Respawn Entertainment: Days of Glory

Chapter 891 Internal Decision
Although his situation is quite different from a celebrity endorsement investment failure or product overpricing, it is still something we must be wary of.

Back on Earth, similar incidents had occurred to some people not far from him. One such person was a well-known host in the province who was investigated for tax evasion and began frantically selling off assets to pay back fines.

Two related restaurant chains, with dozens or even hundreds of franchise stores, were forced to shut down half of their stores within days due to online harassment. Investors who lacked confidence also joined in the chaos, ultimately creating a mess.

Just as Guo Sichu said, the impact on Rolling Stone Records can actually be very small. As long as the impact doesn't escalate to the point where rock music is being condemned and suppressed, the market for music festivals and live performances will not be affected.

As for Magic Rock, which is led by Liang Kuan, it is impossible for it to be affected by Liang Kuan's methods and connections.

Clearly, Guo Sichu wasn't the only one who thought of this issue; someone from Xibiqi had already brought it up during a regular meeting: "I think that for the sake of the brand image, we should immediately terminate the endorsement deal with New Pants."

The speaker was a brand manager whom Ai Hao's father had poached from outside after business picked up again. It was from this person's arrival that Xibiqi had a brand department and began to seriously engage in brand marketing.

But ultimately, it was all because of Bian Lang that this series of changes occurred. If it weren't for his appearance and his help to the factory, Xibiqi would probably have changed hands by now.

As soon as the brand manager said that, most people in the conference room looked at him as if he were an idiot.

Even disregarding the fact that Bian Hai is sitting in this conference room, his position is only possible because of Bian Lang's good fortune. Even if it really came down to "cutting the tail to survive," now wouldn't be the time; doing so now would be tantamount to crossing the river and burning the bridge.

This manager actually had his own ideas. He was certainly aware of the relationship between the two companies, but he underestimated Rolling Stone's influence on Seabucks and overestimated his own professional influence and voice in such a company.

Just as Ai Hao was about to say something, he was stopped by the old boss next to him: "Yes, yes, you built the brand department from scratch, so you have a lot to say about it. Tell me more about it!"

"Indeed, the deep partnership between Seabrick and The Rolling Stones has given the brand a significant influence among rock music fans at this stage. However, the reach of this circle is too narrow. If Seabrick's goal remains the same as before, which is to expand into the national market, I think it's not advisable to deepen the brand partnership with The Rolling Stones too much."

It's fine that high-end craft beer brands use the Rolling Stone name to target a specific market segment. However, our overall brand, Seabucks, should gradually reduce the influence of Rolling Stone. Before the Rolling Stone brand faced problems, it was indeed difficult for us, as the beneficiaries, to gradually reduce our cooperation.

So, isn't this recent reputational issue a perfect opportunity? I understand Mr. Bian Lang's significance to our factory and brand, and making this decision at a time like this is extremely difficult, but…”

The empty talk and platitudes that follow are meaningless; as long as he clearly expresses his views and stance, he has completed his task.

In other companies, even if his words didn't convince everyone, at least a few decision-makers would have taken them to heart. After all, they were reasonable and well-founded.

But this is rare; no matter how reasonable his words or how excellent his plan, it will be of no use.

Old Ai first smiled and gave the brand manager full affirmation, even saying to Ai Hao, "Ai Hao, you should learn more from your brother Zheng, learn his overall perspective and logic in considering problems, and you should rein in your impulsive nature..."

Ai Hao panicked when he heard this. He didn't care about the big picture or logic right now. All he knew was that if it weren't for Bian Lang, there wouldn't be the factory and him as they are today, let alone the people sitting here.

If we terminate the cooperation now, it's not just a matter of whether we have the face to face Bian Lang anymore; it could very well lead to a situation where we never speak to each other again.

"I..." Ai Hao, his face flushed, had only uttered one word when Bian Hai, who had been silent all along, interrupted him: "Xiao Hao, let President Ai finish what he has to say."

