Chapter 108: Sky‑High Advertising Placement Fee

Jiang Heng filmed The Matrix in 1997; being unknown, naturally no one came to him for product placement.

The content and style of films such as One Hundred Million Years, Lion Camel Ridge, and Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother are not all suitable for product placement.

For Pacific Rim, some businesses did approach, but likely due to lack of confidence in the world's first mecha-type effects blockbuster, the quote wasn't high, and they ultimately failed to reach an agreement.

Samsung (China) Company this time simply wanted to get a bargain.

With the audience base from the first Matrix film, as long as the sequel's plot isn't especially outrageous and the effects remain as before, big box office sales are basically a sure thing.

The positive impact of product placement in the film can also be estimated.

But this time Jiang Heng is producing independently, quietly launching in Neidi, and the news arrived late for capable international big brands, so they didn't all rush in.

Actually, after learning that The Matrix 2 was quietly launching, many international big brands had the idea of product placement.

But besides Samsung (China), the first to come was unexpectedly Lenovo Computer, which Jiang Heng never anticipated.

At the China Film Digital Base, in the temporary office of The Matrix 2 production crew, Yang Yuanqing and Jiang Heng sat opposite each other, took a sip of tea, and said: "Our Chairman Liu has always admired Director Jiang, but due to recent poor health he couldn't come along."

Jiang Heng chuckled, "Product placement is such a small matter; why trouble Chairman Liu? As long as the price is right, everything is easy to discuss!"

Yang Yuanqing's face darkened as he thought, "This kid cares only about money, not people; he's going to be tough to handle!"

But the patriotic card must be played when needed; as for price, we are willing to pay more, but the computer market is now fiercely competitive, especially with those several international brands engaging in a brutal price war, squeezing the profit per notebook to razor‑thin levels....

Jiang Heng laughed, "Really? But when I recently went to the computer city to buy a notebook, my knowledgeable friend said the markup was at least two thousand—pure profiteering!"

Yang Yuanqing's expression turned ugly as he thought, "The sales are ripping you off; what does that have to do with us manufacturers?"

But he couldn't say that, sighing, "That's the distributors' problem; our factory profit is truly minuscule!"

Jiang Heng took a sip of tea and smiled without speaking.

He's no computer novice of this era; how could he be fooled?

Yang Yuanqing went on about the great significance of Lenovo Computer's rise, making Jiang Heng yawn repeatedly.

"Well, President Yang, I support domestic products and hope domestic brands keep growing. But speaking businesswise, I'm now filming The Matrix 2 and 3 back‑to‑back, with production costs nearing two hundred million US dollars—putting all my assets in would be about the same, and the pressure to recoup is enormous."

I could choose Lenovo over Dell, HP, etc. at the same quote, but talking about a big discount is out of the question!

I must first ensure I can recover costs quickly before discussing anything else!

Yang Yuanqing was left speechless; he knew effects‑heavy films cost money, but never imagined they would burn cash like this.

Two hundred million, still in US dollars?

That's over 1.8 billion RMB!

All his assets?

He couldn't possibly be funding it all himself—if so, he'd really be rich.

After random thoughts, Yang Yuanqing asked, "Then may I ask, Director Jiang, what price are you expecting?"

Jiang Heng held up two fingers, "Twenty million!"

"Twenty million RMB?"

"Of course!"

Yang Yuanqing slightly shook his head; twenty million, he could use that money to shoot a dedicated ad film and place the ads however he liked!

"Too expensive, really too expensive!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "If Dell or HP came knocking, maybe the price wouldn't be this!"

"I'll think it over and get back to you later!"

Yang Yuanqing stood up, returned to the car, and called Liu Chuanzhi.

"Chairman Liu, this kid may be young, but his heart is ruthless—he dares to ask twenty million for a few‑second ad, even CCTV's top ad king isn't that pricey!"

Liu Chuanzhi puzzled, "Twenty million—why so expensive?"

"He said it's the joint product‑placement price for filming The Matrix 2 and 3 back‑to‑back!"

"That's somewhat more reasonable—is there any room for negotiation?"

"It seems not; he said the two films need a 200‑million‑USD investment, and from his tone it sounds like it's all his own money, yet his demeanor shows he doesn't really care about the ad placement."

Liu Chuanzhi snorted, "He really hasn't made little—two hundred million USD, few domestic companies can come up with that much cash!"

"Yeah, he's become a big tycoon!"

Liu Chuanzhi grunted, "Agreeing to him is just twenty million; later we can raise the price for the movie‑tie‑in version, and we'll earn it back quickly. With global release, as long as the Lenovo brand becomes a household name, we'll still make more!"

"Okay, Chairman Liu, I'll go talk to him now!"

Yang Yuanqing went back and forth, laughing, indicating he wanted to sign the contract.

Jiang Heng hesitated, "But HP just called, offering thirty million for product placement in the two films—really sorry!"

Yang Yuanqing was stunned—less than ten minutes later HP called, conveniently raising the offer by ten million; what a blatant lie!

Yet he didn't want to miss the chance, after all, the number of big films released globally each year is limited, basically all Hollywood productions.

Even if Lenovo were willing to spend on product placement, by the time they heard the news it would basically be too late.

After great difficulty encountering Jiang Heng's effects blockbuster suitable for product placement, missing it over ten million would mean not knowing when such an opportunity would arise again.

But if he unilaterally decided to put up an extra ten million, he'd easily be attacked by competitors.

Yang Yuanqing thought, "Director Jiang, could you please give us just two minutes?"

Jiang Heng glanced at his Rolex, "All right, really only two minutes—I'm still busy filming over there!"

Yang Yuanqing stepped a few paces away, dialed Liu Chuanzhi's phone, and said a few words.

Old Liu, truly a godfather‑level figure among domestic business tycoons, after hearing half said, "Give it to him, sign the contract immediately, transfer the funds!" and then hung up.

hearing the dial tone on the phone, Yang Yuanqing's expression turned awkward, then he said, "Um, Director Jiang, do you have a contract template? Give me a corporate account number, and I'll have finance make the payment!"

Jiang Heng laughed heartily, "Yes, yes, I've long had it ready!"

After saying that, he had someone deliver the prepared contract template; upon checking it for errors, both parties signed the contract and the advertising funds were transferred.

"Pleasant cooperation, Director Jiang—I hope these two films achieve good box office results!"

Jiang Heng gave a hearty laugh, "President Yang, rest assured—I dare not say more, but the global box office of those two films, over ten billion dollars, is still guaranteed. By then, even African viewers will be able to see the Lenovo logo in the film, so just wait to collect the money!"

Yang Yuanqing thought to himself, "If you put it that way, thirty million isn't expensive at all!"

(End of chapter)