Chapter 1594
Breaking Records
The dinner party started soon after.
Let those girls from The Voice of China perform first to liven up the atmosphere.
This is the hottest variety show of the year, bar none.
Not to mention ordinary employees, even many celebrities are loyal fans of this show.
"Thank you for Mochou's performance." Dapeng took the microphone and acted as the host.
This was his profession.
"According to our General Manager Zhang, the artists from 'The Voice of China' this year will hold a year-long concert tour under the company's organization."
"It will reach more than 15 cities and hold 30 large-scale performances."
This is a collaboration he made with Zhejiang TV, in which Zhejiang TV will take 70% of the net profit as a return for 10 of the shows.
The remaining 20 shows can be toured under the banner of "The Voice of China," with the other party taking a 20% cut.
Na Ying, Yang Kun, Harlem Yu, Wang Feng, Coco Lee, and other regular or specially invited guest mentors on the show will also participate in the concert.
In short, everyone teamed up to make money.
The difference between the upper and lower limits of a concert is enormous.
The most popular artists, such as Jay Chou and Wang Leehom, can fill up an 80,000-seat stadium in Shanghai.
On average, ticket sales for a single game can reach tens of millions to a hundred million yuan.
Jay Chou can earn hundreds of millions by holding 10 concerts a year.
Some less successful singers, like those who are past their prime, might even lose money.
Moreover, the preparation for a concert is quite complicated, with costs associated with dance choreography, lighting design, and stage effects.
Holding only one show will definitely result in a loss; only a tour can make money. The more shows you hold, the lower the cost will be spread out.
So we need to take advantage of the popularity of The Voice of China and get started quickly.
We'll use this theme to put on a variety show concert.
We have already contacted ticketing agencies, venues, and scalpers in several major cities.
Big Yellow Ox is usually a local bully, often from a powerful local family; you can't afford not to deal with him.
They also contacted Meituan and started trying out group buying and using their newly launched Maoyan ticketing service.
The system isn't that stable yet, so consider this a test for our own people.
The risky but rewarding aspect is that Meituan will fully promote the concert on its website and help advertise it.
The performance company calculated that if ticket sales could reach a good rate of 80%, it could bring the company tens of millions in profit.
In addition, the ticket sales from the crosstalk troupe and Happy Twist are incredibly lucrative.
This will not only generate revenue, but will also bring a huge sum of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to the cross-strait film industry, which is currently the main business.
Going public requires making the accounts look good.
Zhang Yuan also came up on stage.
"All company employees can receive two free tickets to the front of the field; this is a company benefit."
"By the way, I'll also give Dapeng a shout-out." He pointed at the other person.
"He's about to have a new show, a collection of short films called 'Men's Diary'."
Upon hearing the word "loser," many people in the audience chuckled.
"Everyone should be able to tell at a glance who the loser is," he joked with Dapeng.
"Two more people are coming up."
The two main actors, Qiao Shan and Liu Yan, also came on stage.
Qiao Shan became famous because of the Heilongjiang TV program "Happy Meeting Room".
This program holds many memories for many people.
It was jokingly referred to as the "Northeast Renaissance".
Don't ask why Northeast China is always experiencing a cultural renaissance; just focus on the renaissance and that's it.
The show became popular because of Qiao Shan and a few others, but the main creators decided to leave because they couldn't stand the infighting.
Some people are narrow-minded and intolerant.
When the subordinates became angry, their first thought wasn't about further cooperation, but rather, "What if you rebel?"
Then they started to suppress them and brought in new people to keep them in check.
The end result was that people who wouldn't have rebelled in the first place were forced to rebel.
And then this kind of person will slap their thigh and say...
What did I say? They're a bunch of traitors!
I'm good at judging people.
Such people who confuse cause and effect are ubiquitous among middle-level leaders in all walks of life.
Anyway, Qiao Shan couldn't stay there any longer, so he started hanging out with his fellow villager Da Peng.
Liu Yan wore heavy eye makeup and a green low-cut dress.
Zhang Yuan tried his best to control his gaze, avoiding looking at the other person's overly prominent cleavage.
"I hope everyone will give us their support."
"If you have time, go and make a cameo appearance. It's good for us in the same company to help each other out," Zhang Yuan said, and naturally a group of artists echoed his sentiments.
"Also, thank you to my old friends Chen Kun and Zhou Xun for being here."
"Deng Chao and Sun Li, a married couple, have also graced us with their presence today."
"And thank you so much for your presence, Director Xu Zheng and Teacher Tao Hong."
"Special congratulations to director Xu Zheng on the great success of his new film 'Lost in Thailand'."
"Did everyone go see it?"
"I saw it!"
I watched it twice.
Mentioning "Lost in Thailand" elicits even more responses.
The bald man also stood up at the right time and bowed to everyone to express his gratitude.
