I became famous in the entertainment industry by burning incense

Chapter 506 March Sky and Tianding's Contract Renewal Negotiations

The group from March Sky arrived at Tianding Entertainment, chatting and laughing.

Zhang Guang was waiting for them at the company's main entrance. Seeing them get out of the car looking happy, he said with some surprise, "You guys seem to be in a good mood."

Yan Xingdong said in a low voice, "We came to the company this time to discuss our future development plans."

We had considered that if we all came with serious expressions, the company might mistakenly think we were dissatisfied with their arrangements, so after discussing it, we decided to be cheerful.

Zhang Guang agreed, saying, "Your considerations are very thorough."

He suggested, "Why don't you stay here and chat happily for a while, let the reporters around take plenty of photos, and then go to Tianding?"

It's no secret in the industry that the band March Band is going back to their company today to discuss contract renewal.

As soon as everyone got off the bus, they could feel that there were many paparazzi around.

Some paparazzi are very well hidden, not even turning on their flash, while others stand openly opposite and take pictures.

To make the performance more convincing, Yan Xingdong and his entourage stood still for five minutes, chatting and laughing with Zhang Guang, before slowly walking into Tianding Entertainment.

As soon as they left, the astute paparazzi began writing news articles and immediately publishing them online.

[The band members returned to the company in March to discuss contract renewals, and each of them looked radiant. Is it a done deal for them to renew their contracts with Tianding Entertainment?]

[March Sky renews its partnership with Tianding Entertainment, dispelling rumors of discord with the company!]

[March Band's first public appearance at Tianding Entertainment after their world tour, becoming a stabilizing force!]

Tianding Entertainment's public relations department has been paying close attention to online public opinion, and everyone knew what was going on after seeing these messages.

With the minister absent, the other junior staff members huddled together in small groups to discuss the matter.

"Recently, there has been a lot of internal turmoil within the company, but no news has been leaked out. I thought the outside world already knew that Tianding Entertainment was undergoing a major management change."

"They probably know, but they don't dare to report it."

"The company has been experiencing frequent staff changes recently. I heard that junior staff in other departments have already been talked to by HR and asked to resign voluntarily."

"No way, the company's management hasn't even finished changing yet, and they're already targeting junior employees. I'm really worried I'll be fired tomorrow."

“Our department works closely with the artists. As long as there are no major changes in the artists at Tianding Entertainment, our department should be retained.”

"Yes, that's what I think too. After all, Tianding Entertainment's main business is in the entertainment industry, and the most profitable departments are those related to the entertainment industry like us. Those who are being laid off are the peripheral departments, such as the development planning department and the film and television investment department."

According to media reports, March Band arrived at the company in high spirits, suggesting they have reached a preliminary agreement on cooperation and a contract renewal is likely!

The junior employees all felt a sense of relief.

As long as March Band continues to renew their contract with Tianding Entertainment, they will definitely not be fired.

Throughout the year, the artist they did the most public relations work with was March Band.

It's fair to say that the March band alone accounted for half a year's worth of their KPIs, while other celebrities were just incidentally taken care of.

The group from March Sky took the elevator directly to the conference room on the top floor.

Even though they are the company's top artists, they must undergo a strict body search before entering the meeting room and are not allowed to bring recording pens or other electronic devices.

Even Zhang Guang had to undergo strict checks and be treated the same as everyone else.

March Band remained calm about it.

When signing endorsement deals with major brands, they also have to go through a series of negotiations, and those major brands also adopt such strict negotiation methods.

After the inspection, the group entered the conference room.

Several senior company executives were already in the conference room. Yan Xingdong and the others noticed that in addition to the familiar faces, there were three new faces.

One is He Yan, the other is a complete stranger, and the other is Ming Yingyue.

The complete stranger was of no interest to March Sky; he was certain that the higher-ups wanted to support some kind of princeling.

He Yan's presence at this meeting surprised them, but it was also within their expectations.

After all, He Yan had already interfered with their announcements before the contract was even discussed, but he just didn't succeed.

The fact that Ming Yingyue would appear here was the most unexpected thing for them.

Chen Lin asked directly, "Ming Yingyue, you're here to discuss contract renewal with the company. What are you doing?"

Ming Yingyue is, after all, their colleague, and the contract contains such confidential information; a colleague shouldn't be here.

