After signing the sponsorship contract with the Olympic Organizing Committee, another contract awaited Tan Jincheng.
That was the endorsement contract with Zhou Jielun, also signed in Didu.
However, the treatment wasn't as good as Brother Long's; RM Hall was out of the question.
The sponsorship fee for a Tier 4 Olympic supplier was 41 million yuan, and Zhou Jielun's endorsement fee for three years was 24 million yuan.
Coupled with the expenses for promotion and public relations since April 17th, Shanchi Technology had been spending money like water recently.
But from a long-term perspective, these two expenditures were extremely crucial for Shanchi Technology.
Being an Olympic brand sponsor enhanced the company's competitiveness.
Zhou Jielun's three-year endorsement contract not only secured a popular superstar but also blocked the path for future competitor Aima to rapidly rise using this superstar.
After 2008, Tan Jincheng couldn't think of any other celebrity who would have Zhou Jielun's sales power.
Even if the contract wasn't renewed, Zhou Jielun wouldn't be able to endorse competing brands of the same type until after 2012.
Aima's path to rapid rise had essentially been blocked by Tan Jincheng.
To succeed, they could only carve out a path step by step.
"I'll definitely be back on May 1st. Dad's staying for a week anyway, so don't worry, you'll definitely see me."
"Ah, yes, yes, yes, make sure to tell Dad not to agree to anything. Just say I'm not home, he's here to visit, and doesn't know the specifics."
"Have Dad pick up? Okay, Dad, don't just blindly agree. I have plans here. No matter who tries to plead, it's useless. If you really push me, I'll move my household registration."
"Heh, who can block my household registration? What a joke. I can move my household registration to Beicang without going through the family, right? Anyway, just don't blindly agree."
"It's not that I'm getting carried away; it's that the company has its plans. Within the scope of the plans, I can consider human relations. Outside the scope, it's impossible. I can't use such an important project for personal favors, nor do I have the qualifications."
"Net worth 1 billion? Stop listening to media nonsense. If I had 1 billion, why would I open a damn factory? I'd retire on the spot, okay? Why are you, kid, also here to be a lobbyist?"
"Oh, asking about my schedule? Forget it, forget it, it's not easy for you over there. Just say I'm only free for a few days after May 1st, and after May 1st, I'll be touring around. That should be enough."
"Don't say it directly, be a bit more tactful. No one below is asking you for benefits, right? If so, you can subtly mention it taking this opportunity."
"Alright, that's the plan. When I have some free time, I'll go home and check out Boss Zhang's garment factory construction site."
After hanging up the phone, Tan Jincheng let out a long sigh of relief.
He had received many such calls these past few days.
It would be false to say he wasn't a little proud, but more often it was annoyance; one wrong move and he'd offend someone.
Among Shanchi Technology's plans, the only projects truly under construction were the second phase of the industrial base and the lithium battery factory.
The lithium battery factory, needless to say, would definitely be located in Beicang; that had been decided long ago.
As for the second phase of the industrial base, Tan Jincheng was actually more inclined to place it in Tianjin.
Tianjin was the largest electric vehicle production base in the north, and its electric vehicle industrial park had already extended an olive branch.
If Shanchi Technology were to settle in its electric vehicle industrial park, it would receive certain concessions on land use and taxes.
As for the self-developed motor and controller projects, Tan Jincheng preferred to directly acquire the existing supplier Bafang Electric.
On one hand, it was fast and efficient.
On the other hand, Bafang Electric was located in the Gusu Electric Vehicle Industrial Park.
Although it was a market action, stealing Xinri's thunder indirectly offended Xishan District.
Entering the Gusu Electric Vehicle Industrial Park by directly acquiring a company could somewhat ease the atmosphere in the Su Province market.
Furthermore, by connecting Zhe Province to Su Province and then to Tianjin, Shanchi Technology could truly link the entire national electric vehicle industrial base, completing its expansion from the southern market to the northern market.
"Boss, let's go, the signing is about to begin."
Zhang Xuhui reminded Tan Jincheng after he finished his call.
These past few days, he had temporarily served as Tan Jincheng's assistant, working with Zhao Xinyi to manage Tan Jincheng's affairs.
Additionally, he stayed in Tan Jincheng's small studio apartment in Zhongguancun for his work in Didu, and Zhao Xinyi often reached Tan Jincheng through him.
Serving as a temporary assistant was his own suggestion.
After two months of working in Didu, his perception had also improved.
"Let's go, let's meet our Little Superstar,"
Tan Jincheng said, rising.
Time was tight, so the signing location was chosen to be the banquet hall of a five-star hotel near Zhongguancun.
Not many media outlets were notified, but Shanchi naturally generated traffic these days, so explicit notification wasn't necessary.
Furthermore, with the Little Superstar flying directly to Didu for the signing, his management team also wanted publicity.
By the time Tan Jincheng arrived at the venue, many media reporters were already gathered around.
Tan Jincheng even saw a few somewhat familiar faces.
After carefully recalling, he realized they must have been seen in some TV drama.
"These celebrities really know how to ride the hype. Appearing at the venue, finding a familiar reporter to take a few photos, and they can write a press release,"
Zhao Xinyi murmured beside him.
