Synopses & Reviews
Named "The #1 Entrepreneur in America" by Success Magazine, March 1995 "The Making of a Blockbuster is an engrossing depiction of an out of nowhere, self-made American industrialist, Wayne Huizenga. It captures with intensity the true grit and dynamic, unwavering character of a blockbuster personality and his rise to this countrys preeminent entrepreneur." Sumner Redstone Chairman of the Board, Viacom Inc. "This is more than a book. Its a fantasy about a man with great vision. A must read for anyone with dreams for their future." Aaron Spelling Spelling Television Inc. "Wayne Huizenga has been a major league player in every project and enterprise to which he has applied his considerable talents and wisdom. The corporate boardroom, the VCR in every familys living room, and the fields of athletic endeavor, all have become a part of Waynes World. The name Huizenga is synonymous with heavy-hitter, winner, and most valuable player in everything he does. The Making of a Blockbuster is a modern Horatio Alger story that is sure to inspire and make everyone a fan of Waynes hard-work ethic." Lawton Chiles Governor of Florida "I have known and respected Gail DeGeorges work as a business journalist for some time. Her considerable reporting skills provide an insightful look at the management style of one of Americas most energetic entrepreneurs. In this age of mega-mergers, The Making of a Blockbuster takes the reader on a fascinating journey profiling a consummate deal-makerfrom hauling trash to renting videos." Linda OBryon Senior Vice President & Executive Editor, Nightly Business Report "I have always admired anyone who makes it on their own and Wayne has done that in a big time way while never forgetting where it all began. The whole story is between the covers of this fascinating book, The Making of a Blockbuster." Frank Gifford ABC Sports
Synopsis
Thirty-five years ago, Wayne Huizenga rose before sunup each morning to run his garbage collection route. Today, the sun hasn't yet set on his multibillion-dollar sports, entertainment, and waste management empire. Now, in The Making of a Blockbuster, Business Week reporter Gail DeGeorge gives us the complete inside story of how a rowdy young college dropout-turned-garbage collector rose to become a corporate titan. Writing in a taut, journalistic style, DeGeorge traces the evolution of Huizenga's business empire, beginning in 1962 when, with $5,000 borrowed from his father-in-law, Huizenga purchased a second-hand garbage truck and a handful of commercial accounts. From this modest start, he built Waste Management, the world's largest waste collection company. He then managed a string of far-flung and highly profitable business ventures - from portable toilets to pest control - and then grew Blockbuster from l9 video stores to a 3,700-store entertainment conglomerate with annual revenues of more than $4 billion. We learn for the first time the full details behind how he built Blockbuster, in just seven years, through a combination of grit, seat-of-the-pants dealmaking, and sheer entrepreneurial genius. When he sold Blockbuster as part of the sensational 1994 Viacom/Paramount merger, Huizenga emerged as a powerbroker in the entertainment industry. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at Wayne Huizenga's successful launch into the sports industry, including his unparalleled ownership of three major professional sports franchises - the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Marlins, and the Florida Panthers - as well as Miami's Joe Robbie Stadium. Huizenga has recently purchased a small solid wastecompany - leading us to wonder if he's now building his third multibillion-dollar corporation.
Synopsis
"The Making of a Blockbuster is an engrossing depiction of an out of nowhere, self-made American industrialist, Wayne Huizenga. It captures with intensity the true grit and dynamic, unwavering character of a blockbuster personality and his rise to this country's preeminent entrepreneur." -- Sumner Redstone Chairman of the Board, Viacom Inc.
"This is more than a book. It's a fantasy about a man with great vision. A must read for anyone with dreams for their future." -- Aaron Spelling Spelling Television Inc.
"I have always admired anyone who makes it on their own and Wayne has done that in a big time way while never forgetting where it all began. The whole story is between the covers of this fascinating book, The Making of a Blockbuster." -- Frank Gifford ABC Sports
Despite all the media buzz surrounding Blockbuster video, little has been written about Wayne Huizenga, the charismatic man behind it all--until now. Here is the complete inside story of how this college dropout-turned-garbage collector rose to become a corporate titan. This eye-opening book reveals everything from Huizenga's incredible transformation of 19 Blockbuster stores into a $4 billion entertainment conglomerate to his successful entry into the sports arena as owner of the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins, and the Florida Panthers. Huizenga's winning combination of business strategies, management style, and vision is explained in this book--a fascinating testament to the power of true grit, seat-of-the-pants dealmaking, and sheer entrepreneurial genius. The Making of a Blockbuster is an enthralling read for all who follow the entertainment and sports industries, and business readers who want to find out just how it's done.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 331-342) and index.
About the Author
About the Author GAIL DeGEORGE has been the Miami bureau manager for Business Week for five years. She joined Business Week as a correspondent in the Miami office in 1987, after working as a business reporter for The Miami Herald and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. She teaches business and economics journalism in the graduate school of the University of Miami. She has covered a broad range of business topics and has written about H. Wayne Huizenga and Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. since 1990.
Table of Contents
"One Man's Trash": Building a Garbage Kingdom.
Garbage into Gold: The Early Waste Management Years.
Waste Management: Regulatory Woes and Industry Triumphs.
Wayne's Companies After Waste Management: Toilets, Lawns, Bugs, and Water.
Video Venture: Taking Charge of Blockbuster.
Fast Forward: Building the Blockbuster Management Team.
Deal du Jour: Blockbuster Swallows Up the Competition.
Don't Hit Pause: Blockbuster in Turbulence.
Sports Inc.: Stadium Seats and a Baseball Team.
Sports Tycoon: Hockey, Football, and a Game Plan.
Viacom: The Deal from Hell.
After Blockbuster: What's Next.
Author's Notes.
Personal Interviews.
Sources.
Index.