richard Lugar said: "It's not that easy to get the NBC television network from General Electric."

Abel nodded, and his heart suddenly moved. After thinking about it for a while, he said:

"By the way. Richard, oh, can I call you that?"

"Of course." Richard Luger responded with a smile: "Then I'll call you by your name too."

"Of course, no problem." Abel said with a smile: "Richard. What is the most influential newspaper in Indiana?"

Richard Lugar was stunned, thought for a moment, and replied: "It's the Indianapolis Star."

"Who is its boss?" Abel said directly.

Richard Luger raised his thick, thick, but already white eyebrows.

The senator didn't know why Abel was asking this, or what Abel meant.

But Richard Lugar still said softly:

"Currently it belongs to the Simon family, but the Gannett Group has already made an offer for it. The Simon family already has the idea of ​​selling it."

"I want to buy it." Abel said bluntly.

"Oh?" Richard Luger showed a playful smile on his face: "Why?"

"I think I need a mouthpiece to speak out in Indiana." Abel smiled and looked at Richard Luger, "That way, when necessary, I can help my friends in Indiana."

"Hahaha~"

Richard Luger laughed out loud.

He also gave a thumbs up to Abel: "Abel, I think this is a good idea. I will be very lucky to be your friend."

"I wonder if I have this honor?"

Abel made a complaint: "Dear Richard, I thought we were already in love."

Richard Luger smiled even wider.

An old man and a young man had a pleasant discussion.

The topic of discussion quickly turned to the Indianapolis Star.

The Indianapolis Star is called the Indianapolis Star to be exact.

The newspaper was founded by industrialist George McCulloch on June 6, 1903.

Currently in Indiana, its circulation per issue is approximately 400,000, making it the most influential local newspaper in Indiana.

But it's only limited to Indiana.

Its out-of-state circulation was low, just over 10,000 copies.

Prior to this, this newspaper and several other local small and medium-sized newspapers had always been the local Simon family industry in Indiana.

But at the end of last year, Gannett Newspaper Group came to Indiana and launched an acquisition request for the Indianapolis Star.

Since then, Gannett News Group has entered into price negotiations with the Simon family five times.

According to Richard Luger, the Simon family has begun to show interest in the last offer of US$215 million.

If this deal can be concluded.

Simon Newspapers, which owns the Indianapolis Star and has a total of seven daily newspapers and two magazines, will become a subsidiary of Gannett Newspaper Group.

"I don't like Gannett very much." Richard Luger said implicitly:

"Their management's political philosophy is too radical."

Abel smiled and said nothing, and made no comment on Richard Luger's evaluation.

After the reception.

Abel and little Laura had just returned to the Conrad Indianapolis Hotel.

He let little Laura go to rest first, and asked David Jones to call several members of the advisory team who had followed him to the largest VIP box in the executive lounge on the fourth floor for a meeting.

As soon as everyone arrived, Abel suddenly said: "I am going to expand the scale of Smith Newspapers."

The boss's first words set the tone for this brief meeting of the advisory group.

"First, let's start with the Indianapolis Star. Does anyone know about the Indianapolis Star?" Abel looked at the crowd.

There were eight members of the advisory group in the conference room, including David and Alan Baker.

The configuration of eight people is also the standard configuration of the advisory group that Abel carries with him when he goes out.

It is generally a more one-size-fits-all configuration, organized by David and Alan.

Members will make appropriate arrangements based on where Abel is going.

When Abel has clear business travel goals, he will choose the most targeted staffing.

For example, if he wants to acquire an energy company, his personal advisors will be elites in the legal and energy industries.

Like tonight, Alan Baker and David don't count.

The other six members all have their own areas of expertise.

This is to cope with various possible situations.

"BOSS." Reed, a member of the advisory group, raised his hand, "I'm from Indiana. I'm familiar with the situation here."

"Okay. Then you can tell me." Abel nodded.

"The Indianapolis Star, with a daily circulation of about 300,000-400,000 copies, is the largest newspaper in Indiana."

Reed said: "It and its parent company have a market value of about $220 million. Gannett Newspaper Group is currently trying to acquire it."

"Yes." Abel nodded, "My idea is to get ahead of Gannett Newspaper Group and win this newspaper. But my goal is not just the "Indianapolis Star", but also the "Indianapolis Star".

I realized one thing about Star News."

"That is Smith Media, which should not be limited to television stations and the entertainment industry." Abel said:

"We are also going to start laying out plans for the newspaper industry."
To be continued...