Generation Z Artists

Chapter 247 New Story: My Truest Love
"Hey, Star River, it feels amazing to see you in person!"

Paul Otellini laughed heartily, opened his arms, and gave Fang Xinghe a warm hug.

This man is Intel’s president and chief operating officer (COO). He was just appointed president in January of this year and is the clear successor to Barrett (CEO). He was previously in charge of Intel’s global sales and marketing system and has a profound influence on the company’s market strategy.

To be more specific, he is the number two person in charge of the behemoth that is Intel.

Despite having just taken office, he is already a key figure in the American business world, with a status no less than that of any billionaire.

Given Intel's size and importance, one can imagine the power of its personnel.

Accompanying him was Don McDonald, Vice President and Global Marketing Director, who is Intel's top executive in global advertising and brand marketing campaigns.

Currently, Don McDonald is leading the "Intel Inside" branding initiative and all global advertising campaigns.

His first joke with Fang Xinghe was giving him a thumbs up and saying, "Star River Inside."

Fang was a little confused.

As a Gen Z, he had no idea about such ancient and classic memes.

But that didn't stop Brother Fang from greeting the two big shots with a smile.

"Please sit down, my friends. Your presence here in person is truly an honor to my humble abode."

"Not at all, we've long admired your great writer..."

Don't think that Europeans and Americans don't know how to make small talk. In fact, they not only do it, but they can also flatter each other effortlessly.

It mainly depends on whether you are qualified and worthy of their respect.

Paul was referring to Fang Xinghe's identity as a writer, not the NBA's all-time best point guard, which is nothing to them.

Jordan's fame far surpasses Fang Xinghe's, yet he can't get Intel advertising deals because their cultural attributes don't align.

Fang Xinghe is a newcomer with less than 20% overall recognition in the Western world. However, he is both a writer and a cultural leader, covering both elite and middle-class groups, and therefore has a broader value.

Only with these attributes would it be worthwhile for Intel to cooperate on global promotion.

"Star real, we've prepared a very high-caliber plan for you, themed around your real..."

McDonald's assistant pulled out a large document and presented it to Charlie Wang, while he himself eagerly explained the overall plan to Fang Xinghe.

Fang Xinghe quickly extracted the core points from the complex information, and an idea struck him.

Essentially, this is a joint effort.

In other words, by combining Fang Xinghe's personal image with Intel's brand image, without engaging in specific product marketing, the strategy is to continue the "Intel Inside" style and philosophy to deepen brand power.

Therefore, the advertisement content will be very simple, basically just having Fang Xinghe hold up the Intel logo and recite an advertising slogan.

The advertising slogan is equally simple: Star real, Just Be You.

Fang Xinghe's nickname in the English-speaking world is Star River, but after this Oprah show, because Oprah exclaimed "real" so many times, Fang Xinghe has a new English nickname: Star Real.

It started as a pun, but because most viewers agreed that Fang Ge was real, this more intimate nickname became very popular.

North American Stars really like their new nickname because it can be interpreted as "real star," giving them a sense of being superior to other celebrities.

The media also loves to star real people, creating a genuine cultural rebel is one of their favorite things to do.

This wave may not last long, depending on how Fang Xinghe outputs next, but for now, Star Real itself means popularity and trend.

Young people in North America are chasing a style called "real".

It encompasses many elements such as freedom, uniqueness, wildness, rebellion, mystery, and so on. It's very American, and very hip-hop.

Most importantly, it's not low-level; its coverage is broad enough.

The elite class recognizes Fang Xinghe's genuine freedom, mainstream media advocates responsible freedom, and people of color at the bottom of society like this wildness and rebellion. Everyone has enough reason to accept it.

Therefore, Intel couldn't hold back and took the initiative to approach them.

Fang Xinghe had no objection to this collaboration.

The only problem is... we have to pay enough money.

"8 years, $1.2 million." McDonald proudly announced the offer. "Intel is never stingy when it comes to friends!"

They are indeed generous.

2002 was a pivotal year for Intel, marking a transition from the past to the future.

Internally, they experienced changes in the management hierarchy.

Externally, they are dealing with a “megahertz war” with AMD.

In terms of promotion, they have already begun to prepare for the next transformation, gradually shifting from simply promoting CPU clock speed to promoting technical features (hyper-threading) and laying the foundation for the upcoming platform marketing (Centrino).

This paved the way for a radical overhaul of marketing strategies in the years that followed.

Now, because of Fang Xinghe's sudden emergence, their platform-based marketing strategy has been stimulated, and there is a strong urge to rename it "real".

