In 1918, Hearst formed Cosmopolitan Pictures and asked Davies to sign a $500-per-week exclusive contract with his studio. After signing the exclusivity contract, the 21-year-old Davies and 58-year-old Hearst began a sexual relationship. Using his vast newspaper empire and Hearst Metrotone Newsreels, Hearst decided to promote Davies on an enormous scale. His newsreels touted Davies' social activities, and a reporter from the "Los Angeles Examiner" was assigned the full-time job of recounting her daily exploits in print. In total, Hearst expended an estimated $7 million promoting Davies' career.