Chapter 1548
Bald Head
The show "The Voice of China" is incredibly popular.
The news that the copyright holder was soliciting sponsorships caused a stir in the industry.
The average viewership rating exceeded 4%, and the market share exceeded 20%.
Who wouldn't be envious of such a project?
If we can secure this deal, the profits will be in the hundreds of millions.
In comparison, it's like if Zhang Yuan himself said he wanted to switch jobs and sign with a company, his doorstep would be worn down the very next day.
Similarly, what a talent agency fears most is finding out if an artist plans to switch agencies.
Online.
Just like Xibei's public relations department felt like the sky had fallen when they saw their boss personally cursing.
The agency owner must be going crazy to see his artist publicly announce their intention to switch agencies online, and be the last to know.
At this point, Zhejiang TV was in a similar situation.
The director of the production center, who was also the station's vice president, was stunned when he saw the news on Weibo.
What do you mean by saying that our most popular show right now is going to "move"?
After everyone had left work, I called the head of the variety show department, which the station had established separately in recent years, to inquire about the situation.
"What are you guys doing?!"
"Haven't they already signed the contract?"
"Why are people online saying that the show won't be broadcast on our channel anymore?"
The three fatal questions left even the head of the variety show department dumbfounded.
My brain is about to shut down.
No...who said that?
Who spread this message?
Zhang Yuan: It is indeed I, your humble servant.
I can still tolerate this habit of yours.
"I need to see an explanation first thing tomorrow morning."
The top leader hung up the phone after saying that.
The head of the variety show department couldn't even eat.
I realized it after a little thought.
"No way……"
After thinking it over, he realized that among the people he had recently clashed with, and who were also involved with the show, there was only one person.
impossible.
How could anyone dare to go against a TV station, let alone a provincial one?
Are they throwing away their money, or their lives?
The guy who was all high and mighty when we contacted him that day was this guy.
Now that there's a problem, should we call Zhang Yuan again?
That would be so embarrassing. Why should I call him?
Moreover, according to the usual procedure, you shouldn't be begging for mercy and rushing to please me and do as I say as soon as I make a move.
This is a typical example of how collaborating with small artists and companies can create a habitual way of thinking.
In short: He got beaten up less.
Some people are very arrogant and think it's because they are very capable.
What he actually excels at is the platform itself, and his understanding of the platform's operating rules.
Without the platform, you are nothing!
Especially for management personnel, frontline practitioners are actually more capable and adaptable.
So this person had his subordinates call Zhang Yuan and clearly warn him to immediately issue a public apology, otherwise he wouldn't get a single penny of the agreed-upon revenue share from the program's advertising!
This person never expected the other party's actions to be so fierce and so fast.
Zhang Yuan received a phone call...
Okay, okay, goodbye.
They hung up on me.
If I were afraid, I wouldn't have done it.
He didn't care at all.
For him, this was nothing out of the ordinary.
In other words, the emperor was far away and the mountains were high, and Lantai was located in the Jiangnan area.
If this were in the capital, no one would bother with him like this.
I've made a scene from Beijing TV all the way to CCTV and never suffered a loss. Do you think I can be intimidated by your few words?
Come on.
At worst, we'll both perish.
Whether they forced me to hand over the artist's contract or threatened not to give me a share of the profits, legally speaking, the other party is at fault.
Of course, in the face of absolute power, law, like history, is just a little girl who can be dressed up however one pleases.
But the purpose is not to file a lawsuit.
The next morning, this person from the variety show department of Zhejiang TV placed the investigation documents on the leader's desk and personally responded.
Not only in law and history, but often, the truth is also like a little girl who can be dressed up however one pleases.
“The copyright partner of ‘The Voice of China’ is Vision Entertainment.”
"Their boss wanted to use the show's connections to manipulate the program's progress."
"Promote the female artists they have signed, and suppress other artists who are not signed."
“We disagreed, and the other party publicly stated in the industry that they would change partners.”
"This is outrageous!" The head of the production center slammed his fist on the table.
The leader was very angry and cursed a few times in the Yuhang dialect.
"You should formally negotiate with the other party. If they still don't repent, then just wait for further action."
The head of the variety show department secretly rejoiced and left the leadership office.