"I think we can already congratulate Mr. Xu Zheng on his hard work and dedication, and he is destined to become the highest-grossing director of a single film in China."
"Everyone, give us a round of applause!"
We need to support this production; it's the company's flagship production right now.
"I'll end with a few brief words."
"I want to start with the number three."
"It was Xu Zheng, Bao Qiang, and Brother Bo who created this record-breaking film."
"But this only applies to this particular play."
"And for the company, there is also the number three."
"That is the second half of this year, starting with 'Painted Skin 2', all the way to 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' and then 'Lost in Thailand'."
"Together, we broke the Chinese box office record three times in one year!"
Zhang Yuan confused things a bit and included "Painted Skin 2," a film in which the company was involved in production but did not participate in profit sharing.
Now that we're preparing for an IPO, we need to boost our confidence both externally and internally!
Upon hearing this, many of the people sitting and waiting for their food blushed and clapped their hands excitedly.
Yan You Yourong.
The company is awesome, and they're excited.
It's not necessarily about bonuses or salaries; it's just about the prestige and bragging rights that make many people's hearts flutter.
Three records broken in one year!
Moreover, he broke his own record.
What level is this?
This means that China's most powerful film company has been born!
"This year's results prove one thing."
"The only ones who can surpass us are ourselves!" Zhang Yuan shouted, clenching his fist.
The applause from the audience was deafening.
Sitting at the head table, Old Han clapped and smiled as he looked at the hundreds of people behind him.
This kid is quite good at inspiring people.
The weather was cold, but the atmosphere was second only to Hiroshima in 45.
The applause was so loud it hurt people's ears.
Old Han also has face; he's about to retire, so the more achievements he leaves behind, the better.
Luo Jin and Tang Yan were also stunned by the atmosphere.
Am I supposed to join this terrorist group?
"Dinner's ready!" Zhang Yuan then waved his hand, telling everyone to eat and drink well.
"Baoqiang, how are you going to eat corn?"
"You're a movie star with over a billion in box office revenue now, so hurry up and get rid of your bad habit of eating staple foods. You can get full from eating lobster too."
"Brother Shanzheng, I heard that seaweed grows hair, so please give me more spicy seaweed strips."
"Brother Bo, drink more, until you get Ning Hao drunk."
He was greeting people everywhere.
"Do you know how much Xu Zheng's bonus was this time?" A few people nearby were chatting.
"Tens of millions!"
"That's strange, I only get paid for making a movie."
"Someone gets so much in prize money just from one movie."
"I heard that everyone in the company responsible for distributing 'Lost in Thailand' received a red envelope worth tens of thousands of yuan."
"Wow, that's so awesome!"
Rumors were everywhere. Of course, many of these rumors were spread by Zhang Yuan himself.
He asked the company to publicly announce how much bonus they would give to artists and directors, but people might not believe it and might think the higher-ups were just bragging.
Moreover, artists like Xu Zheng may not be happy about their income being exposed.
But rumors circulated privately that the celebrities couldn't stop it.
Most people are also more willing to believe office gossip.
Spreading this message is meant to let all insiders know that there's plenty of money to be made by working for the company.
Luo Jin listened intently, his heart pounding.
"I've come to the right place!"
That's what he thought, and he was in a great mood.
I had a meal and drinks with my old classmate Zhu Yawen.
We chatted quite a bit, catching up on old times.
After a few rounds of drinks, Zhu Yawen, whose alcohol tolerance was only so-so, started to have a swollen tongue and began to speak incoherently after drinking too much.
"Jin!"
"I'm telling you, you've come at the wrong time."
"If you had come sooner, even a year earlier would have been better."
“Look at me!” Yawen patted his chest.
"I'm included in the company's rights issue plan this time."
"Once it goes public, that'll be tens of millions!"
"I could live a lifetime without acting, and even buy a big house in Beijing," Yawen boasted happily.
They can exaggerate their claims, since they don't pay taxes anyway.
"Look!" He waved his hand, gesturing to the tables where the artists were sitting.
"Everywhere you look, there are millionaires and billionaires."
"If you had come with me when we graduated, you would be living a life of plenty now."
Zhu Yawen was really happy.
Luo Jin was extremely upset.
I feel like I've lost a hundred million for no reason!
I feel like slamming my fist on the table and slapping myself in the bathroom.
We were from the same school and class, but his abilities and looks weren't as good as mine... at least that's what he thought.
As a result of their different choices, they took off!
Tens of millions, a hundred million... how many movies would I have to make to earn that much?
He also believed Yawen's nonsense; there wasn't actually that much.
Zhang Yuan, unaware that his subordinate was putting on airs, was drinking with Xu Zheng.
Today, Baldy was seated at the main table, right near Lao Han.
"Brother Shan Zheng, we have to drink like crazy today."
