After Daniel left, Linton called Mira and asked her to send over the pre-screened endorsement targets and the self-recommendation Materials from lawyers and economists. Since last month, law firms and accounting firms had been continuously sending self-recommendation letters to Mira, hoping to take on Linton's business, and endorsement invitations were even more numerous.
Actually, Mira had previously suggested to Linton that WMA could recommend lawyers and accountants to him, but Linton didn't want to use WMA's close connections.
He didn't want to be jointly deceived by his agent, lawyers, and accountants in the future; it was more secure to recruit them himself, especially after hearing Daniel's words, he felt that necessary precautions and checks and balances were essential.
Mira came in with three thick stacks of Materials, which were categorized endorsement invitations, lawyer self-recommendation Materials, and accountant self-recommendation Materials.
"Mira, first, introduce the endorsement invitation information that you all have screened."
"Since May, we have received over 30 endorsement invitations for you, but most are from very low-end brands, such as KFC and McDonald's. These types of brand endorsement advertisements are seriously inconsistent with our positioning for you. Once you advance further, these collaborations will become a drag that lowers your style and class. There are also brands whose image is suitable, but the price is significantly lower than your market value."
"After our screening, there are now five product endorsements we can consider. The first is Sony Walkman from Japan, the second is Dell Computer, and the third is Ray-Ban. All three are quoted at $1.5 million per year, requiring a two-year contract minimum. The fourth is Adidas sportswear, quoted at $2 million per year, requiring a two-year contract minimum. The fifth is Blue Goose Whiskey, quoted at $2.5 million per year, requiring a two-year contract minimum."
"Sony Walkman, Dell Computer, and Ray-Ban are all big brands, and they are also high-tech electronic or trendy products liked by young people, which are quite consistent with your image as a popular idol singer. The price is also relatively suitable compared to your current fame.
But the biggest problem is that all of them require a two-year contract. You should know that you've only been in the industry for three months and already have your current fame and commercial value. By next year, your commercial value will be far more than $1.5 million a year, so overall, it's a bit of a loss."
"The fourth, Adidas sportswear, although also a sportswear brand liked by young people, has a slightly lower brand reputation and is a bit inconsistent with your positioning. However, relatively speaking, the price is much higher.
There's also a concern that taking on sportswear advertisements could negatively impact future high-end fashion brand advertisements. The fifth is the most special: Blue Goose Whiskey is a relatively high-end ladies' drink commonly used in nightclubs."
"What the heck, a nightclub drink? How can that be related to my image? You should know that I don't usually go to nightclubs," Linton interjected.
"At first, I was also curious. Later, after communicating with the brand, I found out that your songs 'Numb' and 'Believer' are very popular in nightclubs. Also, your performance in the 'Believer' music video is full of hormones and is very popular with ladies in nightclubs.
And not long ago, your ex-girlfriend Connie's big-mouth hype also gave many of these women a lot of fantasies, so the brand is interested in your ability to drive sales within this group."
"What, Connie's big-mouth hype had such a big impact?"
Linton was stunned; this had practically become a United States adult joke.
"So my suggestion is to take on the first three endorsements and decline the latter two. After your fame further increases next year, we can then negotiate new endorsements. At that time, the brands will also be higher-end, and the prices will be more suitable."
What about the rest? Linton picked up the other endorsement invitation Materials and flipped through them. Indeed, just as Mira said, most were low-end chain fast-food brands and snack brands from North America, or some inexplicable brands, including even things like Indian 'magic oil.' Could this also be due to Connie's big-mouth hype?
He was no longer a rookie and knew that few rising stars were willing to endorse such low-end chain brands, especially those primarily selling junk food.
Of course, there was also one brand of headphone product, but the endorsement fee was only $1 million per year, clearly far below his commercial value, so it was directly passed.
Linton was generally quite satisfied with Mira's choices. It seemed Mira was quite responsible and did not excessively consider short-term interests due to her short-term contract with WMA (after all, the contract with WMA was only for one year).
"Actually, the partners I hope for most are Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Even if the endorsement fee is a bit lower, it doesn't matter. Is it possible for you at WMA to help me negotiate with them?"
Linton looked at Mira hopefully. Indeed, if he could endorse Coca-Cola or Pepsi, their powerful promotion capabilities and worldwide ground advertising would bring unimaginable exposure and popularity to Linton, even if he endorsed them for free.
"Impossible. Look at who Coca-Cola and Pepsi hire for endorsements: Jordan, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cindy Crawford, Johnny Depp. We're not at that level yet. Wait until next year, after your album sells well, then we can try to see if it's possible," Mira directly crushed his hopes.
"Okay, let's do as you say. Negotiate with Sony Walkman, Dell Computer, and Ray-Ban as soon as possible.
Try to negotiate for terms that are favorable to us. If not, this price is acceptable for signing, but it's best if there's a difference in payment methods.
What do you think about this: during negotiations, we offer clients two options. One is the same price for two years but paid in one lump sum. The second is a tiered price, meaning one price this year, and an increase based on that next year, which can be paid annually."
"This is a good suggestion. Indeed, your popularity is growing rapidly, and the brands should be able to see that."
"You speed up the process. We'll try to finish shooting the endorsement advertisements in July. In August, I'll be fully focused on recording the album. Oh, tomorrow morning, you'll accompany me to BMI to register the song copyrights."
After Mira left, Linton picked up the lawyer self-recommendation Materials, selected three white male lawyers who graduated from prestigious universities and had 5 to 10 years of work experience, and scheduled interviews with them for the afternoon. After some thought, he decided to call Daniel and ask him to arrange for the firm's legal counsel to accompany him to the interviews in the afternoon to help him vet and confirm the business capabilities of the interviewees.
Back in the office, Linton found Lisa waiting for him in Molly's assistant's room. Upon meeting, Lisa directly stated her desire to continue as the producer for his album.
She told Linton that the three songs she had previously collaborated on with him were her highlight works and had significantly elevated her status in the industry.
She promised that if she continued as producer, she would fully utilize her abilities to create a high-quality album, while fully respecting Linton's opinions as the songwriter, and hoped for Linton's support. Linton did not agree on the spot, stating he would consider it carefully.
In the afternoon, at the Red Bean Cafe next to Universal, with the help of Universal's legal counsel, Jerry Mitch, Linton interviewed three lawyers.
From them, he selected a lawyer named Goodman Depp. Goodman was 28 years old, a Yale University graduate, and currently worked at the Gaside the firm in Los Angeles. He had just transitioned from intern to full-time lawyer two years ago, had few clients, specialized in entertainment law cases, and his professional competence was recognized by Jerry. They agreed on the remuneration, and Linton signed a contract with Goodman on the spot.
