American History 1988
Chapter 229 - 223: Roadshow Plan

Chapter 229: Chapter 223: Roadshow Plan

"Roadshow?" Dean was startled; he hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

"Yes," Richard handed his wine glass to an assistant beside him, "It’s an important promotional tool to ensure the successful issuance of Byte Company’s stock."

"Come on, let me show you Cisco’s IPO process last year." Under Richard’s lead, the group moved to the "Hall of Honor" downstairs.

Morgan Stanley would display its more successful IPO clients in a hall within their headquarters building.

Although Cisco was not large in scale at the time of listing, its rate of return was outstanding, and its market value nearly tripled in just a year.

Therefore, among the many cases underwritten by Morgan Stanley, Cisco’s IPO was considered successful.

"From the time Cisco signed the underwriting contract with us to the end of the IPO and listing, the process lasted about three months."

Richard pointed to the photos on the wall, "Look, we signed the contract at the end of the year before last, and then took three weeks to prepare the listing materials and reports."

"Wow, I looked so spirited that day." Valentine, with his arms folded, admired the photos on the wall where he was prominently featured.

"Sequoia Capital always picks the most correct answer," Richard couldn’t help admiring, Valentine’s investment hit rate had been astonishing these past two years.

"I’ve had successful investments and failed ones, but every time I hit a grand slam!" "Rocket Man" Valentine boasted, proudly displaying his muscles.

"Yes, congratulations, but let’s get back to the main topic." Richard turned his gaze to Dean, "After preparing the materials, we can submit the registration to the SEC.

This part will be the joint responsibility of Byte Company and Morgan Stanley, and of course, lawyers and accountants will need to be involved throughout the process."

The IPO process seems simple, but in reality, there’s a huge amount of paperwork behind it.

Fortunately, Dean and his team don’t need to be involved in these matters directly; the only thing they probably need to do is to keep signing, signing!

"If the SEC approves our registration, then Byte Company can be listed, and this process may take 5~9 weeks.

The above belongs to the necessary procedural documents. During this period, we have even more important work to do."

Richard pointed to the series of photos on the wall, which recorded the moments of Cisco’s roadshows in various cities.

"That’s right, roadshows, and this is where you really need to put in the effort, Dean."

The purpose of a roadshow is not only to sell stocks to investors but also to promote Byte Company to the outside world.

If we want Byte Company’s IPO to be successful and have a good opening day in the stock market,

then it not only requires the primary market to subscribe to the issued stocks beforehand but also that the general public in the secondary market has full confidence in Byte Company.

"Based on the purpose of the roadshow, it usually has two forms," Richard said, pointing to the two photos on the wall, giving Dean a detailed introduction.

One showed only a few dozen people, while the other was teeming with people and even surrounded by reporters’ microphones.

"One is an internal presentation targeted at major investment institutions, and the other is a press event for the IPO."

"So we need to start with the first one now?" Dean was already getting a grasp of the rules of the game to come.

"Yes!" Richard snapped his fingers, "For us, this is the most important roadshow."

Although not many people attend these private presentations, they are all bulk buyers.

"For these non-public roadshows, we need to bring out something valuable.

For instance, Byte Company’s financial statements, profit data, user group analysis, future revenue forecasts...

And even be prepared for a Q&A session; getting our clients to open their wallets is no easy task."

"OK, I will have the company prepare the data files we need to present next." Dean got it. PowerPoint, he understood.

Now it was a test of the company’s marketing skills – how to make the boast fresh and elegant was an art in itself.

"Good, the outcome of the internal presentation will directly affect the drafting of our prospectus."

Byte Company’s IPO prospectus had not yet been developed because it required more market research.

Subscription intentions from potential customers would directly affect the pricing of the stock and possibly even the number of shares to be issued.

For example, the previous request from Merrill Lynch to issue additional shares happened because a major buyer had entered the market.

However, at the presentation, Morgan Stanley would first give a preliminary version of the prospectus, which would only serve as a reference.

The figures in it could change at any moment, and the real prospectus would only be published after the roadshow ended.

"After the internal presentation, we may need to do multiple roadshows.

New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles... and even a trip to Europe will be necessary."

As Richard rattled off each location, Dean’s eyes grew wider and wider.

"This sounds like it’s turning into a concert tour?"

"Exactly!" Richard laughed and clapped him on the shoulder, "During the roadshow, you are the superstar!"

Seeing Dean’s skeptical expression, Daniel Thalli from Merrill Lynch couldn’t help but remind him.

"Dean, you may not realize how much attention Byte Company’s IPO will attract.

