[Chapter 65: The Music Industry Showdown]
When they arrived at Warner Records headquarters, it was in the same conference room as last time. However, this time there were more attendees, and Doug Morris, the president of Warner Records, was naturally present.
As soon as Orlando walked in, before he could even switch on his telepathy, Doug Morris's face darkened and he spoke directly:
"Orlando's here. I know why you're here -- it's Sony Entertainment, or to be more precise, Sony Columbia Music."
"Huh?" Orlando asked.
"It's not just you. Next, they're going to target Madonna, The Eagles, and Elton John. Or in fact, they aim to go after Warner Music Group as a whole."
"Why?"
Orlando was puzzled. "Is Japan trying to start a war with America?"
"Haha, nothing like that," Doug laughed. "They've probably figured out that it's us leading the smear campaign against Mottola and Mariah Carey, attacking Sony Columbia. This must be their retaliation."
Orlando had nothing to say. He took a seat, feeling like a pawn caught in a bigger fire. He was the first to get hit in this industry war!
His telepathy confirmed that Doug was telling the truth -- this large-scale smear campaign against Orlando indeed came from Sony Music, led by the Japanese side.
Seymour Stein, who had a good relationship with Warner, cut in: "Kalikow's situation isn't looking good. What perks did the Japanese give him to make him jump first?"
"They're reportedly offering to buy the New York Post. The offer apparently satisfied Kalikow greatly."
"That's impossible. Washington won't let Japanese interests succeed again."
"Who knows? But that's the intel we received."
After Frank, Seymour, and Doug finished talking, Frank got to the point: "So, Mr. Morris, how does Warner plan to handle this crisis?"
"This isn't just Orlando's problem anymore. This is war -- a war between us, Mottola, and Sony Music!"
Doug said. "Hold tight, Steve Ross from Time Warner headquarters and others will be here shortly."
The Warner Records headquarters was under Time Warner -- a newly merged giant. Steve Ross was the CEO and co-chairman of Time Warner. Several top executives from Time Warner were on their way, as were heads of various Warner-affiliated labels, such as the well-known Atlantic Records, Elektra Records, and the Machine Shop Recordings label.
When these industry titans from Warner gathered, Orlando, a newcomer with a hot single, had little say in the meeting. He was just an observer, a pawn in this Warner vs. Sony music war, following orders from the higher-ups. Unless he wanted to quit the music scene or terminate his deal with Warner, he had to play along.
---
After Steve Ross and others arrived, the meeting lasted over an hour and a half. They formulated strategies to counter Sony Music -- mobilizing Time Warner's media assets and allies to wage a propaganda war, attempting to tarnish Sony Columbia's artists in the press, just as Sony was doing to them.
They also planned aggressive talent poaching and underhanded tactics. For example, a manager boasted about having corrupted Mariah Carey's father -- Sony's prized rookie's dad had become addicted to gambling, racking up hundreds of thousands in debt.
At the right moment, Warner could use this scandal as leverage to get close to Mariah Carey and possibly lure the rising star away from Sony.
All this, coupled with tips from his telepathy, made Orlando sigh deeply -- 'damn, these guys are really is ruthless!'
Talent raids were just child's play; someone even suggested leaving fake bombs outside Sony's building -- obviously fake, but Warner's media could escalate that into an attack on the Japanese side.
'Seriously, this is 1990, and they're playing dirty like this,' Orlando thought. He couldn't imagine how wild the things were back in 1890.
---
When the meeting finally ended, with so many participants, they left in shifts. Orlando and the two other heads of Orlando Records quietly discussed in the hallway.
"Thoughts?" Seymour asked Orlando. "I told you on day one -- being a star isn't easy. Behind the glitz and glamour, you face so many challenges."
"This is nothing," Frank scoffed. "It won't be a kill-or-be-killed fight. The Japanese got hit hard this time. Sony's going crazy attacking Warner, trying to scare off the other majors. Warner won't be the scapegoat anymore, and the other majors won't stick their necks out either. Most likely, it ends with a truce -- Warner and Sony giving each other concessions, while the others pick up the scraps."
That's the ugly beauty of capitalism -- for money, you fight tooth and nail; but for money, you won't truly go all out. Enemies can become friends in an instant, and allies can turn into foes the next.
"Thoughts? My feeling is, being a singer, your status sucks!" Orlando vented. "Even legends like Madonna, MJ, or The Eagles still have to charge into the front lines when Steve Ross speaks up."
Seymour shrugged. "That's reality in America. Music is still okay compared to Hollywood, where fights are brutal -- back in the day, burning and stealing film reels was mild compared to early cinema bombings!"
"Oh, that was a long time ago, must have been 70-80 years ago," a somewhat abrupt voice spoke from behind the three.
The Orlando Records three turned to see Steve Ross, the Time Warner boss and Warner Records CEO, approaching with a crowd behind him, smiling.
"Hello, Mr. Orlando Keller, I'm Steve Ross. Nice to meet you," Steve Ross extended his hand warmly.
"Hello, Mr. Ross," Orlando replied.
Orlando knew Ross's enthusiasm wasn't really because of the new superstar status, but because of the woman behind him -- Daisy Cuomo, who had successfully become one of the Democratic Party's candidates in New York this year. She was running for city council in the Bronx.
A Bronx council seat alone wouldn't get the attention of a giant like Steve Ross -- but with her backing from the Cuomo and Morgenthau families, and the entire East Coast Democratic faction behind her, that changed everything.
After shaking Orlando's hand and exchanging a few words, Ross greeted Seymour and Frank before departing.
---
By the time the trio left Warner Records headquarters and hit the street, it was already 2 p.m.
"We haven't had lunch yet..." Orlando rubbed his stomach. "Let's grab something to eat and figure out our next move."
"Okay! How about that garden steakhouse where we first met?"
"Perfect."
*****
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