"What's your impression of your young fellow countryman?"
"He's a very good young man. What about you?"
"I think he's a rare competitor, but the market is so big, we don't need to fear him. Fair competition is fine."
"That's right. It seems you've recovered from being stunned by him. Did you get back at him by getting him drunk last night?"
"Haha, something like that. I didn't quite believe it when you said he had a low alcohol tolerance, wondering how he managed to start a company with that. Turns out it's true."
What Tan Jincheng didn't know was that while he was returning calls to Zhang Congxun and Dong Jinggui, the two of them were smoking in Zhang Congxun's office.
The electric vehicle industry is like that; despite the competition, their private relationships are still good.
It's understandable.
Products like e-bikes, which face end-users, are like mobile phones.
The ultimate choice is in the user's hands, making absolute monopoly impossible.
Having more than 10% market share in the national market is enough to live quite comfortably.
Tan Jincheng's goal wasn't to achieve a monopoly either; he just wanted to enter the top three in the industry.
He remembered reading a report in his previous life that the top three e-bike companies had market shares of about 30%, 20%, and 15% respectively.
Some local governments in Zhejiang Province even organized an event for electric vehicle entrepreneurs to sit down and chat, signing a mutual assistance agreement to avoid malicious competition.
This was the Yongkang government.
Yongkang suffered a great loss years ago due to malicious bidding among companies, allowing foreigners to take a significant advantage.
This was considered a lesson learned from history.
"Speaking of which, it's quite interesting. This young man tried to trick information out of me yesterday, wanting to know who my spokesperson was. Could I tell him? Haha."
"Then who is the spokesperson you hired?"
"I can't tell you either. You'll know in a few days. They'll definitely be stronger than yours. Oh, by the way, Xiao Tan also complained yesterday that your company's spokesperson isn't good."
"...Xiao Tan has the right to complain about that. Why are you laughing so happily?"
Dong Jinggui said somewhat speechlessly.
But then he said with some discouragement,
"Indeed, they're not very good. I plan to change them after the contract ends. I've also been researching this recently. Korean Wave is very popular, so I'll get a Korean celebrity next time."
"Anyway, none of you can compare to my spokesperson."
The middle-aged man had a mysterious confidence in his aesthetic taste.
This was true for Zhang Congxun, and also for Dong Jinggui.
For other company decisions, they might listen to their subordinates' opinions, but the spokesperson issue was truly their own decision, and Tan Jincheng was no exception.
The difference was that Tan Jincheng had memories from his previous life, and he was clearer than others about the value of celebrities and whether they would have scandals.
For example, those "Princess Pearl" actresses Zhang Congxun mentioned earlier, could they be signed? Absolutely not.
---
April 22nd, Saturday.
In the afternoon, Boss Tan returned to Beicang after more than a week, but he wouldn't stay long.
Next, Tan Jincheng planned to go to Gusu, and then on the 28th, he would head north to attend the Olympic Games Design Competition press conference.
After the press conference, it would be officially announced who would become the designated vehicle for the Olympic Games.
If they won, for the next two years, Shanchi Guanneng could be sold under the name of the "Official Olympic Vehicle," which would be a leap forward in their high-end brand strategy.
"Boss, the electric tour buses for the World Expo were won by Sanxie, an electric vehicle company from Min Province. The news just came out today."
The hardworking assistant had barely returned to Beicang before she had to organize information and report to the boss.
"Hmm, tour buses are not our main business. It's okay if we didn't get it."
Shanchi also participated in the bidding, but it was just to join in the fun.
"Also, regarding the intelligent controller that you asked me to follow up on, the one developed in cooperation between Hangzhou and Chang'an Jiaotong University, they have made new progress and launched an online upgrade function."
"Okay, you continue to follow up on it and maintain contact with their management. Also, go call Zhou Ao for me."
"Understood."
Soon, Zhou Ao came over.
"Boss, you're looking for me."
"Yes, how's the contact with Jay Chou and Kobe Bryant coming along?"
Zhou Ao said somewhat dejectedly,
"We haven't been able to contact Kobe yet. We've reached out to Jay Chou, and he's indicated willingness to talk."
He was a fan of Kobe, and under the premise of aligning with company strategy, he naturally wanted to sign Kobe more.
However, he knew that Kobe signed with international big brands, so it would be difficult to secure him quickly in a short time.
In contrast, Jay Chou's response was more enthusiastic.
He had always signed with civilian brands, and electric vehicles were within his brand endorsement selection range.
"Then focus all efforts on Jay Chou. Don't hesitate anymore. Has there been any mention of the endorsement fee?"
2005 to 2006 was a breakout year for Jay Chou, with over a dozen advertising contracts.
According to his agent's public disclosure in an interview at the beginning of the year, his advertising income last year was 12 million yuan, and his total annual income was 57 million yuan.
Endorsement fees rose to seven figures, and commercial performance fees were 1 million yuan per show, not including staff accommodation and meals.
Resting only 18 days a year, he was a workaholic during this period.
