Author: Stupid Old Leek

Huo Wenxi rubbed her temples and couldn't help but smile bitterly. Although she still wanted to persuade Wu Nianzu to be more conservative, thinking about Wu Nianzu's series of successes from forming F4 to filming "Meteor Garden", she had the urge to take a gamble with him.

Of course, the most important thing is that Wu Nianzu is the boss!

"Sister Xi, don't worry, I'm very sensible now. And these first batch of three million sheets are also very particular."

Huo Wenxi looked like Wu Nianzu and motioned for him to continue.

"Sister Xi, the contents of these three million photos are the same, but three different packaging designs are needed.

The first edition is the Chinese version, the name is "Meteor Shower", and the cover style is youthful! 2.3 million copies were produced.

The second version is the Japanese version, the album name is "Gaining through losing", which is the Japanese version of "Meteor Shower", the style should be more inspirational! Make 500,000 copies."

Don't be surprised, many songs in my childhood were half English and half Japanese. For example, this song "Gaining through Losing" is half in English, which greatly reduced the difficulty for Wu Nianzu to learn and sing.

"Gaining through losing" means "gaining from failure". It is an inspirational song that encourages people to move forward bravely and be proactive even if they have been through hardships for a long time. The song is affectionate but not lacking in power, touching and exciting.

The adapted version of "Meteor Shower" has become an out-and-out love song. This is also a common problem with covers in China. 80% to 90% of cover lyrics are about love!

Then Wu Nianzu raised his third finger:

"The third version is the English version. The album is called "Mai Ai Hee". The style is more exaggerated and entertaining in Europe and America. One word, Hi! 200,000 copies."

In Europe and the United States, the title song of the album must be replaced by "Mai Ai Hee". This kind of rhythmic, high enough, easy-to-remember song with fun dance music is very popular in Europe and the United States.

Wu Nianzu will also design a fun and viral dance with F4, and dance it in the MV to help spread the song "Ant Teeth"!

Hearing this, Huo Wenxi understood that Wu Nianzu had carefully considered and made up his mind, so he said no more: "Azu, have you decided who to look for for the distribution channel?"

As a newly established entertainment company, Zulong does not have its own distribution channels, so it must find some major record companies to distribute its records.

"Who is coming to contact us now?"

"After the news was released, record companies of all sizes have come. At present, the most powerful ones are Rolling Stone, PolyGram, EMI, Sony, and Warner."

"How do they quote?" Wu Nianzu asked.

"Sony has the lowest distribution channel fee of 33%, and the others are higher."

Wu Nianzu knocked on the table and thought.

Generally, record channel distributors will share 30% to 40% of the record revenue as distribution fees. The specific amount depends on the bargaining power of the production company and the singer.

If you are an ordinary new singer, you may be ripped off by a major record company by 40%, but F4 is still very popular and has great bargaining power!

The five largest record companies in the world are PolyGram, Sony, Warner, EMI, and BMG (Bertusmann).

But this is not the case in the Chinese-speaking area. The top record companies in the Chinese-speaking area are Rolling Stone and then PolyGram.

"Get rid of the rolling stones first."

Huo Wenxi also nodded. Although the Rolling Stones are great in the Chinese-speaking area, Wu Nianzu's goal is obviously not just the Chinese-speaking area. The Rolling Stones are nothing if they leave the Chinese-speaking area.

"PolyGram doesn't work either."

"PolyGram not only has a strong influence in the Chinese-speaking area, but also has strong distribution capabilities throughout the world. I think it is a good choice?" Huo Wenxi was puzzled.

"Sister Xi, I have a source of information. Something big has happened in PolyGram. You will know when the time comes."

PolyGram will soon be acquired by Universal, and the internal turmoil that will occur during this period will greatly affect the distribution business, so it is not an option.

Huo Wenxi put his doubts in his heart and waited for Wu Nianzu to make his own decision.

"Sony! Although they entered the Chinese-speaking area relatively late, their distribution capabilities are not weak, and Neon is their home base. With the influence of Michael Jackson, the channels they have established in Europe and the United States are also unimpeded.

Sister Xi, Sony wants to take advantage of the popularity of our F4 to expand its influence in the Chinese-speaking area. Let’s talk to them about the channel fee and reduce it by five points!

Tell them that our sales in the Chinese region will not be less than 3 million, and then invite them to listen to the quality of the songs we have recorded. I believe they will agree in the end!"

Wu Nianzu also took a fancy to Sony's influence in Neon and Europe and the United States. As for the Chinese-speaking area, Wu Nianzu was not worried. Sony's own channel foundation was not weak. Coupled with the current influence of F4, there should be nothing in the Chinese-speaking area.

Obstacle.

"As for the mainland region, you need to explain it clearly to Sony. I hope that the sales of the imported version in the mainland region will also be included in the sales statistics."

Huo Wenxi frowned: "Mainland imported versions are never included in record sales by record companies. It's hard for Sony to make an exception for you."

"This needs to be discussed. The imported version is not a pirated version, it is also legally authorized, even if it is 2 pieces, it counts as one!" Wu Nianzu said firmly.