Bian Hai, the person in charge of production, usually wouldn't say a word on matters unrelated to production. Today, since it concerns the factory and his son, he would only offer his opinion after Old Ai had finished speaking.

However, given the level of understanding and cooperation the two have developed over many years of working together, Bian Hai knew very well what choice President Ai would ultimately make.

As expected, after Ai Hao swallowed his words, Old Ai finally said, "But the partnership with Rolling Stones is the foundation of our Xibiqi brand marketing. We're a sponsor of the Rolling Stones Music Festival, the naming rights for the Xibiqi Music Festival, and we have product placements in various variety shows. Xiao Zheng, you're talking about ending the New Pants endorsement deal, what about the others?"
Should we withdraw the advertisements for "The Big Band"? Should we continue sponsoring the Beach Music Festival in October? Should we continue sponsoring the Blueberry and Rolling Stones Music Festivals with alcoholic beverages?

With this series of questions thrown out, even someone with a prepared repertoire would likely refrain from speaking now. The rhetorical tone clearly indicates that the boss has already made a decision.

But Manager Zheng wouldn't choose that...

Years of professional experience have made it clear to me that in family-run businesses, any decision-maker with ambition and courage needs someone like him who dares to speak the truth.

So he didn't keep quiet, but poured out all his prepared remarks: "A variety show of the scale of 'The Big Band' isn't necessarily a good thing for us right now. The brand awareness is established, but due to our transportation distance and production costs, many people, even if they want to buy it, can't buy it locally."

Beer consumption scenarios are quite random, and online shopping alone cannot maximize the advertising effect of "The Big Band"... The Xibiqi Music Festival doesn't need to stop, but the Blueberry and Rolling Stones Music Festivals have already expanded beyond the province, I think..."

Hearing his father's series of questions, Ai Hao felt relieved and stopped interrupting. Instead, he seriously reflected on his own behavior: "It's true what my father said, I really need to change my impulsive nature!"

If Bian Lang heard this, Bian Lang would definitely give him a good beating: "Come on, you can't change your personality. You'll probably just get married, have kids, and stay home as a rich, idle person..."

After Manager Zheng finished speaking, General Manager Ai still looked at him with great approval and said, "Young Zheng, I have to admit that your ideas are indeed very accurate. However, you may not understand one thing. If it weren't for the relationship between Bianlang and our factory, do you think we could have secured the exclusive liquor advertising rights for these programs?"

"If it weren't for this connection, would the cost of the Xibich Music Festival be at this level? With the Rolling Stones and the Blueberry Music Festival, if we just say we're withdrawing, someone's immediately waiting to double their investment… So, Xibich's problem right now isn't about severing ties with the Rolling Stones, but rather figuring out how to support them." Seeing Manager Zheng standing there speechless, Old Ai continued, "If you think you can't handle this, that's fine. I'll give you a month's paid leave. Come back and take over what you're good at after this is over…"

"Heh... If I take this leave, will I really be able to come back?"

Meanwhile, the online "criticism" of Bian Lang had reached a fever pitch.

Especially those KOLs and big V's who had suffered losses with Bianlang before, they really showed the attitude of kicking a man when he's down, and directly started to confront the people invited by Edan Music.

They don't care how shocking the data these people present is, as long as the money doesn't go into their pockets, they just think Rolling Stone is making dirty money!

"The data is indeed impressive, and it does showcase some new changes in our culture to foreigners. But are the vulgar and explicit descriptions in the lyrics of 'Hurricane 2000' really something a public figure should do?"
If the Rolling Stones and Bianlang were just underground bands, then OK! I think it's just a manifestation of cultural differences, and there's no need to make a big deal out of it. But the Rolling Stones and Bianlang are bands that now have a certain influence worldwide, so their words, actions, and works represent more than just themselves...

This was clearly a premeditated performance by Bian Lang, and his motives were too complex to fathom. If we continue to tolerate him like this…

Dayong was both angry and regretful as he read the words of the influential blogger: "If I hadn't said that one word, Bianlang, you probably wouldn't have chosen this song, and none of this would have happened!"

