Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corporation, has become a powerful force in the media world. In so doing, he uses his legendary wealth and financial might to promote an entirely different story to the industry. At 81 years old, Ellison’s wealth has soared to about $370 billion, doubling in the last year. He maintains a controlling 40% stake in Oracle, which he’s still steering to great success all these years later.
In recent years, Ellison has really, really made himself the world’s most tech-focused billionaire. Yet in recent years he has become a close ally of former President Donald Trump. Trump has praised Ellison as “an amazing man and amazing business person,” highlighting the strong ties between the two. This multi-year relationship has enriched Ellison immensely. He has deftly adapted to the changing media environment, much with the help and influence of his son, David Ellison.
David Ellison, 42, is rattling cages in Hollywood as an energetic, daring producer. He started Skydance Media, which he is currently chief executive of, in 2010. During his time leading the company, Skydance has released several blockbuster movies including “True Grit,” “Mission Impossible” and “World War Z.” As his father continues to expand into media investments, David is positioning himself to become a major player in the industry.
The Ellison dynasty’s clout within the entertainment industry can be seen in their latest pursuits against media conglomerates like Paramount and CBS. David Ellison’s takeover of Paramount was notably backed by Larry Ellison, signaling a strategic move towards consolidating power within the media sector. David emphasizes that their ventures are focused on entertainment rather than politics, stating, “We’re not going to politicise anything today.”
David Ellison wouldn’t dream of not giving it his all. In the meantime, Larry Ellison is busy deepening his interests in yachting, tennis and anti-aging research. He has gone so far as to say he wants to buy an island in Hawaii. His dedication to creating media narratives with his son is, as he says, “Number One.”
Given the Ellison family’s longstanding and close relationship with the Trump administration, this news has alarmed some industry and government watchdog observers. Rodney Benson commented, “These actions are in line with what the White House has made clear that they want so I think this is really concerning.” As they continue to find their way in this new, sometimes confusing landscape, the Ellisons seem committed to staying true to independence and objectivity in their investments.
Gerry Cardinale, an advisor involved in their media ventures, stated, “The kernel of the entire investment thesis is independence and objectivity. If you can’t get your head around that, don’t buy it.” He further emphasized that there will be no attempts to influence content or decision-making processes within their media properties, insisting, “There’s no way we’re going to try to influence it.”
As the state of US media keeps shifting, the Ellison dynasty could yet prove to be an essential catalyst for change. With Larry’s vast resources and David’s creative vision, they are positioned to challenge existing media powerhouses and reshape public discourse.