Chapter 179 174 Meiyi Records Was Established and Planned for the Voice of America

Chapter 175 174. Meiyi Records was established and planned for the Voice of America

A celebration party was being held at the Dream Manor.

Bang!

The champagne cork was ejected by bubbles, and Eric splashed the wine with it, and the foam fell on everyone.

Hahahaha

cheers

Everyone laughed from the bottom of their hearts. After this hard struggle, they finally won.

Ao Mei looked at the news report and giggled: "How did you say these words in front of the reporters? Aren't you ashamed?"

Michael shook his head and sighed: "That's why I asked Lawyer Meserio to do it for me. It's still too difficult for me to say these words."

Lawyer Meserio usually looks very serious, and now he rarely laughs: "I'm afraid Howard Stringer even wants to eat us."

Hearing this, Ao Mei was a little worried.

"Michael, although you won this time, Sony will definitely retaliate against you, you must be careful."

Meserio waved his hand: "No, Michael and Sony have signed a new agreement, which includes no retaliation."

"Besides, as long as he holds the copyright, Sony will not dare to take real action. If they really have the courage, why compromise this time?"

"I am more worried about MGM. This incident is too big. Sony has suffered such a big loss and cannot get out of it in a short time, but it will definitely be investigated afterwards. Eric can't hide."

Thinking of this, Michael couldn't laugh out loud: "Eric, the person you really need to be careful of is you. If Sony wants to target MGM, have you considered how to deal with it?"

Seeing their nervous look, Eric didn't take it seriously.

He knew very well that once Lionheart went online, it would inevitably have an impact on other film and television companies.

Streaming media and TV stations and theaters are inherently in conflict. Diverting the audience is equivalent to snatching food from other people's bowls. Who can not hate you?

Anyway, Eric has prepared for the joint siege by the other six major companies, just like the six major sects besieged Guangmingding.

He does not expect that other companies will grant MGM the copyright of the film at that time. The most likely thing Lionheart Network can use is MGM's own film library.

Maybe it can also acquire the film libraries of some small independent companies, and DreamWorks can also consider fighting for it, but DreamWorks' foundation is too weak to be of great use.

What Eric can do is to continuously launch good dramas, attract traffic, and retain users. This is the only way to stand out.

So people must rely on themselves!

So since they will be opponents sooner or later, what is there to worry about? When the enemy comes, the general will stop him, and when the water comes, the earth will cover it!

After taking a sip of champagne, Eric said indifferently: "What's the solution? There's nothing to consider! As long as it's not a terrorist attack like assassination, let the business competition come."

"Anyway, since the establishment of Hollywood, the eight major companies have always been in a state of both cooperation and competition."

"We all make movies, what other ways can we compete? It's just competing for box office in the same period, can I be afraid of Sony?"

"Although Sony also has some big IPs, such as "Spider-Man", "Men in Black", "Stuart Little", etc., MGM also has "Transformers", "007" and "The Silence of the Lambs."

"And the company's performance over the past year is obvious to all in the market. There is too much capital waiting for MGM to go public again. It's hard to say who is afraid of whom!"

Seeing Eric's confident look, everyone was worried, but they couldn't say anything.

After a happy game of eating and drinking, Michael and Eric walked outside.

When they came to the artificial lake, the evening breeze blew, and after being soaked in the lake water, there was a cool feeling.

"Michael, now you are finally free. As long as you have half of the copyright in your hands, you can do a lot of things. What are your plans?"

Michael stared at the lake and said softly: "Until this moment, I still feel that everything is a dream. Although I have thought about leaving Sony, I always think it is an unrealistic fantasy."

"Eric, your appearance is like a gift from God to me, helping me start a new life. Thank you!"

Looking at Michael, who seemed calm but was actually very excited, Eric was also quite emotional. Compared with the fragmented life in the original time and space, this is not a new life, and it is full of light and hope.

