Chapter 705
Cooperation and Win-Win
"In order to help you make this happen, I called Director Yao, Zhang Min and Director Li, and even treated them to a meal. We talked for a long time, and I gave them a detailed introduction to the situation of your artists and your talent, so that they would believe that your artists could bring new highlights to Running Man and improve the show's ratings."
Jiang Yang listened with gratitude and said, "Brother Xiaoming, thank you so much. You've really helped me a lot. My artists are all newcomers. Having the opportunity to appear on a top variety show like Running Man is a great opportunity for them. It will give them more exposure, more fans, and will greatly help their future development."
"Don't be so polite with me," Huang Xiaoming waved his hand and said with a smile.
He values personal relationships. Jiang Yang helped Baby so much by writing such a great song for her, so it's only right that he help Jiang Yang with a small favor.
and.
He thought highly of Jiang Yang.
Jiang Yang is very talented and has great potential.
just now.
Although Jiang Yang has not yet established himself in the industry, I believe that it will not be long before he becomes a top director and music producer.
If we help each other now, with give and take, we'll have more opportunities for cooperation in the future.
"Helping you is also helping myself."
Huang Xiaoming continued, "If your artists can become popular through Running Man, your popularity will also increase. Then, our future collaborations, whether it's making movies, TV series, or producing music, will be a win-win situation. Moreover, the song you gave to Baby is currently only recognized by the industry as a sure hit, but we still need to wait for its release and see the market reaction. If it works well, I will definitely ask you to write a song for me. I would appreciate your help then."
Jiang Yang nodded and said, "Brother Xiaoming, don't worry, I will definitely help you if you need it. I also believe that Sister BABY's song will definitely be a hit after it is released."
Huang Xiaoming smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words, I hope so. No one can have too many decent works. Whether it's me or Baby, we both need a good song to solidify our image and improve our reputation."
The two chatted for a few more minutes, then Jiang Yang suddenly remembered something, looked at Huang Xiaoming, and asked, "Brother Xiaoming, why don't you use the public opinion you've been generating these past two months in a way that works in reverse?"
"Use it the other way around?" Huang Xiaoming was taken aback, a puzzled look on his face. He didn't understand Jiang Yang's meaning, but he could tell that Jiang Yang was giving him advice. So, he quickly said, "Tell me? What good idea do you have?"
Jiang Yang smiled and said, "Brother Xiaoming, think about it. Right now, bloggers online are all using your past scandal to gain traffic. Everyone is talking about you, whether it's positive or negative. Your popularity is very high. Since you can't quell the public opinion, why not use this popularity in reverse and find a suitable brand to endorse? This will not only increase your popularity but also improve your reputation and alleviate the trouble caused by the public opinion."
Huang Xiaoming frowned and said, "Using the hype in reverse? Finding brand endorsements? But right now, my reputation is so bad that those big brands don't want to work with me. Even if brands approach me, they're all small brands that don't match my level at all, and I don't want to accept them."
Jiang Yang said, "I'm not asking you to take on big-name endorsements, but rather to take on a suitable brand endorsement that generates buzz, like Vancl. I heard that Vancl has been interested in having you as their spokesperson, but they just couldn't agree on the price, right?"
“Vancl…” Huang Xiaoming frowned and said, “Yes, Vancl has indeed been interested in having me as their spokesperson. They’ve approached me several times, but I haven’t agreed. As you know, Vancl is a mass-market brand, positioned at a lower end, mainly targeting young people and ordinary consumers. It doesn’t quite match my current status. Before, I’ve always endorsed big brands like Dior, Armani, and Mercedes-Benz. If I suddenly endorse Vancl, I’ll definitely be ridiculed by netizens, who will say I’m lowering my standards and that I’ve faded into obscurity. It might even affect my future endorsement opportunities, making those big brands even less willing to cooperate with me.”
"Besides that, there is another reason, which is that Vancl's endorsement fee is too low."
Huang Xiaoming continued, "Compared to the big brands I've endorsed before, Vancl's endorsement fee is less than a fraction of what I've paid. I feel that with my fame and popularity, it's not worth accepting such an endorsement, and I don't want to waste my time and energy. So, no matter how many times Vancl approached me, I refused."
