Chapter 472 Internet Banking
Zhao Jingsheng looked around the audience, his face showing the calmness unique to a technical manager, but also a hint of excitement about being able to show his talents.
The voice was loud and clear: "Thank you, Mr. Zhou, for your trust, and thank you to all my colleagues for your support."
"Just now, President Zhou has already pointed out the industry's difficulties and new growth direction, animation.
This is not a whim, but is based on in-depth analysis of market trends, user needs and the company's technological genes.
To quickly build a differentiated content barrier, companies can adopt a dual-track strategy of 'copyright introduction + original cultivation.'"
Zhao Jingsheng paused briefly, his expression becoming more relaxed: "In the early days of Toutiao Video, we introduced Japanese anime works such as "Naruto" and "One Piece".
Historical data shows that this type of content significantly contributes to user growth. Therefore, this year the company will accelerate copyright negotiations with Shueisha, aiming to secure exclusive electronic rights to more than ten top titles.
Zhou Juan nodded slightly. While Toutiao Video had a dedicated section for Japanese anime, it had previously been neglected due to piracy issues. Now, after listening to Zhao Jingsheng's analysis, she truly realized the huge potential of introducing Japanese anime.
Zhao Jingsheng's tone was tinged with the enthusiasm of a pioneer: "Compared to film and television dramas that often cost tens of millions of dollars, the production costs of animation, especially the initial costs, are much more controllable.
The production cost of a single episode is much lower than that of TV dramas of the same level, and the production cycle is relatively flexible, so a production-while-broadcast model can be adopted.
It can also be adjusted quickly based on user feedback, reducing trial and error costs and improving capital efficiency. This perfectly aligns with our current core goal of 'reducing costs and increasing efficiency.'
After a pause, his tone became more serious: "Mr. Zhou mentioned the long-term goal of transforming from a 'content player' to an 'IP operation platform'. Animation is one of the most efficient soils for incubating original IP!
A successful anime character and an anime story that resonates deeply in people's hearts have immeasurable potential in terms of derivative value such as games, peripherals, and live-action films and television.
Backed by the group's powerful technology, data and traffic advantages, Toutiao Video is fully capable of adapting comics and novels into animations, and then promoting derivative development, allowing IP to circulate and increase in value within the group's ecosystem!
This is definitely more advantageous than the simple 'copyright purchase-play-advertisement' model."
The blueprint that Zhao Jingsheng outlined for Toutiao Video was clear and very attractive. The originally solemn atmosphere in the conference room was gradually replaced by new expectations, and Zhou Juan nodded repeatedly as she listened.
“In terms of original cultivation, we must combine ‘building a nest to attract talents’ with ‘independent incubation’:
On the one hand, a special support fund is set up to attract high-quality creators on the market to exclusively or first release their works on Toutiao Video with a relatively generous profit-sharing or guaranteed profit-sharing model;
On the other hand, we have formed our own core creative and production team, relying on our sister companies Tiangong Special Effects and Reading Group to accurately establish projects and incubate original S-level animation IP belonging to Toutiao Video.
I suggest that our first independent project be the bestseller "Battle Through the Heavens," published by Qidian Chinese Network. Its fantasy and martial arts themes are a popular genre in the current youth market, and there's great potential for an anime adaptation."
Hearing this, Zhou Juan paused for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Okay! I'll discuss the adaptation of the bestseller with Mr. Wu from the Reading Group. Mr. Zhao, if you have any other ideas, please continue."
Zhao Jingsheng looked at the management present with a sharp gaze and spoke eloquently: "Anime users are a group with extremely strong social attributes.
We want to create a highly interactive anime community, covering functions such as barrage guidance, creator interaction, fan support, and entrance to surrounding shopping malls.
At the same time, we will deeply embed high-quality anime content into the membership benefits package, designing 'exclusive anime membership' or 'series chasing privileges' to attract core anime users to pay."
