[Manka Bros. StudiosĀ Chairman & CEOĀ Khan Manka, Jr.Ā gave a keynote address today at theĀ Davos World Economic Forum.Ā He wanted me to post a transcript of his speech which I made watching a video feed.Ā It is posted, unedited, below. —Ā Vicky Adler-Modry – Senior Executive Assistant to Khan Manka, Jr.]
KHAN MANKA, JR. ADDRESSES THE DAVOS, SWITZERLAND WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ā JANUARY 25, 2012
(Klaus SchwabĀ – Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum –Ā is at a podium. Ā Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer” is playing. Ā The music fades.)
Klaus SchwabĀ (heavily accented English): Ā Good morning. Ā I hope you all have had enough snow. Ā We may be able to control the finances of the world but I guess we cannot control the weather… yet.
(He laughs – he’s the only one.)
Klaus Schwab:Ā So, did you have a good night? Ā Lots of drinking last night and I’m not sure what was in that cheese fondue but – oh, my – let’s just say it was a tough night. Ā So enough about me and my toilet issues. Ā Let’s get it started – like my friend Khan from Hollywood likes to say. Ā Our keynote address this morning is from Khan Manka, Jr. – Chairman & CEO of Manka Bros. Studios – currently the world’s largest media company—
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā — Maybe not after the shitty numbers we had last year!
(Big laugh from the assembled.)
Klaus Schwab: Ā Okay. Ā Whatever. Ā He really needs no introduction – so I won’t give him one – here is Khan Manka, Jr.
(“Rock You Like A Hurricane” plays as Khan Manka, Jr. gives Klaus Schwab a hug and steps up to the podium. Ā Applause.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Thank you. Ā Thanks so much. Ā Please, thanks, I only have a few minutes. Ā Please, I want to get out of Switzerland more than Roman Polanski – believe me…
(Applause stops. Ā There are a couple of ‘boos’ after that remark.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Thank you Klaus. Ā I had a few jokes prepared at your expense but your goons told me to lay off – so I’ll just get to my prepared remarks. Ā But before I do that can I just say to theĀ Motion Picture Academy – go fuck yourselves. Ā How about a little taste of that, huh? Ā No nominations? Ā Maybe next year you should watch the movies you nominate. Ā OK, Klaus, I get it – on to my prepared remarks.
(Klaus Schwab smiles painfully and leaves the stage.)
Khan Manka, Jr.:Ā I was originally going to call my speech “Don’t Drop The SOPA” – but then I realized there were about 10,000 blogs that have used that as well as a very unfunny political pundit on Fox News. Ā So I’ll just have to punt on that dumb joke. Ā Though the analogy is apt. Ā When you drop the soap in prison – well, you know what happens. Ā If Hollywood studios were to drop the SOPA – well, the same thing would happen.
(A slight titter in the audience.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā So… this is my second trip in a year to give a speech in Switzerland. Ā As many of you know, I spoke to the creepy Bilderberg Conference last summer. Ā I won’t go into details – but it was the worst Ā 24 hours of my life. Ā I mean, the hooded waiters were one thing – but the Lionel Richie concert – that was just too much!
(Big laugh from the room.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Man, when the Davos bankers think the Bilderbergers are creepy – you know they must be REALLY REALLY CREEPY. Ā Cause you guys are a fucked up bunch. Ā Do you really think you can do anything to help anybody in the world? Ā You freaks are delusional. Ā Panels and Powerpoint slides aren’t going to cut it. Ā Admit it, you’re here for the hot toddys and snow bunnies– that’s right, I’m looking at you Angela Merkel!
(A few gasps and a couple of walk outs.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Wait wait… that’s not the tone I want to strike. Ā I’m actually here to ask for your help. Ā The last time I spoke at this conference was two years ago and I slammed you all pretty good. Ā I definitely remember calling that guy ‘fat’ – (pointing to a guy in the audience) – but I’m not going to do that this year – even though, dude, the health club here at the hotel is free, man – take advantage.
(There is an unseen ‘Fuck you’ from the audience. Ā Klaus Schwab comes on the stage.)
Klaus Schwab: Ā Just read from your script. Ā Please.
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Got it, Klaus. Ā You guys are definitely not going to do anything good for the world if you can’t take a joke. Ā OK – my speech. Ā (reading) In Hollywood, we are facing the battle of our lives. Ā This is a battle for our very existence. Ā As many of you know, entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley are a bunch of conceited pricks who think they can do whatever they want. Ā Whether it’s using Hollywood content without permission or stealing other people’s ideas, putting a new logo on it and calling it ‘revolutionary’ (is Paul Graham here today?) – we’ve got a big problem on our hands.
(The crowd is getting uneasy.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā And there really is only one solution. Ā One of us must win. Ā And one of us must lose. Ā I, for one, do not lose. Ā So the loser is Silicon Valley. Ā But we’re going to need a lot of support from the bankers and billionaires of the world to basically shut down the area between, oh, let’s say – San Francisco and Santa Barabara. Ā Just shut it down. Ā Make all the wine you want – but no more stupid social networks. Ā No more loans. Ā No more IPOs. Ā Just shut the fucker down. Ā The world can get their computers and dorky FarmVille games from somewhere else. Ā I’m sure there are companies in Switzerland capable of making digital sheep. Ā I mean, you make a lot of real sheep, am I right?
(A nervous Klaus Schwab has come back onto the stage is standing close to Khan Manka, Jr.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Klaus, please, back off. Ā Do you want me to tell the crowd that it wasn’t the cheese that put you on that toilet all night?
(Klaus Schwab backs away a bit but stays on the stage.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Now I can tell there are a few people here from Silicon Valley. Ā I can tell because you are wearing hoodies instead of business casual like you were told. Ā Yet another rule you seem to have disregard for. Ā Why would you care less about what your hosts want or think? Ā It’s called human decency, assholes. Ā You could care less about anything because you think you run the world.
(There is a commotion in the crowd. Ā A couple of members of the Swiss Army swoop in and take away a screaming man in a hoodie. Ā Several gadgets fall out of his pockets.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Well, listen up, Silicon Valley – and, yes, you, too, Paul Graham who wishes to “Kill Hollywood” – it’s game on and today is Day 1.
If you think you can make premium content and distribute it in a way that makes money without us involved – go for it. Ā Good luck. Ā Just because you geeks think you talk like the characters on “Big Bang Theory” doesn’t mean you can write the dialogue. Ā There are professionals. Ā And there are amateurs. Ā In the world of content, who do you think is the professional? Ā That’s right. Ā Game – set – match.
(There is chaos in the room as a couple of guys in hoodies approach the stage.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Oh, really, hoodie boy, you wanna go?!
Klaus Schwab rushes to the podium and puts a hand on Khan Manka, Jr.’s shoulder. Ā The Swiss Army guys remove the men in hoodies.)
Khan Manka, Jr.: Ā Um… “Welcome To The Terrordome” was suppose to play here. Ā You assholes aren’t going to play my music cues now? Ā I’m fucking surrounded by amateurs. Ā I am done with Switzerland. Ā Victor (Pinchuk), I’m de-icing the plane – whenever you’re ready I am out of here.
(Khan Manka, Jr. walks off the stage. )
Khan Manka, Jr. – Chairman & CEO – Manka Bros. Studios – The World’s Largest Media Company