I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 307 The coal bosses have all gone mad!
Early in the morning of June 4.

night.

It's too deep.

[Bingbing Yangkele] in the office.

Luo Hongming sat silently in his chair, looking at the first quarter's sales figures for [Bingbing Yang Cola].

Over the past year, with the market success of films such as the "Wu Hun" series, the sales of [Bingbing Yang Cola] have been rising steadily.

In 2004, the annual turnover of the Coca-Cola brand, represented by "Bingbingyang Coca-Cola", exceeded 7 million RMB. Nearly 15 factories were opened across the country, and the machines were basically running all day long. This was something that would have been unthinkable just two years ago.

In 2005, China's beverage industry experienced another boom, and barring unforeseen circumstances, its turnover was very likely to exceed 10 billion yuan.

but……

Since mid-2004, with the wave of capitalization sweeping the beverage industry, domestic cola brands have been acquired one after another...

Tianfu Cola was acquired by Hongxin Capital, while Laoshan Cola was acquired by Taishun Investment.

Bingbing Yang Cola, which rose to prominence through film marketing, naturally became a new target for capital.

Luo Hongming received more than a dozen investment calls in a row, with one person even offering 5 million RMB to buy nearly 60% of the shares of [Bingbingyang Cola].

With revenue of 7 million RMB, the actual profit is only around 1 million RMB. After deducting various salaries and taxes, the actual profit is about 6000 million RMB.

The acquisition price was 5 million RMB, with a commitment to introduce various modern production lines from Europe and America…

In a sense, this condition is extremely attractive...

Luo Hongming had also been tempted and considered it, but in the end, at the most crucial moment, he made a phone call to Zhou Yang.

Over the phone, Zhou Yang only said one sentence: "These investors only want to squeeze the value out of the IP, they don't understand branding at all, and they're actually paving the way for their beverages to enter the Chinese market..."

After listening, Luo Hongming fell into deep thought, and ultimately resolutely rejected the investment requests from various capital firms...

However, the price of rejection is cruel!
From mid-2004 to early 2005, major overseas capital firms frantically acquired various brands through different channels. These included traditional retail companies, such as some of China's most famous supermarket chains, and even more than just stores, including the various supply chains under the "Bingbing Yang Cola" brand...

In early 2005, major supermarkets and department stores successively removed "Bingbing Yang Cola" from their shelves, and the first quarter's sales were almost halved!
Moreover, market competition is becoming increasingly fierce. In just four months, nearly 20 new beverage brands have emerged in the Chinese market. These brands boast excellent taste and, through capital operations, have swept through the market in a whirlwind. Although [Bingbing Yang Cola] has been continuously developing new products and has a decent taste, it is gradually finding it difficult to survive under the overwhelming capital onslaught…

"Mr. Luo, how about we sign it? Last year they asked for 5 million, and this year they're asking for 3 million. If we drag this out any longer, I'm afraid... Besides, they promised they won't want core management rights..."

Upon hearing this, Luo Hongming shook his head slightly: "I'll talk to President Zhou."

"..."

....................................

4 month 10 day.

The conference room at [Xuan Shi Entertainment] was packed with people.

Nearly 50 brands sat quietly, including instant noodle brands and daily necessities brands...

Well, they're mostly small items related to markets and supermarkets.

This included Luo Hongming. After 2005, almost all the brands that cooperated with [Xuanshi Entertainment] suddenly felt that the entire market had changed dramatically.

It seems that business has suddenly become difficult, and competitors have suddenly become like gunpowder, sweeping across the entire market.

If your "Smooth" product sells well, brands like "Flourish" and "Fashun" will soon follow...

If your [Langchao Socks] sells well, all sorts of sock brands will immediately appear on the shelves, advertising everywhere as if they're giving away free advertising, and prices will keep dropping, instantly shattering the entire industry...

……

Competition is one aspect, and acquisition by capital is another.

The overwhelming influx of capital, along with coercive and enticing tactics, has left them with very complex emotions. On one hand, they envy their competitors who have quickly risen to prominence after securing funding; on the other hand, everyone knows that capital will most likely be used to support their own brands entering the market…

Around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Inside the conference room, over fifty brand representatives sat upright, the air thick with tension. Luo Hongming clutched the quarterly report, unsure what to say; Mr. Li, the general manager of the instant noodle brand, kept wiping sweat from his brow; and Mr. Wang, the chairman of the daily necessities manufacturer, repeatedly adjusted his tie. When Zhou Yang pushed open the door, everyone stood up simultaneously.

"President Zhou!" Luo Hongming broke the silence first: "We're almost at our breaking point under the onslaught of capital. Our shelves are being cleared out, and our distribution channels are being cut off."

Before he could finish speaking, Mr. Zhang, the general manager of [Langchao Socks Industry], slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "Those foreign brands are throwing money at the market, and we're having a tough time right now. I'm here today to discuss with you and see if you can come up with a solution..."

"Yes, Mr. Zhou, we don't want to be acquired by these capitalists, but... Mr. Zhou, why don't you personally endorse our products? With your influence, at least we can survive for another year..."

"Yes, Mr. Zhou, we're willing to pay 50 million for your brand ambassadorship for a year..."

"Me too, Mr. Zhou..."

"..."

The meeting room erupted in chaos, with pleas rising and falling. Zhou Yang gestured for everyone to sit down.

