American fame and fortune

After a period of intense post-production, Coca-Cola's latest annual advertisement landed on major media platforms across the United States before the traditional North American film summer schedule.

With the addition of the Coke God Religion, the clicks of the full version of the short commercials on major internet sites are astonishingly high.

In the core areas of various cities across the United States, a brand-new image of Martin, the leader of the Coke God Cult, was erected among them, watching his congregants.

On the TV station, the fine-cut version of the advertisement was rolled out and spread to thousands of households.

The ad elicited a strong response.

Especially the discussion on the Internet is extremely heated.

"It's kind of like an adaptation of last year's Avalon bar brawl."

"Martin downing the provocateur is definitely a creative source for the ad."

"Peter is really unlucky, he was humiliated by Martin in reality, and he was trampled on in the commercial..."

"Haven't you heard of it? There have been rumors on the Internet that Jolie broke up with Pete because of Martin. Later, Pete wanted to get Aniston back, but Aniston and Martin were rumored to be having an affair again!"

With the launch of the new advertisement, sales of Coca-Cola rose, Martin's reputation rose, and the influence of the Coca-Cola God further expanded.

Even Elizabeth Olsen, who briefly appeared in the new commercial, is known as the Red Saint of the Coca-Cola God.

After the ad was broadcast, Aniston specifically found Martin and tried her best to let him understand where the limit of enjoyment is.

After returning to Los Angeles, Julie, who wanted to be the Virgin Mary, was also excited to find Martin to squeeze more happiness.

On the other hand, star Pete, who has nothing to do with advertising, has been ravaged round after round by public opinion.

This is a world where only Brad Pitt gets hurt.

In the mansion in Beverly Hills, Pete looked at the advertisement on the projection screen with a serious face. The actor who looked somewhat similar to himself made him feel sick.

Lawyers, brokers, and managers sat here and there, looking more serious than Pete.

After the advertisement was played, Pete asked the lawyer directly: "Cole, can it be determined that the advertisement violates my legal rights and is suspected of defamation and inducement? Can you send a lawyer's letter to Coca-Cola?"

"No, the actor's face is different from yours, and his outfit is also different from yours or any character. It's just a bit similar in temperament." Cole has studied it specially: "It's like in a movie shooting, someone imitates another person's play..."

Pete pointed to the projection screen: "Everyone thinks that the unlucky guy is me!"

Attorney Cole said: "Sorry, there's nothing I can do."

Agent Maggie Duckhill said: "CAA held a special meeting to study it, and also contacted Coca-Cola, but they categorically denied that it was related to you and rejected our request. We'd better take a long-term view."

What else could be done? If you really want to face it head-on, what can a brokerage company with a peak annual revenue of just over US$200 million use to attack Coca-Cola?

Even because of the sponsorship contracts of many of its sports stars, quite a few partners still favor Coca-Cola.

What else did Pete want to say, and the manager who was closer to him persuaded: "You'd better keep silent. The public and the media are forgetful. After this period of time, they will be attracted by other gossip and news." , naturally forget about it.”

He knew that Pete's mentality was not very good recently, so he said a few more words: "Coca-Cola must be prepared for such an advertisement, and Martin Davis, they are likely to wait for you to jump out and fight against them. It's time to reheat..."

Pete understood these principles, but it was really uncomfortable to hold his breath in his throat.

Maggie persuaded again: "We don't care about these things at this stage. "Death of the Sharpshooter" has already been completed. Hurry up and urge Warner Bros. to sign a distribution contract and confirm the release time. As long as the film's response is good enough, the criticism around you will It will all disappear."

She is a more traditional entertainment agent: "Actors still have to rely on their works to speak."

After listening to these words, Pete glanced at the time: "Let's go out for lunch, and go to Warner after lunch."

Maggie and the manager looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief.

What they are most afraid of is that Pete will get angry and insist on jumping out to face Martin Davis.

That wouldn't do Pitt any favors and would make the Martin Davis and Coca-Cola commercials even hotter.

…………

In the afternoon, Warner Bros. office building.

In the small conference room, Thomas glanced at Martin and said, "It's only a little over four months before the next awards season begins, that is, the Toronto Film Festival. Our plans and goals are clear. Although "The Departed" has two leading actors, setting, but we only want Best Actor nominations."

Daniel, who represents Warner, said: "The Toronto Film Festival is the beginning of the award competition, and the subsequent Gotham Film Awards represent Hollywood's full entry into the sprint stage of the award season. , the Four Outpost Awards, plus the major trade union award, Warner will send someone to lobby for Martin."

Martin didn't need to say anything, he asked Thomas to mention it, and he could act as a lubricant between the two.

