In the spacious and bright offices on the top floor of the TVB building, floor-to-ceiling glass walls framed the view of Victoria Harbour. Three decision-makers, whose dreams of stardom and the fate of countless Miss Hong Kong pageants were in their hands: TVB Chairman Li Ho-wo; Sir Run Run Shaw, the eternal "Uncle Six"; and his most capable assistant and close partner, Mona Fong. Standing together at the window, they gazed down at the media frenzy that had just concluded below.
The clamor downstairs seemed to penetrate the soundproof glass and echo clearly in their ears. As Liu Rumeng's last figure disappeared behind the door, and as the reporters, cameras and notebooks in hand, chatted excitedly as they prepared to leave, Li Xiaohe's face showed undisguised excitement.
"Sir Run Run (Run Run's English name), look!" Li Ka-shing pointed downstairs, his tone intense. "This is the effect we want! This is unprecedented attention! Liu Rumeng has been pushed to the forefront because of the crazy actions of Peter Ho and Kobayashi Tenwang! The attention paid to our Miss Hong Kong pageant has almost surpassed the previous four combined! It's like the whole world is watching!"
He turned to Run Run Shaw, his eyes burning. "This is no longer just a beauty pageant; it's a social event that has rocked Hong Kong and even made headlines internationally! Liu Rumeng, I'm sure you'll be crowned Miss Hong Kong champion as long as she doesn't make any major mistakes on stage!"
Li Ka-shing stepped forward, his voice filled with the profit-seeking aura of a businessman. "So, now is the most crucial period! We at TVB absolutely cannot miss this opportunity! I suggest that, starting today, for the next month, we must invest heavily in an unprecedented publicity campaign! Television, radio, newspapers, magazines... especially our own prime-time TV stations, we must broadcast promotional features on the finalists, especially Liu Rumeng, amplifying all her shining points. We must also cleverly connect—just connect, just enough—her 'anecdotes' with the two wealthy young men, Huo and Xiaolin, to keep the heat going! We must make this Miss Hong Kong pageant a phenomenal event in Asia, and even the world! Just think about the boost this will bring to our TVB brand! Advertising fees could even double! Don't miss this opportunity!"
Sir Run Run Shaw, hands behind his back, listened to Li Xiaowo's passionate advice and snorted softly. His expression held a hint of his characteristic coldness and unshakable confidence. He raised his eyelids slightly, glanced at the dispersing reporters downstairs, then retracted his gaze, his tone flat but with a sense of natural arrogance:
"Xiaohe, your idea is very positive, but it seems that you have reversed the cause and effect of things."
Li Xiaohe was stunned: "Oh? Upside down?"
Run Run Shaw took two steps, his tone steady and undeniable, "No matter how beautiful and promising Liu Rumeng is, she's being talked about and noticed, even spotted by Peter Ho and Kobayashi Tenwang, causing a stir in the market... What do you think is the root cause?" He paused, his eyes sharp. "It's not because she's Liu Rumeng. It's because she participated in the Miss Hong Kong pageant held by TVB!"
"It was the TVB platform and the Miss Hong Kong crown we created that gilded her reputation, allowing her to enter the sights of super-rich families like Peter Ho and Kobayashi! Not the other way around!"
Run Run Shaw's voice was low, but each word resonated, as if stating an ironclad principle. "For over a decade, TVB's brand has been undeniably resounding. The Miss Hong Kong competition has been a truly iconic event in Hong Kong, its brilliance radiating across Southeast Asia and beyond! Our success isn't based on any particular contestant or the scandals surrounding her. It's built on the Miss Hong Kong brand and the power of TVB's platform! Now that she's attracting the attention of wealthy individuals, it further proves the value of our golden brand! Don't put the cart before the horse. Taking advantage of this current wave of popularity, we should promote the Miss Hong Kong platform and the TVB stage, not focus on personally promoting her! Does she want buzz? The competition itself will generate it. There's no need for additional spending; just follow the same procedures as in previous competitions!"
The office was completely silent, save for the faint hum of traffic on Broadcast Drive in Kowloon Tong. Run Run Shaw walked to the window, watching the paparazzi gradually dissipate below and the contestants file into the TVB building. In his view, Liu Rumeng was just one of the countless people passing through this platform. Even her current glory was merely a halo bestowed upon her by the platform. Breaking the rules for just one person wasn't worth it.
Li Ho-wo frowned. He understood Run Run Shaw's confidence in the TVB platform, but he valued this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand his influence more.
He didn't give up, and raised his voice a few degrees: "My Lord Shao! I'm not saying that the platform is not important! On the contrary, the platform is very important! But the platform also needs gimmicks to attract traffic!
Liu Rumeng is the talk of the town right now. Her love triangle with Xiaolin Huoshao is dominating not just the entertainment section, but the finance section as well! Citizens check the entertainment pages for her, and even the stock market and stock trading sections for her favorites! The buzz she's generated has surpassed the Miss Hong Kong pageant itself! If we capitalize on this buzz and invest heavily in publicity, attracting the world's attention to our Miss Hong Kong finals and TVB, then our Miss Hong Kong international status and advertising revenue will definitely rise to far more than just a level! If we simply stick to the same standards as previous editions, won't we be wasting this golden opportunity? She's the gimmick, the fulcrum we need to leverage for even greater attention!
He emphasized the "town's focus," the "financial edition," and the "greater attention," hoping to convince Run Run Shaw of the enormous commercial value and potential for brand enhancement. He eagerly glanced at Mona Fong, hoping to gain her support. "Mona, what do you think?"
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