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

With the addition of the Coke God Cult, the full version of the advertising video on major Internet websites has an astonishing number of clicks.

In the heart of cities across the United States, Martin, the leader of the Cult of Coke, has a new image erected in the middle of it, watching his own congregation.

On the TV station, the fine-cut version of the advertisement was broadcast on a rolling basis and spread to thousands of households.

The advertisement provoked a strong response.

In particular, the online discussion was particularly lively.

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

"Martin knocks down the provocateurs and is definitely a creative source for advertising."

"Pete is so unlucky, he was humiliated by Martin in reality, and he has to be stepped on in the commercial......"

"Haven't you heard? There has been news on the Internet that Jolie broke up with Pete because of Martin, and later Pete wanted to recover Aniston, but Aniston had an affair with Martin again! ”

With the launch of new advertisements, Coca-Cola's sales rose, Martin's fame rose, and the influence of the Coke Cult further expanded.

Even Elizabeth Olsen, who briefly appeared in a new advertisement, spread the fame of the Lady in Red of the Cult of Coke.

After the commercial aired, Aniston specifically approached Martin and tried her best to make him understand where the limits of enjoyment were.

Later, Julie, who returned to Los Angeles and wanted to be a virgin, was also excited to find Martin to squeeze more happiness.

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

It's a world where only Brad Pitt is injured.

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

Lawyers, brokers, and managers sat all over the place, 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 legitimate rights and interests and is suspected of defamation and inducement?" Can I send a lawyer's letter to Coca-Cola? ”

"No, the actor's face is different from yours, and the outfit is different from you or any other character, just a bit like the temperament." Cole has studied "It's like a movie shoot where someone imitates another......"

Pete pointed to the projection screen: "The problem is that everyone thinks that the unlucky guy is me!" ”

Attorney Cole said, "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. ”

Agent Maggie Darkhill said: "The CAA has held a special meeting to study it, and we have also contacted Coca-Cola, but they have denied that it has anything to do with you and rejected our request, so we had better think about it in the long run." ”

What else can you do otherwise? If you really want to be tough on the head, a brokerage company with an annual revenue of only more than $200 million at its peak, what can you do to scare Coca-Cola.

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

Pitt wanted to say something, but the manager with whom he was closer advised him: "You'd better keep silent, the public and the media are forgetful, and after this time, they will be attracted by other gossip and news, and 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 very likely to wait for you to jump out, line up with them, and then hype ...... when the time comes."

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

Maggie persuaded again: "Let's ignore these things at this stage, "Death of the Sharpshooter" has been completed, hurry up and urge Warner Bros. to sign a distribution contract and determine the release time, as long as the film is well received, the criticism around you will all disappear." ”

She is a more traditional entertainment agent: "After all, actors have to rely on their works to speak. ”

Pete listened to these words and glanced at the time: "Let's go out for lunch, and after lunch, we will go to Warner." ”

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

What they fear most is that Pi will be angry and have to jump out and play against Martin Davis.

That would not do Pitt any good, but would make the Martin Davis and Coca-Cola ads even more popular.

…………

In the afternoon, the Warner Bros. office building.

In the small conference room, Thomas glanced at Martin and said: "There are only a little more than four months until the next awards season begins, that is, the Toronto Film Festival, and our plans and goals are clear. ”

Daniel, representing Warner, said: "The Toronto Film Festival is the beginning of the awards, and the subsequent Gotham Film Awards represent Hollywood to enter the sprint stage of the awards season, followed by the Film Critics Association Awards, the four independent film awards, the four weather vanes, the four outpost awards, plus the major Guild Awards, Warners will send someone to lobby for Martin." ”

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

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

Someone is willing to pay, and the biggest problem is solved, Daniel responded: "There is no problem, I will confirm it here and send it directly to your office." ”

Finding money, doing publicity, canvassing for votes, etc., the Oscars are actually an entertaining version of Washington's political game.

Compared to the sales increase after Coca-Cola signed Martin, this amount of money is not even a drop in the bucket, Milner said to Martin on behalf of Coca-Cola: "You rush forward boldly, Coca-Cola has always stood behind you." ”

Daniel looked at Martin and then at Milner, who represented Coca-Cola, and had something in mind.

The Coke Cult has tied the two together, and the key is to effectively boost Coca-Cola sales.

Although Coca-Cola is outside the industry, their sponsorship of Martin and Martin's movies makes him a movie star to be reckoned with.

Daniel looked at the electronic watch on the wall, and after a while, there was a preview session, and said, "Let's stop here today." ”

Martin stood up and shook his hand: "We keep in touch. ”

Several people shook hands and left the conference room.

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

Martin and Thomas were going to the back of the studio, meeting Bruce and taking another elevator

The three of them went downstairs, got out of the elevator room, and happened to meet the other three.

Brad Pitt and his manager, as well as agent Maggie.

Martin didn't feel embarrassed at all, and greeted with a smile: "Good afternoon, Maggie." ”

Most of the actors are emotionally outgoing, and Pete is also a typical one, he does not hide the disgust on his face, staring coldly at the three Martins.

Maggie Darkhill responded to Martin, shook hands with Thomas again, and deliberately said: "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 as well as Martin, and said vaguely: "I saw it." ”

Martin didn't seem to see Pete, and shook Maggie's hand: "There's still something to do, let's go first." ”

Waiting for Martin to pass, Pete snorted coldly.

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

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

Martin smiled at Pete and turned to walk forward.

Pete quickly stopped, and his already gloomy face became even darker.

Maggie came over and said: "Leave him alone, the CAA has specially asked psychologists to analyze Martin Davis, and several psychologists believe that he is mentally abnormal, and under his peaceful appearance, there is a prickly aggressive personality. ”

Pete sulked, "I'm not as knowledgeable as a psychopath!" ”

The manager reminded: "Let's go up, the Warners are still waiting for us." ”

The three of them entered the elevator.

On the other side, Martin, Thomas, and Bruce exit the Warner Building and enter the studio area.

Bruce drove over in a battery car.

When Thomas got in the car, he said to Martin, "I've read the original book of The Reader and I. ”

Martin asked, "How does it feel?" ”

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

He asked: "The investment in this type of film will not be very high, Winslet didn't say the cost?" ”

Martin took a closer look: "Ketra got a lot of investment, and she went through the German film tax rebate model, and she assured me that there would be a minimum investment of $28 million. ”

"Your salary may not be 5 million US dollars, and the future box office of the film will not be very high, even if it gains something at the Oscars, it will not be easy to exceed 100 million at the North American box office like "Wanted". Thomas has something to ask: "Do you want to use the characters in this film to hit the Oscars?" ”

Martin shook his head firmly: "It has nothing to do with these, mainly to return the favor." ”

The answer was unexpected by Thomas: "Favor? ”

"yes." Martin said it roughly.

Thomas understands that Hollywood's personal relationships are equally important, and the favors owed must be repaid after all.

The interests of the client are closely related to him, and he starts from this, saying: "With the momentum of your rapid development, if you pay back the favor later, the price you pay will be greater, Winslet has a good eye for the film, and the writer and producer Anthony Minghella is also an Oscar winner, I think this project is good." ”

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

"Connections are very important, especially at the top of the circle." Thomas said: "Unless we completely abandon our reputation, this favor will be repaid after all, and it will not be as good as now." ”

(End of chapter)