NationStates Jolt Archive

Tinsuvilia Broadcasting Conglomerate Headquarters; New Reichsburg Commerce District, Tinsuvilia: 8:10 A.M.

Sibylla Newman walked nervously toward the hulking oak doors, her professional attire belying her usually casual lifestyle. But this was no time to be casual. As Sibylla reached the entrance to the boardroom, she patted her hair, self-conscious of her reflection in the polished marble floor. Grasping the giant door handle, Sibylla pulled and went to meet her employers for the first time.

Tinsuvilia Broadcasting Conglomerate Headquarters Boardroom; 8:15 A.M.

"Good morning, Ms. Newman. We are pleased that you could meet us with such little notice under such... Stressful circumstances," said Chairman of the Board Alphonzo Karea.

"It is no trouble, Chairman. Now, if we could get to business," Sibylla asked, looking around at the other board member before preparing her presentation.

"Now, as you can see," she stated, as she switched the lights off and a projection shone bright on the wall. "Viewer ratings have steadily dropped in the past four years, and are now at an all time low. The World Cup, once our most popular broadcast, has become non-existant with the Sturmkrieger's withdrawal from this year's cup. Our numbers are near the bottom, and their is not a bright point to it."

This was met with a murmur of unease from the board members, which was eventually split by one, louder than the rest:

"Without viewers, our advertisers will drop us. Foreign broadcasters are destroying us. How long do we have before we get into the red?"

"Unfortunately, Mr Sparrow..." came Sibylla's voice again. "It will not be long, a projected eight months unless some action is taken."

"If we can't beat the foreign companies, why not join them," one voice asked in general. It was met with silence from the room...

"Second."

Soon thereafter, the decision was made. TBC would sell their assets to the first company to offer a respectable price, and the board members would not have to worry about money for the rest of their lives. Easy money, anyone could appreciate that.

WTI/HBC Media Group Headquarters, Seaburg

Sir Clyde Thurborne, Chairman and CEO of WorldTech Industries, attentively listened to yet another presentation on fiscal projections for the next year. The reports were nearly identical from year to year: Increasing profits, decreasing overhead, more advertising necessary, the list went on and on. As the WTI business group most visible to the international public, Sir Clyde payed special attention to the Media Group. That was the only reason why he made it a point to come to the yearly projections meeting.

"If third quarter estimates hold up, market penetration will increase by a modest 9 percent." The current presenter, a Ms Ellington, said, "We can increase penetration through targeted foreign acquisitions and mergers." Suddenly the formerly bored executives all came alive. There was nothing like the prospect of acquisitions and increased profits to get the blood of a Hamptonian flowing.

Sensing the growing excitement in the room, Sir Clyde decided to channel that energy, "Alright, let's explore this issue. Are there any suggestions?" The moment he finished talking dozens of voices started bounding across the room. One Vice President wanted to open talks with the Oceanian Kingdom Broadcasting Corporation. Others talked of acquiring independent stations and networks in the United Realms. None of these prospects was especially attractive to Thurborne. He thought the discussion would be for naught until the Media Group's Chairwoman, Angela Skjeggestad, spoke up. "What about the Tinsuvilia Broadcasting Conglomerate?"

A junior Vice President spoke up, "It's in a market ripe for expansion and Tinsuvilia's location lends itself to become our broadcasting nexus in northern Haven. And let's not forget that they are looking for a buyer."

"The company is not exactly in the best financial condition." Another junior executive said.

A third executive, a younger female with bright red hair, interrupted those attacking the deal, "Maybe, but under our guardianship we can turn it into a powerhouse in just a few years."

"Will they accept us?"

"HBC channels and programming have been available to all of Haven via satellite for the past several years. We're a known commodity to Tinsuvilians."

"And," Sir Clyde said with a smile, "they know how deep our pockets are."

Everyone laughed. Skjeggestad looked over to the CEO and he nodded approvingly. "Have Legal and Financial hammer out a deal." She ordered, "I'll be off to Tinsuvilia to meet with the TBC's Board of Directors."

