American comics: You're asked to fish, but you catch a Superman template?

Page 640

Good evening, Mr. Xu Fu.

Good evening, Mr. Loin Howard.

Lloyd Howard wields considerable influence within the Scripps-Howard newspaper, as evidenced by the newspaper's name.

He became the newspaper's general manager in 1920, and then chairman of the board that same year. He then deepened his partnership with the owners and eventually changed the newspaper's name from Scripps to Scripps-Howard.

While Xu Fu was evaluating Lonnie Howard, another person was watching him.

The World Journal, acquired as part of the Scripps-Howard Newspapers Group, has clashed with his Daily Courier more than once.

Unlike the now shaky World Journal, the Messenger is on the rise.

The reason for this is because of Superman.

It would be a lie to say that the Scripps-Howard newspaper group isn't envious when it comes to Superman comics.

According to current research statistics, the revenue of the "Superman" series alone exceeds that of more than 90% of the newspapers in New York.

If it were any other author, the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Group could offer them a generous invitation to serialize their work in their newspaper.

On the contrary, the creators of the comics were the owners of the newspapers themselves.

This is precisely what made many of the newspaper's strategies unsustainable, and by the time Lloyd Howard reacted, The Messenger had become a major New York newspaper, comparable in size to the World Journal.

This marks the first time in newspaper history that a newspaper has become a bestseller based on a comic book.

"Mr. Xu Fu seems to be interested in the World Journal?"

Lloyd Howard didn't dwell on the Superman issue and quickly steered the conversation to the reason they met.

"In fact, I'm interested in any newspaper."

Xu Fu did not respond positively to this; the resources left for Le Monde were either very important to him, but not really necessary.

In fact, whether the newspaper was acquired or announced to be closed, the final outcome was not so bad for his Messenger newspaper.

After Le Monde falls, the most likely replacement is undoubtedly Il Messaggero.

Lloyd Howard nodded, also somewhat taken aback by Xu Fu's answer.

The Courier has achieved considerable success, especially with its election campaign narratives and radical redesign of its layout; it is clearly not yet surpassed. With the addition of Superman comics, few New York newspapers can currently compete with the Courier in terms of sales.

"I just don't know if Mr. Loin Howard is prepared to give up now."

Looking at Loyin Howard standing in front of him, Xu Fu answered one question with another.

"..."

Faced with Xu Fu's question, Roy Howard remained silent for a moment, which was uncharacteristic of him.

From the perspective of the Scripps-Howard Newspapers, it would be a good thing to sell the World Journal for $200 to raise some funds.

However, given that Xu Fu controlled the New York sales of The Messenger, it was clear that if he were to acquire The Wall Street Journal, he would replace The Wall Street Journal as the largest newspaper in New York.

This may not be a good thing for the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Group, which is struggling to grow.

In terms of newspaper growth, The Messenger is much more stable than The World Journal.

Besides these, there are other issues that Roy Howard is focusing on.

As the de facto owner of more than a dozen newspapers, Scripps-Howard had extensive sources of information within the newspaper group. It was because of this that he knew that Xu Fu, who stood before him, was not only the owner of the Messenger and the creator of the Superman comic strip, but also had an extremely close relationship with the future President Roosevelt.

During the election, the Daily Courier firmly supported Roosevelt, a fact that Lloyd Howard learned through special channels.

Not long ago, Roosevelt met with Xu Fu.

The meeting place was inside their current club, Club 21.

Chapter 751 Batman Returns

"Perhaps the very fact that they requested the meeting be held at Club 21 is itself an implication."

Lloyd Howard looked at Xu Fu, who stood calmly in front of him, and pondered to himself.

Although Roosevelt had not yet officially taken office and was largely considered a coward, he was regarded as the weakest of all the presidents of the United States.

However, based on Roosevelt's experience as governor of New York, Lowen Howard did not consider him a coward.

One of Roosevelt's most notable efforts during his tenure as governor of New York was to crack down on American monopolies, which was one of the reasons he was disliked by capitalist groups.

During the election, these capitalist groups constantly incited the media to spread rumors that Roosevelt's rise to power would destroy the American economy.

But as it turned out, Hoover was not a challenging opponent, and Hoover handed the presidency to him.

Newspapers owned by the Scripps-Howard Media Group also participated in the information war surrounding the presidential election.

The very existence of a newspaper group is a symbol of monopoly.

This breaks the "one city, one newspaper" paradigm, allowing you to have media outlets in two or more cities.

