017 Record company, reached a cooperation (two-in-one)
After celebrating Xiangjiang's return, Cao Xuan plunged into the search for a record company to cooperate with.
In 1997, digital music had not yet emerged, and records were slowly transitioning from tapes to compact discs.
The Chinese music scene is basically dominated by major record companies such as PolyGram, Warner, Bertelsmann, EMI, Sony, and Rolling Stone.
Most of these large record companies' headquarters in China are located in Taiwan Province and Hong Kong, and the company's signed singers are mainly Hong Kong and Taiwan singers.
However, with the rise of the mainland music scene in the past two years, they have also set their sights on the mainland's music market, and have begun to enter the mainland one after another, signing contracts with many well-known mainland singers to seize the territory.
For example, Liu Huan, who is familiar with Cao Xuan, is currently in active contact with Sony, and Polygram and Warner have also extended an olive branch to him.
Other well-known mainland singers have basically been poached, and many people are quite moved.
After all, the channel resources of large record companies are very generous, which can even allow mainland singers to compete in Hong Kong and Taiwan, the center of the entertainment industry today, and even expand to the entire East Asia.
Wang Fei, the Queen of Heaven discovered by PolyGram, is the best example.
For a time, many record companies in the mainland were in turmoil.
In 1997, there were not many local record companies in the mainland. There were about 60 scattered record companies in total. They were mainly distributed in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, especially Beijing and Guangzhou.
Putting aside some leather goods companies and shabby studios, there are probably about 35 to 40 companies that can actually operate and sell albums in a regular manner.
Among them, there are 14 in Beijing.
The most popular record company is [Chia Tai International]. In the past two years, they launched Sun Yue, who sang "I wish you peace". This year, they signed a contract with Man Wenjun, who was a mess in the Qingge competition.
Wheatfield Music, which was established last year under the leadership of "Ai Da Jin", is also very popular. Pu Shu and Ye Bei, who were launched, are currently relatively eye-catching rising stars in the music industry.
In addition to Zhengda and Maitian, there are several record companies that are not weak in strength. They basically have several first- and second-tier singers. They are considered large and medium-sized record companies.
And below these record companies are small record companies.
Most small record companies do not have the ability to independently package singers, and they can only sign a few newcomers through lottery tickets.
Their main business is to cooperate with independent singers, produce songs, promote and sell, copyright management, etc.
Cao Xuan mainly looks for small record companies like this.
Of course, he also went to those large and medium-sized record companies, and the result was not surprising. The other parties either refused, or wanted to sign a management contract with Cao Xuan, and the terms were very harsh.
In an era before the rise of the Internet, if a singer wanted to become famous, he usually had to rely on several publicity channels such as radio, television, and media magazines.
Most of these channel resources are monopolized by large and medium-sized record companies.
The record company holds the lifeblood in its hands and naturally occupies a dominant position in the relationship with the singer.
Famous singers are fine, but not-yet-famous and new singers, because they have to rely entirely on the resources of the record company, have no say at all and can only be at the mercy of the record company.
Take the contracts Cao Xuan received from large and medium-sized record companies, for example. They were almost equivalent to contracts of sale.
None of the contracts are less than 5 years, and there are many contracts with more than 10 years. From albums, commercial performances and other types of income, singers only get 5~10%, and very few only get 10~20%.
%
There are even record companies that do not give any profit to the singers and only pay their salaries.
The basic salary is 500 per month, including food and accommodation, and there are no other additional terms, such as salary increases year by year, performance bonuses, generous contract replacement for performance, etc.
In other words, if a singer becomes famous, as long as the record company does not give him a salary increase, even if he becomes famous, he will still get 500 per month.
Fortunately, times have changed, otherwise we would have to hang up street lights...
………
Cao Xuan would never sign such an exploitative contract.
So he had only one option left: to cooperate with a small record company and release a single on his own.
