Chapter 455 A Successful Marketing

The next morning, Gu Wei and Nazha sat in the restaurant to eat breakfast.

"Any plans for work lately?"

Gu Wei asked while holding a bread sandwich with a glass of milk at his side and eating.

Nazha was eating and browsing her phone. After hearing what Gu Wei said, she looked up and thought about it.

"Sewing Machine Band has just finished filming, and there aren't any suitable scripts in the near future. I see the company has arranged some commercial performances and endorsement activities for me recently.

Oh, by the way, I’m going to Paris next month. A brand I endorse has invited me to watch a show.

I've also been approached by some local TV variety shows to participate, some of which are permanent guests. Except for [Divas Hit the Road 3], the others haven't been decided yet."

Gu Wei nodded.

With Nazha's acting skills, it would be difficult for her drama to become a big hit without a particularly suitable script and role.

Gu Wei also deliberately intercepted Shuangzi's resources for advancement, and helped her choose a role in "Detective Chinatown 2" that matched her image, which made her famous.

It is not easy for her to have the fame and status she has now, so she has to be more cautious when accepting roles.

Otherwise, if several of his dramas fail in succession, he might have to step down from this top position just as he was getting comfortable in it, which would be a waste of Gu Wei’s hard work.

With such a good foundation and her super good looks, Nazha can definitely take on endorsements, shoot magazines, occasionally steal the show on the red carpet, and finally appear on a few variety shows to maintain her popularity.

This way, you can make money easily and your popularity won’t drop.

Of course, if there is a suitable drama, we can shoot it.

This is what Gu Wei usually warns Nazha, and he also makes requests to her management team. It seems that Nazha's team has made good arrangements and they did not blindly give her a lot of roles just because Nazha is so popular now.

"[Flowers and Youth 3]'s company has already communicated with Mango TV, and I will participate in the recording of the third season as a guest."

"Great, now we can spend a whole month together."

Nazha took a bite of salad and put it in her mouth. After hearing what Gu Wei said, a happy smile appeared on her face.

"In addition to the two of us, the company has also arranged for Meng Ziyi to join us. The three of us will participate in [Divas Hit the Road 3] together."

Nazha was stunned for a moment, then she understood immediately. With Gu Wei joining, "Divas Hit the Road 3" is bound to be a big hit, and the company arranged Meng Ziyi to join in to take advantage of the popularity.

"That's a good idea. I saw the schedule the production team sent me. There are eight young artists, four men and four women. I don't know who the others are yet. With Ziyi by my side, I'll have someone I know among the girls, which will make everything easier."

When she was filming "Love O2O" with Gu Wei, Meng Ziyi played the role of the school beauty. After filming every day, everyone would go out with Gu Wei to eat and drink, so they had a good relationship.

After breakfast, Gu Wei changed his clothes and went straight to the company from Nazha's house.

When I arrived at the company, I happened to see Rao Xiaozhi coming in from outside.

"Director Rao, good morning!"

Gu Wei greeted with a smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Gu~"

"The dinner ended a little late last night. Why didn't you rest at home for a while?"

Rao Xiaozhi smiled shyly.

"I wanted to come over early to oversee the editing of 'Take My Brother Away'. My movie is coming out next month and I'll have to take some time off to promote it. I hope to have the post-production of the company's movie almost done before then."

"Thanks a lot."

Gu Wei patted Rao Xiaozhi on the shoulder.

“It’s all within the scope of my duties.”

The two walked in together, Rao Xiaozhi entered the company's editing room, and Gu Wei returned to his office.

Not long in the morning, Guo Fan and the staff of China Film Group arrived at the company. Gu Wei, Yang Liwen and other senior executives of the company warmly welcomed them.

After a few polite words, everyone got down to business. After confirming that all the materials and procedures for "The Wandering Earth" were correct, the two parties signed a formal investment contract.

Of course, the money will be transferred to the crew's account in several installments according to the provisions of the contract, and the financial personnel of Gu Wei's company will also join the crew in the near future.

Guo Fan shook hands with Gu Wei with a smile on his face.

"Mr. Gu, how about we sign your actor contract today? I've got the agreement from China Film Group."

Gu Wei felt helpless.

"Director Guo, are you really that anxious? I've already promised you something, can you still go back on your word?"

Guo Fan just smiled when he heard what Gu Wei said.

There was no choice, so the two sat down again, and Gu Wei continued to sign his actor contract.

Yang Liwen had already communicated with the crew about his salary, treatment, shooting schedule and other issues long after the investment in "The Wandering Earth" was confirmed, so there was nothing to discuss. He just had to confirm the contract and sign it.

"Okay, Director Guo, I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation in the future.

If you have any further questions during the later stages of filming, you can always tell me and I can continue to invest more!"

Gu Wei put the cap on the pen and said to Guo Fan.

“Thank you Mr. Gu for your support”

Guo Fan held the two contracts in his hands, and the heavy stone in his heart finally fell to the ground. He was very moved when he heard Gu Wei's words.

"We'll be a family from now on, no need to be so polite.

Director Rao and Senior Sister Han are in the editing room right now, working on the post-production of the film. How about I call them, and Director Guo and all the friends from China Film Group, to stay and have lunch together at noon?"

Gu Wei invited.

“No, no need~

Don't disturb Lao Rao and the other one while they're working.

Now that the matter has been settled, I won't bother Mr. Gu anymore.

I have to go back to China Film Group, there is still some work to be done there."

