Chapter 0953: Scram, She-Devil

Many times, influence is a mysterious thing.

For example, cross-talk is very famous, but in some regions of the south, it is not well received. It's not that they dislike it, but rather that many of the jokes are incomprehensible to them.

The result of cultural and regional differences is that if people don't understand what you're saying, why should they be expected to laugh heartily?

The same goes for running a business.

For many people, a company may be well-known in a certain region or industry, but in another place, it becomes a small, unknown firm.

Just like when we Chinese go abroad, in the eyes of foreigners, we all look similar.

Therefore, Future Advertising needed an opportunity, a platform, to make the whole country aware of this advertising company.

And CCTV was undoubtedly the most suitable choice.

After all, during a time when the entire nation was focused on the SARS epidemic, no one would miss watching CCTV programs.

事实证明，赵浮生的选择还是没错的，通过接连一个星期的广告播出，未来广告的关注度再次得到了提升。

"What do we do next?"

In Zheng Yao's office, Zheng Yao looked at Zhao Fusheng with a puzzled expression.

Now that SARS prevention publicity had become a nationwide priority, many provincial TV stations called to request airing the public service ads produced by Future Advertising. Following Zhao Fusheng's instructions, Zheng Yao agreed to all of them.

"Next, we need to contact other companies." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Zheng Yao.

"Other companies?" Hearing this, Zheng Yao was taken aback, a bit confused, wondering what Zhao Fusheng was up to. Why contact other companies? Was there something else involved?

Seeing Zheng Yao's bewildered look, Zhao Fusheng couldn't help shaking his head. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, deliberately keeping her in suspense without revealing his plan.

"Hey, why did you stop talking?" Zheng Yao glared at Zhao Fusheng and asked.

Zhao Fusheng smiled at her: "What do you think of our company's current visibility?"

"Not bad. Although it's not yet known to everyone, at least we've made an impression, and our reputation at CCTV is quite good." Zheng Yao answered honestly.

This was a fact evident to all. Future Advertising seemed to have spent a lot of money this time, but in reality, what they gained far exceeded what they paid, even if it looked like they were being taken advantage of.

In fact, other advertising agencies in the industry were green with envy, because not everyone had the opportunity to leave such a deep impression on CCTV's leadership.

After all, in the advertising planning industry, the first to try something new often reaps the most benefits. If others imitated the plans Future Advertising had already executed, they would likely be ridiculed as clumsy imitators, making themselves even more embarrassed.

"So, what do you think? If we propose organizing a gala, would CCTV give us that face?" Zhao Fusheng glanced at Zheng Yao and said calmly.

"A gala?" Zheng Yao looked at Zhao Fusheng suspiciously, not understanding his intention.

Clearly, in her view, Zhao Fusheng was completely messing around.

Out of nowhere, why suddenly organize a gala?

Zhao Fusheng's expression was calm as he said lightly: "Since Future Advertising aims to grow bigger and stronger, to become a media and entertainment group, we first need to break into the entertainment industry. Moreover, we need to establish our own position. Do you understand this logic?"

Zheng Yao nodded. She wasn't stupid; she understood what Zhao Fusheng meant. The establishment of Future Film was also for this purpose, as film investment and production were undoubtedly a stepping stone into the entertainment industry. However, although Future Film seemed to be developing well, most of it was due to Zhao Fusheng's behind-the-scenes help. In truth, the work effectiveness of Bai Jie and others was quite average.

But Zheng Yao could understand; after all, not everyone had Zhao Fusheng's ability to write scripts and secure investments. The film circle seemed easy to enter, but truly establishing a foothold was not that simple.

But she didn't understand how this related to the charity gala Zhao Fusheng wanted to organize.

Thinking this, Zheng Yao frowned slightly and looked at Zhao Fusheng: "Are you saying we should also hold a charity performance gala like the one during the 1998 flood relief?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded: "Yes, not only will we hold it, but we'll also take the initiative to invite CCTV to take the lead, and we'll be the planners."