Patting his shoulder, Eric's tone was very complicated: "You are my idol, like a ray of light that gives happiness and hope to many people. Maybe I am the one sent by God to give you a reward."

The two smiled at each other. Although they have only known each other for half a year, the wind and rain and suffering they have experienced together have exceeded many people's lives, and their relationship is stronger than that of old friends.

"Eric, the new agreement I signed with Sony has set many restrictions on the use of this half of the copyright, so the best solution is to start my own music company."

"Even if we have to start a new distribution channel, it is better than being controlled by others. I think with our resources and capabilities, we will definitely become a super music company that can rival Sony, Universal, and Warner in the future."

"We?"

"Yes, that's us, Eric. I want to invite you to start a new company together. I have already thought of the name of the company. It's called Meiyi Records."

"It comes from my first letter "M" plus your first letter "E", Meiyi Records."

"You will have 49% of the company's equity. This is my reward to you."

"I hope you don't despise me. This is the most precious thing I can give you."

Eric was stunned for a moment. He didn't think it was too little, but too much. He knew very well what 49% of the shares meant.

That meant that he would be able to enjoy the profits of Mack and many of Sony's signed singers.

For example, if Britney Spears made $100 million through the company this year, she could take about 20% of the income.

This ratio is floating, and it is different for each company and each singer's contract.

If it is a newcomer, if they sign with a large company like Sony, the ratio may be reduced to 15% or even lower.

If they are also newcomers, if they sign with a small company or studio, the ratio will increase a lot, generally reaching more than 30%.

But the cost of small companies and small labels is that the publicity and distribution channels are weak, and the album sales may not reach half of those of large companies, and the money they get in the end is not as good as signing with a large company.

After Britney takes 20%, the company's operating expenses and taxes must be deducted. After these miscellaneous expenses are deducted, Sony and Michael can share the remaining part equally.

As for how much is left, it depends on the person. For example, if 40% is left, Michael will get 20%, which is 20 million US dollars.

It is equivalent to him sitting at home and doing nothing, and he can take 20 million US dollars.

Sony has to distribute and operate, and it has to do all the work and still take this money. Do you think he is jealous?

But what can he do if he is jealous? Who made you greedy for Michael's music library? Michael has made great contributions to Sony Music's development from the 1990s to the present.

He and the music library in his hands have also earned billions of dollars for Sony. Everyone is mutually beneficial.

Now Michael has established a new company, which means that the 20% profit that he could have shared will be divided into 49% for Eric again, which is almost equivalent to splitting it in half between the two. The value is inestimable.

However, now that Maiko has become an independent musician, his copyright is also limited.

First of all, Sony Music Japan is independent, and Maiko cannot enjoy the rights.

Then, from the moment he left Sony, he will not be able to enjoy the rights when Sony singers release new albums in the future.

The copyright rights in his hands are only from the establishment of Sony Music to this moment.

As time goes by, the value of these songs will become lower and lower, and some will even be transferred to public copyright, but even so, it is still a very considerable fortune.

"Maiko, I am very willing to set up a company with you, but 49% is too high, I can't accept it."

Maiko said in an unquestionable tone: "No, you must accept it. Apart from you, I can't think of anyone more worthy of it."

"But 49% is really too much. I can accept it, but at most 20%. I will take out a sum of money as the company's registered capital."

Maiko turned around and looked at Eric, his eyes clear: "Eric, are you my friend?"

"Of course, I regard you as my best friend."

"Then don't say no anymore. I also regard you as my best friend. These shares are not as good as our friendship."

Looking at his sincere eyes, Eric nodded slowly: "Well, let's work together to make Meiyi a new music giant, not only comparable to Sony, but also surpass it. We must acquire it in the future and take back all the copyrights."

Eric accepted the shares, and Maiko smiled. He bent down to pick up a piece of soft stone and threw it out, jumping out of the lake.

"Eric, I have also made some ideas for the company, just like these few gradually moving forward splashes, and gradually manage and expand it."

