Huayu 1992, my entertainment era

Chapter 74: Introduction of "The Pacific Ocean" to Hong Kong and Taiwan
The celebration party held by Pacific for Zhou Ziheng was very successful.

All the people present on that day were well-known people in the circle.

There are also many media reporters among them.

There were quite a few media reporters present. Yangcheng Evening News, Southern Daily and several other local newspapers with the highest sales volume all sent people to the scene.

After the dinner, Zhou Ziheng accepted exclusive interviews from several newspapers.

Among them, a reporter from Southern Daily asked this question.

“Hengzi, your movie “Sad Pacific” is extremely popular in China right now.

It is reported that many record companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan have noticed this tape and are considering introducing it to Hong Kong and Taiwan.

What do you think specifically? Is there really a hope that this tape will enter the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets?"

During this period, few tapes from the mainland were introduced into Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Except for a few rock albums.

Almost no pop song tape has ever achieved relatively good results in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Therefore, when the rumor that "The Pacific Ocean" might be released in Hong Kong and Taiwan spread in the circle recently, all major media outlets were very concerned about this issue.

“I do have this idea, but I will have to wait a few more days to see whether the tape can be released in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

If there is any confirmed news, I will inform all media friends as soon as possible."

The media and celebrities have always complemented each other.

The media needs news about celebrities to increase newspaper sales.

Celebrities need the media to promote themselves.

Zhou Ziheng has a very good relationship with the Guangdong media.

He is a grateful person.

He knew very well that without these media outlets promoting him, "Pacific Rim" would never have achieved its current success.

Therefore, he has goodwill towards most of the media in Guangdong and the entire mainland.

Normally, when reporters and media want to interview him, he will never refuse as long as he is free.

“I heard that Wakin Chau’s “Flower Heart” will be published in mainland China soon.

This tape is selling very well in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Do you think it will pose a threat to "Sad Pacific" after it enters the mainland?
Some people say that we should import fewer tapes from Hong Kong and Taiwan, believing that the import of tapes from Hong Kong and Taiwan into the mainland has seriously damaged the income of our own singers.

What do you think about this? "

A reporter from Yangcheng Evening News asked.

The period from the late 1980s to the early 1990s was definitely the time when Hong Kong and Taiwan cassettes became popular in large quantities in mainland China.

It is precisely because of this that many singers in the mainland have a dislike for singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

They believe that singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan have taken away their market.

Some people have even suggested reducing the import of tapes from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"Mr. Wakin Chau is a singer I particularly like, and I still have his album "Make Me Happy, Make Me Sad" in my home.

Personally, I am very much looking forward to his new album.

As for the large quantities of Hong Kong and Taiwan tapes entering the mainland market.

In fact, this started as early as the 1980s.

Moreover, I think their entry into the mainland market is not entirely a bad thing.

It is precisely because of the entry of these popular tapes from Hong Kong and Taiwan that the entire mainland tape market has been revitalized and is getting better and better.

So I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”

Zhou Ziheng said firmly.

Although he was very unhappy about the fact that the mainland music scene was defeated by Hong Kong and Taiwan.

But one thing that has to be admitted is that the influx of tapes from Hong Kong and Taiwan did stimulate the entire mainland market.

If it weren’t for these popular Hong Kong and Taiwan tapes gaining ground in the mainland.

His album "Sad Pacific" may not even achieve a million sales.

After all, the market is never supported by one person.

Only by letting a hundred flowers bloom can we continuously expand our market share and make the pie bigger.

……

The next morning, Zhou Ziheng got up, had breakfast, and then rushed to Dongshan Hotel.

This is the place where Chen Jiaying met him.

"Hengzi!" Zhou Ziheng saw Chen Jiaying as soon as he came into the second floor of Dongshan Hotel.

He was sitting alone in a booth.

Seeing Zhou Ziheng, she stood up and greeted him with a smile.

"Sister Jiaying!" Zhou Ziheng walked towards her.

"When you've been away for three days, you should look at it with new eyes. I didn't expect your album 'Sad Pacific' to be so popular."

Chen Jiaying was full of emotion.

She really didn't expect that just a few days after she and Faye Wong returned, "Sad Pacific" would become a hit in mainland China.

Now it is even faintly suppressing the rhythm of "Goodbye Kiss".

What album is "Kiss Goodbye"?
The most popular tape in Hong Kong right now.

If last year there were still people questioning Jacky Cheung's status as one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

After this tape, no one raised this question again.

In fact, to a certain extent, Jacky Cheung at this time even overshadowed the other three kings.