That's why they offered an even higher price than Nike, and he is also the only long-term brand ambassador in Intel's history.

However, Fang Xinghe was not satisfied with the offer.

When I was just a basketball player, my highest value was only 1 million over 7 years.

Now that I've transformed into a cultural icon, and you're only giving me 1.2 million over 8 years, wouldn't all my time on TV shows and showing off be for nothing?

Let's take that episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show as an example. With the broadcast, rebroadcast, and replay, it had at least 6000 million viewers. So many people were brought to their breaking point by my swagger. That's a huge value.
"My current value is more than that number."

Fang Xinghe smiled and replied, "Especially if you want to bind all my advertising slots on the PC level, we can talk about it, but you'll have to pay more."

Paul remained silent, smiling as he drank his coffee, while McDonald argued his case forcefully.

"Star River, we offered such an astronomical price precisely because we believe in your commercial value."

You can't simply transfer your basketball endorsements to the personal computer industry and then overestimate your influence and impact.

In fact, we have Nike's sales reports, and not only do we have them, but we have also studied them in great detail, with the sampling period continuing up to yesterday.

Selling shoes and selling computer chips are definitely not the same thing.

Directly boosting sales and enhancing brand image are not the same thing. If it were AMD, they couldn't even offer half of that price..."

"I'm glad you didn't try to fob me off with excuses."

The idol's side switched back to its online troll leader and used the best negotiation tactics from their previous life.

"Yes, I admit that my impact on Intel chips is certainly not as strong as that on selling shoes. These are not the same field, nor are they comparable business logics."

"so……"

McDonald was overjoyed and immediately tried to persuade Fang Xinghe to accept his offer.

But Brother Fang waved his hand dismissively and sank even deeper into the sofa.

This stance signifies that he has his own plans and sends a signal to the outside world that he will not easily submit.

"Let me finish my story, my friend."

"Uh, OK, of course."

Fang began to explain slowly and methodically.

"I know what Intel needs from me, not just the current buzz or an immediate surge in sales, but a long-term, subtle influence."

Where does such an exorbitant price come from?

Not in the United States, not in Europe, and certainly not in Africa or Latin America…

Fang Xinghe gently tapped the table with his right index finger, which was slightly bent.

"In Asia, right?"

McDonald's pupils contracted.

In truth, given his experience, he shouldn't have revealed such a "huge" flaw. However, the opponent he was facing at this moment was completely different from the business tycoons he had encountered before. He was not psychologically prepared to accept Fang Xinghe's extraordinary talent.

This underestimation of the enemy is bound to happen to everyone who faces Fang Xinghe directly.

He's only 17 years old, just a boy with exceptional artistic talent, and just a Chinese person. What reason do we have to consider him a top negotiating expert?
No.

So it's not McDonald's fault; he had already controlled his expression very well.

However, when facing a generous person, this flaw becomes fatal.

“Look, my friend.” Fang Xinghe smiled and pointed at McDonald, mercilessly exposing his mistake. “You’re panicking. It seems my thinking was correct.”

McDonald quickly added, "No, I'm just amazed by your keen observation, not panicked."

"it's the same."

Fang Xinghe waved his hand again, lightly brushing aside the topic and no longer dwelling on it.

This kind of unrestrained and subtle approach is not common in the United States.

But in Fang Xinghe, it was as natural as a gift from heaven.

He spoke casually, as if chatting: "We all know that Asia is such a huge market, incredibly huge, right?"

With a total population of 38.5 billion, excluding South Asia and Central Asia, all are within the high coverage of my influence.

East Asia and Southeast Asia together have a population of 21 billion, and in the next 8 years, there will be a demand for at least 10 billion personal computers and twice that amount for commercial computers.

Don't remind me of their current poverty. I've been to all the places and know that most of them are currently living in poverty.

But they will not remain poor forever, especially given the policy inclinations of the current US administration.

Free trade, industrial relocation, right?

The wave of globalization is sweeping across the world, and China is developing every day, as is Southeast Asia.

This year they can only afford tens of millions of computers, but every year in the future, this number will grow explosively at a rate of about 40%, and that is where my true value lies.

President Paul, you are the architect of Intel's global sales and marketing system. Do you agree with my assessment?

Fang Xinghe suddenly turned to look at Paul, and before he could hide the bitter smile that flashed across his face.

Okay, yes.

Paul hesitated for less than two seconds before readily admitting it.

"Asia is indeed a core market with immense potential; population determines everything, and you, Star River, have unparalleled influence in East Asia. But..."

He did not intend to surrender, followed by a "but".