“Uh~

Alright then, business is important."

Gu Wei did not try to persuade them much and escorted Guo Fan and his group out of the company.

After Guo Fan and the others left, Gu Wei returned to the office to continue his work for the day.

At noon, when he was eating, his cell phone suddenly rang.

Gu Wei looked at the caller ID, raised his eyebrows, and answered the call.

"Hey, Master Wang, why did you suddenly think of calling me?"

"Are you free this afternoon? Come over and play games with me?

And then have a couple of drinks together?"

"Not today. I have work to do."

Gu Wei refused directly.

He had important things to do in the afternoon and had no time to play with Wang Sicong.

"From your voice, you don't seem to be in a very good mood?"

Wang Sicong sighed on the other end of the phone, his voice a little low.

"Don't mention it. I was unlucky enough to get bit by a dog recently. I want to find some friends to play games and have a couple of drinks to let off some steam."

"What's going on?"

Gu Wei was confused.

"You can find out by looking online~

Forget it, I won’t talk to you anymore, I’ll ask someone else.”

Without saying a few words, Wang Sicong hung up the phone.

Gu Wei was a little puzzled. He had been busy with various company matters recently and had not been online much. He didn't know what hot topics had happened recently.

After hanging up the phone, Gu Wei opened the Toutiao app on his phone and went to the entertainment section.

He felt that if something about Wang Sicong could make the headlines, it would definitely have to be in this section.

“So that’s what happened.”

As soon as Gu Wei saw the headlines in the entertainment section, he knew the whole story.

Yesterday, on the 18th, the film "I Am Not Madame Bovary" directed by Feng Xiaogang was released. The film is a satirical and comedic drama co-produced by Director Feng and the topic queen Fan Bingbing.

Director Feng originally thought that with the box office appeal of him and Fan Bingbing, this movie could set a new box office record.

However, the response after its release was mediocre, completely below expectations.

After analysis, Director Feng found that the main reason was that Wanda Cinemas did not schedule screenings for themselves at all: the average screening rate of the film in other theaters across the country was over 40%, while the screening rate in Wanda Group was only 10.9%.

Whether a movie has a high box office depends on its reputation among the public, but more importantly, it depends on the screening rate of major theaters. In other words, if the theaters don't show your movie, no matter how well-made your movie is, how can it have a box office if tickets don't sell?

Wanda Cinemas’ market share in the entire Chinese movie box office is as high as 15%.

When Feng Xiaogang saw that no one watched the movie he had spent a lot of effort and money to make, he blamed it on Wanda's boss, Mr. Wang, to express his dissatisfaction with the screening schedule of "I Am Not Madame Bovary".

Director Feng Xiaogang published a long article on Weibo titled "A Letter from Pan Jinlian to Mr. Wang Jianlin". In this long letter, Feng Xiaogang compared himself to "Pan Jinlian" and cried out for injustice.

The reason is that Wanda Group holds a grudge against Huayi Brothers because Huayi Brothers poached Wanda's former executives, and gave Huayi's film "I Am Not Madame Bovary" a screening schedule far below the market standard.

The essay ends with a subtle criticism of Wanda: If you have the guts, schedule zero screenings for me and let Pan Jinlian fend for herself!

As soon as this incident came out, it attracted widespread attention from the media and netizens. Various media outlets on the Internet rushed to report on it, and netizens were also waiting for Wanda's response.

Wanda’s Wang Jianlin has never responded to this matter. Perhaps this matter is nothing to Mr. Wang!

Wang Sicong, however, couldn't sit still and responded domineeringly on Weibo: "Sir, please don't be so sarcastic when you speak. It makes me sick. Don't think that you can incite innocent people just because you are a big director. If you have the guts, let your work speak for itself. Don't do this useless stuff. After all, no one can resist money!"

Wang Sicong made it very clear that Wanda didn't schedule your film because Huayi was dishonest and poached our talent first, so you don't allow us to fight back? As a director, shouldn't you let the film's strength speak for itself?

His response played into Director Feng's hands, and he immediately posted on Weibo to argue with Wang Sicong. Even Huayi's Wang Zhonglei got involved and posted on Weibo to clarify the matter of Huayi poaching Wanda's employees.

In short, after this operation, the popularity of the movie "I Am Not Madame Bovary" skyrocketed, and it became known to almost everyone on the Internet.

Everyone also started discussing who was right and who was wrong in this matter.

Gu Wei looked at the various comments from netizens on his phone. Some supported Feng Xiaogang, thinking that he was innocent and that Wanda was taking revenge on personal enemies and bullying its customers because of its size.

Some support Wang Sicong, thinking that he has a straightforward personality and that it is Wanda's freedom to schedule any movie they want.

The corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile.

Wang Sicong is still too naive. There is no right or wrong in this kind of thing.

Feng Xiaogang's original purpose in sending this letter was not to seek justice. He just wanted to use the opportunity to hype up the film and increase its popularity.

Wang Jianlin probably saw through his intentions at a glance, so he simply didn't bother to pay attention to him.

But Wang Sicong was still young and hot-tempered and could not stand any grievances.

No matter how he responded, Feng Xiaogang ultimately achieved his goal.

So this matter is essentially just a successful marketing and hype.

I guess after Wang Sicong posted that reply on Weibo, someone from Wanda told him the twists and turns of the matter.

So he replied once and then didn't say anything else, and I felt even worse.

After all, it feels bad to be used by others.

(End of this chapter)