This is the tape that was a huge success in Hong Kong, topped the Dragon and Tiger Chart in Taiwan, and was extremely popular in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and other places, but now it can only compete with "Sad Pacific" in mainland China.

This was something no one expected.

In Hong Kong and Taiwan, who can compete with "Goodbye Kiss" now?

It’s Wakin Chau’s “Flower Heart”.

According to statistics from professional statistics agencies, the total sales of this album may exceed four million.

It is also because "Goodbye Kiss" and "Flower Heart" are so popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

This made "Sad Pacific", which was inseparably matched with "Kiss Goodbye" in mainland China, enter the vision of major record companies.

At the same time, it also made Chen Jiaying start to seriously consider the possibility of signing Zhou Ziheng's agency contract.

So, she contacted Zhou Ziheng and came to Guangzhou in person.

"What do you want to drink?"

After saying hello and sitting down, Chen Jiaying asked.

This meeting was mainly arranged by her to invite Zhou Ziheng, so naturally she was the one to treat them.

Although Zhou Ziheng wouldn't mind the meal fee.

But we can't let him, the invited person, pay!

Zhou Ziheng was not polite and asked the waiter to serve him a cup of the most expensive tea.

Anyway, it's someone else's treat...

"Hengzi, you should know why I asked you out today, right?"

Chen Jiaying personally poured a cup of tea for Zhou Ziheng and asked with a smile.

“I know, you must be representing a certain record company and want to obtain the distribution rights of my song “Sad Pacific”.

Let me guess, PolyGram?"

Zhou Ziheng nodded and guessed.

Chen Jiaying shook his head, "No! I'm here on behalf of Yineng Dongyin."

"Artistic performance music?" Zhou Ziheng looked confused.

He was not familiar with the record company.

“Yineng Dongyin is a new company established after Bao Yixing closed down last year.

Andy Lau was once a member of our record company, and currently, Alan Tam is also here.”

Chen Jiaying took the initiative to explain.

After a pause, she continued, "Yineng Dongyin's head office is in Hong Kong, and it has distribution channels that are not inferior to those of several major record companies. In addition, we also have a branch in Taiwan.

If you give us your "Sad Pacific", you don't have to worry about insufficient channels."

She smiled and said, "Of course, this is just one of my purposes.

I have another purpose, which is to invite you to join Yi Neng Films on behalf of the Yi Neng Agency Department." "Come one by one! You want the distribution rights of "The Pacific", tell me your conditions!"

Zhou Ziheng temporarily ignored the agency contract and focused on the release of "Pacific Rim".

"Five hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars. We will pay five hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars to get the distribution rights of "The Pacific Ocean"."

Chen Jiaying made a five gesture.

"It's too low. I can't accept it."

Zhou Ziheng shook his head, "Do you know how many orders of "Sad Pacific" were received in the mainland?

Two million, and still rising.

"Goodbye Kiss" can only be compared with "Pacific Rim" in mainland China.

You want to take away its distribution rights for 500,000 Hong Kong dollars, which is undoubtedly robbery."

“Hengzi, you have to know that the mainland and Hong Kong and Taiwan cannot be mentioned in the same breath.

Just because your movie "Sad Pacific" sells well in mainland China doesn't mean it will be as popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Apart from anything else, your album "Wandering Song" was also very popular in mainland China, with sales reaching an astonishing 1.5 million or more.

But what are the results in Hong Kong and Taiwan?

There are less than 6,000 tickets in Hong Kong and just over 10,000 in Taiwan.”

Chen Jiaying analyzed.

Zhou Ziheng shook his head and retorted:
“What you said is indeed true, but “Sad Pacific” is different from “Wandering Song”.

"Wandering Song" is my first album. My goal at the time was to open up the mainland market, and my creative style was in contrast to the listening style of mainland fans.

This album "Sad Pacific" is different. Anyone who understands music can tell that this tape has a strong Hong Kong and Taiwan flavor, and it will definitely have a large audience in Hong Kong and Taiwan."

"Then what is your expected price?" Five hundred thousand is indeed not Chen Jiaying's highest bargaining chip.

But she would not easily reveal her highest chip, but asked Zhou Ziheng instead.

"Two million at least!" Zhou Ziheng gestured.

"Impossible. No company in Hong Kong can afford this price."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiaying shook his head and refused without hesitation.

Two million. Anyone who offers two million is a fool.

"Pacific Rim" is indeed very popular in mainland China, but no one can guarantee that it will be equally popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

If you spend two million to buy the distribution rights, you might end up losing everything.

Of course, the artist can definitely come up with two million without having to work hard.