Ming Yingyue said, "I am here as a supervisor of the board of directors. I am not an artist here, but an authorized person of the board of directors responsible for supervising the impartiality of this meeting."

Chen Lin thought to himself, "They talk a good game but don't actually sing. Anyway, they're definitely not on the artists' side."

Yan Xingdong frowned slightly: "So, will you resign from your celebrity career and join the board of directors of Tianding Entertainment?"

Ming Yingyue frowned slightly. "No."

She hadn't expected March Sky to be so hostile towards her. She thought that as long as she revealed her identity, March Sky would understand, since she represented the board of directors.

Gu Cheng asked, "You said you represent the board of directors, so can you make decisions on behalf of the board?"

Ming Yingyue: "I am only responsible for overseeing this meeting and will not interfere in your negotiations. You can just treat me as a notary."

Luo Yi: "Since you don't have the real power to interfere in our contract renewal negotiations with the company, and you won't be joining the board of directors in the future, and will continue to be active in the entertainment industry as an artist, then we don't want you to know the content of this negotiation."

Ming Yingyue frowned: "I have signed a confidentiality agreement and will not leak any information."

Yan Xingdong said, "But you are a fellow professional and a top-tier artist. The company personally negotiates every contract for top idol artists. Every contract is unique and confidential. We don't trust you."

He looked at the other senior executives of the company and said in a deep voice, "If Ming Yingyue insists on staying, then there is no need for today's negotiations."

The higher-ups exchanged bewildered glances; they had no other thoughts about Ming Yingyue.

She represents the board of directors and has a close relationship with one of the directors. That director asked her to come and listen, so she came, since a confidentiality agreement had already been signed.

But since March Sky doesn't want her to know, then...

The president said, "Ming Yingyue, you can go out now."

"But!" Ming Yingyue wanted to say something, but in the end she gritted her teeth and left.

Before leaving, she glanced at March Sky and the others several times.

March Sky completely ignored her; this kind of person is not worth fearing at all.

Although they were mainly going through the motions in today's contract renewal negotiations, trying to drag things out as much as possible, they couldn't appear too casual.

By getting rid of Ming Yingyue, an unrelated person, they can better demonstrate their seriousness about renewing the contract.

The more cautious they are, the more the company will think they care about the contract renewal, thus lowering their guard and assuming that once the deal is done, the renewal is a sure thing.

Yan Xingdong and the others were just thinking about how to express their cautious attitude, and now, Ming Yingyue has caught in the crossfire.

They started by discussing small, seemingly insignificant details. Whatever ideas March Sky proposed, the company prioritized them. "Focus on the big picture, let go of the small details" was the company's strategy towards March Sky.

After talking for more than an hour, we finally arrived at a relatively important clause, and everyone's spirits lifted.

Next, we'll discuss the issue of the agents assigned to each member after they went solo.

The president said, "I know you have a deep relationship with Zhang Guang, and Zhang Guang is also an outstanding agent, but the company plans to promote him to the head of the agent department."

As you all know, the head of the talent agency department won't be involved in artist affairs, meaning they won't be managing artists anymore. Therefore, your agents will be reassigned, and I guarantee the company will give you the best agents.

Yan Xingdong asked bluntly, "So, have all the arrangements been made with the agents?"

The CEO said, "Not yet, we're still selecting people."

Yan Xingdong: "Then let's talk about this after you've finished selecting your people internally."

President: "We'd like you to sign a contract first, and the company will arrange agents for you."

Chen Lin smiled and said, "Boss, what if the company assigns a new agent to mentor me?"

The president laughed and said, "It's impossible for them to be complete newbies. Newbies wouldn't even understand the basic business. We will definitely assign you the best agents."

March Sky and the others exchanged glances. Didn't Zhang Guang tell them that the company would have those princelings from the board of directors come and take care of them?

Gu Cheng, who had been silent all along, suddenly said, "We need to discuss this."

"Although the company said they would assign us the best agents, the agent's name wasn't on the contract. What if the company doesn't keep its promise after we sign the contract?"

"Moreover, we know most of the agents in the company. Apart from Brother Guang, there are a few good ones. Rather than having the company assign us agents, we would prefer to choose our own agents."

The others chimed in, "Yes, we need to discuss this."

The CEO didn't want to make his intention to mentor the new employees too obvious.

March Sky is Tianding Entertainment's best artist team, the company's cash cow, and has the right to negotiate with the company.

