Chapter 422 – Compete with yourself
Beijing, a recording studio. A young woman was recording a new song, and Feng Yu had his headphone on listening to the beautiful voice. This young woman was the top female singer in China in Feng Yu’s previous life. Her vocal cords were really unique.
“Mr. Feng, I really like this song. Thank you very much.” Na Ying stepped out of the studio and bowed to Feng Yu.
“I also like your voice too. I had written this song especially for you. Of course, I am still saying the same thing. If you sign this contract, you will be getting much more.”
Feng Yu passed an endorsement contract to Na Ying. Sun Nan will be endorsing Wind and Rain VCD player, and Na Ying was selected by Feng Yu to endorse for Aiwa VCD player.
Both Sun Nan and Na Ying were China’s top singers currently. After the New Year Eve Gala Dinner, Sun Nan became famous overnight. He had lots of performances lined up. A Hong Kong label wanted to sign him and help him cut a specially tailored album for him.
If this were in Feng Yu’s past life, Sun Nan would be at a losing end in this contract. As a new singer, the money he will get will be very little. But now, Sun Nan was already famous and will get more benefits if he were to sign this contract.
Sun Nan had called Feng Yu to express his gratitude. If Feng Yu had not picked him and wrote two songs for him, he would never get such opportunities. Even when Sun Nan was confident of his singing, there was still a difference between becoming famous now and one year later.
Na Ying was China’s up and rising female singer. Her status in the pop music category currently could still not be compared to Mao Amin and a few other Chinese singers, but Feng Yu knew that with her vocal cords, she would be popular. Most importantly, Feng Yu liked her songs.
Feng Yu had offered 1 million for a 10 years contract. Na Ying will not be allowed to endorse similar products. Even music or recording products were not allowed.
Na Ying was tempted by this offer. But she felt that 10 years was too long. She would prefer a 3 years contract worth 300,000 RMB. Also, she was not sure what Aiwa VCD player was.
At this time, Feng Yu gave her a new song to see if she likes it or not.
was Na Ying’s song in Feng Yu’s previous life. It was the song that shot her to stardom and became the queen of Chinese pop. Her other song, , was also a good song which had topped the music charts, but it was not as good. The lyrics for that song was also not suitable for the current era. This was enough for her to catch up with Mao Amin.
“Mr. Feng, 10 years is a bit long. Can we change it to 5 years? 400,000 RMB will do.”
Feng Yu smiled: “Sister Na, do you think this song is better than ? Can this song improve your singing career?”
Although Na Ying does not want to admit, she knew that this was the truth.
Na Ying nodded: “But……”
Feng Yu waved his hand and interrupted Na Ying: “You think that the endorsement fee I offered is too low and in two years, your fees will increase by a lot, right? But have you ever considered the fact that Aiwa is a big brand? Our Walkman has more than 90% of China’s market share. Even without you endorsing our brand, just the advertisement alone, will our VCD player sales be affected? Remember Yan Wu Kid? He became famous and entered the showbiz after he advertised for Yan Wu cassette player. Our brand will be marketing our products more aggressively than Yan Wu.”
Feng Yu was speaking the truth. Yan Wu Kid was still a student when he stared in that commercial. He became famous because of that commercial. But Na Ying was different. She had some popularity now. But Feng Yu did not lie that Na Ying would gain more exposure after she became the spokesperson for Aiwa. More people will know about her.
“Can I go back and consider?”
“Yes, of course. But please hurry. We need to shoot the commercial soon. If you drag it for too long, I might have to change another spokesperson. You know about Sun Nan? I had written two songs for him, and he had just signed with a Hong Kong Label. He will be releasing a new album for the South East Asia market. Don’t you want to be like him?”
……
The next day, after Na Ying had consulted her teacher and discussed with her family members, she signed the contract. Although the length of the contract was long, it was an excellent opportunity for her.
“You will not regret your decision. I guaranteed that you will be performing on CCTV Spring Festival Gala Night this year!” Feng Yu said mysteriously. In his previous life, Na Ying was invited to perform on this year Gala Night. People started to notice her after her performance on Gala Night. Previously, people only heard her songs but does not know her.
Na Ying was shocked. Feng Yu dare to guarantee that she would be performing on the Gala Night? If Feng Yu had said this earlier, she would not even consider for one night.
“This 1 million RMB is after ta. With this sum of money, you can concentrate on your singing career. But I need to remind you that in future, you must remember to declare all your earnings for every performance, even in nightclubs, and pay your taxes.”
Feng Yu had also reminded Sun Nan, Liu Daqing, Baldy Chen, etc. In his previous life, they had under-declared their earnings, and some did not even pay taxes. Liu Daqing and Mao Amin were some of the many who were punished severely by the government.
Now, Sun Nan and Na Ying were the spokespersons for Wind and Rain and Aiwa. Feng Yu does not want them to make such mistakes. Of course, if they get into trouble with the law, it would be a breeched of contract. They do not need to compensate Feng Yu any amount, but they need to return the endorsement fee to Feng Yu. Feng Yu does not want them to affect his brands’ image.
After this, Na Ying and Sun Nan start to shoot the commercial for both brands.
Wind and Rain used the song as background music, while Aiwa uses . Both songs had different styles, and the singer had very different voices. Even the way the advertisement was shot, was very different.
Feng Yu had no choice. Na Ying had good looks, and she was also considered a pretty singer, but Sun Nan’s looks…… can only be marketed as a good singer! Idol? This word got nothing to do with him for his whole life.
Feng Yu had also hired two famous directors to shoot the commercials. One was Chen Kaige, who had filmed . The other was the director for , Zhang Yimou.
Fu Guangzheng does not understand why Feng Yu had hired two directors to film the commercials. They were the leading directors in China and also the most expensive.
Feng Yu was thinking in his heart that he had not only hired them as the directors for the commercials. He had also signed the contracts with them for 3 commercials and had paid them in full. They were not still not considered expensive now. Their fees will increase by several folds in one or two years!
“I want to let the consumers see the rivalry between these two brands and are competing to outdo each other.” Feng Yu replied to Fu Guangzheng.
Rivalry? Fu Guangzheng saw the light suddenly. This way, the fans of these two singers and directors will support their brands and no matter which brand they supported, Feng Yu would be the one talking all the money!
This was what Sony and Aiwa did in the past. The rivalry between both brands let them establish a strong foothold in the industry and at the same time, kick out other competitors.
Fu Guangzhen gave Feng Yu a thumb up.
Feng Yu saw Fu Guangzheng’s expression and felt that this guy should add in one line: “Smart, you are so smart!”