Milner, who participated in the internal meeting on behalf of Coca-Cola, said at this time: "At that time, Warner Bros. will come forward to organize the canvassing meeting and canvassing meeting, and Coca-Cola will sponsor the relevant expenses throughout the whole process."

If someone is willing to pay, the biggest problem will be solved. Daniel replied, "No problem. I will confirm it here and send it directly to your office."

Finding funds, doing publicity, and soliciting votes, etc., the Oscars are actually an entertaining version of Washington's political games.

Compared to Coca-Cola's increased sales after signing Martin, this amount of money is not even a drop in the bucket. On behalf of Coca-Cola, Milner said to Martin: "You boldly rush forward, and Coca-Cola has always stood behind you."

Daniel looked at Martin, and then at Milner representing Coca-Cola, thinking about it.

The Coca-Cola God has tied the two together, and the key is to effectively stimulate the sales of Coca-Cola.

Although Coca-Cola is outside the industry, their sponsorship of Martin and Martin's movies makes him a movie star that cannot be ignored.

Daniel looked at the electronic watch on the wall, and there will be a trial meeting later, and said, "Let's stop here today."

Martin stands up and shakes his hand: "We're in touch."

Several people shook hands and left the conference room respectively.

Milner chatted with Martin and went to the parking lot at the front door.

Martin and Thomas are going to the back studio area, meet Bruce, and take the other elevator

The three went downstairs, exited the elevator, and met the other three.

Brad Pitt with his manager and agent Maggie.

Without any embarrassment, Martin greeted with a smile: "Good afternoon, Maggie."

Most of the actors were emotionally extroverted, and Pete was also a typical example. He made no secret of the disgust on his face, and stared at the three of Martin coldly.

Maggie Duckhill responded to Martin, shook hands with Thomas again, and said specifically: "Martin, your new ad is very popular, I remember we reached an agreement..."

Martin said very seriously: "I am the most trustworthy person, and I have been abiding by the agreement."

Maggie knew very well that in terms of shamelessness, Pete couldn't drive better than Martin, so she said vaguely: "I saw it."

Martin didn't seem to see Pete, and shook hands with Maggie: "I have something to do, let's go first."

When Martin passed by, Pete snorted coldly.

The voice reached Martin's ears, and he turned abruptly.

What happened at the Avalon bar flashed before Pete's eyes in an instant, and Pete subconsciously stepped back, taking two or three steps back.

Martin smiled at Pete, turned and walked on.

Pete stopped in a hurry, and his already gloomy face became even darker.

Maggie came over and said, "Leave him alone. CAA has specially asked psychologists to analyze Martin Davis. Several psychologists believe that he is mentally abnormal. Under his peaceful appearance, there is a thorny aggressive personality hidden."

Pete exhaled sullenly: "I don't have the same knowledge as a psychopath!"

The manager reminded: "Let's go up, Warner's people are still waiting for us."

The three entered the elevator.

On the other side, Martin, Thomas, and Bruce exited the Warner Building and entered the studio area.

Bruce drove a battery car over.

After Thomas got in the car, he said to Martin, "I've read all the original and novels of The Reader."

Martin asked, "How does it feel?"

Thomas said directly: "It's not the same as your current style and route, but the themes and characters are good, and the direction itself is more artistic, which is conducive to winning awards and broadening your acting path."

He asked: "The investment of this type of film will not be very high. Winslet didn't mention the cost?"

Martin has understood carefully: "Kate has received a lot of investment, following the German film tax rebate model, and she assured me that there will be a minimum investment of 28 million U.S. dollars."

"Your salary may not be $5 million, and the box office of the film will not be very high in the future. Even if you get something from the Oscars, it is impossible for the North American box office to easily exceed 100 million like "Wanted." Thomas has something to ask. Understand: "Do you want to hit the Oscars with a role in this movie?"

Martin shook his head firmly: "It doesn't have much to do with these, it's mainly for repaying favors."

The answer was beyond Thomas' expectations: "Return the favor?"

"Yes," Martin said briefly.

Thomas understood that the human relationship in Hollywood is equally important, and the human relationship owed must be repaid after all.

The client's interests are closely related to him, so he started from this and said: "With your rapid development momentum, if you pay back the favor in the future, you will pay a higher price. Winslet has a good vision in choosing films. The screenwriter and producer Anthony - Minghella is also an Oscar winner, I think this project is good."

Martin asked, "Your suggestion is that I take this project?"

"Connections are very important, especially those at the top of the circle." Thomas said, "Unless we don't want to be famous at all, this kind of favor will always have to be repaid, and it will not be as good as it is now."