Jiang Yang smiled and said, "Brother Xiaoming, I understand your concerns, but have you ever thought that endorsing Vancl can actually help you reduce the controversy surrounding Nao Tai Tao and improve your reputation? Think about it, Vancl is a people's brand, down-to-earth, with a wide audience. Moreover, Vancl's brand philosophy is affordable, comfortable, and down-to-earth, which fits well with your current image of being teased by netizens as being down-to-earth."
"Moreover, right now, netizens are mocking you for being 'naotaitao,' saying you lack talent and act like a big shot. If you were to endorse Vancl, you could cultivate a down-to-earth, unpretentious, and approachable image, making netizens realize that you're not what they imagine, but rather a very approachable and genuine person," Jiang Yang continued. "This would mitigate the negative impressions netizens have of you and alleviate the pressure from public opinion. In addition, Vancl's target audience is mainly young people, and most of the bloggers and netizens who are mocking you are also young people. Your endorsement of Vancl can bridge the gap with them, making them feel good about you, and they might even stop mocking you or spreading negative news about you because they like your endorsement."
"Also, although your endorsement fee for Vancl is not high and the brand is not as prestigious as those big brands, you can leverage Vancl's brand influence to increase your exposure. Moreover, you can also prove to netizens that you are not an aloof and detached top star, but an artist who is willing to be down-to-earth and interact with ordinary consumers."
Jiang Yang said, "In this way, your reputation will gradually improve. Those big brands will see that you have positive popularity and a friendly image, and they will reconsider cooperating with you. After all, what brands value most is an artist's popularity and reputation. As long as your reputation improves and your popularity remains, those big brands will definitely come knocking on your door again."
As Huang Xiaoming listened to Jiang Yang's words, his eyes gradually brightened, and the doubt on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by an expression of sudden realization. He carefully pondered Jiang Yang's words and felt that what Jiang Yang said made a lot of sense. Yes, he had always been thinking about calming public opinion, but he had never thought of using this popularity to create a friendly image and improve his reputation by endorsing Vancl.
The recording studio at Lejiaxuan was filled with the scent of white tea perfume, a fragrance often used by Yang Ying.
Mixed with the city noise drifting in from outside the window.
It did not disturb the tranquility of the room in the slightest.
Upon hearing Jiang Yang's suggestion, Huang Xiaoming's worried expression vanished instantly, replaced by undisguised joy. His previously tense shoulders relaxed completely, and he leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with gratitude and approval, his tone becoming exceptionally earnest.
"That's a great idea, thank you, Xiao Jiang."
He had been fixated on the issue of endorsing Vancl, always trying to maintain his own status and unwilling to lower himself, thus neglecting the most important issue of public opinion.
After Jiang Yang's explanation, he finally understood.
In this situation, rather than passively taking a beating, it's better to take a gamble. Leveraging this popularity and turning around one's reputation through down-to-earth endorsements is worse than being led by the nose by Huang Bin all the time.
He picked up the warm water on the table, took a sip to calm his agitated emotions, and continued, "To be honest, during this period, my team and I have been almost suffocated by public opinion. We failed in three public relations efforts, and there wasn't even a single person around me who dared to give me sincere advice."
that is the truth.
People were either afraid of offending Huang Bin, afraid of him taking his anger out on them, or simply enjoying the spectacle.
Only Jiang Yang was willing to genuinely help him analyze the problem and point him in the right direction.
Huang Xiaoming will remember this kindness.
Seeing Huang Xiaoming's relieved expression, Jiang Yang waved his hand and said humbly and sincerely, "We've always helped each other out. You helped me secure spots for my artists on Running Man, and I'm giving you some advice. It's only right that we do this. As long as we find the right direction, the public opinion crisis will pass sooner or later."
"That may be true, but the sentiment behind it is different."
Huang Xiaoming put down his water glass and said with a determined look in his eyes, "I will have Guo Tingting contact the person in charge of Vancl first thing tomorrow morning. We will not talk about endorsement fees or brand level. As long as we can reach a cooperation and improve my reputation, I will be willing to do it even if the endorsement fee is less than a fraction of what I used to get."
Furthermore, I plan to discuss with Vancl whether we can create a down-to-earth promotional plan that incorporates the meme "Nao Tai Tao".
Shoot a series of down-to-earth advertisements, without any airs or pretense.
Let netizens see your most authentic self; you might even gain some goodwill.
