Huayu: This producer has no bottom line.

Chapter 144 The Value of Good Content

"Cooperation?" Wang Sicong turned his head, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "You don't beat around the bush."

"Can you stand listening to me go around in circles?"

He flicked his cigarette ash, looked at Ren Pingsheng, and said, "So you're planning to give me 10% of this movie's revenue just to set up a giveaway booth in the lobbies of all sixty Wanda cinemas?"

I had been pondering this question ever since I received Ren Pingsheng's call. Ever since his father, Wang Jianlin, promised to give him 500 million yuan to pay for his tuition, countless people have been trying to get close to him, offering investments and shares.

But he knew in his heart that those people were after the Wanda Group behind him.

Therefore, when Ren Pingsheng offered him a 10% share of the film "Lost in Thailand" over the phone, his first reaction was to refuse.

It wasn't until Ren Pingsheng said he didn't want to schedule any more screenings, as long as he was allowed to set up a small stall in the lobby.

This actually confused Wang Sicong.

What kind of request is that?

Ren Pingsheng smiled but didn't answer directly. "Mr. Wang, which of the more than thirty cinema chains in the country do you think is the best?"

"Is that even a question?" Wang Sicong raised his chin. Although he didn't want to talk about relying on his father's connections, he couldn't hide his arrogance when it came to this. "Wanda is the only cinema chain in China with a box office exceeding 10 billion yuan."

"That's right. Wanda's number of screens has surpassed that of Peninsula CGV, making it the number one in Asia and the only cinema chain in the country with a unified brand and management. Other cinema chains are franchised or mixed-ownership systems with loose management."

"so what?"

"So as long as Wanda is the headquarters, with just one word, our 'Lost in Thailand' stations can be set up in cinemas across the country at the same time."

Wang Sicong frowned. "Isn't all this fancy stuff just for more screenings? Why don't you just ask me for more screenings directly?"

Ren Pingsheng smiled.

That's a clever question, but also a cautious one.

Because asking him for screen time is what most people would do.

"Because we can't get it," Ren Pingsheng answered decisively.

"Wanda's ability to become number one in the country is due to its standardized and unified management, which cannot be changed by just someone making a call," Ren Pingsheng said, looking at him. "Besides, given your personality and our relationship, you wouldn't ask me to do that."

Wanda Group is not a place where Wang Sicong can make decisions on his own. Why would he need to talk to his father?

He couldn't bring himself to do it, and it wouldn't fit his current style as an independent venture capitalist.

Therefore, Ren Pingsheng settled for second best, as long as he could get an empty seat in the lobby of Wanda Cinemas across the country.

This requirement is much simpler, unlike scheduling, which can have far-reaching consequences.

Even for such a small matter, we need to give Young Master Wang a reason to speak up.

Therefore, Ren Pingsheng directly gave away 10% of the film "Lost in Thailand".

A 10% market share would at most yield a profit of two or three million yuan. In Ren Pingsheng's view, using that money to acquire promotional locations for sixty Wanda cinemas nationwide, as well as a deep partnership with the future young heir of Wanda, was an extremely worthwhile deal.

For the conflicted young master Wang, having this 10% share meant that his request for venues from Wanda was essentially a way to secure resources for his investment projects.

It is perfectly justified and reasonable.

"So what you really want isn't just the venue, right?"

Ren Pingsheng never expected that Wang Sicong could see this level.

It's not just about the venue.

Wanda's value lies not only in those two square meters of stalls, but also in its unified management.

This means that his "Journey of Misfortune Package" campaign can be launched simultaneously nationwide within the Wanda Group system.

This means that from the first day of the film's release, photos and posts of viewers picking up the "Lost in Thailand" package at Wanda Cinemas across the country will appear simultaneously.

On the same day, the same topic, and the same visual symbols emerged from dozens of cities.

This information bombardment can give people who haven't seen the movie the illusion that the whole world is watching it.

This is also the strongest driving force forcing other cinema chains to follow suit in scheduling screenings.

"You're right," Ren Pingsheng said without beating around the bush, "Wanda is the benchmark, and other cinema chains will follow suit when they see what Wanda is doing."

"So you're using Wanda's brand as an endorsement."

Wang Sicong broke through this barrier.

Ren Pingsheng nodded. "That's right."

The night wind dispersed the smoke, and the two stood at the hotel entrance, neither of them speaking.

After more than half a minute, Wang Sicong broke the silence.

"How do you plan to thank me?" He stared at Ren Pingsheng. "This is Wanda endorsing you."

"Isn't this 10% the best thank you gift?" Ren Pingsheng met his gaze. "I know you don't care about a few million in profit, but with this 10%, you're an investor in this movie. As an investor, when the movie rakes in tens or even hundreds of millions at the box office with a budget of a few million, what do you think your old man will think of you?"

Wang Sicong's hand, holding a cigarette, froze in mid-air.

Wasn't his decision to start a business precisely to prove himself to Wang Jianlin?

If his first film investment generates several times the return, he can hold his head high in front of the old man!

Moreover, Ren Pingsheng paved the way for him in such a respectable way that he didn't need to beg for screenings; he only needed to make a call to get a booth, and the rest depended entirely on the film's performance.

"OK."

Wang Sicong threw the cigarette butt on the ground, crushed it out with his toe, raised his head, and his eyes revealed a resolute look.