After several days of undercover investigation and information obtained from many sources, Cao Xuan finally identified a suitable record company - [Lan Qi Records].
This record company is not large in scale, but it was established very early. It was established in the early 1990s, before mainland pop music had even taken shape.
At first there were two bosses, and the name of the company "Lanqi Records" was taken from the names of the two bosses.
But later, because Lan Qi had been tepid, even losing money and making money, one of the founders quit, leaving only the current boss Han Qi to support it independently.
Cao Xuan inquired about Han Qi's situation, but he didn't have much information. He only heard that he was a disciple from the courtyard and had worked in the capital city government.
Later, inspired by Master Cui, Han Qi became obsessed with rock music, resigned and went into business, and opened "Lan Qi Records" with another founder.
Lan Qi's overall strength is not very good, and it can only rank in the middle or lower among many small record companies.
It has been several years since the company was established, and the number of albums released and sold will exceed six figures. It has not yet closed down, and it is all thanks to the grit of its boss Han Qi.
However, Lan Qi is not good at everything, otherwise Cao Xuan would not seek cooperation with this company.
The advantage of Lan Qi is that they are very close to several radio stations in Beijing.
It is said that it is Han Qi's connection. The specific circumstances are unclear, but Han Qi has operated many songs to be released on channels and programs under Beijing Radio and China Central Radio.
Even the radio stations in Hebei Province and Jin City seem to have traces of Han Qi's operation.
So much so that Lan Qi's current main revenue comes from contracting radio promotion business from other record companies.
What Cao Xuan is interested in is Lan Qi's radio station resources.
It is true that television has now been promoted to the first mainstream media, but this does not mean that radio has withdrawn from the stage of history.
In rural areas, towns, and even third- and fourth-tier small cities, radio is still the entertainment center of many families. The fame of many radio hosts is as good as that of some celebrities.
Of course Cao Xuan wanted to be on TV, but the TV resources were too competitive and many big names had to queue up to grab them. He could only settle for the next best thing and switch to radio.
………
The company location of [Lan Qi Records] is not large, with only a few offices and less than 10 employees including the boss Han Qi.
It is said to be a record company, but its scale is not as large as the high-end recording studio where Cao Xuan worked.
Cao Xuan was very puzzled before. Lan Qi obviously has the convenience of radio stations and dare not say that he has become a big company in the industry. However, it is not a big problem to be a mid-level company. Why did he end up in this miserable situation.
However, when he met Han Qi in person, he had some understanding.
""Ten Thousand Reasons", a love song."
Taking the sample and information handed over by Cao Xuan, Han Qi briefly flipped through it, his round face immediately showing disgust, and he went straight to the point.
"You can find another company. We at Lan Qi only accept rock music and will not conduct business in other song types for the time being."
Cao Xuan was a little confused by Han Qi's words.
He had heard before that Han Qi was a die-hard rock fan, but he didn't expect it to reach this level.
No wonder Lan Qi is in a slump, it's surprising that this business is going well.
The rock music scene is currently in a period of decline after its peak. Due to the bad habits of some singers and various other troubles, rock music is disliked by the authorities and has almost been relegated to the sidelines.
Except for those bands that have become famous, it is difficult for the remaining rock singers to get ahead. They have to either change their careers or struggle to make ends meet.
In such a general environment, well-known bands release albums and look down on Lan Qi, a small company. Ordinary rock singers do, but they are all small and small, and Lan Qi can't make much money.
Coupled with the tense situation in the past two years, even if Han Qi leaves the relationship, it may not be possible for the rock song to be promoted on the radio, and most of the company's biggest reliance will be eliminated.
Cao Xuan was a little dumbfounded. He didn't know whether to admire Han Qi's perseverance or to be speechless and helpless.
After realizing that he could not reach a cooperation with Lan Qi, Cao Xuan did not hesitate. Han Qi had been playing rock and roll for several years. He did not think that he could convince the other party with just a few words.
