Chris Fenton: Author "Feeding the Dragon" | SALT Talks #30

TL;DR

Chris Fenton, former president of DMG Entertainment Motion Picture Group, discusses his new book on the challenges facing Hollywood, the NBA, and American businesses in dealing with China.

Transcript

hello everyone welcome back to salt talks my name is john darcy i'm the managing director of salt which is a global thought leadership forum at the intersection of finance technology politics and increasingly we've had some interesting guests in the field of entertainment and the guests that we have today sort of crosses a lot of those different li... Read More

Key Insights

• ♿ The US-China relationship in the entertainment industry is complex, with challenges related to censorship, market access, and cultural differences.
• 👨‍💼 A reset in the US-China relationship requires a unified approach, with clear rules of engagement for businesses and countries.
• ™️ Repatriating manufacturing and rebalancing trade are crucial steps in rebuilding the relationship.
• 😑 Cross-border censorship in China poses challenges to freedom of expression globally and needs to be addressed.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are Fenton's suggestions for a reset in the US-China relationship?

Fenton suggests repatriating manufacturing, rebalancing trade, addressing accounting practices, and increasing transparency and fairness in business dealings with China.

Q: How does Fenton propose to address the issue of cross-border censorship in China?

Fenton believes that cross-border censorship, where content is censored not only within China but also globally, should be challenged and changed. He emphasizes the need for unified action and rules of engagement among Western countries and businesses.

Q: How does Fenton reconcile supporting China's markets while being critical of their human rights abuses?

Fenton argues that without a unified front and rules of engagement, speaking out against human rights abuses in China can often lead to personal sacrifices, such as loss of endorsement deals or market access. He advocates for a collective approach to address these issues.

Q: What steps does Fenton recommend for rebuilding the US-China relationship?

Fenton suggests repatriating manufacturing, rebalancing trade, and addressing intellectual property theft and forced joint ventures. He also emphasizes the importance of rebuilding the middle class and creating job opportunities in the United States.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chris Fenton shares his 17-year experience as the president of DMG Entertainment, navigating the complexities of the US-China relationship in Hollywood and beyond.

• He highlights the importance of cultural and commercial exchanges between the two countries and the need for a reset in the relationship.

• Fenton emphasizes the need for practical changes, such as revisiting the WTO designation of China as a developing nation and addressing the censorship of content in China that extends to the rest of the world.