Chapter 534: Passing the Buck

Fans gathered outside Tian Ding Entertainment, impulsively demanding an explanation.

Senior management inside Tian Ding Entertainment was in a state of panic, frantically increasing security and trying to maintain order on-site, desperate to prevent the fans from storming in.

"Who exactly leaked this?" the CEO of Tian Ding Entertainment questioned with a gloomy expression.

Opposite him, several department heads and other executives had arrived, all bowing their heads in silence.

Some department heads stammered, wanting to say something to ease the tension, but didn't know what to say.

A disaster out of nowhere, a disaster out of nowhere!

The most aggrieved party in this whole affair was their Public Relations Department!

Their PR department had no idea how the specific contracts for each member of March Sky had been negotiated!

And every time the PR department went to ask the Legal Department, the Legal Department would brush them off, saying the talks were almost done and going smoothly.

The hell they called this smooth?

The head of the PR department felt like killing someone.

The CEO looked at the PR department: "How does your department plan to handle the public relations?"

It hadn't even been half an hour since the paparazzi leaked the news to the blog, and the PR department was still in an emergency meeting.

Even the head of the PR department didn't dare give the CEO a definitive answer at this moment.

If he made any promises, the CEO would certainly demand he go all out to fulfill them.

But in the current situation, who could guarantee they could neutralize this public opinion?

And it was already the end of March, with April coming soon.

March Sky's contract was set to expire in June; with no renewal negotiated by now, the PR head thought: even a fool would know there was a problem!

The more explosive the public opinion, and the louder the commotion from the fans outside, the less the PR head dared to make any promises.

The CEO frowned, saying impatiently: "Speak up! Usually, when I call you up to report on work, you're all more eager than anyone. Now that something has happened and I need you to make a decision, you're all acting like mutes!"

The head of the Marketing Department spoke cautiously: "CEO, the top priority now is to finalize the March Sky contract as soon as possible. As long as the contract is settled, we can appease the fans' emotions."

The department head didn't finish his sentence.

It would only appease a small portion of the fans' emotions.

With the fans' emotions erupting, the biggest problem wasn't the renewal, but the disbandment.

Another person asked: "I remember the company wanted to split March Sky into independent artists long ago, and we've been preparing since last year, with several PR plans already drafted. Should we use one of those for an emergency?"

Before the CEO could speak, the head of the PR department jumped out to refute: "No! Absolutely not!"

The fat all over his body shook, and sweat instantly seeped from his forehead.

"The PR plans we came up with were all based on March Sky renewing their contracts, letting the company push hard to finalize brand endorsements, and then having the four artists promote the new endorsements externally, giving fans the feeling that independent development is more prosperous than team development."

Once these words were out.

Everyone realized it.

But now that the March Sky renewal contract wasn't finalized, coupled with the risk of disbandment, the brands weren't sure how much fan support they still had left.

If they rushed to finalize cooperation with brands at this time, Tian Ding Entertainment would suffer a huge loss, and they would have to concede everything.

And the most critical point was that March Sky hadn't renewed yet!

What if March Sky wasn't their artist in the future? Wouldn't that be an even bigger loss?

Based on years of experience and a sense of crisis, the PR head insisted: "The PR plans we came up with before absolutely cannot be used for this matter!"

He skillfully shifted the problem to another department head.

"As long as the Legal Department negotiates the March Sky contract well and succeeds in the renewal, the initial crisis can be resolved. Our PR department can then quickly release the news to reduce fan panic, and the Marketing Department can take the opportunity to secure more collaborations with well-known luxury brands for March Sky. With these three measures, the situation can be brought under control."

The CEO of Tian Ding Entertainment, having been CEO for so many years, was not unaware of the company culture.

Now that something had happened, these department heads were all busy passing the buck!

The CEO said in a deep voice: "Don't talk about what happens later; resolve the crisis immediately."

He changed his tone, saying coldly: "Also, the company kept the content of March Sky's contract so well hidden, how could the paparazzi get a leak just by finding an informant? There's a mole among us."

"I haven't left the company yet, and one after another you're jumping out to use me as a scapegoat. If I don't get a good outcome from this, don't think you'll be able to sit securely in your positions!"

"Find the person for me. Lower the public opinion for me. Handle the fans outside for me."