"We'll discuss any new ideas you have later."
"Then you'll have to have a few drinks first, and then we can talk," Xu Guangtou joked.
“Let’s drink together.” Zhang Yuan glanced at him and Tao Hong.
Since the release of "Lost in Thailand", Xu Zheng has become noticeably more flamboyant than before.
As his juniors have risen to prominence over the years, his status has actually been gradually declining.
After much struggle, he finally achieved success and became a big name in the directing industry.
This shift in mindset is irreversible.
He is also a typical shrewd Shanghainese, whose obsession with money is no less than that of most businessmen.
Even though I've signed a contract with him and have other film contracts in hand, I still need to be careful at all times.
Zhang Yuan had been observing him for this very reason.
Not long after, he stood on the stage again.
"Everyone, please calm down a bit."
"I have another piece of good news that I haven't told you yet."
"Shortly before the banquet began, I reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with Kering Group."
“We will then become partners with this fashion giant from France.”
This news did not cause the sensation that had previously led to the record-breaking events.
Because most people have no idea who Kaiyun is.
"Girls are probably more familiar with it."
“Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Boucheron are all brands under Kering.”
"We will be cooperating fully in the future, so please look forward to it."
Upon hearing these luxury brands, many people suddenly realized what was going on.
After he stepped down, Zhang Ziyi almost "teleported" to his side.
"Boss, how exactly do we cooperate with Kering?"
Since her failed attempt to break into Hollywood, especially after the "Triple Gate" scandal, she has basically not been approached by any major international brands.
Hearing this, hurry up and seize the opportunity.
"You'll find out later, don't worry."
She is, after all, the company's top artist.
I can't possibly let someone like Baoqiang endorse luxury goods, can I?
Huang Bo is the type who would only wear a Baleno.
By acquiring these fashion resources, one can also gain the allegiance of many artists, or at least their willingness to collaborate.
Zhang Ziyi offered him a toast with a sly smile; if she hadn't known he didn't like it, she might have sat directly on him.
“You have a problem,” he said to Zhang Ziyi.
"I have poor facial expression control, especially in public."
"Stop rolling your eyes and stop gritting your teeth, understand?"
"Only those who are elegant deserve to be endorsed by top brands."
Zhang Ziyi's career has been so smooth since her debut that she has the illusion that she is a chosen one of heaven.
To the point that they don't even bother to hide their emotions.
So her problem isn't actually managing her facial expressions, but rather that she doesn't manage them at all.
For some people, this is called a sense of being alive, of being real.
But it's not the same kind of authenticity as Jiang Xin's.
Although Jiang Xin is simple-minded, he is arrogant towards superiors but does not humiliate inferiors.
Zhang Ziyi often appears with a stern face during interviews and television appearances.
Many people have told him that he doesn't treat his staff very well.
It's not the kind of bullying; it's different from the article.
She's demanding and picky; she'll cut 7% of your interview transcript right away, and you won't even answer the rest properly.
"If I see you rolling your eyes during a media interview on TV again, you can forget about getting any luxury brand endorsements."
"I know, I'll definitely change!" This person showed no displeasure with his words.
That woman's shrewd; she can tell right away. If she rolls her eyes again, it means she's not here anymore, which means she is right now!
Many others also came over to curry favor, hoping to benefit from it.
Besides these things, Zhang Yuan also specifically introduced Xiaomi phones and his investment in and returns to them to many people.
I recommend young people use it and try domestic products.
Of course, he was just saying that; he knew that people these days would never use a Samsung if they had an Apple product, and would never use a domestic brand if they had a Samsung product.
However, he repeatedly emphasized his support for domestic products, while constantly mentioning how successful his investment was.
Because he understood that his company wasn't made of iron, and there were always some "spies" around.
Just like when he mentioned it to Brother Xiaoming, it was something he deliberately said for certain people to hear.
The boisterous dinner ended several hours later, and the courtyard suddenly fell silent.
It made him feel a little uncomfortable.
Everyone's gone, and I'm all alone. I feel a bit lonely.
I raise my head to gaze at the bright moon, wondering if, under this moonlight, there is another beautiful woman gazing at the starry sky.
He didn't have much time to be melancholy; the next day, he went to Hong Kong to attend Yang Tianbao's birthday party.
He took out the gift as soon as he entered the door.
"Thank you." The little darling's eyes sparkled when she received the Bulgari bracelet from him.
No woman can resist something sparkly.
"Hmm?" He gave the girl a wink.
"Oh." The other person nodded, then led him to a sofa near the party venue.
Several Hong Kong "socialites" were sitting there.
One of them was a young woman with a pointed chin and a relatively slender figure.
This is the reason he came here today.
If they want to see him, then let them see him.
Whether you're herding one sheep or two, it's all the same.
Don't even mention two, I'd take them all from your house! (End of Chapter)