"First of all, I plan to release a new album as soon as possible. The success of "Rolling in the Deep" made me understand some things. I must adapt to the new market environment and make certain changes in my music style."

"Then there is the matter of concerts. Without the help of Sony, it is not easy to hold a world tour, or it is impossible. So next year I plan to hold concerts in China first, at least to re-establish the momentum."

"Another very important thing is to dig out some good seedlings. Good artists are the real assets of the company. Only by constantly injecting fresh blood can the company develop for a long time."

"That's all I have considered for the time being. Do you have any ideas?"

Eric's mind emerged with the plan that had been drawn up long ago, and then he introduced the situation of Lionheart Network and YouTube to Michael in detail.

He has been using Facebook very diligently during this period, and his understanding of the Internet has also deepened a lot.

Especially through the war with Sony, he has a deep impression of the spreadability of the Internet.

"Eric, do you mean that after YouTube goes online, I will authorize the copyright in my hands to YouTube for use?"

Eric nodded: "Yes, in this way, YouTube can use your copyright to achieve faster development, and Meiyi can also charge fees."

"It feels no different from the general authorized music library." Maikou was a little confused.

"For the time being, the difference is indeed not big. I plan to buy a year's right to use it for free for users. After all, YouTube is just starting out."

"After a year, when YouTube develops, a new cooperation model will be adopted, such as Meiyi authorizing YouTube for use, but the money earned will be taken from the number of plays, advertising promotion, etc."

"Oh. This cooperation model sounds relatively new. It gives me a feeling of a new era of the Internet."

"Yes, this was the first idea, and then it was the music variety show on Lionheart. I intend to create a novel program to compete with American Idol. The tentative name is The Voice."

"Music talent show?" Mike asked.

"That's right, but it's not an audition, it's about selecting the contestants in advance. We only want elites to successfully present a high-quality competition. The contestants will be able to show singing skills that are no weaker than those of professional singers when they take the stage."

"The selected singers will sign contracts with Meiyi, which will be used to replenish fresh blood."

"It sounds very interesting. The model is exactly the opposite of American Idol. One is grassroots and the other is elite. I just don't know which type the audience likes."

"Don't worry about this aspect, because even if the contestants can't compete with American Idol, The Voice has another big selling point, and that is that the instructors compete to compete with each other."

"I plan to invite four music celebrities to form a mentoring group. After the contestants finish singing, if more than one person likes the contestant, then there will be a competition among the mentors."

"When the audience discovers that these big stars are joking and making wisecracks, which are completely different from their performances on stage, they will feel very novel."

"So, the protagonists on The Voice appear to be contestants, but the real protagonists are actually the four mentors. I can be sure that after the show is broadcast, the popularity of the mentors will be greatly enhanced."

"Maikou, you are the first mentor I invite!"

Hearing this, he took a step back and tried to imagine the scene in his mind, but he couldn't imagine it, so he could only shake his head helplessly.

"Eric, am I suitable? I rarely participate in variety shows, so I don't know if I can adapt."

Eric chuckled and said, "As long as you sit there, even if you don't say a word, the effect will be enough."

"And in order to alleviate the embarrassment you may have, I also plan to invite your sister to be a mentor."

"You mean Jenny?"

"Well, she is the queen of rock and roll. She is a top-notch female singer. She is more than capable of being a mentor. You will not be lonely with her."

Maikou nodded slightly: "If Jenny is involved, I will indeed be more relaxed. What about the other two people?"

"I haven't thought about it yet. I'm considering pairing it with two men and two women, plus a rapper and a female singer, but I'm not sure yet what genre the female singer is good at."

"My expectation is to choose one among Whitney Houston, Madonna, Celine Dion and Shania Twain. Do you have any suggestions?"

Maikou thought for a moment: "They are all too outstanding. I can't give you any advice. You can try to invite them. Just choose whoever has a low price and a long term."

"Uh pragmatic!"