Longteng Electronics remained silent for a full week, during which time the iPod community was still maintained by Wang An.
Wang An simply followed Chen Dong's instructions to interact with iPod users, but resolutely avoided mentioning that the product had been removed from Amazon.
During this period, Sony was not idle either. Taking advantage of the crackdown on DragonTen by the regulatory authorities, it increased its promotional efforts in North America and Europe.
Mark, the manager of Sony's overseas marketing department, doubled the number of physical advertisements in the regions he was responsible for.
Previously, only young people paid attention to electronic technology products, but due to the success of the advertising campaign, even some middle-aged people have become interested in Sony.
"Boss, Sony headquarters just announced to the investment community that they will add another $100 million to the original plan to increase production lines."
Annie looked worried. Their company was being held hostage by Europe and the United States, while their competitors were thriving.
Chen Dong flipped through Sony's second-quarter financial report, his expression calm and unaffected.
Wang An grew anxious. "Boss, we can't just keep putting up with this. Many people in our iPod community have already protested. They say they're going to report our online community if we don't give them an explanation."
“No rush, it’s not the right time yet.” Chen Dong glanced at Annie. “Isn’t Sony planning to make additional investment?”
"Let them think they have the upper hand, and then we'll enter the market after they invest more. By then, they'll have actually absorbed the investment, but they won't be able to sell their products."
"Wouldn't this be an even bigger blow to Sony?"
Annie and Wang An exchanged a glance, not quite agreeing with the big boss's plan.
Lin Zhiyuan, who has always been conservative in his views, couldn't help but doubt Chen Dong's words. "We don't even know if our products can be put on the market. Even if the European and American regulations really allow us to enter, we may not be able to beat Sony."
Lin Zhiyuan then asked Annie, "After they announced the additional investment, how many investment companies expressed interest?"
“As far as I know, almost all light tech companies are interested.” Anne thought for a moment and added, “Moreover, Sony is an established company, which makes it more trustworthy for investment firms.”
Sony's announcement of seeking investment immediately attracted the attention of the investment community.
On the one hand, it's because Sony is a large company, and on the other hand, it's because Sony is a company that gets things done. Although it inevitably hypes up concepts in the process of product marketing, in addition to concepts, Sony has strong technical strength, a powerful brand appeal, and a company size that spans Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
In contrast, the iPod's brand company is a shell company in the Cayman Islands, and its OEM manufacturer is the newly established Longteng Electronics Technology.
Even though Longteng Group has a considerable reputation and strength.
However, Longteng Group's business focus is more on industry and finance.
Tech companies are not just about throwing money at them.
The soft requirements such as talent, management, and concepts, as well as the hard requirements such as funding, channels, equipment, and skilled workers, are all indispensable.
"Everyone should have confidence in our Longteng products," Chen Dong reassured them. "Sony is a big company with a good reputation, that's true, but our products also incorporate the latest technology. In the market, we have no competitors other than Sony."
"Besides..."
"Ring ring ring—"
Just then, the phone rang in Chen Dong's office.
Chen Dong glanced at Annie and gestured for her to answer the phone.
"Hello, this is the headquarters office of Longteng..."
Before Annie could finish speaking, the person on the other end hurriedly introduced himself: "I am Xiang Feng, the investment supervisor of Asia Travel Capital."
Everyone in the office looked completely bewildered upon hearing this name.
Asia Travel Capital is an investment firm headquartered in Southeast Asia. They have always focused on long-term investments in large projects.
"So, is it possible for your company's iPods to still be available for sale?"
"I mean, when will Longteng pay all the fines owed to Europe and America?"
Annie smiled, her tone slightly awkward, "Mr. Xiang, you called specifically to ask this?"
Xiang Feng seemed to be a straightforward person, and said directly, "Sony has recently opened up to investment opportunities in the investment community. To be honest, our Asian branch has taken a liking to both IDS and iPod. I just want to confirm whether you still have the qualifications to enter the European and American markets."
"If Longteng Electronics can enter Europe and the United States, we Asian investment banks are willing to invest in iPod."
It seems that although there have been undercurrents in the investment circle recently, no major companies have entered the fray, because they are still evaluating the value of Sony and Longteng Electronics.
Small businesses can follow trends and even try to profit from Sony's success, but large companies can't just choose any option.
Although Sony is already a large company, investment should be approached with caution.
Mr. Xiang's sudden urgency suggests that a heated debate has erupted within the company, and he called to get answers directly from Longteng headquarters.
The largest market for electronic products is still in Europe and America, so only by conquering Europe and America can we get the biggest slice of the pie.
"This is Chen Dong. The iPod will be back on Amazon within a week at the latest." Chen Dong took the phone. "At that time, we welcome the injection of capital from Asia Travel."
Xiang Feng was stunned for a moment. He thought that even if someone of his level could make a call to Chen Dong's office, he could only talk to the secretary. He didn't expect Chen Dong to come forward personally.
"Okay, with you saying that, I feel more confident."
After hanging up the phone, Wang An was agitated. "We're going to accept investment from Asia Travel Capital?"
“I just wanted to have an extra backup plan,” Chen Dong shook his head. “The market is unstable. Right now, we not only have to face suppression from European and American regulatory authorities, but also from the Freemasons.”
"Having more friends means having more options. Even if we don't reach a cooperation agreement with Asia Travel Capital in the end, we can still be on good terms even if the deal falls through."
It turns out that Chen Dong had Asia Travel Capital as a backup plan.
Lin Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Two days later, the iPod controversy had reached its peak, with investors increasingly betting on it and smaller companies joining Sony's camp.
Within days, Sony attracted more than $50 million in investment.
Time is money. After receiving the money, Sony immediately rented warehouses, expanded its production lines, and recruited a large number of skilled workers.
Due to the tight schedule and heavy workload, the products in stores in Europe and North America were sold out. Sony spent twice the market price to hire factory workers at high salaries.
Promotion, spending money, production, importing raw materials—everything is proceeding at a rapid pace.
Nanyang Financial Daily, East China Fortune, and Investment Guide all reported on Sony's series of crazy moves.
The television station even predicted that Sony would create a new era of electronic music.
For a time, Sony was the talk of the town, both within the industry and in the public eye.
......
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