"If you can't do it, then you'll step down with me. I believe the Board of Directors will be quite satisfied with that result." The CEO threatened everyone bluntly.

The meeting ended.

Everyone returned to their offices.

Suddenly, a sound of smashing came from the Marketing Department head's office.

It was just that the soundproofing at Tian Ding Entertainment was too good, so this sound didn't reach outside.

The department head stared grimly at Ming Yingyue, kicking a chair that had lost a leg.

"I don't hit women, but if you're found out this time and the CEO blames me, causing me to step down as well, then don't think about surviving in this circle!"

Ming Yingyue shivered violently, saying incoherently: "I, I didn't know it would, would be this serious. I just wanted March Sky to sign the contract quickly!"

The department head sneered, his cold gaze like a sharp knife cutting into her heart.

"I know what you were thinking. You just felt that if March Sky didn't renew with the company and stepped down, with your influence, you could be the top sister at Tian Ding Entertainment and control more artists' schedules."

Ming Yingyue's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and she shook her head in a panic: "I didn't, I didn't!"

She didn't dare look up at the department head, fearing her true thoughts would be seen.

The department head said in a grim tone: "Don't daydream. Tian Ding Entertainment is best at managing boy bands. Without March Sky, they will continue to promote a 'April Sky'. Even if you, a female star, do well, you won't be valued by senior management."

"What's more, how many outstanding works do you have? You can't even act, damn it! Those awards of yours were all bought for you by Tian Ding Entertainment with money!"

"Don't think that just because someone gave you a Best Actress award, you really consider yourself a Best Actress who can call the wind and rain in the entertainment industry. You don't have that status yet!"

"You clean up the mess you made yourself. If that paparazzi exposes you, I will take the initiative to report you to the Board of Directors!"

Ming Yingyue's body trembled, "I, I..."

The department head stopped looking at her, picked up his phone, dialed a number, and hurried out.

"Clean this place up!"

Ming Yingyue stared at his departing back, a deep hatred flashing in her eyes.

If it weren't for his instigation, how would she have reached this point?!

It was clearly he who dragged her into the abyss!

If she didn't have a good life, he shouldn't think about living either; she had plenty of dirt on him too!

Outside the main entrance of Tian Ding Entertainment.

The gathering fans were increasing.

The situation was becoming more serious, and the security Tian Ding had reinforced was already becoming uncontrollable.

The company had no choice but to call the police to disperse them.

Meanwhile, March Sky and the others were huddled in the villa, conducting a long video conference with the company's Legal Department.

What everyone was discussing was still the issue of the profit-sharing ratio.

Everyone knew that business negotiations couldn't be rushed.

Once rushed, it was easy for the other party to know your bottom line and then manipulate you.

So even though the situation outside was becoming more serious, Tian Ding Entertainment's Legal Department was still negotiating with March Sky very calmly.

But also based on the fact that the public opinion outside was becoming more serious, the March Sky members, who hadn't been willing to budge, became even more unyielding.

They had always been resistant to the team disbanding.

It was just that the company's will was firm, and they were ultimately artists in the company, so they could only listen to the company's arrangements for business splitting.

Now that the fans were making a fuss early, March Sky went with the flow, asking the company if they could continue to carry out activities as a team.

However, the legal representative who came to negotiate with them refused without a second thought.

"No, the four of you must go solo! If you are worried about the current public opinion, as long as you renew your contracts with the company, the company will immediately step in for PR, and we have ways to appease the fans' emotions."

Chen Lin said: "Fine, then give us an 80% share."

The legal representative said without thinking: "No, Tian Ding Entertainment cannot offer such a profit-sharing ratio."

He took a deep breath, looked left and right, and then lowered his voice:

"I advise you to take a step back. If Tian Ding really offers you an 80% price, they definitely want to shelve you!"

"Pushing your endorsements to another boy band with an extremely low profit-sharing ratio allows the company to earn more. Why wouldn't they do that?"

The eyes of the March Sky members flickered slightly.

In the eyes of Tian Ding Entertainment, a boy band like them was not irreplaceable.

The company had its arrogance, believing that if they could promote one, they could promote a second.

But the arrogant company didn't understand that the success of some teams was created by the era.

Missing that era, there would be no more of the past glory.