Zhou Juan couldn't help but applaud. The member benefits plan hit the nail on the head. "Mr. Zhao, your plan is excellent and highly feasible. Please feel free to ask for anything you need."
Zhao Jingsheng thought for a moment and said frankly: "To achieve this, there are several key requirements:
Sufficient budget investment is required during the startup period, especially the introduction of some high-quality Japanese comics as a traffic supplement, which requires financial support.
Including the incubation of original projects, the initial investment must not be less than 200 million yuan.”
Zhou Juan, Ye Yuan, and Chen Mingyu exchanged a glance and immediately declared, "No problem! The company will invest the 200 million!"
Zhao Jingsheng perked up after hearing this and continued, "Animation development technicians can temporarily seek support from Tiangong Special Effects, but the company's HR department needs to expedite the recruitment of animation screenwriters, community building experts, and related operational personnel."
The meeting room was silent as everyone digested this ambitious plan.
After a while, Zhou Juan summarized: "Mr. Zhao's thinking is very clear, and he has explained the goals, paths, and needs thoroughly.
The road to breakthrough is never easy, but animation is the axe chosen by the company to break the ice."
After the meeting, Zhou Juan closed her notebook, picked up her teacup, and was about to leave when Chen Mingyu came over and said, "Mr. Zhou, please stay. I have something to report to you."
Zhou Juan nodded and sat back down. After everyone had left the meeting room, she asked, "Mr. Chen, what's going on?"
Chen Mingyu quickly said, "Mr. Zhou, Hunan Satellite TV has taken a fancy to the copyright of the parent-child outdoor reality show 'Dad! Where Are We Going?' that we imported from South Korea's MBC TV station. They want to work with us again to develop this variety show."
Zhou Juan immediately became interested. The previous programs "I Am a Singer" and "Flowers and Youth" co-produced by Toutiao Video and Hunan Satellite TV were both very successful and attracted many paying users to the platform.
"How does Hunan TV want to cooperate?"
"We'll still follow the old rules of 'Flowers and Youth'. Both parties will invest together, we'll have the publishing rights, and the TV station will be responsible for production."
"I agree in principle." Zhou Juan thought for a moment, a hint of doubt crossing her face. "But will this kind of parent-child outdoor reality show be well received by the market?"
"This show has good ratings in Korea, so I think it's worth a try."
Zhou Juan felt more at ease. "Then let's cooperate. How does Hunan TV plan to film it?"
Chen Mingyu further explained: "They plan to make some local adjustments and will focus more on testing the celebrities' ability to raise children.
We will also pay more attention to the communication and interaction between parents and children, which is more in line with the mainstream concept here."
Zhou Juan nodded and praised: "Xiang Province Satellite TV is indeed unique in the field of variety shows, and its ideas and thoughts are very eye-catching.
By collaborating with them, we can learn from their experience and lay the foundation for future independent development. Mr. Chen, you are in charge of the platform content, so please pay more attention to this area."
"Don't worry, I understand."
Zhou Juan asked again, "Have the guests for Hunan Provincial TV been selected?"
"It's settled. The five father-son/daughter pairs are Lin Zhiying, Guo Tao, Tian Liang, Zhang Liang, and Wang Yuelun."
Zhou Juan chuckled: "The people have been selected, and the Hunan Provincial TV Station has made sufficient preparations.
Actors, models, directors, athletes, from different fields, with different personalities, I am looking forward to what kind of sparks they will create."
Chen Mingyu took the opportunity to ask for instructions: "If you have no objection, I will finalize the details of the cooperation with Hunan Satellite TV as soon as possible."
Zhou Juan sighed softly, "There's no problem on my end. Just follow the procedures. I hope this variety show becomes popular and helps relieve the pressure on the company this year."
Zhou Juan returned to the office and thought for a long time before deciding to report the situation to Song Ciyu.
