America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 271 A History of Blood and Tears

The day after Thanksgiving, Martin made a special trip to the Coca-Cola headquarters, where he was warmly welcomed by a group of management members, led by Marketing Director Brody.

In addition to the routine visit, he also participated in media events organized by Coca-Cola.

This is also a form of publicity.

In front of numerous media outlets, Brody presented Martin with a bronze badge of the leader of the Cola Cult.

The two stood in front of the giant red Coca-Cola logo and posed for a photo with the media.

Subsequently, Martin, on behalf of the "Limitless" production team, signed a $500 million GG sponsorship and marketing promotion contract with Coca-Cola.

After the contract was signed, the two went into the meeting room together.

Brody has always considered signing Martin a brilliant move: "You've been making headlines a lot lately."

Martin feigned helplessness: "I didn't want this either. I didn't do anything, but I was misunderstood. I can't just stand there and let people hit me. That would damage not only my image, but also the brand partners."

He specifically stated, "The reputation of the Cola Cult was hard-earned and cannot be destroyed like this."

Brody agreed: "In similar situations, you don't need to worry about it."

"With Coca-Cola's support, I have confidence in Hollywood." Martin's words are not entirely an exaggeration: "Take my latest film, 'Limitless,' for example. As soon as Coca-Cola expressed its support for me, Warner Bros. immediately gave the project the green light."

Brody laughed. Coca-Cola didn't support Martin for no reason; they had genuinely seen the benefits. Since the Coca-Cola cult was truly born, Coca-Cola's sales in North America have increased by nearly 8%.

This is a remarkable number.

By targeting Martin, the spokesperson and leader of the Coca-Cola cult, you are infringing on Coca-Cola's hundreds of millions of dollars in profits!

Not only would Brody disagree, but all Coca-Cola shareholders would disagree.

Coca-Cola, on the other hand, also vigorously promoted the video online, showing people how Martin easily defeated Pete with Coca-Cola.

Even the GG department is considering using this as a creative idea to shoot next year's Coca-Cola GG.

Brody appropriately expressed some concern: "Coca-Cola should have mentioned to your agent that they want to extend your endorsement contract."

"My agent advised me that I've only signed a six-month contract, so there's no rush to extend it." Martin naturally used his agent as a shield, which is one of the purposes of an agent's existence—to provide a buffer zone between the celebrity and their partners.

Brody nodded slightly: "Then let's talk about it next year."

Martin smiled and replied, "No problem."

While the two were talking, Coca-Cola's reward for the "Wanted" notice was transferred to the account designated by Martin.

The endorsement contract between the two parties included a supplementary agreement that if a film starring Martin Scorsese grossed over $100 million at the North American box office, Coca-Cola would pay Scorsese an additional $1 million bonus as an incentive.

At noon, Martin attended a banquet hosted by the Coca-Cola Group, where he met more senior executives.

His relationship with Coca-Cola has always been positive.

In Atlanta, Martin also has the support of two other major forces: Kelly Gray and her organization, and Beast House Entertainment, led by Sofia.

Kelly went on a business trip to Washington, and Martin, after leaving Coca-Cola and contacting Sophia, went to the Peach Tree Hotel to meet her.

Upon reaching the hotel's business floor, Martin saw Scott standing guard in front of a meeting room and quickly walked over.

Bruce whispered from behind, "Go in by yourself in a bit."

How could Martin possibly let Bruce go? Besides, he wasn't even sure he could get away with going in alone: ​​"You're coming in with me, and don't forget, you promise to keep watch behind me."

Despite his trembling legs, hands, and heart, Bruce gritted his teeth and accompanied Martin.

Scott glanced at Martin, guessing he must have slept with his daughter last night, and said with a displeased expression, "Sophia is waiting for you inside."

Martin ignored him and pulled Bruce directly into the reception room.

Sofia leaned back on the single sofa, holding a report in one hand and a hand gripper in the other. With each opening and closing of her hand, her biceps expanded and contracted in an exaggerated manner.

She pointed to the sofa: "You two can sit wherever you like."

Martin sat diagonally opposite her, and Bruce simply moved behind Martin, because standing there, with his butt against the wall, he felt inexplicably safe.

Sofia said, "I just received a report from Wanted Studio. They've recouped all their investment just from the box office. The project you introduced is excellent, and the expected profits are quite substantial."

This is the financial backer behind it all, and Martin spoke very politely: "I wouldn't introduce a project with no future to my friends."

Sofia put down the hand gripper and carefully looked at Martin and Bruce: "I'm the fairest person, and Old Bruce knows that best."

Bruce's lips trembled. He didn't answer, nor did he want to speak. He simply took a step back, his buttocks pressing against the thick wall.

Sofia continued, "Those who bring me benefits will receive corresponding benefits. What kind of reward do you want?"

Bruce looked down at the floor, thinking to himself, "This has nothing to do with me. You should give the reward to Martin."