On the way to the court, hearing Da Yong say this, Bian Lang waved his hand dismissively and said, "It has nothing to do with you. This song will be released sooner or later, and people will still criticize it. We can afford to fall now, so we're giving people a heads-up. If a song like this comes out again, it'll probably be..."

Bian Lang's meaning was clear to Da Yong, but he just couldn't get over it in his heart: "Anyway, if you really get blacklisted this time, I, Da Yong, can't care what others do to me. I'll just follow you abroad!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Huang Kai retorted with another sentence: "Dayong, don't think so highly of yourself. Whether you're here or not, those people who want to mess with us will still do it! Also, don't act so loyal. If your words really came true, we would definitely come together!"

Dili: "It's a good opportunity to spend some time with my wife in her hometown!"

Strauss: "I have no problem with being in Europe, but I might feel bad for a while if I can't eat Nanfeiyan's Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles..."

"That's easy, just have Aunt Luo open a branch in Europe! Anyway, I, Hua Yan, am going to follow Brother Lang. As for Zi Li, I'll need you big shots to help me persuade her to come along too!"

After Hua Yan finished speaking, all the core members of the Rolling Stones group expressed their agreement.

As for Tao Xingyue and the other "accessories" who didn't come to watch the game, they probably had the same thought in the end. These two, both with classical music backgrounds, having the opportunity to continue working with the Rolling Stones in the birthplace of classical music is an absolutely rare opportunity.

Bian Lang sensed that the next step was for everyone to start discussing practical issues like renting a house, so he spoke up: "I appreciate everyone's understanding, but no matter the final outcome, Rock Records doesn't need to leave. Although I'm the lead singer of Rock Records and I've always been the one writing and leading the songs, I believe you can manage even without me!"

"No, Lang, what do you mean by this song?"

"It means exactly what I said, Yong-ge. If I really get blacklisted in China because of this, you guys can still continue performing. Anyway, Guo Sichu is going to take the other lead vocalist position... I just don't believe that a blacklist can blacklist me for life!"

The way Bian Lang said these words didn't sound like someone who was about to be completely banned by the authorities in China.

Upon hearing Bian Lang's words, the group realized that he was right: "That's right. If they have the ability to shut down Rolling Stone as well, we'll take it to the United Nations! But if they don't shut down Rolling Stone, then the best way to retaliate against them is to live well under their noses."

Hua Yan is the youngest; this statement is most fitting for him.

As the oldest player on paper and the one with the most experience, Dili thought that Bianlang's decision seemed to be the most feasible.

Everyone says it's no problem, but apart from him and Strauss, can anyone else really disregard family and social relationships and follow Bian Lang to develop abroad in the long term? It's clearly difficult!

Putting aside other people's opinions, Dayong's child is still young. You could say it's not impossible for his wife and child to move over together, but his wife would also have to make choices and sacrifices!
The gap between ideals and reality may be widened layer by layer by these emotional bonds that we have to care about.

"Even if I'm blacklisted, it's not like I'm being exiled to the frontier. And even if I'm blacklisted and can't perform, I can still be the conductor in the audience while you're putting on a show..."

After hearing that, everyone's thinking suddenly clicked: "Yeah, even if you're blacklisted, it's not like you're being sent to jail... You can still live life to the fullest, you can still perform in underground concerts, and you can still do your jobs overseas..."

"To be honest, we could have held the event in the old street across the river, just across the bridge and we'd be abroad..."

"Dayong, get the hell out of here! Don't think that just because I came later, I don't know that Hekou is known as a paradise for men. Are you going to perform or what?"

Amidst this noisy atmosphere, a group of people got off the bus and arrived at the stadium of the Ralph La Liga in Rome.

As soon as I got out of the car, I saw a slogan on the big screen outside the stadium that had little to do with the game: "All Roma players and fans support Wave in the World Cup theme song competition!"

(End of this chapter)