We want to get more group resources to tilt towards Toutiao Video. Even if we can't get financial support, at least we can get more support in terms of traffic.
He immediately picked up the landline phone and dialed the secretary's office's short number, and the call was quickly answered.
"Hello, Mr. Zhou."
"Secretary Jian, is Director Song available right now?"
"Mr. Wu is reporting to Mr. Song, and Mr. Song is basically busy this morning."
"What about the afternoon?" Zhou Juan knew in her heart that WeChat Wallet had just been launched yesterday on the Lantern Festival, and Wu Yi must be reporting this matter now.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhou, but Mr. Song and his wife will be flying to South Korea this afternoon to visit Samsung Group.
If your matter is not particularly urgent, I can arrange for you to meet the day after tomorrow. Mr. Song will be returning to China the day after tomorrow."
Zhou Juan smiled awkwardly, "No need. Mr. Song's schedule is so tight, I won't bother you. I'll find another opportunity to report to him when he's free."
At this moment, in the office of the chairman of Tengda on the top floor of the Technology Building, Song Ci was staring at the computer screen, browsing the relevant reports about WeChat Zero-Balance Wallet.
[Caijing.com Exclusive] WeChat Zero-Balance Wallet ignites a "Change Revolution" on its first day of launch! Everyone's financial management enters the era of instant savings!
Core data: 22.1 billion yuan was attracted in 18 hours, exceeding the total amount of Yu'e Bao in the first week; the average balance per household was 812 yuan, and 87% of the funds came from change below 1,000 yuan; ICBC's agreement deposit rate was 5.88%, 12 basis points lower than Yu'e Bao.
“When even the grocery store lady starts discussing seven-day annualized returns, you know times have truly changed!”
"ICBC's deposits are increasing, not decreasing. This is the key! It proves that mobile finance and banking are not a zero-sum game. The Tenda model may be the antidote for the industry."
…
After quickly scanning the comments from economists, investment bankers, and others below, Song Ci turned his eyes away from the screen and asked, "Is there any news from ICBC?"
Wu Yi responded cheerfully, "There's been no unusual movement in ICBC's large-denomination certificates of deposit. President Jiang is very satisfied."
Song Ci nodded slightly. The situation with the Zero-Balance Wallet was basically what he expected, but out of caution, he still reminded:
"Pay close attention to data anomalies. The bank takes anti-money laundering very seriously, so we need to cooperate well."
"Don't worry."
After saying that, Song Ci casually picked up a document on the table and handed it to his subordinate: "Take a look at this."
Wu Yi took it with both hands, glanced at the title, and subconsciously read out softly: "Build a WeChat payment scoring system", and then read it carefully.
As Wu Yi was reading the document carefully, Song Ci explained, "WeChat Pay Score is a comprehensive scoring system for personal consumer credit based on the group's WeChat Pay big data.
It evaluates users based on three core dimensions: identity, payment behavior, and compliance history. The higher the score, the better the user's credit, and the more convenient services they will enjoy in the future."
Wu Yi looked at the materials and combined them with the chairman's words just now, and it suddenly became clear in his mind that the payment score is an exclusive credit assessment system built for WeChat Pay.
This is not only a functional supplement, but also a key leap from a tool to a credit intermediary, which can lay a solid foundation for the group to carry out more financial business.
He turned to the fourth page of the document, lowered his eyes, and his pupils suddenly contracted. He suddenly looked up at Song Ci, his face full of extreme shock.
His voice was trembling. "Mr. Song, are you planning to...are you planning to set up an internet bank?"
This was completely beyond his imagination. In his view, the launch of Zero-Balance Wallet, the in-depth cooperation with the four major banks, and the establishment of a payment point system have already taken internet finance to its extremes.
But no one expected that the chairman's ultimate goal was not "cooperation" at all, but to start a new business in the name of Tengda, reshape the rules, and establish an Internet bank by himself!
Setting up a bank? How much capital is needed, how strict are the licenses, and how complicated is the regulatory communication?