Zheng Yao was half-understanding. Such large-scale charity performances were quite common; whenever a major event shook the nation, such performances would appear. But it was just a gala; what use could it be?

Seeing Zheng Yao's bewildered look, Zhao Fusheng sighed silently and said: "What we want is not just the planning rights for this gala, but the charity dinner after the gala."

"Charity dinner?"

Clearly, these four words left Zheng Yao completely confused, having no idea what Zhao Fusheng wanted to do.

After all, in China, the term 'charity dinner' was not as famous as it would be in later years.

But for Zhao Fusheng, this was undoubtedly an important step to elevate Future Advertising's prestige.

"Think about it: CCTV takes the lead, inviting many entertainment stars to participate in the charity performance. After the gala, our company hosts a dinner. At the dinner, the stars who participated can put up personal items they cherish or things they like for auction. The proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross in the stars' names for SARS prevention and control." Zhao Fusheng said calmly. "Not only that, but Future Advertising will hold this type of charity dinner annually and promote it heavily. Understand?"

After hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Zheng Yao was stunned, her mouth wide open, staring blankly at him. She was truly shocked by his series of arrangements.

This guy had been calculating everything from the very beginning!

Whether it was producing public service ads for CCTV for free or planning the charity performance gala, it all ultimately paved the way for the final charity dinner.

Having been the head of Future Advertising for so long, Zheng Yao was no longer the innocent, naive girl on campus. Having experienced plenty of business intrigues, she naturally understood that in this world, there is no eternal hatred or love; only interests are eternal.

Especially in the entertainment industry, this was even more true.

The entertainment industry is a thorough vanity fair. Whether they are glamorous big stars or seemingly righteous bosses, they are all people chasing fame and fortune.

And the charity dinner Zhao Fusheng wanted to organize was clearly a stage for these people to showcase their reputations.

Now that the SARS epidemic was a national concern, those celebrities would certainly not dare to go to the front lines. After all, they cherished their lives and would never take such risks.

But if they could donate through a charity dinner, these people would be happy to do good deeds and gain a good reputation.

"How did you come up with this?"

After a long while, Zheng Yao stared at Zhao Fusheng in astonishment. She really wanted to open his head and see what was inside, how he could think of such a brilliant plan.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled but didn't explain.

In fact, this approach was not his original idea. In his previous life, the Bazaar Charity Dinner had run for over a decade, not only propping up a so-called 'fashion devil' but also turning each charity dinner into a stage for stars to scheme against each other. Even the photo lineup could spark fan wars online. Zhao Fusheng was all too familiar with such tactics.

For Zhao Fusheng, this was a crucial step in transforming Future Advertising into a vast media and entertainment empire, becoming China's news and publishing group.

Of course, given the country's unique conditions, Zhao Fusheng never intended to dabble in the publishing industry. His sights were set on Hong Kong.

There was still plenty of time; the global financial crisis of 2007 was far off, enough for him to lay his groundwork.

But before that, he first needed to secure a sufficiently strong position for Future Advertising in the domestic entertainment industry.

"In short, contact CCTV about this as soon as possible." Zhao Fusheng said to Zheng Yao.

Zheng Yao nodded, hesitated, and then said to Zhao Fusheng: "I plan to inform Huayi in advance and also bring in Perfect Advertising."

"Huayi and Perfect Advertising?" Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then smiled. He had to admit, Zheng Yao really had a talent for business; even he hadn't thought of that.

Our ancestors taught us to win over some enemies and suppress others—this is called division.

The idea Zheng Yao proposed now was exactly that.

Huayi was currently a leader among private film and television enterprises, while Perfect Advertising, like Future Advertising, was one of the three major advertising companies in the north, the third being Oriental Advertising.

In other words, Zheng Yao intended to use this opportunity to win over Perfect Advertising and suppress Oriental Advertising.

As for Huayi, unless they were fools, they would understand what it meant if their stars failed to appear on CCTV's stage as the planner of the charity dinner.

And other film and television companies would surely realize, after this event, what Future Advertising's status would be in the capital's entertainment industry.