American Fortune Life

"... you should know better than anyone. In the impact of the new online media, the circulation of the Post has fallen almost every year, and profits have also fallen year by year. The average daily circulation in the first quarter of this year is compared with the fourth quarter of last year. It fell by 8.3%, and the average daily circulation today is only 573,000. And three years ago, the number was 678,482. In terms of profit, the first quarter of this year has fallen by 83% compared with the fourth quarter of last year. I have to Think for the future. "

Standing in front of the main entrance of the "Washington Post" building and watching Andy Smith, who was invited to visit the Post, the departing convoy, Donald Graham's eyes were a little disoriented, and soon after the restoration of Qingming, his face was quietly down. , Saying what only the niece Catherine Weimos standing beside him could hear.

Catherine Weimos, who has been the publisher and chief executive officer, did not look good, frowned, and stared at her uncle Donald Graham.

Catherine is very convinced about her family. Donald Graham, who inherited his mother's mantle, is not an unusually rich child. He has been on the battlefield, worked as a police officer, and worked at the grassroots level to try to create his own glory. The day after he took over the post, Donald gave a testimony saying "from today on I will follow the rules set by my mother." Facts show that Donald not only managed to follow the rules, but also because of his knowledge of Washington, and even more information sources than Post reporters.

After entering the digital age, Donald Graham took the Washington Post with a lot of attempts on the Internet, and was respected by Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg as a mentor. It is also because of this that Donald, who does not have a Facebook stock, has been sitting firmly on the Facebook board. You can see its ability.

However, the decline of traditional paper media is the trend of the times. This is not a problem that can be solved by people. But Catherine, who has just taken over the Washington Post, doesn't seem to want to just watch the newspaper sell in her hands.

"Ankao, I want to try again!"

Donald Graham glanced back at his niece, with a smile on his indifferent face, comforting and loving, turned around and patted her back, and walked towards the building, whispering whisper : "I understand how you feel, and I also know that every member of our family is frightened at the thought of being sold. To be honest, I am the same myself, but when Andy Smith came into my sight At that time, my thoughts and feelings changed.

In the foreseeable future, I believe that the Post can survive without changing everyone and maintain a certain profit, but we can't think about just surviving. Of course, I am not saying that the sale will necessarily guarantee success, but the chance of success will obviously be greater.

I also know that many people may be a little scared if they learn that our family is interested in selling. When a family owns a newspaper for decades, when the family's behavior in these decades is full of faith, while taking into account the principles, when the family becomes a good value At the helm, when the work they do is so good, fear of change is the only natural reaction.

However, since you want to try it, then you should try it boldly. If you can restore the decline, the Graham family will naturally not sell our family logo, and Andy Smith is our last alternative. After all, What I gave Andy Smith was a clear intention and signal, not a promise. "

"A spare tire?"

In the Mercedes-Benz convoy on the road in Washington, Andy squinted his eyes slightly, and banged his fingers lightly on the leather armrests of the aviation seat, whispered softly.

Andy was not too surprised by the sale intentions indicated by Donald Graham. Prior to this, he had already guessed this possibility. The Washington Post's business was deteriorating and he wanted to restore the decline of traditional paper media. It's almost impossible, and the idea of ​​the Graham family selling the Post is common sense.

However, Andy didn't like the procrastination of Graham's family. They obviously wanted to use the dilapidated crown for money, but they still regarded it as a treasure. Self-esteem, just like how much others desire. . .

Well, I have to say that Andy is really very interested and interested in being able to acquire the Washington Post, although he is unhappy to be treated as a 'spare tire'.

Looking at the changing situation of the "Washington Post" for more than a century, it is far more complicated than the news ideals and heroes in the familiar stories. The ideal of journalism always seems to be hanging overhead, but many factors in politics and business make the world of news and media less black and white than in movies.

Even though the Washington Post has been declining, it is still the three most influential newspapers in the United States today with the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times. It is not difficult to see that in the world of journalism, there is no hereditary, only learning, inheritance and subversion.

The acquisition of such a prestigious newspaper said that it is because the media is an important force to maintain social fairness and justice, and from its own consideration, it is also to consolidate the power of the media and the right to speak.

Journalism plays a key role in a free society. As the native newspaper of the US capital, the Post is particularly important. Especially the brand value of the Washington Post and its core value,

One is the courage to dare to wait. The Post has always followed the news to ensure that it can be published. There must be no one source for news. Because a lot of news is about people in the real world, their reputation, and their livelihoods and families.

The second is to insist that Qingshan does not relax, regardless of the cost.

Although stunned and able to acquire, to be honest, Andy himself has some headaches after acquiring so many traditional paper media. After all, the Internet has changed every factor of the news industry, it has shortened the cycle of news and eroded newspaper The long-term survival of the income source has created a new competitive relationship. The cost of collecting some news is very low or even unnecessary.

In the future, there is no road map for where traditional paper media will go, and it will not be easy to find a good road.

This requires innovation and creation, which means that Andy has the courage to let his subordinates boldly carry out new experiments. The touchstone will be readers, understand what they care about, is it the government? Local leader? Opening of the restaurant? business? Charity or sports, etc., everything will work according to readers' preferences.

However, before thinking about this, Andy felt that he should start to let his subordinates help him buy a building near the White House in order to prepare for the future takeover of the Washington Post because, this time, Graham The family sells only the Washington Post itself, and does not include other assets of the Post Company. The Post owns educational assets as well as magazines and websites, such as Foreign Policy and Slate, which are not for sale. In addition, the Post's headquarters building in downtown Washington is not for sale.

That is to say, when the time comes, the Post will really take over, and another overall relocation is necessary. Andy cannot naturally move the Post to a place too far from the White House power center. As long as you have money, you can buy an office The temporary embracing of the building is not even Andy's style. Preparing for the future and planning ahead are the factors that make Andy Smith go smoothly and successfully to today.

Besides, the real estate bubble in the United States is now bursting. Buildings are sold everywhere. How cheap is it!