giants of the era

Chapter 125 Victory
In fact, starting from late April, pirated tapes began to appear on the market.

Li Zetian decided to sell all the equipment of Apple's music tape production factory in Hong Kong. There is no doubt that the buyers are basically pirate manufacturers!

In early May, small-scale bootleg tapes appeared on the market.By mid-May, a large number of pirated tape factories had been built, causing the entire market to be flooded with pirated tapes. There were pirated tapes in kiosks, convenience stores, supermarkets, newsstands, video stores, bookstores, etc.

More and more Walkman users bought pirated tapes, and non-Walkman users also knew about the existence of pirated tapes, so they went to the Apple flagship store to buy Walkmans.Apple's flagship store is slowly coming back to life.

These days, Li Zetian was under tremendous pressure, his tired eyes were bloodshot, but at this moment, he smiled, laughing wantonly!He knew that Apple had won, and that the anti-Walkman coalition would soon fall apart.

Of course, it’s not that the Anti-Walkman Alliance did not stop pirated tapes, but no matter how powerful the record company is, it can block audio-visual stores. Can it also block canteens, convenience stores, supermarkets, bookstores, and newsstands?Does it dare to fight against so many companies?
It is true that American law is very strict on piracy, and people have a strong awareness of genuine copies, but...there are no genuine tapes for sale. What else can you buy besides buying pirated tapes?It is based on this situation that pirated tapes have the soil to grow rapidly! ! !

Li Zetian felt relaxed, humming a song, and came to Tian Shuai's office.

He said to Tian Shuai: "Looking at the situation, Walkman is about to usher in a sales climax. It is time for the factory in Hong Kong to start operation. In addition, the previous tape factory will also be converted into a Walkman production plant to increase production capacity. We will not only make the Walkman Sell ​​it to the United States, and sell it to the whole world!"

Tian Shuai was also in a good mood, nodded and said: "Okay, I will inform the people in Hong Kong later."

At this time, the anti-Walkman alliance has been in chaos.

The board of directors of EMI Records privately decided to produce music tapes.

"I didn't expect the pirated tapes to develop so quickly, sweeping across the US market like wildfire, it's simply unexpected!" A senior executive sighed slightly.

"We don't make tapes, but users want tapes, so the money goes to bootleg factories. At the same time, it still has a big impact on our vinyl records! Instead of doing this, we might as well make tapes ourselves, Recover a little loss!"

"Yes, the trend of the times, we can no longer be stubborn!"

"Everyone, how about our cooperation with Apple? You know, if tapes can be bundled with Walkman, it will greatly promote the sales of tapes! It is reported that those third-rate record companies have greatly increased the sales of tapes because of their cooperation with Apple. The income has increased several times, and some have even increased by more than 10 times!"

"Yes. So, right now, if EMI Records can be the first to cooperate with Apple, we will definitely get the most benefits!"

"Well, yes, it must be ahead of other record companies!!!"

"..."

Soon, EMI Records made a decision.

In the afternoon, the CEO of EMI Records flew to the Apple headquarters in person.

Li Zetian sat on an office chair in the office, took a sip of tea slowly, and asked the visitor unhurriedly: "Mr. Irving Nixon, I don't know if you are here. What's the matter?"

In fact, Li Zetian had already guessed the other party's intentions, but he just wanted to ask the question knowingly, to give him a little color. Wasn't every record company very bullish back then?Coming to work with Apple now?
"Yes," Irving Nixon smiled with no embarrassment on his old face, "Among the anti-Walkman alliance, EMI Records is willing to be the first to stand up and support Apple, and is willing to cooperate with Apple!"

At this time, Li Zetian started to pick up Joe, and said with a hint of sarcasm: "Mr. Irving Nixon, Apple has repeatedly offered to cooperate with EMI Records, but you have all rejected them mercilessly. Now you want to cooperate with EMI." Apple has cooperated, but this time it is our turn to be willing or not!"

Owen Nixon's skin was thicker than a city wall. After listening to Li Zetian's words, he was not angry at all, and said with a smile on his face: "Yes, I have to admit that this is a major mistake made by EMI's decision-makers. The company apologized. Isn't there a saying in the business world: "There are no permanent friends in the mall, and there are no permanent enemies." Yesterday, Apple and EMI were enemies; but today, we can be friends , Do you think so, Mr. Li?"

Li Zetian certainly welcomes the cooperation between EMI Records and Apple. His previous attitude was just to give the other party a bad impression and let him know that Apple is not a role that can come and go at will.But seeing the other party put his posture so low, and his attitude is sincere.Li Zetian didn't intend to continue to embarrass him.If Apple can reach a cooperative relationship with EMI Records as soon as possible, it will greatly benefit the sales of Walkman!
At that time, the anti-Walkman alliance will collapse on its own, and more and more record companies will choose to compromise and have to produce music tapes.In this way, Walkman will be popular all over the world!
At this time, Li Zetian nodded and said, "Yes, there are no permanent friends or enemies in the market. Apple is willing to cooperate with EMI Records!"

Irving Nixon stretched out his hand and said with a smile, "I hope our two companies can cooperate happily!"

"Ok!"

Li Zetian shook hands with him, and then discussed the content of cooperation, including binding sales, how to share, how to promote and other specific details.

The two talked for an hour and a half before they ended.

When Li Zetian sent Owen Nixon out of the gate, he returned to the company, and all the employees looked at him in unison.

Li Zetian smiled slightly and said: "It's good news to announce that EMI Records has bowed to us and expressed its willingness to produce music tapes! In the future, Apple's flagship store can sell any tape music of EMI Records!"

When everyone heard the words, they danced excitedly and shouted!
"Win, we finally won, we are the winners!!!"

"LONG LIVE APPLE!!!"

"Long live Mr. Li!!!"

"..."

At this moment, many people were so excited that they even shed tears. The difficult period of one and a half months made many people's nerves so tense that they almost suffocated.

Li Zetian's eyes were also reddish. This situation made people feel moved. He held back his tears and said to everyone: "Everyone has worked hard these days. After the Walkman is sold, I will prepare a big one for everyone. Red envelope!!!"

"yeah!!!"

Everyone hugged Li Zetian excitedly and happily, and threw him into the sky with all their strength, shouting: "Long live Mr. Li!!!"

Every time Li Zetian was thrown into the sky, he couldn't help screaming, firstly he was happy, and secondly, he was worried that if they didn't catch him, his ass would explode.

……

……

The news of the cooperation between EMI Records and Apple quickly spread to the "Anti-Walkman Alliance". Members of the alliance cursed each other, thinking about producing music tapes as soon as possible.Within a few days, Polygram Records, Universal Music and other companies announced the production of music tapes. So far, the "Anti-Walkman Alliance" existed in name only.

A week later, the Walkman was a huge hit!

At the end of May, Li Zetian accepted an interview with Time Magazine as a winner.

The reporter asked him: "Mr. Li, what makes you firmly believe that Apple will eventually win?"

He replied: "It is every employee who works hard for Apple, they have given me the invincible belief and strength!!!"

(End of this chapter)