On the home front Ethan flashed FedEx’d tickets to another Madison Square Garden game. “Like clockwork, Babe. Another bribe while your Julian gig requires so much of your time.”
“It appears to be working,” I said.
He waved them at me. “Damn right.”
Despite seven hours’ time difference, info analysis and swift decisions lay ahead upon arrival. I slept my way over. Julian booked me a grand suite at Claridge’s, flashbacks to Marsha days. I rearranged the furniture into a makeshift office setting. Neither Julian nor anyone else were to expect anything less. I answered the phone to, “Mayfair welcomes you, Emma, our company’s namesake and point of origin. Decent flight?”
“Terrific as usual.” Twelve minutes he arrived to escort to his penthouse suite.
“You probably know in nineteen forty-five Winston Churchill resided here on the sixth floor,” he said as we entered.
“I do. I stayed here on jaunts with Marsha Johnson in my Platinum Beauty days.”
“A few months ago I was contacted regarding investing in this property. I made sure negotiations included exclusive access to this apartment. When you see something, you want, move quickly. The only way to be in business.”
Julian was all smiles as I glanced at the twenty-foot ceilings. Floor to crown molding windows framed the main room. Muted green, beige and white complemented Diane Von Furstenberg updates. He converted a bedroom into the quintessential English office, looming desk to Chesterfield club chairs.
“It’s hard to concentrate on anything but war time London in here. Easy to imagine your parents’ war activities, too.”
Back in the parlour the butler served tea as I opened my files. “It’s critical we move on this. Your business is in distress. Wilma’s a product developer with excellent concepts. She lacks expertise to deliver results but there’s no financial officer to rein in spending and your COO hasn’t partnered with her. We need a director who knows global markets. No company can survive without international as most profitable.”
“You’ve left no stone unturned.”
“You’re paying me well not to. Frankly, you need complete restructuring. Do away with the COO and Wilma’s position. Add a senior CFO as general manager. Put sales and marketing under a combined vice president, plus Director of Operations to oversee product development.” I slid the paperwork to him. “The attached Excel file shows five hundred thousand dollars annual savings.” I explained overspending, updated systems to cross reference paperwork, then sales field territory restructure. “It’s all here but to sum it up, you’re bogged down in a very serious situation. Wilma’s team seems to advise her to ‘Put concealer on it and the problem fades away.’”
“Or splash a bit of fragrance and it’ll smell better.”
“Good one but Mayfair’s not a blemish, or a rotten tomato. In all seriousness, Wilma’s doing her job but management’s neither guiding, nor calling her to task. You can’t thrive on her clever concepts. Two years of this business style is destroying your company. Julian, you’re going bankrupt.”
“I’m sorry my instincts were correct but elated they’re spot on about you. Blinding work, Emma. Now for the kicker. Can you move as fast to get this bloody situation under control?”
“I can. It’s not as hard as it seems. We start with key people. Pros. there’s not nearly enough time to train anyone.”
“Have you the network to pull this together?”
“Experienced men and women who know the ropes.”
“Bollocks, this is more serious than I realised. We need to revise our agreement. You’re to have a permanent position.”
“You might want to think it through.”
“I’ve done little else. I see you as Vice President. Overseeing Mayfair with a seat on the board fills two key elements: an American, and a woman. You’re both and brilliant.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Simply facts. I’ve taken the liberty of having my attorney draw up a contact. I hope you’ll review it this week, with an answer before you return to New York seems reasonable.”
I tried to appear casual. “I appreciate your vote of confidence. Are you sure? Should we hold off another month?”
“Absolutely not. As you’ve said, I need the overhaul now. Come aboard. We align to recoup which assures my goal of every business unit profitable within two years.”
I had not yet lit the figurative cigar. “My attorney’s in Manhattan. You understand I need her review.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. My friend and associate Harry Steinberg will work with you in person. He’s in London for a fortnight. You’re to see him at three thirty this afternoon. Standard agreement, mainly confidentiality protection for both of us. Trust me, Emma, this will go smoothly.”
“You’re a hard man to say no to.”
His clear, blue-eyed gaze made it unequivocal. “I take that as a compliment. Now explain this fragrance deal opportunity to make the company profitable.”
I poured more tea. “You’ve heard of the UK Connection, the London based celebrity band?”
“Indeed. They’ve mesmerised Britain and Europe. Same in the States? Can’t say I’ve paid them much attention.”
“Promoter Axel White—Mercury Artists out of Los Angeles – spent three years combining talents of five boys from different British cultures, unknown to one other, each driven to make it in the music world. Uk-C’s that rare combination of musical talent, good looks, and charisma, under an umbrella of marketing genius. Indications suggest they’re the next big thing.” I shuffled papers. “I’m ready to convince you to go after this.”
“Fire away.”
“For the sportsman in you, stats: forty-five million global fans, six hundred million Wikipedia views. One of the first groups to use breakthrough technology. Digital marketing’s referred to as social media and they’ve plugged into it to drive recognition and sales. Do you know Facebook?”
“I know what it is.”
“Ten million followers. They post B-roll and documentary style videos. They’ve have reached over fifty million kids.”
“You’re speaking a foreign language but point taken.”
“Last week they performed in Rockefeller Plaza on our Today Show. Girls camped on Fifth Avenue for three days. Their concerts fill stadiums, they’re rumoured to be our Super Bowl Half Time Show, and confirmed to perform at the next Olympics.”
He tented his fingers. “Fans are fickle. Convince me they’re more than a flash in the pan.”