But because March Band is already so outstanding, their managers don't need to be exceptionally capable or find resources for them; resources will come to them on their own.

It was precisely because the CEO understood this that he agreed to allow some young princelings to become the managers of a member of the band March, to satisfy their desire to show off.

After all, everyone knows that the young master can't just be an agent forever. Being an agent is just a transitional job; he'll jump into management after a few months.

March Sky and the others entered the small room.

Chen Lin lowered his voice, expressing his doubts.

"Didn't He Yan want to take us with him? He didn't say anything just now. Has he changed his mind?"

"Guang Ge also said that the company wanted to assign us new agents, but now the company is saying something different?"

Gu Cheng's eyes flickered slightly as he said thoughtfully, "After all, we are top-tier celebrities, and the company can't be too obvious about it. It would be too much to directly assign us a new agent."

This will cause gossip not only among us, but also among people within the company.

I guess they'll assign us an experienced agent, and then that agent will mentor the interns, so the interns can naturally take over our business.

Yan Xingdong asked, "Then what should we do?"

Gu Cheng: "Let's stick to the point about the agent first. We must make sure the agent is properly assigned."

Luo Yi: "Shall we go out now and continue our talks with them?"

The members of March Sky had extensive experience in business negotiations, but when it came to the tactics of business warfare, they were no match for Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng has a family business and attends a report meeting every week or every two weeks.

Even if he weren't an entertainer, he would still be exceptionally talented in business.

Gu Cheng smiled gently and asked in return, "Why are we in such a hurry? Don't go out so quickly, they are the ones who should be in a hurry."

Chen Lin's eyes darted around. "So, we'll just stay here?"

Gu Cheng said calmly, "The longer we stay, the better, until they urge us to leave. We can have some heated arguments along the way to put on a show."

Yan Xingdong glanced around the small room and asked cautiously, "There shouldn't be any listening devices installed in this room, right?"

Gu Cheng: "It's hard to say, but the equipment isn't omnipotent. As long as we talk quietly together and are far away from the listening equipment, we won't hear anything."

He thought for a moment and added, "We'll speak when we need to; the rest of the time we can keep quiet."

Chen Lin had a sudden inspiration. He took out a piece of paper, drew a 3x3 grid, and started playing Gomoku with the others.

"I was smart to ask for these in advance, otherwise I wouldn't know how to kill time."

The paper and pen were requested from higher-ups because they didn't have cell phones and were afraid they wouldn't be able to record important messages, so they needed paper and pen.

Of course, paper and pens must be handed in before leaving.

But that's okay.

Chen Lin was used to being nonchalant and carefree, so he could easily have used the excuse that he was bored and kept drawing circles while listening to his brother's discussion to pass the time.

Given his usual public image, it's not surprising that he would do something like this.

In the small room, they began to draw circles.

In the large conference room outside, the president and other senior executives were also discussing the matter.

After thinking for a while, the president said, "Judging from March Sky's attitude, we should finalize the agent appointment as soon as possible and include it in the contract."

He Yan and another newcomer immediately voiced their objections.

"No, I don't agree!"

March Sky didn't know who this new face was, but Zhang Guang did know that the minister had taken him out to meet the future management team before, and this young man was one of them.

He is the son of a board member, named Lu Shengzhe.

At that banquet, Lu Shengzhe made no secret of his desire to bring March Sky along, and even asked him how to arrange the four people's agents.

The minister covered for him at the time, and Zhang Guang did not say anything.

Lu Shengzhe's appearance at the meeting this time made his intentions even more obvious.

If Zhang Guang had no other thoughts, he would be worried for March Sky right now.

President, even if you want to reap enough benefits before leaving management, you don't have to go to this extent and mess with the company's cash cow!
Since they're no longer in charge, they don't care anymore.

He Yan said, "I have already planned multiple development directions for March Sky. As long as they are all under my leadership, I can immediately take them to the next level and increase their international reputation."

Lu Shengzhe scoffed: "Who doesn't know you're just trying to make a quick buck by using them? What's with all this talk about international? If you were that capable, you would have already made your own artists. Why would you go to the public relations department first?"

He Yan stared at him, his face dark: "I've been with the company for a few months now and have some experience. What about you?"

"You want to take them? What experience do you have? Putting them in your hands would be even more reckless, wouldn't it?"