His gaze, behind his glasses, swept over every anxious face, but he remained silent.

"Everyone..."

"I understand what you all mean..."

"However, a simple endorsement won't significantly boost the influence of your brands... So, if you trust me..." Zhou Yang paused, looked at each person again, and then adjusted his glasses: "Gentlemen, you don't need to pay for my endorsement for a year. If possible, I can even endorse you for life..."

"Mr. Zhou, what do you mean..." Upon hearing this, a murmur rippled through the room. Many stared at Zhou Yang in disbelief, seemingly shocked that these words had come from his mouth... "I can also provide funding to help you all fight against these people, to take on these capitalists!" Zhou Yang looked at everyone again, pausing briefly. "But the condition is, I need a reason to help you..."

"Mr. Zhou, I understand what you mean. This is nearly 40% of our [Bingbing Yang Cola] shares. [Bingbing Yang Cola] rose to prominence because of you. I'm here today to invite you to invest. However, I have another concern, Mr. Zhou. Those overseas investors are extremely aggressive. Forgive my bluntness, but Mr. Zhou, you can handle one or two, but if there are too many... that's what we're worried about..."

"Yes, they're attacking us from all sides right now. It's not just our industry, but even the film industry. Capital is pouring in and making moves. During the 'domestic film protection month' from June to August, quite a few big-budget movies are being released... All kinds of promotional resources are being used like crazy..."

"Yes, Mr. Zhou, capital seems to have gone mad this year, and it will be even crazier next year... That's what we're worried about right now... We'd need at least several billion, or even close to ten billion, in funds to withstand their onslaught..."

"..."

In the conference room.

A cacophony of voices erupted once again.

Amidst the heated discussion, the meeting room door opened.

Nearly twenty more partner brands came in, walking in awkwardly...

At this very moment, they too are facing this awkward situation!
……

Just as the meeting room was in chaos, Zhang Jingya walked in and whispered to Zhou Yang.

"Mr. Zhou..."

"what happened?"

“These are some…” Zhang Jingya looked at the noisy array of brands in the conference room with a complicated expression, then lowered her voice: “These are all their competing brands. These people have all given us their offers. If you are willing to sign an exclusive endorsement agreement with these competing brands, they are willing to offer you 1 million RMB… But the premise is that you sever ties with these brands…”

Zhang Jingya's voice was very soft.

But when Zhang Jingya started speaking, the conference room fell silent instantly.

Everyone stared blankly at Zhou Yang...

Although I didn't hear what Zhang Jingya and Zhou Yang were saying...

However, upon seeing Zhang Jingya's expression, everyone's hearts skipped a beat!
Just at this time……

"Mr. Zhou, please don't abandon us!"

"President Zhou, yes, you've brought all these brands to where they are today. Please don't abandon us now!"

"Yes, Mr. Zhou, we can also pay..."

"Mr. Zhou! We've followed you all the way to where we are today. Now the market has suddenly changed. If you abandon us, all of us old friends will be finished!"

“President Zhou! They’re either acquiring us with capital or driving down our prices, and we’re almost shutting down our production lines… You have to show us a way to survive! President Zhou, we’ve always done whatever you said before, but now you have to consider us. We’ve stood firmly by your side since before you became rich… We have no ulterior motives!”

“Mr. Zhou, I know the investors want to buy you off, but we all came to you with shares in our company. We report our revenue to you every quarter, and you know our revenue is doing well right now. At this crucial moment, Mr. Zhou, you can't abandon us…”

"Yes, Mr. Zhou! You said it's a pledge of allegiance, so we'll pledge our allegiance..."

The scene instantly erupted in chaos.

Almost everyone stood up, and many people quickly took out their pre-prepared shares and agreements, and suddenly everyone became anxious.

Seeing the excited expressions on these people's faces, Zhou Yang immediately tried to calm them down.

"Everyone, rest assured, I've led you all this way, and you've all witnessed my growth. We are comrades-in-arms and brother companies, and I will not abandon you..."

"Everyone, please quiet down..."

"..."

Just as the meeting room finally quieted down and Zhou Yang was about to say something more, the phone rang again.

Zhou Yang felt somewhat helpless...

When he saw that it was coal boss Li Dachun calling, he hesitated for a moment, but finally answered the phone.

On the other end of the phone...

"Mr. Zhou, I was really embarrassed to bother you, but I was forced into this situation..."

“My coal-mining brothers have been envious of my success these past few years, and they’re all looking to switch careers. They’re all coming to me with their money in hand…”

“I had a few drinks yesterday and promised them I’d come over. You absolutely have to see them, Mr. Zhou. I know you’re an international superstar now, and it’s fine if you don’t agree, but I can’t lose face… Just one glance, we’re right at the door right now, I really have no other choice…”

"..."

After hearing the other party's plea, Zhou Yang was both amused and exasperated: "How many people are there?"

"There weren't many people, and we weren't particularly familiar with them. I don't even call people with good tempers. There were only about thirty coal miners..."

"How much?" Zhou Yang was stunned.

"More than thirty coal miners..."

"Are these thirty-odd people all bosses like you?"

"Most of them are like me, but a few are a bit richer. They own large coal mines, and they asked me to find you some connections... to see if they could join you in this business..."

(End of this chapter)