"Do you know them?"
Tan Jincheng asked curiously.
"Hmm, they've acted in a few TV dramas, but they're not very famous, just somewhat recognizable."
"They're quite good at seizing opportunities. If they caught Brother Zhou for a photo and sent out a press release, wouldn't it be even more perfect? With a thick skin, they could even stir up some rumors."
Seeing her boss's amusing comment, Zhao Xinyi couldn't help but laugh:
"Then it's better to take a photo with you, Boss. Your popularity these days is not much lower than Zhou Dong's."
Indeed.
The ill-fated Xin Jing Bao had directly announced his net worth of 1 billion, and the momentum in Beicang had also started.
Even though Tan Jincheng had asked the company's online marketers to focus on guiding public attention towards the brand, products, and the Olympics, the buzz was truly unstoppable.
A 20-year-old billionaire.
The internet was like a frenzy.
Netizens' technical capabilities weren't as advanced as in later generations, but in terms of resourcefulness and boldness, they were no less than those in the future.
Tan Jincheng wasn't independent of this world.
His growth experiences in Yicheng and the Beicang factory stood there for all to see.
Classmates, teachers, Shanchi Technology employees—a whole host of people provided insider information.
Even his non-mainstream photo booth pictures from high school appeared on the internet; he was truly stripped bare.
Tan Jincheng didn't know what it felt like for Brother Xiao Ma to be exposed for cross-dressing and chatting with users, but when Gu Qingqing sent him a screenshot of his photo booth pictures, he truly broke down.
It was too embarrassing.
Tan Jincheng, thoroughly exposed, had a clear entrepreneurial journey with every step traceable.
No major irregularities were found.
In particular, Shanchi Technology's internal employees revealed that the company's benefits were excellent.
Some employees, fearing disbelief, even posted their pay stubs, attracting a flood of netizens who "ate lemons" (were envious) like crazy, saying that compared to Shanchi Technology's factory, their own factories were truly worthless.
This earned Tan Jincheng considerable goodwill among netizens.
It was rare to find a factory owner who treated workers so generously in this era.
"Then you guys need to block them a bit, lest they recognize them and rush up for a photo,"
Tan Jincheng said narcissistically.
"Haha, don't worry, I'll block them for you, Boss,"
Zhang Xuhui laughed.
Accompanying Tan Jincheng was Li Yaohui.
The group of four, with three people escorting one young man, headed towards the main venue.
Their identities were clear at a glance.
Many reporters wanted to seize the opportunity for an interview, but Tan Jincheng declined, citing that Zhou Dong was the main character today.
Just like Brother Long, Zhou Dong was late.
Tan Jincheng was already accustomed to it.
Approximately half an hour after the scheduled time, Zhou Dong arrived at the scene, escorted by a group of staff.
The reaction of the reporters' flashes clearly showed how popular this superstar was.
A large group of reporters ignored the order of the venue, swarming forward, and the scene temporarily became chaotic.
"MD, if I had known earlier, I would have postponed it a bit and also booked RM Hall. That way, these reporters wouldn't dare to cause trouble,"
Tan Jincheng chuckled and cursed.
Zhang Xuhui and Li Yaohui quickly signaled staff to maintain order at the scene.
They hadn't brought enough people themselves.
"Stand a little behind me, or hide behind the stage."
Tan Jincheng had no intention of going up and also instructed Zhao Xinyi not to rush out.
Zhou Dong, who had finally squeezed through, immediately fixed his gaze on Tan Jincheng.
At the same time, Tan Jincheng was also sizing up this superstar who had created countless classic songs.
His attire today bore the mark of the era: a leather jacket, hair styled high, giving him a rebellious look, his eyes full of confidence yet seemingly holding a hint of reluctance.
Indeed, at this moment, he was still the "flowing champions, solid Zhou Jielun."
Although his popularity was very high, the title of "perennial runner-up" constantly weighed him down.
In 2003, the high-spirited Zhou Dong brought his grandmother to the Golden Melody Awards, only to lose completely and gain nothing.
This led to the song "Grandma" in 2004.
In 2003, he lost the Golden Melody Award to Xiao Gang; in 2004, he lost to the younger Guo Donglin; in 2005, he was defeated by the unbeatable "Fairytale."
He had been in second place for three years.
If no surprises, he would probably be in second place for three more years, holding the title of "perennial runner-up" for six consecutive years.
This year, if no surprises, he would lose to "Invisible Wings" again.
Looking at him, Tan Jincheng couldn't help but feel a little heartache.
You're going to be a "perennial runner-up" for six years, comparable to Ballack, buddy.
Oh, in 2008, he lost even more unfairly.
With his immense popularity, the organizing committee gave him the qualification for a solo performance!
This was an incredible privilege, but that year the Golden Melody Award went to a chorus of stars.
Tan Jincheng's poignant gaze, fixed on Zhou Jielun, confused him.
What did this guy's look mean?
Was it because of his tardiness?
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Tan, you're even more handsome than I imagined. Also, there was some traffic on the way, sorry for being late,"
unable to bear Tan Jincheng's gaze, Zhou Dong spoke first.
"Hello, idol!"
(End of Chapter)