Anyway, he still has an alternative company on hand. At the worst, he will just find another company to cooperate with.
However, just as Cao Xuan walked out of Han Qi's office, he was stopped by a fashionable young woman in a skirt.
"Comrade, what are you doing?"
"Hello, I am Jiang Yue, the deputy general manager of [Lanqi Records]."
The young woman first introduced herself, and then asked enthusiastically: "I just asked the front desk that you came to cooperate with our company. What is your business?"
The other party's attitude was warm and friendly, and Cao Xuan didn't like to be treated coldly. In addition, after seeing Jiang Yue's words and deeds, he had a vague guess and told the truth.
"That's it. I have a single here and I want to cooperate with your company to release it. However, Mr. Han said that the song does not meet the conditions, so the matter is probably in vain."
"This damn fat guy!"
After listening to Cao Xuan's words, Jiang Yue's expression changed, she suppressed her gentle words and asked Cao Xuan to wait a moment, and then fiercely rushed to Han Qi's office.
Perhaps because he was in a hurry to enter, the office door was not closed tightly. Cao Xuan scanned his ears several times, and all he heard was Vice President Jiang's roar of the Hedong Lion.
"My surname is Han, I am blind to you. How did you promise me and now you are playing tricks behind my back?"
"Feelings? Feelings can be so goddamn good that the company can't even get to the bottom of it. Why are you pretending to be so noble?"
"What's wrong with the single? No matter how small a mosquito is, it's still meat. It's better than sitting idle in the office every day and wasting my electricity bill."
"I'm telling you Han Qi, if you don't want to do this, go home and take care of the kids. I'll be the general manager. Anyway, half of this company is funded by my dowry."
About ten minutes later, Jiang Yue came out of the office and greeted Cao Xuan calmly.
"Mr. Cao, right? We can talk about cooperation."
Cao Xuan gave Jiang Yue a thumbs up with admiration on his face: "Sister, you are awesome!"
"It's funny."
Vice President Jiang smiled modestly and led Cao Xuan into the office.
As soon as he entered the door, Cao Xuan saw Han Qi sitting on the sofa next to him dejectedly, with a few suspicious red marks on his face. Seeing Cao Xuan come in, he quickly turned away to avoid it.
Jiang Yue ignored him and sat directly on the boss's chair on the desk, obviously taking over the power of negotiation. Cao Xuan took out the sample and information again and handed them to Jiang Yue.
Unlike Han Qi's perfunctory and dismissive attitude, Jiang Yue read the information carefully, and then listened to the demo on the VCD in the office before looking up and asking.
"I have a general understanding. Mr. Cao already has a finished single. He wants our company to be responsible for the production, distribution and sales, and then both parties will share the profits."
"That's right."
Jiang Yue put the documents together, and the enthusiasm just now turned into shrewdness and strength.
"According to the cost accounting in the data, our company will account for the majority. How can Mr. Cao guarantee that this single will make money?"
"Your company accounts for the majority of the investment, and the profits afterwards will naturally come from you. I also wrote in the information that it is divided into 30 and 70, with me taking 3 and your company taking 7.
As for guaranteeing money, I believe Mr. Jiang also understands that everything has risks. The only thing I can guarantee is that I have confidence in my songs."
Cao Xuan had already anticipated Jiang Yue's reaction.
There are roughly three models for independent singers and record companies to cooperate.
The first is outsourcing. Independent singers pay the record company to distribute and sell the album. The independent singer is responsible for all the profits and losses. The record company earns money from contracting to promote and distribute the album.
Of course, if the album makes money, the record company will also take a certain amount of commission.
The second is that the record company takes a fancy to the album of an independent singer, spends money to acquire it, and then announces the sale. Any profit or loss will be borne by the record company.
This model is similar to that of many major record companies, except that without a singer's management contract, they can only make money from album sales and copyrights, and at the same time they have to pay the singer a lump sum to buy the song.