But only a fool would do a business that seems to have an 80% chance of losing money.

So she refused without hesitation.

"Six hundred thousand, this is the only price we can offer!" She raised her price a little.

"One million, nine hundred thousand." She added and Zhou Ziheng subtracted.

He knew very well that "Pacific Heartbreak" would definitely not sell for two million.

This is just his lion's mouth.

There is also the highest price to test the artistry.

The two of them kept raising and lowering the price, but in the end they still couldn't reach an agreement. Zhou Ziheng's lowest price was 1.5 million.

Chen Jiaying's highest price was one million.

By this time, Zhou Ziheng had almost figured out her highest price.

It will not exceed 1.2 million.

This price is about what Zhou Ziheng expected.

But he did not agree.

Again, shop around.

He plans to check out the Stones' offer tomorrow.

In fact, the distribution method that Zhou Ziheng most hopes for is profit-sharing distribution.

Just like the collaboration with the Pacific.

But he also knew that this was impossible.

So far, no imported record has ever adopted the profit-sharing model, whether in Hong Kong, Taiwan or the Mainland.

The reason for this is, firstly, that no one is willing to give up their interests.

The second is that data statistics are difficult.

A sales volume of one million may become less than one hundred thousand by the time it reaches you after various operations by the record company.

If we really adopt a profit-sharing model with these Hong Kong and Taiwan companies.

Not to mention making money, it would be considered kind of the other party not to lose money.

Don’t even mention companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan, the emperor is far away.

It would be Pacific, if Zhou Ziheng hadn't sent people to watch the factory where tapes were produced every day, and been present every time a buyer came to place an order.

Then he may also face the problem of false accounts.

Therefore, buyout is the most sensible approach during this period.

As for why Zhou Ziheng didn't quote a higher price.

This is naturally because it is impossible for others to agree.

He has no fame in Hong Kong and Taiwan. If it weren't for the huge hit in Mainland China due to "Sad Pacific", and if it weren't for the fact that entertainment professionals reviewed and felt that this tape had a market in Hong Kong and Taiwan, he wouldn't have made even 100,000, let alone a million.

"Let's leave the release alone for now! Let's talk about the agency contract you mentioned."

Zhou Ziheng took the initiative to interrupt Chen Jiaying who was trying to persuade Zhou Ziheng to agree to her offer, and said.

Chen Jiaying looked at Zhou Ziheng speechlessly.

So all the words I wasted were in vain!
But after hesitating for a few seconds, she finally started to speak.

This time, Zhou Ziheng did not reject her proposal.

He agreed to sign a contract with her and gave her the position of his future commercial agent in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

There is actually nothing much to talk about in the agent contract. It is nothing more than Chen Jiaying helping Zhou Ziheng to contact commercial performances, movies and other commercial activities.

Then Zhou Ziheng paid her a certain percentage of the money.

The final split between the two was 2:8.

Chen Jiaying, or it can be said that Art Film 2, Zhou Ziheng 8.

The reason why we were able to negotiate such a low share.

The main reason is that Zhou Ziheng is not an ordinary newcomer.

After all, he is currently the most popular singer in mainland China.

Even if Hong Kong and Taiwan look down on mainland singers, they should still show due respect to first-line figures like Zhou Ziheng.

Therefore, both parties had no objection to the 28 split.

After negotiating the management contract, Chen Jiaying also wanted to discuss the record release.

However, Zhou Ziheng did not give her another chance. He left the hotel on the pretext that he had something to do in Pacific, and told the other party that they would discuss the issue the day after tomorrow.

He plans to check out the Stones' offer tomorrow.

If the Rolling Stones could offer an offer higher than what Yi Neng offered, he would work with them.

If not, he will sign with Entertainment again.

In addition, another important point is that compared with the Rolling Stones, Zhou Ziheng feels that the scale of the entertainment industry is a little smaller.

It seems that his only impression of this record company is that Andy Lau will sign back in the future and become one of the owners of this record company.

He was really worried about giving "Sad Pacific" to this record company that seemed to have little presence in his memory.

Will this album fail?

Indeed, as the saying goes, money comes in hand and goods come in hand. After he gave them the distribution rights of "Pacific Rim", it had nothing to do with him whether the album sold well or not.

But he didn't intend to just do one job.

He wants to continue to release tapes and sell them to companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

If even "Pacific Sadness" flopped, who would dare to import his tapes in the future?

Therefore, if possible, he would prefer to cooperate with a strong company.

For example, a company like Rolling Stone that is very powerful in Asia.

(End of this chapter)