The interest structure and potential risks involved behind the scenes are enough to make one's scalp tingle just thinking about it.
This is no longer an ordinary business innovation, but rather touches the most core and sensitive nerves of the financial system.
The air in the office seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Sunlight slanted in through the window, outlining a golden edge behind Song Ci, making his expression appear particularly profound.
"Why do you think the payment point system should be so in-depth?" Song Ci's voice remained steady.
"Identity traits are linked to user data, payment behaviors connect online and offline consumption scenarios, and contract compliance history covers everything from utility bills to credit card repayments..."
Wu Yi was shocked when he heard this, and then he realized that the items about "payment authority", "micro-credit limit" and "supply chain finance rating" in this set of payment rules were not what ordinary payment tools should have.
"Mr. Song! There's no precedent for internet banking in China. Regarding the licensing issue..." Wu Yi licked his dry lips and took a deep breath. "Regulators have always been very cautious about private capital entering the banking industry..."
"The group is already studying and communicating about the license issue. It's not something you need to consider." Song Ci interrupted, his tone unquestionable, and it was obvious that he had already considered everything thoroughly.
"What you need to do now is to understand why it must be an internet bank and the role that payment points play in it."
"The success of Zero-Bill Wallet proves our ability to aggregate massive amounts of scattered funds; the establishment of the payment score system will help us screen out the highest-quality and most trustworthy users."
The voice of Song Ci was not loud, but every word was clearly heard by Wu Yi.
"But have you ever thought about this? The vast majority of the funds we absorb can only be 'deposited' in traditional banks through agreement deposits, earning a stable interest rate spread.
However, within our own ecosystem, whether it's personal consumer loans that future internet banks may target or supply chain finance that supports the development of tens of millions of small and medium-sized merchants on the platform, there is a huge and hungry demand for funds."
Wu Yi grasped the key point instantly, his mind racing: "You mean, we have low-cost funds and valuable user credit data in our left hand, and we face the huge financing needs within the ecosystem in our right hand.
But you have to go through someone else's banking system? There is a huge loss of value and efficiency barriers in the process! "
"That's right!" Song Ci's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "Fertile water will eventually flow into your own fields.
Internet banking is our own "field"; payment points are the most important "water source" and "canal design" for irrigating this field.
Even in the future, based on payment scores and richer behavioral data, we will be able to provide users with highly personalized wealth management services and intelligently recommend deposit, wealth management, and insurance combinations."
Song Ci's tone was not very passionate, but each question was like a heavy hammer, hitting Wu Yi's heart, gradually turning his initial shock into boiling excitement and a clear strategic picture.
Wu Yi finally understood. The chairman wasn't looking at the next move, but the outcome ten or a hundred steps down the road.
WeChat Pay, Zero-Balance Wallet, Payment Points...all of these are carefully arranged chess pieces.
Each link is closely linked, and the ultimate goal is to build a closed-loop financial ecosystem led by Tengda, covering deposits, loans, remittances, and wealth management.
Internet banking is the brightest jewel in this crown and the ultimate vehicle for connecting all businesses and maximizing value.
Thinking of the huge opportunities and subversive energy contained therein, Wu Yi felt a shudder. It was not fear, but the excitement of being able to participate in creating a new era.
All previous doubts and worries were washed away at this moment by the huge prospects.
He looked down at the "WeChat Pay Points" document in his hand again, his eyes different now. These thin pages of paper now felt like a thousand pounds.
It is no longer just a credit scoring product plan, but a key to open the vault and a blueprint for the foundation of a future financial empire.
"Mr. Song, I completely understand!" Wu Yi's voice was a little hoarse with excitement, but full of unprecedented determination.
"Please rest assured, I will personally monitor the 'WeChat Pay Points' project closely to ensure its rapid and stable implementation, laying the most solid foundation for the group's next strategic move!"
(End of this chapter)
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