Many future generations of fans may not know that albums from overseas regions are divided into original versions and mainland-imported versions in mainland China.

Due to its particularity, the mainland does not allow other non-domestic companies to directly engage in sales, so the usual practice is to authorize mainland companies to produce, sell and distribute products.

The original version is shipped directly from overseas for sale, while the imported version is made into CD by domestic manufacturers by copying the original version.

Generally speaking, the sound loss rate of imported versions is larger than that of foreign originals, but the sound quality is still guaranteed.

The inner pages of the original packaging will be more exquisite and there will be gifts, while the imported version is more ordinary.

But one advantage of the imported version is that it is cheaper.

If you buy one that is over 70 or 80 years old, congratulations, it is the original version.

And if you buy one for less than 40 yuan, and it has words like "Restricted to mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan)" printed on it, then it is an imported version.

Therefore, imported versions have always been called legal pirated copies by overseas and large companies, and are not included in global sales.

Of course, when mainland China's economy improves in a few years, record companies will make separate statistics on the sales of imported mainland versions and compare them with the sales of mainland singers.

Therefore, fans of Hong Kong and Taiwan stars listen to albums that they think are genuine, but have not been recognized by overseas regions and the International Recording Association. This is a very sad fact.

Wu Nianzu just wanted to add the sales volume of his imported mainland version to that, and at the same time break the arrogant mentality overseas that does not recognize the imported version from mainland China.

Even if my price is low, you still make money from me. It is legally recognized by you signing the authorization contract and paying the relevant taxes. It should also be included in the calculation based on the weight of 0.5!

This is not only respect for the singer, but also recognition of the efforts of fans and consumers!

"Azu, this matter is not just a matter of the record company. We also need to communicate with the International Recording Association. It's not that easy." Huo Wenxi shook his head.

"Sister Xi, I know it's not easy, but we have to fight for it. If no one fights for it, there will be no results. It would be better for Sony to come forward and communicate!"

After hearing this, Huo Wenxi thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "If you really want to do this, I think you shouldn't go to Sony."

"How to say?"

Huo Wenxi explained: "From the record company's standpoint, they have no incentive to do this because they will get a share or buyout fee from the imported version.

Singers don't get a dime. At most, the company is happy and gives you a red envelope. Singers naturally have the motivation to fight for this part of their rights.

You can unite the singers to propose to the International Phonographic Association that the imported version from mainland China needs to be recognized, and the singers should get their due share from it."

Wu Nianzu suddenly realized that this was indeed the case.

Many singers are actually not interested in imported versions from mainland China because they don’t get a penny.

It once happened that a mainland fan asked a singer to sign an imported copy, but the singer refused on the spot with a stern face.

"But if you do this, you will be taking food from the record company. Neither the record company nor the mainland distribution company will be happy." Huo Wenxi reminded.

Wu Nianzu thought for a moment and said, "I still want to give it a try. Sister Xi, go and negotiate the price with Sony. I will handle the imported version myself."

After Huo Wenxi left, Wu Nianzu slowly thought about it by himself.

In fact, as the boss of the company, he doesn't have to do it like this. Anyway, the company can make money from the imported version.

But there are some things that he feels should still be done, which are related to the identity recognition of mainland fans. He doesn't think this is optional.

If this thing is initiated and finally completed by him, all overseas singers will owe him a debt of gratitude in the future!

And he has a certain degree of confidence, because the mainland has been hoping to gain international recognition in recent years, especially now that it is working hard to apply to join the WTO. This kind of opportunity to integrate with international standards will definitely be actively promoted by the authorities, which involves international image.

question!

However, the time has not come yet. We need to wait until his album sells well in a few months and he has a certain influence before he can become an advocate.

Just as Wu Nianzu was thinking carefully, his cell phone rang.

"Hey, Azu, Lin Baixin has contacted me!" Chen Ziwu's voice sounded.

"Oh? He knows it's you? How are you preparing now?"

"Sooner or later, you can't hide this kind of thing. He asked me to go to Wanwan to meet him, but I didn't agree immediately. I let him go first. I will go to Wanwan in three days. You should be prepared first."

"Okay! Everything on my side will be almost done within three days."

Wu Nianzu perked up after hearing this. It was time to reap the fruits!

…

"Yes" magazine headquarters.

"Azhen, why are you back today free?" Shao Guohua greeted with a smile.

"Yes" magazine was founded by Ni Zhen and Shao Guohua. Although Ni Zhen has sold off his equity, the relationship between the two is still very good.

"Brother Guohua, I heard that things are not going well in the magazine recently?"

Shao Guohua sighed: "After the financial crisis, everyone is barely living."

Ni Zhen is actually very glad that he sold his shares in "Yes" magazine last year, because after the financial crisis, there was less hot money and the magazine was also affected. If he had kept his shares, the price might have been only half of what it was then.

"Brother Guohua, the current environment is difficult. Don't be so rigid. When making a magazine, you must find something that attracts readers' attention. For example, Li Zhiyin's "Apple Daily" will make your life very nourishing."
To be continued...