"No, they just said seven figures, but we found out that his endorsement for Kabi Ke last year was 5 million yuan per year."
Zhou Ao replied.
"Then negotiate upwards from 5 million yuan. I'll authorize you up to a maximum of 10 million yuan. For every 1 million yuan you save below 10 million, the marketing department will receive a 10% bonus incentive. But you absolutely cannot mess this up; if you do, your pay will be deducted."
After 2000, the "Little Princess" who focused on domestic small and medium-sized brands deserved such treatment.
He could be called the originator of product endorsement.
His endorsement of Kabi Ke saw Kabi Ke quickly grow into one of the industry leaders.
His endorsement of Youlemei elevated it from obscurity to rivaling Xiang Piaopiao.
Other national brands like Meibang and Aima also saw similar success.
Especially Aima, its success can be said to be inseparable from Jay Chou.
After his sky-high endorsement in 2009, Aima experienced millions of units in sales growth in the following years and firmly secured a top-two market share in the electric vehicle industry in the future.
Signing Jay Chou for under 10 million yuan is absolutely worth it.
If possible, Tan Jincheng hoped to sign him for several years, so that even if Aima appeared, they wouldn't have a chance to sign him again.
Alternatively, he would have to sign a non-compete agreement with him, prohibiting him from endorsing similar products for several years after the contract expires.
This guy had one drawback: Tan Jincheng remembered him endorsing several brands for clothing and mobile phones, truly just selling products.
"Understood, we will negotiate with the agent with the highest sincerity, and if necessary, we hope you, Boss, can step in."
Zhou Ao felt the boss's emphasis, and his thoughts no longer lingered on Kobe.
Compared to meeting Kobe, work was more important.
When forced to choose between life and distant dreams, most people, whether willing or not, would choose life.
"Hmm, naturally."
Tan Jincheng nodded.
If necessary, he could also try to persuade him the same way he persuaded Xu Wei.
As a fan, Tan Jincheng indeed remembered many of his songs, especially some of the later ones.
This time, he was a true fan!
While Shanchi Technology was actively contacting Jay Chou, Xinri Share's signing process with Jackie Chan had entered its final stage.
Negotiations between the two parties were basically complete, only lacking the final signing procedures.
To show respect and importance, Zhang Congxun, who enjoyed grand occasions, decided to set the location for the final signing press conference at the RM Grand Hall, scheduled for April 25th.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, after Tan Jincheng returned to Beicang, Zhang Congxun departed from Wuxi for the Imperial Capital.
Besides the signing, he also wanted to campaign further to see if he could gain more support for the less advantageous design plan.
Tan Jincheng also had to go to the Imperial Capital, but not so early; he scheduled his trip for next Monday.
Dong Jinggui, chairman of Yadi, would arrive with him.
In addition, established companies like Lvyuan also participated in this design competition.
After dealing with Shanchi Technology's affairs, Tan Jincheng drove to the Financial Building.
Back in Beicang, he no longer needed to take a driver everywhere, giving Li Yaohui a break.
On the way, Wu Jianzhong, who heard that Tan Jincheng had returned, called Tan Jincheng to express his gratitude for Zhòngtài's publicity.
Regardless, Zhòngtài was his and Ying Jianren's venture, and as a small shareholder, Tan Jincheng's unreserved provision of the fastest and most effective publicity plan made him feel highly grateful.
"Mr. Wu, you're too kind. There's no need for thanks. Besides, Mr. Ying even gave me an additional 2 million yuan in consulting fees."
"You deserve it, you deserve it. Without your help, Mr. Tan, our original publicity plan wouldn't have achieved such an effect, especially that advertising slogan; it helped us tremendously."
"It's good that it helped, but Mr. Wu, you still need to pay attention to vehicle quality and service later. Don't relax on these two aspects just because it's cheap. Young consumers will accompany our company's growth for a long time; don't disappoint them."
Tan Jincheng only offered a suggestion; whether Wu Jianzhong would heed it was up to him.
The quality of the first car was apparent, and to be honest, the materials used weren't great.
Although cheap, it was inevitably criticized.
The only thing they could do was to do a good job with after-sales service and appease buyers, but this also required significant costs, and it was unknown if Zhòngtài would be willing.
"Okay, thank you for your suggestion, Mr. Tan. We will seriously consider it. Are you interested in having dinner together tonight, Mr. Tan?"
"Tomorrow, how about I treat you tomorrow, Mr. Wu? I just got home tonight, so I need to spend time with my family first."
"Haha, good, I was inconsiderate. Then tomorrow, we'll meet and talk tomorrow, Mr. Tan."
Speaking of this, Tan Jincheng felt a bit ashamed.
He had brought his mother and sister over, but he was rarely home.
If it weren't for his aunt's family being here, and Gu Qingqing occasionally visiting, Zhang Suzhi would have run away after two days.
Before coming to Yongcheng, Zhang Suzhi had expected her son to be busy, but she hadn't expected him to be this busy!
(End of chapter)