Martin thought of Scott and smiled, "I'll get my paycheck, but I'll pass on the other rewards..."

"How can this be?" Sophia put down the report and took an exquisite box from the table next to her.

Martin breathed a slight sigh of relief. The box was only the size of a fist, and it was square, not rectangular. There was definitely no room for the pink water bottle.

Sofia opened the box, revealing an oval-shaped egg, and handed it to Martin: "It's for you."

The egg was golden and had an uneven surface. Apart from the wrong color, it looked a lot like a small, underdeveloped avocado.

Martin took it and noticed a series of receipts underneath the golden avocado. He immediately asked, "24K gold?"

Sofia was very generous: "I specially ordered it from a gold company. All the taxes and other procedures are complete. You can just take it."

Martin accepted it without hesitation, and even added, "Sophia, you are indeed a person who will do great things."

Sofia laughed heartily: "Just don't forget me and the House of the Beasts when you're putting together the platter."

"How could that be!" Martin declared confidently, "Without you guys, there wouldn't be the Martin Davis we know today."

Sofia nodded: "I hope we're both nostalgic people."

Martin stated, "The reason I've been able to constantly compete fiercely with people in Hollywood and win time and time again is because of Atlanta!"

Without a solid foundation built in Atlanta, without the opportunity to participate in the team, he wouldn't have gotten these important roles. He even backed down when faced with a big name like Harvey.

Sofia said, "I watched the video of you dealing with Pete; you were quite skilled."

Martin said again in a helpless tone, "I can't help it. Hollywood is a rotten industry. If you don't step on others, you'll get stepped on."

The two talked for nearly an hour and a half, discussing the issue of continued cooperation.

Martin declined Sofia's dinner invitation and left the Peach Tree Hotel with Bruce.

Once in the car, he opened the gift box again and examined the golden avocado closely. Although the surface was uneven, it was still pleasing to the eye.

Bruce said, "Sophia's usual vulgar style."

Martin weighed the gift in his hand and said, "I love these kinds of vulgar gifts. Let vulgarity overwhelm me!"

Bruce started the car and asked, "Where to next?"

Martin glanced at the time: "Go to Northville Private School. It's almost time for school to let out. I promised Lily I'd pick her up yesterday."

Bruce drove back to Northville.

Martin carefully put away the golden avocado, replied to a few text messages, and not long after, the car stopped diagonally opposite the middle school.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, Lily came out of the school gate with her schoolbag on her back. She looked around for a moment and spotted the BMW. She ran over with her long legs, the Martin clown on her backpack swinging back and forth with her long ponytail.

After getting on the bus, she took her schoolbag and said, "Everyone else is on holiday, but I have to use my vacation to come here for a carving class."

Top students at private high schools are also very competitive, especially students like Lily whose family's financial situation has just improved and who lack a strong academic foundation.

She took out the sculpture from yesterday and handed it to Martin: "It's all finished."

Martin held the car to the window and examined it closely in the light, saying, "I'm not a professional, but it looks better than the previous carvings."

Lily said, "I've worked incredibly hard these past two years. Others may not know, but don't you?"

Martin feigned ignorance: "I'm not even in Atlanta, how would I know?"

Lily glared at him fiercely, suppressing the urge to yell at him, and tried to use polite language: "You mailed me boxes and boxes of carving raw materials, and then asked me for almost the same number of finished carvings. Do you know how I managed to get through that?"

This is an untold story of the blood and tears of child laborers.

Martin adopted a "you're doing this for my own good" attitude: "Without the materials I mailed to you, would you have achieved the progress and skill you have today?"

Lily snatched the clay sculpture from Martin's hand: "It's not finished yet. I'll give it to you when I'm done."

She decided that the best sculpture for Martin was still the clown!

The most evil kind!

Martin stopped there and got back to the point: "You've decided to go to college in California?"

Lily nodded vigorously, absolutely certain: "I'm going to the California Institute of the Arts; their sculpture program is excellent."

She muttered, "I'm not like Elena, who doesn't even have the courage to go out and explore."

"It's not that she lacks courage, but that she feels responsible for you all." Martin understands Elena: "Even if you go to college, you still have Hall. Going to an unfamiliar city is not as good as staying in your familiar hometown."

Lily understood: "If I go to school, Elena's burden will be greatly reduced."

Martin said, "Good that you understand, so don't upset Elena."

"Yes, I know," Lily replied, then asked, "Are you sure you can get me a strong letter of recommendation?"

Martin laughed: "Of course, no problem. I asked a friend for help, so even if something unexpected happens to him, I have other preparations."

If he really swallowed his pride and begged, he could definitely get recommendation letters from Scorsese and Wes Craven.

If all else fails, there are still those two bastards, Nicholson and Leonardo.

Having received Martin's definite answer, Lily had a clear goal.

(End of this chapter)