"I'll talk to the theaters in a bit, but I don't want you to give me 10% of the market share for free."

He looked at Ren Pingsheng, his chin slightly raised, "Name your price. If I lose, I'll accept the loss."

Ren Pingsheng smiled.

He knew that this arrogant young master had already boarded the pirate ship of his life.

"Deal. I'll send you the contract tomorrow."

Wang Sicong acted quickly, calling Ye Ning, the general manager of Wanda Cinemas, that very evening.

The following day at noon, cinema managers across the country received a notice from headquarters instructing them to cooperate with the producers of "Lost in Thailand" to set up promotional booths in cinema lobbies. The specific locations were to be arranged by each cinema, but all booths had to be in place on the opening day of the film's release.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Wenbo immediately instructed the execution teams in various locations to connect with the local Wanda cinemas.

Meanwhile, the custom-made Moslian packaging design was approved, and the factory worked overnight to produce the "囧" character pendant. The first batch of samples, as gifts for media screenings, has been sent to Wanda Cinemas in thirteen major box office cities across the country.

On May 29, Xu Zheng's response video was released on time.

The video caused an uproar online!

"Holy crap! Xu Zheng and Tao Hong are getting a divorce? Because of Wang Baoqiang?"

"This love triangle is too weird! What on earth are those white things?!"

What's even more incredible is that Xu Zheng's wife, Tao Hong, also got involved.

"You, @XuZheng, still won't give me an explanation?"

The onlookers went completely crazy!

Xu Zheng's Weibo comment section was filled with identical explanations, and it garnered over 10,000 views in just one hour.

On the third day, the official account of "Lost in Thailand" released a joint short video with all the main creators and the celebrities who recently participated in the film, revealing all the suspense.

From the lunchbox lacking an egg to the trailer clips, from behind-the-scenes footage after filming wrapped to the absurd bed scene at the premiere, the laughs never stop.

The final screen freezes on June 4th, the nationwide release date. Show your ticket stub at Wanda Cinemas to receive the "Lost in Thailand" package, first come, first served.

After several days of frantically following the gossip online, the whole internet finally realized the truth!

"Damn! After all that, the missing egg and all that white stuff were just plot points from a movie!"

"Incredible! What kind of genius came up with this publicity stunt? I've been fooled for three days, but I actually want to go to the cinema to see what they're up to!"

"It's releasing on June 4th, right? I'm definitely buying a ticket!"

"What's the 'Lost in Thailand Package'? It's only available at Wanda Plaza? I definitely have to go to Wanda Plaza to see it!"

Instead of being angry about being fooled, netizens turned the pleasure of being tricked into anticipation for the movie.

The pre-sale based on emotional appeal was a resounding success.

6 month 1 day.

There are only three days left until the nationwide release of "Lost in Thailand".

A media preview screening event, which will sweep across 13 major box office cities nationwide, was held at a local Wanda Cinema.

Huaying Group invited more than 300 journalists from print and traditional media outlets, as well as more than 100 well-known film critics with significant influence on the internet.

At 2 p.m., the lights in the screening room went out.

Although they received travel expenses and gifts, many journalists and film critics still sat in their chairs with the mindset of scrutinizing bad films.

After all, what's so interesting about a low-budget road movie that becomes popular on the internet by skirting the edges?

But for the next hour, the laughter in the screening room never stopped.

When Wang Baoqiang finished off that bucket of milk in one go at the airport, someone sprayed out the yogurt they had just drunk.

When Xu Zheng was driven to the brink of despair by Wang Baoqiang's jinxed words along the way, the entire audience burst into laughter.

As the movie neared its end.

When Li Chenggong, played by Xu Zheng, puts aside his arrogance and finds long-lost human warmth during this cold Spring Festival travel rush.

The laughter gradually subsided.

As the film ended and the lights came on, several familiar reporters exchanged glances, their expressions subtle.

This movie isn't a bad movie.

Not only is it not bad, it's actually quite good-looking.

The film is packed with laughs, has a smooth pace, and the chemistry between Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang is ridiculously strong.

Most importantly, after being hilarious all the way through, the ending actually brings tears to your eyes.

After the screening, there was a group Q&A session with the media, where Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang went to the front to answer questions.

The first question was very direct: "Mr. Xu Zheng, were those videos online deliberately planned by you?"

Xu Zheng looked completely innocent. "Anyway, it wasn't me. I've been trying to save my marriage lately."

The audience erupted in laughter. "Was he saved?"

Xu Zheng pointed to the screen behind him, "Isn't it because my wife was magnanimous and we didn't get divorced?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another burst of laughter erupted. A reporter was quickly scribbling in his notebook, thinking that this joke could be used as a headline later.

Wang Baoqiang took the microphone, looking aggrieved, "Boss Li almost lost his family because of me, but it's okay, I believe our film will definitely..."

'

Xu Zheng quickly covered his mouth, "Shut up!"

The audience immediately understood and burst into laughter.

In the movie, Niu Geng's prophetic words always come true, and the reporters who just finished watching the movie were deeply impressed by this joke.

Ren Pingsheng sat in the last row, watching the reporters raise their hands one after another.

This is the value of good content.

Marketing can lure people into the movie theater, but what truly keeps people there is the content itself.

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