The third option is for record companies and independent singers to join forces and jointly bear the profits and losses, and the share ratio will be divided according to the capital investment of both parties.
Cao Xuan just wanted to start a third cooperation mode with Lan Qi, but Jiang Yue was a little hesitant.
In fact, according to what she meant and Lan Qi's current situation, the first way to get money to do things is the safest, and the second way, all three options have the possibility of compensation.
But then again, while you may lose money, you may also make money.
If he sticks to the first mode of living, Lan Qi will never develop in his life.
Generally speaking, the third model is less risky than the second model, and the cost of releasing a single is also lower than operating an album.
Jiang Yue thought she could give it a try, but she couldn't make up her mind. She turned to look at Han Qi, who had always been a transparent person.
"Old Han, what do you think of this song?"
Thinking that Han Qi might be causing trouble, he reminded him again: "Seek truth from facts and don't play tricks."
Han Qi rolled his eyes at her, listened to the demo twice more, and then commented: "The music style is clear, and although the lyrics are a bit pretentious, they are straightforward and catchy enough. It is not a great song, but it is commercial enough and is suitable for the public."
The standard of taste for sad ballads.”
Cao Xuan looked at Han Qi in surprise. He was not doing well in business and had some preferences in music appreciation, but his professional vision was not limited. No wonder he dared to go overseas and open a record company.
Jiang Yue was even more overjoyed.
Even though Jiang Yue had just given Han Qi a roar like a grandson, but it was about music appreciation, she still had great trust in Han Qi's vision.
At the same time, Jiang Yue also understood Han Qi's song evaluation standards better than anyone else.
In addition to his beloved rock and roll, Han Qi treats other genres of songs with an extremely critical eye. Even some recognized classic songs are often venomous.
"Ten Thousand Reasons" was not widely criticized by him, or even affirmed, which was rare in Han Qi's singing career.
Jiang Yue politely asked Cao Xuan to wait, then she pulled Han Qi outside the office and asked.
"Please give me a clear explanation of whether this deal can be done."
Han Qi wiped his face, looked at Jiang Yue's earnest eyes, nodded with difficulty, and said honestly.
"From a popular and commercial point of view, I even think this song is not weaker than "Heart Is Too Soft", but it depends on luck, but even if it doesn't become popular, it shouldn't be a big problem to get it back.
This is so weird, where did such a weirdo come from, why haven’t I heard of him before?”
Han Qi murmured to himself, while Jiang Yue next to him almost went crazy with joy.
Comparable to "Heart Is Too Soft"!?
That song made tens of millions of profits for the record company behind it.
"Ten Thousand Reasons" doesn't need to be much, it can make Lan Qi earn one-tenth of what "Heart Is Too Soft", so she offered Cao Xuan as the God of Wealth.
Without saying anything, Jiang Yue turned around and went into the office to discuss the specific terms of cooperation with Cao Xuan.
The first is the share of sales of singles. This is not controversial and follows the common rules in the industry: 30-70.
The real key to the negotiation between the two parties is that Lan Qi wants the copyright of "Ten Thousand Reasons", which Cao Xuan cannot tolerate.
Since he couldn't get a big share of the single sales, he focused solely on copyright and commercial performance. If he gave it up, Cao Xuan would be in trouble.
But Jiang Yue is bound to win, and ordinary songs are just fine. "Ten Thousand Reasons" is expected to be a hit. If she doesn't intervene, she will regret it later.
The two sides couldn't argue, and eventually each took a step back.
Cao Xuan agreed to let Lan Qi manage the copyright of "Ten Thousand Reasons" and enjoy 30% of the copyright dividend for 5 years.
At the same time, Lan Qi must also ensure that all resources are used to promote "Ten Thousand Reasons" to all radio stations in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and the central government to ensure a certain share of publicity.
The two parties found a law firm, drafted a contract, Cao Xuan signed it, and then shook hands with Han Qi and Jiang Yue respectively.
