Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 59: Changing the Publicity Strategy

Zheng Donghan stood up from his chair, and Director Feng and Manager Chen quickly followed suit.

"Old Feng, stay here for a moment. We have something to discuss with you when we get back," Zheng Donghan said to Director Feng.

He then turned to Manager Chen: "Mr. Chen, come with me."

Manager Chen's heart was in his throat. He didn't know where his boss was going, but he still followed immediately.

The two walked out of the office one after the other, through the long corridor. Zheng Donghan did not go to the elevator, but turned a corner and headed towards another office area.

The words "Marketing Department" are posted on the glass wall by the entrance.

Zheng Donghan pushed open the door and walked in. In the large open-plan office area, there were more than twenty people sitting.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, which should be the busiest time, there was a sense of laziness here.

Some people were secretly writing resumes, some were staring blankly at their computer screens, and a few were gathered in a corner, chatting in hushed tones, occasionally letting out a sigh or two.

The news of the acquisition hung like a dark cloud over everyone's heads.

Nobody knows if they'll be the next one laid off, so who has the mind to work?

As soon as the door opened, Zheng Donghan appeared, and the whispering stopped abruptly. Everyone stood up from their chairs, looking nervously at the doorway. Those who were quick-witted rushed to the director's office to call for help.

"Mr. Zheng... Mr. Zheng." Marketing Director Wang rushed out of his office.

Zheng Donghan didn't look at him, but simply glanced around.

His gaze swept across every face, taking in the expressions of confusion, anxiety, or numbness.

Good afternoon, colleagues.

"I know that the recent situation at the company has made everyone very uneasy. They don't know if they can continue to work here, so they don't have much motivation to do their jobs, which I understand."

"However, just because you're not focused on your work doesn't mean others aren't."

"It was under these circumstances that my colleagues in the artist production department discovered a new talent, Zheng Hui. His album had a good chance of getting a gold record after a week of release in Hong Kong."

Gold Records, 25,000 copies.

For a Mandarin album, especially one by a complete newcomer, this is already an achievement that has garnered attention in the Hong Kong market today.

The news had already spread throughout the artist production department, but the marketing department didn't seem to care much.

They're all going to leave anyway, so what does it matter to them whether the company makes money or not?

Zheng Donghan looked at them and said, "I understand how you feel, so I won't punish you."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"but."

These two words made my heart jump back into my throat.

"I think this album deserves more than just a gold record in Hong Kong."

"Its goal should be to achieve double platinum status within two weeks."

Double Platinum, 100,000 copies.

Everyone in the marketing department thought they had misheard.

Two weeks, 100,000 copies? And it's a Mandarin album?

What a joke! Even the Four Heavenly Kings might not dare to say such a thing.

"I understand you, so I'm giving you a chance."

"This week doesn't count. Starting today, if this album is still only gold in two weeks, then the marketing department can just be disbanded and everyone can leave, so that Universal won't have to take action."

"If you can achieve platinum status in two weeks, you can stay. Whether you stay or go, we'll see what Universal says when they come."

"But if, after two weeks, this album achieves double platinum status in both Hong Kong and Taiwan."

"Then I assure you all, the colleagues who contributed to this will definitely stay. At least 80% of the entire marketing department will remain!"

After saying that, he didn't look at anyone else, turned around and walked out of the office.

There was a full half-minute of silence before anyone reacted.

"Mr. Wang... Mr. Zheng... is he serious?" a young employee asked in a trembling voice.

Director Wang's face turned pale, then ashen. He wiped the cold sweat from his brow and shouted at the crowd, "What are you all standing there for! Start the meeting!"

He rushed up to Manager Chen, grabbed his arm, and practically dragged him into the conference room.

"Manager Chen, quick! Tell us everything you know about Zheng Hui and that album, without missing a single word!"

The marketing department, consisting of more than twenty people, all squeezed into the small conference room.

The previous laziness was gone; everyone's expression was anxious.

Manager Chen was taken aback by the scene. He swallowed hard and told them everything he knew.

Including what Zheng Donghan just said in the office.

"...Mr. Zheng said that we've gone in the wrong direction. This album shouldn't just be sold to students, but also to middle-aged men who are overwhelmed by the financial crisis."

"A middle-aged man?" Director Wang muttered to himself.

He exclaimed abruptly, "Yes! A middle-aged man!"

"Damn it, how could we not have thought of that! We were so focused on him being handsome that we were thinking about hooking up with housewives, forgetting about these people who are actually rich and really need comfort!"

"Scrap the entire plan! Start over!"

"Publicity manager!" Director Wang roared.

A man in his thirties stepped forward: "Yes!"

"What's wrong with radio stations? What kind of radio stations do middle-aged men listen to?"

The publicity manager answered without hesitation: "Thunder 881, Business Channel 1. It's all news and finance, that's what they care about."

When will we listen to it?

"When I drive to and from get off work, it's from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., without fail, those are my prime working hours."

"What do you think we should play to promote the album?"

"We can't play the whole song; they don't have the patience to listen to a song that's over three minutes long. It has to be short and catchy, something that will grab their attention instantly."

Although the publicity manager hadn't paid much attention to this album before, he still had some information about it. He took out the lyrics and looked through them for a while before saying:

"I think the choruses of 'Chasing Dreams with a Pure Heart' and 'Stubborn' are the most powerful."

"Thirty seconds, the first fifteen seconds are the chorus, the last fifteen seconds are a deep male voice reciting spoken words, dedicated to everyone who is still persevering, then the album title is announced, and that's the end."

"Simple, brutal, and repetitive brainwashing. Cut them in five times a day, so they can't forget it even if they wanted to!"

Director Wang nodded: "That's settled! Contact the radio station immediately and secure a slot before next Monday!"

"Outdoor Guys, all those headshots of our idols we made before were garbage! Take them down immediately!"

The person in charge of outdoor activities asked, "Change to what?"

"Change the lyrics, just black background with white text, no fancy designs. Place it in high-traffic areas, like subway transfer passages or on large light boxes."

Director Wang picked up the lyric book: "You can put in a lyric, such as 'Fate cannot make us kneel down and beg for mercy,' or 'Even if we are disappointed, we cannot despair.'"

"No singer's photo, no album cover, just write the album title 'Stubborn' in the bottom right corner using the smallest font size."

"Let them be curious, let them guess what it is. When they get in the car, turn on the radio, and hear our GG, they'll immediately recognize it. That impact is stronger than anything else."