Mediterranean hegemon

On the second day of the broadcast, Adriana's audience had increased to at least 200 people. The student cafeteria of the University of Rome, the newspaper office of "Youth", and the old Ciano Palace were the first users to install radios. Many people came to the scene with the attitude of seeing new things, and they heard the refreshing program and applauded. Contini, who was deeply encouraged, decided to increase the promotion efforts and strive to install radios in all the restaurants of Rome's secondary and higher education institutions within a week - the way is of course to give them away.

After the notice of "Youth" about giving away radios for subscription was issued, it was also very popular. At least more than 100 calls came in during the day to inquire about the relevant information, and even more people consulted through various distribution points. Everyone was curious about the way to transmit news, sounds, and music through radio waves. In addition, Contini's gift strategy made many people eager to try it out and signed up. The number of pre-registrations on the first day exceeded 300.

The only places that could be considered as purchases were probably United Motorcycle and United Airlines, but for Contini, this was just money from the left pocket to the right pocket. It only had the meaning of accounting, not the difference in accounting.

Seeing this busy look, Marconi smiled and said, "I thought these 500 sets of parts would be enough for you to sell for at least a quarter, but now it seems that you have to sell them in a week. I have to hurry up and have the subsequent parts delivered. At your speed, I am afraid that Italy will reach the current UK ownership in a month."

"We really need to hurry up. I will give priority to the installation of colleges and government agencies, and the subscription and free parts will be slightly delayed. After all, I promised to complete the installation within a month, and there is still buffer time. The radio factory must speed up production. If there is really a shortage of supply, I may expand the 2,000 sets of parts to 3,000 or even 4,000 sets."

Marconi shrugged: "I have no objection, but you should take it easy. The more you give away, the more you lose."

"It's enough to maintain the cash flow. Profits and losses are in the future."

"Youth", which is beautifully printed on yellow newsprint, is considered a relatively expensive newspaper in Italy. The daily retail price is 1 lira per copy, and the annual subscription price is 330 lira and it is responsible for door-to-door delivery - equivalent to about 10 days' salary for industrial workers. It is difficult for people who are not middle-class to afford it.

Antonio has calculated that a three-year subscription would cost 990 lira, which is more than enough to cover the cost of the radio. However, the loss will gradually manifest itself in the next three years. Contini does not care about this, and instead believes that maintaining cash flow is a victory! Antonio finds it difficult to accept such a radical approach, but he also admits that this is the most effective and fastest way to promote radios, and it can also drive further issuance of Youth Daily. Youth Daily now has more than 10,000 subscribers, and it is expected that more people will participate as the event gradually unfolds.

He had to admit that the young master had a talent for designing commercial activities. For example, this time, the subscription-for-free activity clearly stipulated that old subscribers were given priority - only subscribers who had fully subscribed for 1923 and renewed their subscription fees for 1924-1926 were eligible to participate. If others wanted to participate, they had to subscribe to this year's newspaper first, and the number was clearly stipulated to be the first 999 people, while supplies lasted; after April, the intensity of the activity would gradually weaken, and the conditions for participating in the subscription-for-free activity in May would become 4 years (ordinary edition) and 6 years (deluxe edition) or a 100 lira difference, and in June it would become a 200 lira difference, but the number of people would no longer be limited...

Such an activity not only promoted IBC, but also highlighted the products of United Radio Corporation, and at the same time also boosted the subscription of Youth Daily, which was a three-pronged approach in terms of momentum - the only flaw was that it was a waste of money.

But Contini smiled and said, "Uncle Antonio, you are too simplistic. I have other buy-and-get-free activities."

"Others?"

"The Fast and Furious x1 product produced by United Motorcycle has been completely finalized and has the ability to be put on the market. It is also divided into standard and deluxe versions. At that time, I will launch a preferential activity. The first 1,000 users who buy motorcycles can also get a radio as a gift. Buy the standard version and get the standard version, buy the deluxe version and get the deluxe version... The account will be recorded in the United Motorcycle market promotion fee." Contini smiled, "Newspapers and radio stations will build momentum for the launch of United Motorcycle's new products, which also has a linkage effect."