In the capital city, Zhang Yuan is doing strength training at home.
Jiang Yilang held up his camera to take a picture of him.
"Hey...uh."
He answered the phone while lifting weights.
Is it convenient for you here?
Huang Xiaomao called him. Judging from the voice on the other end, he sounded panting. What was he doing?
"It's convenient, I'm at the gym, go ahead and tell me."
If you say it's fitness, then it's fitness.
Huang Xiaomao told him what the Blue TV station meant, and the other party used very strong language and sent an official letter.
“If this continues, we’ll have to take a detour when we pass through Zhejiang, especially Yuhang.”
"Otherwise, you're likely to get ambushed and beaten by local bullies."
"It's alright, I have bodyguards," Zhang Yuan replied quite casually.
Huang Xiaomao: ...
You have bodyguards, but I don't?
Oh!
So, your own security company is run by people who've done too many unethical things, huh?
"There's something else. The three female artists we signed before aren't doing too well right now."
"The production team will definitely stop their performance."
"Then someone got upset."
"Who is it?" Zhang Yuan threw down the dumbbell, which made a dull thud on the ground.
“The dark-skinned girl’s boyfriend and manager called me and said that they hadn’t made proper arrangements for them.”
"They said signing a contract would guarantee advancement to the finals, but now I've been blocked halfway through."
"They're saying we've breached the contract."
"Okay, I understand," Zhang Yuan said, indicating that he understood.
“You should just tell them directly that you can terminate the contract, and they won’t have to pay a single penny.”
"If you're going to leave, then leave now."
When faced with external pressure, there will inevitably be some restlessness within the organization.
Especially since these female singers had only known him for a short time, there wasn't much of a relationship between them.
Unlike some old acquaintances, whose friendship has lasted for years or even decades, they are more trusting of him because they can at least hold on for a while when something really happens.
"You don't need to worry about the rest. I will personally go and talk to them over there."
His calm demeanor eased Huang Xiaomao's anxiety somewhat.
Anyway, you're the big boss, I'm just fulfilling my obligation to inform you.
"Brother." Jiang Yilang came forward as soon as he put down his phone.
"Your muscles are really well-defined, they look good." "Right? You have a good eye for aesthetics." Zhang Yuan struck a pose.
"How about I take a picture to document this for you?" The French girl held up her expensive camera.
"Didn't you already take the picture?"
"Take your clothes off, and I'll take a good picture."
Zhang Yuan: ...
"This is called body art. I plan to use black and white mode; I guarantee a good result." The other person seemed very serious.
"I'll ask you to take photos for me sometime when I plan to do part-time work in Japan."
"Let's forget about it now."
"I didn't expect you to be so conservative." The other person was still unhappy.
"Then why don't you take the picture for me?" Miss Jiang dusted off her hair.
“If you really want to preserve the memory of your young body, then ask Xiaotong for help. I can’t help you.”
Many young women have this idea, especially those who are into next-generation fashion.
I feel young and beautiful, and I need to document it.
"No, Xiaotong is a girl. Only the opposite sex can discover the most beautiful aspects of the human body."
"Women are seen differently by men than by women."
Although Zhang Yuan continued to refuse, he had to admit that the girl was right and had great artistic talent.
Many female celebrities, not just in China, marry photographers and makeup artists because they have more contact with them and can bring out their beauty to the fullest extent.
Among the hobbies of otaku, photography is one of the few skills that can help them pick up girls.
Take a shower and change your clothes.
Eat and drink as you please, without a care in the world.
If it were someone else, having a conflict with a major local government agency, they would have been worrying themselves sick by now.
He acted as if nothing had happened.
When you relax, good things will come your way.
An "old friend" contacted him.
Wang Wei, CEO of Tudou!
"Mr. Wang, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
He was saying nice things, but the other person thought he was being sarcastic.
Wang Wei is this kind of arrogant person who is easily angered and prone to misunderstanding others.
However, he didn't get angry as usual; instead, he spoke with a somewhat dejected tone.
"good."
The potatoes aren't doing well.
With the entry of giants Tencent and Baidu this year, the landscape of internet video websites has changed dramatically.
The problem with potatoes now isn't how to increase production; it's the same old story of shouting "be number one!"