"This does not mean that you can create far more than 1.2 million in value over 8 years. This price is the limit after our calculations."

Star River, you work in the arts industry, and your next book, your next movie, your next public appearance all involve too much uncertainty.

You must acknowledge and respect this uncertainty, and then share the risks with us in the most sincere manner.

This is how you make friends, right?

Previously, McDonald and Paul were itching to get back at Fang Xinghe for his constant "right?" questions; now, he's got his chance to get back at him.

This isn't meant to be provocative; it's just a normal negotiation tactic.

Unfortunately, our Brother Fang won't even take this small risk.

"Of course, I will bear the risks that come with the nature of my profession."

Fang Xinghe nodded with remarkable composure, but Tang Luo and the other dared not be overjoyed any longer. They knew that Fang Xinghe would never give up easily.

McDonald looked on high alert: "So, how do you plan to take responsibility?"

Fang Xinghe did not answer directly, but instead told them something.

“Did you know? Just the day before yesterday, a company under the American Agricultural Association approached me, offering $2000 million a year to have me endorse high-quality American soybeans… A very tempting offer, isn’t it? But I refused.”

"Eh? Why?"

"Because I love my country, I do not accept the dumping of American soybeans into China."

"But……"

"I will always love my country and will always resist similar temptations."

Fang Xinghe didn't let them ask the question and finished speaking on his own.

"And a staunch patriot will imbue every foreign product he endorses with a special aura—perhaps quality, perhaps style, perhaps irreplaceability..."

Intel is precisely such a brand.

You will erect a monument in the hearts of the Chinese people, becoming the sole voice in China's chip industry in the next era.

"hiss……"

Paul and McDonald also picked up the bad habit of slurping cold noodles with a hissing sound.

They looked at each other, feeling both incredulous and intensely excited.

"But I don't understand, why?"

"Because China does not have a chip industry, there is no possibility of any competition between us for at least 20 years, but agricultural products such as soybeans are different."

Fang Xinghe spoke the truth slowly and deliberately.

"Therefore, I will not endorse American soybeans, nor will I endorse mid-range priced shirts, jackets, or jeans produced in the United States, as these items directly conflict with our country's national industries."

I am not only a warlike writer and a willful film director, but also a positive role model who cherishes his motherland.

Starting today, I will no longer endorse any low-end international products.

My image will only be given to the most high-end, stylish, and brand-powerful companies.

You may freely publicize my patriotic story within China. I will not deliberately stand up to promote myself, but I will not deny it either.

Now, my friends, you can start to fantasize, imagine how much brand value the rare image of Patriot Fang Xinghe will give Intel, and how much of a boost this will have on your marketing over the next 8 years…”

"boom!"

Before he had finished speaking, Paul slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

He loved the new story.

China is a major industrial country with a population of 12.5 billion, poised to absorb the transfer of all low- and mid-end industries from the West. With the WTO in effect, even pork reflects the country's future consumption potential.

While promoting the "China collapse theory" is a political necessity, the fact that one international giant after another is making sweeping moves to establish a presence in the Chinese market during this period reveals their true intentions.

Now, a Chinese idol with unparalleled fame is about to begin telling his patriotic story.

In this story, Intel will appear as an absolutely positive figure.

What an enormous blessing that would be!
Paul can already imagine how Chinese consumers will rate Intel.

"Fang Xinghe rarely endorses foreign brands."

"What about Intel?"

"They're not available in China! Fang Xinghe only endorses foreign brands for things that can't be produced domestically."

"Then Intel must be incredibly powerful."

"What do you mean by 'amazing'? That's the strongest in the world! You can use a computer with an Intel chip without worry!"

"Got it. From now on, when I buy a computer, I'll look for the 'in' logo, right?"

"That's right, if you want to buy a computer, you don't need to care about the brand, just look for the Intel logo, and you won't go wrong!"

Even an idiot could realize the power of Fang Xinghe's new story, and Paul wasn't an idiot, so he was strongly tempted.

McDonald wasn't stupid, so he had even figured out how to create momentum—

Instead of making an official announcement, they mobilized the media to hype up Fang Xinghe's rejection of a $2000 million endorsement deal with a soybean company, inciting his opponents to vehemently criticize him while his supporters praised him, and then...

At the height of the Patriot persona's popularity, hold a grand signing ceremony!
1.2 million over 8 years?
No, I'll only sign you for 5 years, but I'll still give you 1.2 million!
Don't ask, the answer is simply that Intel, the world's strongest, only loves the most authentic you!

(End of this chapter)