"Okay, it looks like we have a plan." Sir Clyde pushed his chair back from the table, "Please keep me appraised of the situation. If my participation is necessary just talk to my secretary." Before the old man could stand everyone else in the room rose to the feet, out of respect. Thurborne stood, bowed his head to the executives and left the room.

"Contact the TBC. Tell them..." Angela paused for a few seconds, "Tell them we want to talk."

TBC Headquarters; New Reichsburg Commerce District, Tinsuvilia

The TBC offer of sale had not been long on the table at all when the legal department began recieving calls. In fact, in an awkward turn of events, legal hadn't even been notified of the sale when calls began.

The marvels of the internet age, apparently.

The ruckus caused by such a lapse in intelligence on the part of the board, however, was overcome rather quickly, and meetings were arranged with several prospective buyers. The first group went by quickly and uneventfully, with all four buyers impressing few of the board members. The second group was soon to present, comprised of the next four companies:

WTI/HBC Media Group
TinsuvilAircast (A radio broadcasting company, looking to expand.)
Aerio Electronics (A Tinsuvilia based electronics company, looking to try it's hand at broadcasting)
Tenatura

[OOC: Have fun. :p]

OOC: TG sent. Don't think I forgot about you.

TBC Headquarters; New Reichsburg Commerce District, Tinsuvilia

"We cannot offer you cash but TinsuvilAircast can pursue this merger as a stock swap," The TA representative said to the assembled TBC Board members, "because of the inherent risk involved we are prepared to offer you a 3 percent premium."

The Tinsuvillia Broadcast Corporation directors were less then impressed with TA's presentation. It was only marginally better than what Aerio Electronics had offered. Aerio was almost assured of being rejected because it was a newcomer to the industry. TBC couldn't be handed over to just anyone with deep enough pockets. It needed to be under the stewardship of an established media company. The Directors were not seeing that in the Tinsuvilian companies. However, Hamptonshire's two largest megacorporations offered the relatively small TBC the chance of a lifetime: to be part of the international Big Leagues.

Joachim Allenby-Greeley, Vice President of Acquisitions from number two Tenatura Corp. was next to speak. The thirty-five year old and statuesque Joachim was, like the majority of Tenatura's executives, a member of the extended Allenby family. He was part of the firmly established Business Aristocracy. While neither he nor his family held noble titles, they held immense power throughout the Grand Archduchy.

"You all received the information from Tenatura last night. I will let what is written speak for itself." Joachim cleared his throat, "At Tenatura we are uniquely sensitive to the needs and concerns of local communities. If the TBC becomes a part of our corporate family, we will strive to make sure Tinsuvilian voices are at the forefront of all programming and business decisions." He bowed to the Directors and took his seat along the far back wall with the other presenters.

Finally Angela Skjeggestad, WTI/HBC Media Group Chairwoman, found it her turn to speak to the directors. In the slightly nasal voice of a stereotypical Danish-Hamptonian, she began her presentation, "Honorable members of the Board of Directors, it is a great pleasure to come to your fine nation and to have the privilege to personally meet you all. WTI/HBC Media Group and it's parent, WorldTech Industries, are extremely interested in your company. We feel that expansion into the Tinsuvilian market will be beneficial to all involved parties."

She paused as one of the secretaries handed out small file folders to all the Board members. "In front of you now is WTI's comprehensive plan to revitalize your company and turn it into a cornerstone of WTI/HBC MG. As you all no doubt know, HBC programming has been available throughout Haven for several years. Tinsuvilians know the HBC. They trust the HBC. By marrying up the vast international resources of WTI and HBC with the local appeal and infrastructure of the TBC we will be able to capture the lion's share of your domestic market.

The financial resources of WTI and the relative strength of the Hamptonian economy to the Tinsuvilian means that we can purchase the TBC outright in cash. In fact, I am here to say that we will immediately offer 1 billion kroner* above the asking price plus a limited 25-for-1 stock swap for WTI/HBC MG class B voting shares. I trust," Skjeggestad said with a smile, "that you will give our offer due consideration."


*-1 billion kroner = 2 billion USD approx.