America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 300 Aggressive Personality

After a period of intense post-production, Coca-Cola’s latest annual advertisement was released on major media platforms across the United States ahead of the traditional North American summer movie season.

With the help of the Coca-Cola Cult, the full version of the advertising video received an astonishingly high number of hits on major Internet websites.

In the core areas of cities across the United States, the new image of Martin, the leader of the Coca-Cola Cult, stands there, watching over his followers.

The refined version of the advertisement was broadcast on TV stations and reached thousands of households.

The ad sparked a strong response.

The discussion online was particularly heated.

"Kind of like an adaptation of last year's Avalon bar brawl."

“Martin knocking down the heckler is definitely a creative source for the ad.”

"Peter is so unlucky. He was humiliated by Martin in real life, and now he is stepped on in the advertisement..."

"Haven't you heard? There's been news online that Jolie broke up with Pitt because of Martin, and then Pitt wanted to get back with Aniston, but Aniston ended up having an affair with Martin again!"

With the launch of the new advertisement, Coca-Cola sales increased, Martin's fame grew, and the influence of the Coca-Cola Cult further expanded.

Even Elizabeth Olsen, the red-clad Saint of the Coca-Cola Cult, who made a brief appearance in a new commercial, became famous.

After the commercial aired, Aniston specifically sought out Martin and tried her best to make him understand the limits of enjoyment.

Julie, who then returned to Los Angeles and wanted to be a virgin, was also excited to find Martin to squeeze out more happiness.

On the other hand, the star Pitt, who has nothing to do with the advertisement, has been ravaged by public opinion again and again.

This is a world where only Brad Pitt is hurt.

In the mansion in Beverly Hills, Pitt looked at the advertisement on the projection screen with a serious expression. The actor whose appearance was somewhat similar to his own made him feel sick.

Lawyers, agents and managers were sitting everywhere, looking more serious than Pitt.

After the ad was played, Pitt asked the lawyer directly: "Cole, can it be determined that the ad violates my legal rights and is suspected of defamation and inducement? Can a lawyer's letter be sent to Coca-Cola?"

"No, the actor's face is different from yours, and his or her attire is different from yours or any character's. They are just a little similar in temperament." Cole has done special research: "It's like in a movie, someone imitates another person's acting style..."

Pete pointed at the projection screen: "The problem is that everyone thinks that the unlucky guy is me!"

Attorney Cole said, “I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do.”

Agent Maggie Dakshire said: "CAA has held a special meeting to study it and also contacted Coca-Cola, but they denied that they had anything to do with you and rejected our request. We'd better take a long-term view."

What else can they do? If they really want to confront Coca-Cola head-on, how can a brokerage company with an annual revenue of just over $2 million at its peak take on Coca-Cola?

Even because of the sponsorship contracts with many sports stars, quite a number of partners are inclined towards Coca-Cola.

Pitt wanted to say something, but his manager, who was closer to him, advised him, "You'd better keep silent. The public and the media are forgetful. After this period of time, they will be attracted by other gossip and news and naturally forget about this matter."

He knew that Pete was in a bad mood recently, so he added a few more words: "Coca-Cola must have made some preparations to release such an advertisement. And Martin Davis, they are very likely waiting for you to jump out and confront them, and then hype it up..."

Pete understood these principles, but it was really uncomfortable to hold his breath in his throat.

Maggie advised again: "Let's not pay attention to these things at this stage. The Assassination of Jesse James Bond has been completed. Hurry up and urge Warner Bros. to sign a distribution contract and confirm the release date. As long as the film's response is good enough, all the criticisms surrounding you will disappear."

She is a more traditional entertainment agent: "In the end, actors still have to rely on their works to speak for themselves."

Pete took these words in and looked at the time: "Let's go out for lunch, and then go to Warner after lunch."

Maggie and the manager looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief.

What they fear most is that Pitt will act on impulse and jump out to confront Martin Davis.

That would do Pitt no good and would only make the Martin-Davis and Coca-Cola ads more popular.

…………

Afternoon, Warner Bros. office building.

In the small conference room, Thomas glanced at Martin and said, "The next awards season, which is the Toronto Film Festival, is only a little over four months away. Our plans and goals are clear. Although The Departed has two male protagonists, we only want a nomination for Best Actor."

Daniel, who represents Warner, said: "The Toronto Film Festival is the beginning of the awards rush. The Gotham Film Awards that follow represent Hollywood's full entry into the sprint stage of the awards season. For the following Critics Association Awards, the four major independent film awards, the four major weathervanes, the four major outpost awards, and the highlight, the Guild Awards, Warner will send someone to lobby for Martin."