For example, the Scripps-Howard Press owned a wide variety of newspapers, most of which were second-rate, but it had a strong control over the media, especially among the lower and middle classes, where the newspapers published by the Scripps-Howard Press had a great influence.

During the election, the vast majority of newspapers belonging to the Scripps-Howard newspaper group upheld Hoover's political views.

There were a few people, two or three, who expressed support for Roosevelt, but only to maintain a balance.

The election results are in, and Hoover suffered a crushing defeat.

The Scripps-Howard newspaper group was undoubtedly also affected; they needed channels to communicate with the new president so as not to become victims of political infighting.

Therefore, for example, Lloyd Howard arrived by appointment.

He needed to use Xu Fu's relationship with Roosevelt to express a certain stance.

Compared to the survival of the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Group, whether or not to acquire **** is a less important issue.

Even without the secrets held by the Scripps-Howard press corps, there were still major newspapers such as the Herald and the Post.

"I have always admired Mr. Pulitzer for dedicating his life to the newspaper business, which is why Scripps-Howard was willing to acquire **** from Herbert. We do not want ****, Mr. Pulitzer built his life around this newspaper and lost it during the Great Depression..."

If someone else were in his position, Xu Fu would believe that statement many times more.

This is just Rowan Howard.

If he remembers correctly, during the expansion of the Scripps-Howard company, no fewer than 15 newspapers went bankrupt, or even died, ultimately declaring bankruptcy under their care, even though the New Pulitzer Building, the newspaper headquarters left by Pulitzer, had been demolished.

I personally hold the same view.

Although he didn't agree with Loyin Howard's words, Xu Fu outwardly showed sympathy and joined him.

"From this perspective, Mr. Xu Fu was also a journalist with ideals and aspirations."

Lloyd Howard couldn't possibly disagree with what Xu Fu said about ****.

More than once, ****, before the Messenger even became a newspaper, Lloyd Howard's task was right there.

Deep down, neither of them agreed with the other's statement.

However, outwardly, they maintained smiling expressions as they climbed into each other's arms.

"I believe that if Mr. Pulitzer knew about the book he wrote..."

The newspaper should also be pleased that it is led by a journalist like Mr. Xu Fu.

In just a few words, Lloyd Howard seemed to indicate a willingness to sell "***".

"If given the opportunity, I would naturally like to keep ****."

Xu Fu did not find Pulitzer's news particularly comforting; after all, his will clearly stated that The World should never be sold.

The positions of both parties were outlined, and the acquisition of **** was finalized.

Neither of them discussed the issue further at Club 21.

The rest will have to wait until Scripps-Howard Newspapers contacts The Messenger. Although it's currently in a state of flux, it is still a major New York newspaper, and the subsequent acquisition will require some time to prepare.

The Scripps-Howard newspaper has always sought to be a voice for the lower classes, as its founder, Mr. Scripps, stated: "...My important principle has been to stand up for the majority of the poor throughout my life. They are ignorant, poorly clothed, and poorly fed. In order to enable them to be equal in status and to receive proper treatment, they must be guided to fight against the rich and the upper-class intellectuals."

"The Scripps-Howard Newspaper Group has always adhered to this principle, advocating for their rights and treatment."

Looking at the impeccably dressed Lord Howard standing before him, Xu Fu couldn't help but smile.

The ideals that the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Group had when it was founded may have certainly existed, but over time, as the newspapers developed, they have long since become just another group of wealthy and highly intelligent people, as they themselves claim.

At the same time, Xu Fu was well aware that Lloyd Howard was not saying this to promote the Scripps-Howard newspaper group's ideology, but rather to tell himself or Roosevelt behind him that the newspaper group's influence should not be underestimated and that they were on Roosevelt's side.

They may not have stood up before, but at least they have now.

“I have always believed that newspapers like Scripps-Howard, which seek to be the voice of the lower classes, have always been a necessary and important force in New York.”

Realizing this, Xu Fu gave the other party an affirmative answer.

Chapter 752 Influence

Upon hearing Xu Fu's answer, a slight smile finally appeared on Lloyd Howard's face, and he froze with his eyes closed.

Raising his cocktail, he wished Xu Fu, who stood before him, well: "I believe that in the future, **** will have an even greater influence under Mr. Xu Fu's leadership."

He raised his glass again in acknowledgment and replied with a smile, "Thank you."

...

The entire acquisition went more smoothly than expected.