"Friends in front of your televisions, you are watching ABC Broadcasting Station, bringing you the special program 'Movie Express News'. I am your old friend, Mendel Cousins."
On the TV screen…
At this moment, a moderately popular evening entertainment news program was playing.
Each episode could attract millions of households, covering 2 to 4 million viewers. It had a significant influence, especially in places like New York.
"Today, our topic of focus is, of course, the upcoming Christmas! Speaking of Christmas, our 'Movie Express News' program simply has to talk about those spectacular and exciting movies that are about to be released during the Christmas season."
Host Cousins said in a clear voice: "Universal Pictures' 'The Family Man,' Sony Columbia's 'Vertical Limit,' Miramax's 'Chocolat,' Paramount's 'What Women Want,' 20th Century Fox's 'Cast Away,' Warner Bros.' 'Miss Congeniality'…"
"Of course, there's also the rather courageous Page Pictures' 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'~"
"Throughout the entire December Christmas season, there are as many as 32 new films being released in the North American market, plus those still-popular films released in November. It's clearly a fierce battle and a visual feast."
A family in a certain part of New York.
Well, this was a family of four.
A couple and their two teenage children. At this moment, the family was sitting around the dining table, eating and watching TV.
The bearded father chewed a mouthful of corn and said with annoyance, "'Movie Express News'? That old, rotten show, I don't know what's so good about it? The host Mendel Cousins has rotten teeth now, I don't even want to see him."
The red-haired mother immediately laughed and scolded, "You're still so petty! It's just that last year's 'Movie Express News' Christmas viewing guide disappointed you, and you're still gritting your teeth about it for so long?"
The eldest daughter laughed, "Mom, my dad is famously petty, you know that, don't you? Have you forgotten about Mr. Charlie from our school?"
Mr. Charlie?
Speaking of which, the bearded father's face immediately flushed with anger. Clearly, the past was too painful to recall.
"Alright,
don't talk anymore."
The youngest son suddenly interjected, "'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' and 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' books, I've read them both and I love them very much. This time, with the live-action movie 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' coming to the screen, I believe Mendel Cousins will also recommend it on the show, after all, many book fans are looking forward to its early release."
The TV program continued… "This episode, our recommended Christmas viewing guide films include 'What Women Want,' 'Cast Away,' 'The Emperor's New Groove,' and finally 'Miss Congeniality'." Host Mendel Cousins said.
As soon as he finished speaking.
The originally excited youngest son's face immediately fell.
"F***~"
"Cousins, you piece of sh*t! He didn't recommend 'Harry Potter'? Has his conscience been taken by Satan? How much does he despise fantasy fairy tales?!"
The youngest son was furious, and the dinner plate in his hand dropped to the floor.
Seeing his son like this, the bearded father immediately hardened his heart and said in a deep voice, "How could you knock over the dinner plate?"
Upon hearing this, the eldest daughter immediately put her hand to her forehead and shrugged, "Dad, I thought you would say that Litter shouldn't curse, and you'd give him a good lecture, but who would have thought… your focus is actually on the overturned dinner plate. Oh, my God~"
ABC Television is a subsidiary of the Disney Group, how could it help Goldlight Pictures with promotion?
As things had progressed to this day, the suppression of Kyle by the Hollywood Big Six had become increasingly obvious. Even Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox, who were on good terms with Kyle, wouldn't care too much.
The cake was only so big!
The Big Six, as vested interests, would absolutely not share it with others!
...The next day.
Golden Dawn Entertainment Group.
"Boss, this is this morning's news, I bought over a dozen copies," Alexander said.
Kyle shrugged his shoulders and took the dozen or so newspapers.
"The Boston Evening Transcript," "The New York Morning Post," "The Washington Post," "Hollywood Film Weekly," "Time: Entertainment Edition"… "Boss, the commotion 20th Century Fox Pictures caused this time is really quite big. Their new work, 'Cast Away,' involves FedEx, and the film is even called a 'FedEx commercial.' But if you look at this morning's news, from today until New Year's Day, during this period, all FedEx packages will have promotional advertisements for 'Cast Away' printed on them. Tsk tsk tsk~ What a grand gesture!"
Alexander spoke eloquently.
Kyle drank a cup of coffee and nodded calmly.
"Tell me more about Paramount's 'What Women Want'."
"Wow! Although Paramount Pictures and Blockbuster are both subsidiaries of Viacom, this time, Paramount Pictures, in order to promote the film 'What Women Want,' actually posted movie promotional posters at the entrances of 9,000 Blockbuster stores across the US. Tsk tsk tsk~ I'm quite envious."
Alexander continued speaking, and Kyle remained very calm.
Throughout the entire December Christmas season, the only films that Kyle truly paid attention to were Tom Cruise's "Cast Away" and Paramount's "What Women Want."
As for the others?
"Miss Congeniality," "The Emperor's New Groove," "Chocolat," "Finding Forrester"… Haha, what kind of rotten fish and shrimp are these!
Compared to the film "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," what were they?
Just rotten tomatoes and stinky eggs!
"Although I am full of confidence in 'Harry Potter,' I absolutely won't fare well in a head-on confrontation," Kyle thought to himself.
The dozen or so newspapers Alexander bought were enough to show how dominant the Hollywood Big Six were during the traditional Halloween season. Their advantages in media promotion and influence over cinema chains far surpassed Kyle's.
This wasn't because Kyle wasn't capable!
It was because some influence needed time to accumulate!
Throughout November and December, Kyle felt pressure on the film front; however, he smiled when it came to doll sales.
Bratz doll sales exploded!
Bratz doll sales in November, well, to be precise, the sales of "dolls" in the American mainland, accounted for 40% of the market share, second only to Mattel's Barbie dolls at 52%.
The news, once released, shocked America!
Mattel's Barbie dolls had always been an unrivaled presence in the dress-up doll market, dominating it for decades, always holding over 90% of the market share.
But what about November this year?
Only 52%!
Even though it was still number one, it was far, far worse than before.
"Barbie's biggest competitor has appeared, and it's Bratz!!!" shouted a designer in the same industry.
This statement won the approval of many.
Barbie's unrivaled position was gone forever!
"With Christmas approaching, if our Barbie dolls show a decline in sales again, then the rising Bratz dolls will absolutely not miss this opportunity. We cannot bear this disgrace!" said the CEO of Mattel when interviewed by reporters.