American Fortune Life

"... You should know better than anyone else that under the impact of new online media, the circulation of the post has declined almost every year, and the profit has also declined year by year. Compared with the average daily circulation in the first quarter of this year compared with the fourth quarter of last year Down 8.3%, today's average daily circulation is only 573,000. Three years ago, the number was 678,482. In terms of profits, the first quarter of this year fell by as much as 83% compared to the fourth quarter of last year. I have to Think about the future."

Standing in front of the main entrance of the "Washington Post" building, watching Andy Smith, who was invited to visit the Post, take the leaving convoy, Donald Graham's eyes were a little lost, and after he quickly recovered, he lowered his voice calmly , speaking words that only his niece Catherine Waymos, who was standing beside him, could hear.

However, Catherine Waymos, who has already served as the publisher and chief executive officer, has an ugly complexion, frowning tightly, and looking at her uncle Donald Graham with deep eyes.

For her uncle, Catherine is still very convinced. You must know that Donald Graham, who inherited his mother's mantle, is not an ordinary rich boy. He has been on the battlefield, worked as a policeman, and started from the grassroots, trying to create his own glory. On the day he took over the post, Donald made a speech saying, "From today on I will follow the rules set by my mother." Facts have shown that Donald not only followed his mother's rules, but because of his understanding of Washington, he had even more sources of information than the reporters of the Post.

After entering the digital age, Donald Graham took the "Washington Post" to make many attempts on the Internet, and was respected as a mentor by Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. It is also because of this that Donald does not have a Facebook stock, but he has been sitting firmly on the Facebook board of directors. It is enough to see its ability.

However, the decline of traditional paper media is the general trend of the times, and this is not a problem that anyone can solve by relying on their ability. But Catherine, who just took over the "Washington Post", doesn't seem to want to just watch the newspaper being sold in her hands.

"An Kao, I want to try again!"

Donald Graham looked back at his niece, a smile appeared on his somewhat indifferent face, with relief and kindness, he turned around and reached out to pat her on the back, while walking towards the building, he whispered: : "I understand how you feel, and I know that every member of our family is horrified at the thought of being sold. To be honest, I am the same, but when Andy Smith walked into my sight Over 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 selling 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 conduct over the decades is one of conviction and principle in good times and bad, when the family becomes a symbol of good values At the helm, when the work they do is so good, worrying about change is the only natural response.

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

"A spare tire?"

In the convoy running on the road in Washington, Andy squinted his eyes slightly, tapped his fingers on the leather armrest of the air seat, and whispered softly.

Andy wasn't too surprised by Donald Graham's intention to sell. Before that, he had already guessed this possibility. The business of "Washington Post" was going from bad to worse. It is almost impossible, and the Graham family's idea of ​​selling the post is also within common sense.

However, Andy doesn't like the Graham family's procrastinating way and thinking of choosing the next family. They obviously want to exchange the dilapidated crown for money, but they still treat it as a treasure and refuse to show it easily, which is ridiculous and sad His self-esteem is like how much other people desire. . .

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

Throughout the more than 100 years of the changing situation of the "Washington Post", it is far more complicated than the news ideals and resistance heroes in the stories that people are familiar with. The ideal of journalism seems to have always been hanging above the head, but many political and commercial factors have made the world of news and media less black and white than in movies.

Even though the "Washington Post" has gone into decline, it is still known as the three most influential newspapers in the United States today, along with the "Los Angeles Times" and "New York Times". Then contact the Oxsulzberger family who stick to the "New York Times" and the Pulitzer family who sold the "Le Monde". 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 is because the media is an important force for maintaining social fairness and justice, and from its own consideration, it is also to consolidate the power of the media and the right to speak out in public opinion.

Journalism plays a very critical role in a free society. As the native newspaper of the nation's capital, the Post is particularly important. Especially the brand value of The Washington Post and its core values,

One is the courage to dare to wait. The Post has always insisted on publishing news only after it is confirmed. There cannot be only one source for news. Because a lot of news has at stake real people, their reputations and their livelihoods and families.

The second is to insist that Qingshan will not relax, regardless of the price.

Although he is very greedy and has the ability 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 in the news industry. It has shortened the cycle of news and eroded newspapers. The sources of income that have been relied on for a long time have created new competitive relationships, and some news collection costs are low or even free.

In the future, there is no roadmap for where traditional paper media will go, and finding a good path is not easy.

This requires innovation and creation, which means that Andy has the courage to let his subordinates boldly carry out new experiments. And the touchstone will be the reader, understanding what they really care about, is the government? local leaders? Restaurant opening? Business? Charity or sports, etc., everything will work according to the reader's preferences.

However, before thinking about this, Andy felt that he should first start to ask his subordinates to help him acquire a building near the White House, so as to prepare in advance for taking over the "Washington Post" in the future, because this time Graham The family sold only the "Washington Post" itself, and did not include other assets under the Post Company. Some educational properties owned by the Post Company as well as magazines and websites such as Foreign Policy and Slate are not for sale. In addition, the Post Company's headquarters building in downtown Washington is not included in the sale.

That is to say, when the time comes to really take over the Post, there will be an overall relocation, and Andy naturally cannot let the Post move too far away from the White House, the center of power. As for the money, he can buy an office whenever he wants. Lou's impromptu cramming is not Andy's style. Planning ahead and planning in advance are the success factors for Andy Smith's smooth journey to where he is today.

Besides, now that the real estate bubble in the United States has burst, buildings are being sold everywhere, and the prices are so cheap!