Martin doesn't need to say anything, asking Thomas to bring it up, and he can instead act as a lubricant between the two.

Milner, who was attending the internal meeting on behalf of Coca-Cola, said: "Warner Bros. will organize the film screening and vote canvassing meetings, and Coca-Cola will sponsor all the related expenses."

If someone is willing to pay, the biggest problem will be solved. Daniel replied, "No problem. I will confirm it here and send it directly to your office."

Finding funds, doing publicity, canvassing for votes, etc., the Oscars are actually an entertaining version of the Washington political game.

Compared with the increased sales after Coca-Cola signed Martin, this amount of money is not even a drop in the bucket. Milner said to Martin on behalf of Coca-Cola: "Go forward boldly, Coca-Cola is always standing behind you." Daniel looked at Martin, then at Milner who represented Coca-Cola, and had some ideas in his mind.

The Coca-Cola cult ties the two together, and most importantly, it can effectively boost Coca-Cola sales.

Although Coca-Cola is outside the industry, they sponsored Martin and Martin's movies, making him a movie star that cannot be ignored.

Daniel looked at the electronic watch on the wall, and there will be a trial meeting later, and said, "Let's stop here today."

Martin stood up and shook his hand: "We'll keep in touch."

Several people shook hands and left the meeting room.

Milner chatted with Martin for a while and went to the parking lot at the front door.

Martin and Thomas were going to the studio area behind, so they joined Bruce and took another elevator.

The three of them went downstairs, exited the elevator, and met the other three.

Brad Pitt with his manager and agent Maggie.

Martin didn't seem embarrassed at all, and greeted with a smile: "Good afternoon, Maggie."

Most of the actors showed their emotions outwardly, and Pitt was a typical example. He did not hide the disgust on his face and stared coldly at Martin and the other two.

Maggie Dakshire responded to Martin, shook hands with Thomas again, and said specifically: "Martin, your new ad is very popular. I remember we reached an agreement..."

Martin said very seriously: "I am a trustworthy person and I have always abided by the agreement."

Maggie knew that when it came to shamelessness, Pete couldn't even drive as well as Martin, so she said vaguely, "I saw it."

Martin seemed not to have seen Pete and shook hands with Maggie: "I have something else to do. I'll leave first."

When Martin passed by, Pete snorted coldly.

The sound reached Martin's ears and he turned around suddenly.

What happened in the Avalon Bar flashed before Pete's eyes in an instant. Pete subconsciously stepped back, taking two or three steps in a row.

Martin smiled at Pete and turned to walk forward.

Pete quickly stopped walking, and his already gloomy face became even darker.

Maggie came over and said, "Don't worry about him. CAA has specially hired psychological experts to analyze Martin Davis. Several psychologists believe that he is mentally ill. Under his peaceful appearance, he hides a thorny and aggressive personality."

Pete let out a sigh, "I won't argue with a psychopath!"

The manager reminded: "Let's go up, Warner's people are still waiting for us."

The three of them entered the elevator.

On the other side, Martin, Thomas and Bruce left the Warner building and entered the studio area.

Bruce drove over in an electric car.

After Thomas got in the car, he said to Martin, "I have read the original book and the novel of The Reader."

Martin asked, "How does it feel?"

Thomas said directly: "It is not quite the same as your current style and route, but the subject matter and role are good. It is more artistic in nature, which will help you win awards and broaden your acting range."

He asked, "This type of film won't be very expensive to invest in. Winslet didn't say the cost?"

Martin has learned about it carefully: "Kate has attracted a lot of investment, following the German film tax refund model. She assured me that the minimum investment will be 2800 million US dollars."

"You may not get $500 million for the film, and the film won't do very well at the box office. Even if it wins an Oscar, it won't easily make over $ million at the North American box office like Wanted." Thomas had to make some things clear: "Do you want to win an Oscar with the role in this film?"

Martin shook his head firmly: "It has nothing to do with these things. It's mainly to repay a favor."

This answer was beyond Thomas's expectations: "Repaying a favor?"

"Yes," Martin said roughly.

Thomas understood that personal connections in Hollywood are equally important, and favors owed must be repaid.

The interests of his clients were closely related to his, so he started from this point and said, "With your rapid development momentum, if I repay the favor later, the price I pay will be even higher. Winslet has a good eye for selecting films, and the screenwriter and producer Anthony Minghella is also an Oscar winner. I think this project is good."

Martin asked, "Your suggestion is that I take on this project?"

"Connections are very important, especially those at the top of the circle." Thomas said, "Unless we completely give up our reputation, we will have to repay this favor eventually. It's better to do it now than in the future."

(End of this chapter)