A valuation of 1.6 billion, nearly 1.7 billion US dollars, it’s the largest listing on Nasdaq in several years.

You will be the focus of every media outlet you can think of, and you’ll be in front of the cameras."

So, don’t take it lightly; they won’t miss any opportunity to dig for your news value."

The so-called news value could be positive or negative.

Of course, most of the media prefer the negative as it creates a sensation.

"I understand." Seeing their serious expressions, Dean had to take it seriously as well.

"Relax, buddy, don’t let the cameras scare you."

At this moment, Richard came forward with a smile, "You’ll have a chance to face the cameras alone very soon."

"Me?" Intuition told Dean they seemed to have arranged some additional activities for him.

"Right," Richard and Daniel both laughed, "have you heard of ’Time’ magazine?"

...

"Miranda, it might be a few more days before I can make it to Washington." Inside the Plaza Hotel, Dean explained something patiently while holding the phone.

"Yes, it’s about Byte Company’s IPO; they’ve reached out to some media."

"I’m not sure, maybe a week. But I’ll fly to Washington as soon as I’m done here."

"Your father is also going to Washington? Okay, that news is a bit sudden."

"No, I didn’t mean that, I’d be happy to meet with you."

"OK, see you in Washington..."

After hanging up, Dean sighed somewhat helplessly.

Why don’t these girls just enjoy dating? Why the need to meet the parents.

Sigh, too bad he’s too soft-hearted. He wants to follow his kidneys, but also his heart.

Drip drip drip...

Dean’s soliloquy hadn’t finished when the telephone on the table rang again.

"Dean, I’m downstairs, is it convenient for you now?"

Pushing aside the beige curtains in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, Dean cast his gaze onto the street below.

A black Audi was parked at the intersection, although it was not very clear from his high vantage point.

But if he wasn’t mistaken, the person on the phone was sitting right there.

"I’ll be right down, Mr. Kennedy."

Indeed, the person coming to see him was none other than our Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

They had arranged this meeting before Dean came to New York.

According to Kennedy, it was to introduce Dean to a few Irishmen.

Five minutes later, the tidy Dean was already sitting inside the black Audi.

"It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Kennedy."

"Dean, welcome to the East Coast."

As they now had a financial interest in common, their meeting felt much more familiar than before.

Once Dean was seated, Anthony Kennedy glanced out the window and then nodded to the person in the front seat.

The black Audi started smoothly, then swiftly left the Plaza Hotel.

Through the rearview mirror in the car, Dean felt a sense of familiarity with the silhouette ahead.

"Dean, there’s no need for introductions between us anymore."

"Gregory?"

"Yeah, we had coffee together yesterday."

Alright, Dean realized that the driver sitting in front, playing chauffeur, was Kennedy’s son Gregory.

He had been busy the last few days helping with the preparation of Byte Company’s IPO documents, as well as the review of various contracts.

Let’s not forget, the law firm hired by Byte Company—Sullivan Cromwell—is his employer.

Dean looked at Gregory, successful in his prank, and Anthony Kennedy, wearing a grin.

Curious, Dean opened his palms, "So where are we heading?"

"Fifth Avenue," Anthony Kennedy provided a location familiar to Dean.

Fifth Avenue, the famous shopping street in downtown Manhattan.

It’s not far from the Plaza Hotel where Dean lives; it’s on the east side of Central Park, while the latter is on the south.

The black Audi wove through Greenwich and past Madison Square, eventually stopping on Museum Mile.

Fifth Avenue isn’t just a major road; it encompasses a large district here.

When Dean opened the car door, the first thing that caught his eye was the majestic Greek architecture in front of him.

"The Metropolitan Museum of Art?" Recognizing the building’s reputation, Dean identified it instantly.

It is America’s largest museum, second only to Paris’s Louvre in annual visitor numbers.

"Hey, Dean, our destination is right here."

While Dean stared at the imposing Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gregory’s voice came from behind him.

Dean turned around, and the father and son were preparing to cross the street.

They were heading in the opposite direction of the Met, to an academic revival building across the street.

Well, Dean, having jumped to conclusions, could only awkwardly follow them across the road.

"The American Irish Historical Society?" Dean found its name on a bronze plaque at the entrance.

"Yes, at least that’s how it appears from the outside." Anthony Kennedy took a badge from his pocket and pinned it to his chest.

On it was a knight’s crown above and a shield below, behind which were crossed swords.

Dean looked over at Gregory, who was doing the same thing.

"Welcome to the Knights of Equity." Anthony Kennedy strode confidently into the academic revival building.