Yan Xingdong took the initiative to say: "How about this, 75%. You discuss it again and see if you can give us such a profit-sharing ratio."

The legal representative felt relieved.

March Sky's willingness to make concessions was a positive signal, proving they still wanted to talk.

If they had stuck to the 80% without budging, the legal representative would have had to wonder if March Sky already had thoughts of leaving the company, which was why the negotiations had made no progress, dragging on and on.

The legal representative said: "The company cannot offer 75%. You should take another step back. If it's 70%, I can fight for it with the company again."

Yan Xingdong said ambiguously: "You fight for it with the company for us first. Let's talk once you've secured 70%."

He took the initiative to end the video call.

Chen Lin bumped the captain: "If this legal representative really helps us secure 70%, do we sign or not when the time comes?"

Luo Yi laughed out loud.

"Didn't you hear the subtext of what that legal representative said earlier? Actually, whether it's 80% or 70%, if Tian Ding Entertainment really signs this kind of contract with us, it means they will shelve us after signing."

Chen Lin clicked his tongue: "No way, it's only 70%. Tian Ding won't even give that? Too stingy, right? I remember there are many veteran first-tier artists in the circle, and the company can give them 70%."

Gu Cheng said: "That's because the earning power of those first-tier artists can no longer compare to their peak period, and they have gradually faded, which is why they get 70%."

"Our money-making ability is different from those first-tier artists who are gradually losing popularity. How could Tian Ding Entertainment possibly work for us?"

Yan Xingdong asked: "What do you think is the company's bottom line?"

Luo Yi thought for a moment: "?"

Chen Lin: "Don't, we were already...?"

Gu Cheng agreed: "I also think it's 65%, but the company won't give it easily; they still have to grind with us."

Yan Xingdong smiled lightly.

"I hope Tian Ding can have more patience."

Zhang Guang walked out of another room, ending his conversation with an executive from the luxury brand Yu Lin Ling.

March Sky had several luxury endorsements, among which the Yu Lin Ling endorsement was the most important; this was a global ambassadorship.

Zhang Guang's state looked okay, but his voice was already a bit hoarse.

"Yu Lin Ling called me and asked about your situation. I said it would be resolved soon and wouldn't affect subsequent cooperation."

"Yu Lin Ling feels the fans' emotions are too agitated and a crisis might occur, so they want you to appease the fans as much as possible, otherwise they're afraid something will happen. Also, for the brand activities negotiated for this month and next month, Yu Lin Ling wants you not to participate."

Yan Xingdong nodded: "The fans' emotions haven't dissipated yet, so our schedules can only be suspended for a while. Brother Guang, what about the co-branded products?"

Zhang Guang thought for a moment: "Co-branding is actually fine. This is co-branding in the name of your team. You don't need to participate in activities; just repost the news online. Due to the influence of public opinion, the co-branded products might even sell out."

He never underestimated the purchasing power of fans.

Besides, who couldn't afford a co-branded product that cost a few dozen yuan?

Although Seeing Jin Li was very curious about the March Sky matter and had called Sui Lingfang to ask, Sister Fang said she didn't know the situation inside Tian Ding Entertainment.

"Although Dawn and Tian Ding have some cooperation in terms of trainees and boy band combinations, Tian Ding only provided the contact channels and didn't really come over to impart experience, so Dawn and Tian Ding aren't closely linked."

Seeing Jin Li smiled: "From this aspect, Dawn is like someone sending money to Tian Ding."

Sister Fang also laughed: "Isn't that just it? But the CEO doesn't believe it. He just feels that running a boy band can make money and that he can promote a 'March Sky' to feast on the fan economy."

She said with the experience of someone who had been there: "I think this matter is that a Tian Ding Entertainment executive leaked the news, wanting to coerce March Sky into making concessions, but they didn't consider the fans' feelings, and it backfired."

"If not, then it was just an accident, and it just happened to be overheard by a paparazzi mole."

"But regardless, this matter won't end so quickly. Whether March Sky can succeed in renewing their contract is really hard to say."

Seeing Jin Li pondered for a moment and didn't ask about this matter again.

When chatting with Gu Cheng before, he didn't seem to be affected either.

She said: "Then let time tell us the answer. We'll see in June." ===== CHAPTER 535 =====