Instead, it was confusion.
I've lost my way.
A step behind leads to another step behind. After Youku went public first, the financing market no longer had a positive outlook on Tudou.
With slow business growth and many projects stalled, his role as CEO has been met with considerable skepticism.
Wang Wei was tired.
The decline of potatoes is a foregone conclusion, which has attracted many "scavengers".
Many companies want to acquire them.
They range from television stations and film and television companies to private equity firms and investment banks.
But Wang Wei looked down on these people, not because he didn't have enough money, but because he felt they were just there to pick up the pieces of a corpse and wouldn't treat his hard work properly.
So he remembered what Zhang Yuan had said when he last came to see him.
After much thought, Youku is still the most suitable.
Former adversaries can become today's friends; there is no such thing as a lifelong, fixed enemy-friend relationship.
Because they were once enemies, they understand that only the other side is most likely to keep the potato alive.
“Okay, find some time for you to come to the capital. I’ve made an appointment with Boss Gu.”
"Don't call a bunch of people. Let's just the three of us talk about our intentions first. If everyone is satisfied, we can continue the discussion."
Zhang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief; he had finally received the call.
Because at this point, it's not just potatoes that need the other party; Youku is also in a dilemma.
The initial frenzy surrounding the IPO has faded, and now it's clear that what we need to do isn't to dominate, but simply to survive.
Potatoes are not the only company squeezed by giants.
Starting at the end of last year, a large number of video websites began to die out.
The development of Chinese video websites has evolved from a stage of dominating the market to the second stage, which is the elimination stage.
Youku can only remain competitive by swallowing potatoes.
For Zhang Yuan, this translates to higher market capitalization and stock price.
What are your plans after this?
"It's cruel, but you should know that once you get to this point, you'll have to leave Potatoes one day."
"I haven't thought about it in detail yet," Wang Wei said, sounding quite frustrated.
"The past is the past, let's look forward."
"If you have any good ideas, you can discuss them with me, I really mean it," Zhang Yuan said quite sincerely.
Whether the other party believes it or not is their business.
"Speaking of which, there's something else I need your help with."
"There are a few people I need you to introduce me to."
……
The next day, he took a car to an office building on Pingfang Road in Chaoyang District.
After finding the address, a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses quickly came to greet me.
"Nice to meet you."
"Hello, I used to always go to Tudou, but I never saw you there. I finally see you today." Zhang Yuan shook hands with the other person.
This man's name is Fan Jun, and he was the former deputy general manager of the advertising and sales department at Tudou.com.
After Tudou.com went public, this person received stock options and then left the company.
Because he was a long-time follower of Tudou, this person didn't see Zhang Yuan as an ordinary artist at first glance.
It is precisely because I have experienced it that I understand how terrifying this person in front of me is.
He gave up his shares when potatoes were at their peak and switched to Youku.
This kind of operation is incomprehensible to most people, yet those people made a fortune.
Therefore, Fan Jun understood two things.
First, Zhang Yuan has a unique perspective and can see problems that others cannot.
Second, he is rich.
Mr. Fan left the company with his subordinate Bai Zhongchun from the potato company.
Then I brought in some friends who were in charge of content to collaborate with.
Based on my previous experience at Tudou, I want to start a new media company that specializes in internet content.
The two men quickly sat down opposite him, and then a bald man with glasses entered the small conference room.
"It's a new company, and space is limited. Please forgive us," Mr. Fan said apologetically.
"That's good. Avoiding extravagance and waste is the proper attitude for a startup."
Zhang Yuan replied politely.
At the same time, their gazes were drawn to the last bald man to arrive.
His head was so bald it was dazzling.
But there's an old Chinese saying: "A clever head doesn't grow hair."
The person in front of me perfectly embodies this statement.
“You’re hard to recognize without a mask,” he joked to the bald man.
The bald man gave an awkward laugh and lowered his head.
Although the other party is a director, he is a new director.
Zhang Yuan, being a big star, clearly outclassed his opponent.
And when I talked to him about my past, I was a little... shy.
Because this bald guy is named Yi Zhenxing.
Nobody knows his real name, but he has a much more famous online name.
Professor! (End of Chapter)