Jiang Yang nodded in agreement, saying, "That's a great idea, Brother Xiaoming. What netizens dislike right now is your aloofness and pretentious image. If you can take the initiative to lower your stance and use self-deprecation to defuse the situation, it will make you seem more real and down-to-earth, and easier for everyone to accept. However, you also need to be careful not to overdo it with self-deprecation, otherwise netizens will seize on it and say that you are deliberately playing the victim and exploiting your negative news."
“You’re right, a sense of proportion is very important,” Huang Xiaoming said with a smile. “When the time comes, I’ll have Guo Tingting bring you the publicity plan so you can take a look and give it your approval. With your eye for detail, you’ll definitely be able to spot the problems.”
Jiang Yang smiled and readily agreed, "No problem, Brother Xiaoming. I can help you whenever you need me. However, I still have to remind you that endorsing Vancl is just a temporary measure. The most important thing right now is to produce good works."
He paused, his tone becoming more serious, and continued, "The cruelest yet fairest thing about our industry is that no matter how noisy the public opinion or how short-lived the hype, those who can ultimately stand firm are those who produce quality work. The best way to fight against public opinion is never public relations or whitewashing, but rather to produce truly excellent work, whether it's songs, TV dramas, or movies. As long as you can let netizens see your efforts and talent, and see your progress, those negative opinions will naturally subside. Netizens may be temporarily swayed by the hype, but they will never reject truly talented people."
Upon hearing this...
Huang Xiaoming nodded.
As long as the work is successful and gains recognition, its reputation will naturally recover gradually.
It won't be so easy for Huang Bin to manipulate public opinion about him anymore.
BABY can also shed the labels of poor acting skills and lack of works, and consolidate her top-tier status.
Conversely, without solid work to back it up, even if endorsing Vancl can temporarily alleviate public opinion, it's only a temporary fix and will eventually be overwhelmed by new negative news.
Huang Xiaoming said with emotion, "I actually understood what you were saying before, but I was blinded by public opinion lately and only focused on calming down the negatives. I neglected the most fundamental things. Don't worry, I will definitely put more energy into the new movie, polish the script, and film it seriously, and strive to produce a work that everyone can recognize. As for BABY, I will also urge her to record the song well and not let down the good song you wrote."
At this point, Huang Xiaoming suddenly remembered something, and a puzzled expression appeared on his face. He looked at Jiang Yang and asked, "By the way, Xiao Jiang, you just said that variety shows can't achieve this effect, and might even have the opposite effect. I don't quite understand."
Why is it that when there is negative public opinion, producing a good variety show cannot offset the effect of the public opinion, but instead backfires?
Many celebrities choose to appear on variety shows to improve their public image when faced with negative public opinion, hoping to gain fans and reverse their reputation through their performances on these shows.
Why doesn't it work for him?
Jiang Yang smiled and patiently explained, "Brother Xiaoming, this is mainly because your situation is different from other artists. Most of the artists who rely on variety shows to turn around their reputation have relatively minor negative public opinion, or they have been misunderstood or smeared. They don't have any major flaws. Moreover, they have a strong sense of variety shows and can show their cute, interesting, and down-to-earth side in variety shows, which changes netizens' impression of them. But you are different. Your negative public opinion has formed a fixed label: no talent, singing off-key, and acting like a big shot. Moreover, it has been deliberately hyped by Huang Bin and has deeply penetrated people's hearts. Netizens already have a deep prejudice and resistance towards you."
"In this situation, if you go to participate in variety shows, it is easy for netizens to find fault with you."
Jiang Yang continued, "No matter how well you perform or how hard you try, netizens will still find fault and say that you are deliberately playing the victim, pretending to be approachable, and using variety shows to whitewash your image. If you perform even slightly poorly, such as speaking carelessly or playing games poorly, netizens will magnify it infinitely and say that you are rude, arrogant, and that your nature is hard to change. At that time, not only will it not offset the negative public opinion, but it will also make the public opinion more serious and have the opposite effect."
"Moreover, the popularity of variety shows is short-lived."
Jiang Yang added, "Even if you gain some fans and positive reviews through variety shows, once the show ends and the hype fades, if Huang Bin revives your negative news, those netizens who were temporarily won over can easily be swayed again, and your reputation will return to square one. On the other hand, a good song or a good movie can endure and be remembered for a long time. As long as your work stands the test of time, your reputation will steadily improve. This is something variety shows can never match." (End of Chapter)