Influence Empire: Inside the Story of Tencent and China's Tech Ambition
320Influence Empire: Inside the Story of Tencent and China's Tech Ambition
320Hardcover
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Overview
*A TIMES BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEARS 2022*
*A NEW YORK TIMES BEST BUSINESS BOOK 2022*
*A FORBES ESPANA TOP TEN BOOK 2022*
*A PROJECT SYNDICATE 2022 BEST READ*
'A fascinating study of the tech giant and its symbiotic relationship with the Chinese government' - Guardian
'Vital . . . More than a corporate hagiography, Ms. Chen's book offers insight into the company via executive interviews and exclusive details.' New York Times
'Influence Empire by Lulu Yilun Chen is so much more than the long-awaited story of Tencent and its vital everything app, WeChat, the messaging tool used by 1.3 billion people. It's also the sobering account of an entire generation of high-flying Chinese tech entrepreneurs, whose wings were clipped by the omnipotent hand of their own government.' Brad Stone, author of Amazon Unbound and The Everything Store
ORDER NOW: the first definitive look at Tencent, one of the world's largest tech companies.
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In 2017, a company known as Tencent overtook Facebook to become the world's fifth largest company. It was a watershed moment, a wake-up call for those in the West accustomed to regarding the global tech industry through the prism of Silicon Valley: Facebook, Google, Apple and Microsoft.
Yet to many of the two billion-plus people who live just across the Pacific Ocean, it came as no surprise at all.
Founded by the enigmatic billionaire Pony Ma, the firm that began life as a simple text-message operator invested in and created some of China's most iconic games en route to dreaming up WeChat - the Swiss Army knife super-app that combines messaging, shopping and entertainment. Through billions of dollars of global investments in marquee names from Fortnite to Tesla and a horde of start-ups, Ma's company went on to build a near-unparalleled empire of influence.
In this fascinating narrative - crammed with insider interviews and exclusive details - Lulu Chen tells the story of how Tencent created the golden era of Chinese technology, and delves into key battles involving Didi, Meituan and Alibaba. It's a chronicle of critical junctures and asks just what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in China.
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'There's so much fascinating detail here.' The Times
'Lulu Yilun Chen has written a sharply informed, smart and compelling account of the rise of some of the most powerful companies in China, which also stand among the biggest and richest tech giants in the world. Despite their enormous size and power, few outside of China know of or understand these companies. Now, thanks to Influence Empire: Inside the Story of Tencent and China's Tech Ambition, that will finally change.' Howard French, former NY Times Shanghai bureau chief and author of Everything Under the Heavens: How the Past Helps Shape China's Push for Global Power
'A book that tells Tencent's story has been long overdue, and Lulu Chen's account is not only comprehensive, but also a gripping business narrative. The globally influential company finally has the account it deserves.' David Barboza, The Wire
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9781529346855 |
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Publisher: | Hodder |
Publication date: | 11/22/2022 |
Pages: | 320 |
Product dimensions: | 6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d) |
About the Author
In 2022, her book, Influence Empire, was shortlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award.
Table of Contents
Introduction xi
Part I Origins
Chapter 1 Book of Pony 3
Land of Compromise 4
Pi Digits 7
Cambrian Explosion 11
Disco Bail 12
Crashing Servers 15
Chapter 2 March of the Penguins 17
Breaking Even 19
QQ News 22
Going Public 24
Telecom Setback 28
Chapter 3 David to Goliath: A Soul-searching Journey 31
Microsoft Battle 31
Turning into Goliath 37
3Q Battle 39
Landmark Deal 42
Part II Tencent Unbound
Chapter 4 Shifting Winds 47
Chapter 5 Alibaba the Arch-nemesis 53
'Internet Dream' 57
Alipay Disruption 59
Quick Pay 61
Mobile Era 62
Era of Mobile Payments 63
Chapter 6 The Biggest Coup: Meituan 65
Circuits and Copper Sulphate 69
Galactic Managing Directors 73
Iron Army 74
Ultimate Connector 79
War on Flip-flops 81
Epic Coup 83
Battling Alibaba 88
Chapter 7 WeChat, China's Virtual Town Square 91
Origins 95
Shark Womb 96
Losing a $100-billion Business 98
Censorship and Self-censorship 103
The App for Everything; Mini Programs 106
Wall and Egg 109
Revenue Pressure 112
Chapter 8 The Ride-hailing Battle 115
Foot Massage Parlours 116
Honk Honk Taxi 118
Snowstorm Blessing 121
Penurious Origins 121
Seven Days, Seven Nights 123
Red Packets 124
Tibet Trip 126
Entrepreneurial Gladiators 127
Uber Invasion 129
Chapter 9 A Gaming Crusade 133
CrossFire, Dungeon Fighter 138
League of Legends 139
Fortnite Battle Royale 144
Underdog vs Apple 152
Chapter 10 Era of Mobile Games 157
Gaming Fanatic 158
Seven Sins 161
Virtual Mercenaries 163
Riot Rift 165
Clash of Clans 167
E-sports Clubs 169
Professional Clubs 172
Entertainment Empire 173
Music Streaming 174
Chapter 11 State vs Goliath 179
US Inspection 182
Crushing Fintech 188
Silencing Billionaires 191
Unprecedented Punishment 193
Disseminating an Industry 195
Tencent Troubles 197
Attack on Capital 201
Chapter 12 The Metaverse and Beyond 205
Beyond Smartphones 208
Acknowledgements 215
Notes 217
Index 227