Antonio was stunned, and then he immediately figured it out: Isn't this just the behavior of the left hand crossing the right hand?

"It's not just the media that can be linked, aviation can also be linked... On the day the new product is launched, I can have hundreds of planes dispatched together, pull out huge banners to celebrate the launch of United Motor's new products, and even announce it a few days in advance before the launch. What kind of products do you think can have such a high-profile appearance?"

Antonio also laughed: whether it costs money or not is secondary, and the sensational effect is definitely there.

"Master's ideas are all excellent, um... except that some of them cost money."

Contini blinked: "This is an investment, and it will be recovered in the future!"

The next day, IBC was officially broadcast for the second time, and it was also the first time that it was broadcast for 6 hours throughout the day. Now the whole IBC sounds like it has the name of the Italian national radio station, but in fact there are not many real employees. Contini is also the chief, and there are four announcers in total, two men and two women. All kinds of editing are done by the editors of "Youth Daily", including program production, directing, monitoring, and field management, which are completely unclear at the scene. , all part-time positions are held by newspaper staff. The technical director is an engineer appointed by Marconi. Finally, there is no need for part-time work. The entire national radio station has only more than 10 official members, which is still far from Contini’s requirements. He While desperately recruiting troops, he even hopes to open a sports column and strive to catch up with the Italian Football Cup championship game for live broadcast this year - this is unprecedented!

After the show in the evening, it was Contini who sent Adriana back. The other person did not pester her like Vivian and asked who performed better, but she said something that caught Contini off guard: "I can feel your feelings." It feels like you are living a very tired life, and you don’t look like a 20-year-old at all. However, you have a unique charm when you are working, and you always seem to be sparkling with innovative inspiration and genius, making people can’t help but want to get close to you. ”

Contini was stunned for a moment: "Maybe, now everyone is looking at me, I can't relax... I am a person with many ideas."

"Many people only see your glory and dazzling side, but ignore your hard work and hard work." Adriana smiled charmingly, "You can try to relax and don't put too much pressure on yourself. I think you Your performance and achievements are not only far beyond those of your peers, but even far beyond those of most successful people. I would like to conduct a program interview with you."

"You will have a chance, but it will be better to wait a few more years until I have straightened out all aspects of the relationship before doing the interview. I don't want to give people the impression that I am unscrupulously bragging about myself on the radio. , like a clown.”

"Then will I have a chance? Or will I have to wait for many years?"

"I..." Contini sighed helplessly, not knowing what to say. Of course, the word "opportunity" did not refer to interviews, but to feelings.

"You have to learn to let go and follow your own heart..." Adriana leaned close to Contini's ear and said quietly in a breathy voice, "Actually, Vivian and I both know that even if you accept it, Our family background also determines that we will not be able to marry you in the future. We are just children of a middle-class family, and you are both a noble and a minister. This is a very real and difficult gap to bridge... We have no differences. I think, I just don’t want to waste my youth and feelings - in your words, you have to be brave enough to chase your dreams, and you won’t regret it even if you fail! We will not pester you, let alone hold you responsible, we only hope to be able to help you! , when you become famous and famous in Italy in the future, you can still think of the existence of these names many years ago. This may be the only thing we miss.”

These words made Contini feel ashamed. A girl said this, and he didn't know how to face it - choose to be an animal or worse than an animal?

"Thank you for your understanding, I..."

"Stop talking and kiss me." Adriana closed her eyes, her long eyelashes looking beautiful in the moonlight.

Contini hesitated for a moment, kissed the other person's left and right cheeks, and finally gently let go of the two delicate red lips in the middle.

"I heard the surging heartbeat..." Adriana smiled and got out of the car, "Thank you for sending me back, good night!"