Chapter 9

Ken Kari did not believe that Li Jingming knew that it was necessary to come up with some substantial information at this point, so he began to analyze the situation for him. "You may not be fully aware of Warner's plans for your daughter's album. Recently, our Apple online store has been conducting business with many entertainment companies, mainly in the film industry. It's understandable that you might not know about this, but Warner has proposed additional clauses."

"The clause is that they plan to test the waters by releasing the album on our platform. I am not just a shareholder; I oversee Apple's online platforms, including iTunes, iTunes Store, and Apple TV. I am the one who discusses the broad guidelines with these companies, and even the names on those agreements are mine."

"Warner has many big names, mostly groups. Without mentioning Green Day, even Linkin Park shows signs of becoming legendary. Among solo artists, we don't need to talk about the already legendary Madonna and the veteran Enya. There are only a few active ones now. Jewel has been with Warner for a few years and has Green Day as her backing, so it's impossible for her to agree to release her album on the online platform. Laura Pausini, who has just won a new Grammy, is also riding high, and her new album is said to be Warner's ambitious project, making it even more unlikely for her to agree to online release. Therefore, we can clearly conclude that Warner is introducing a new artist."

"From what it looks like, this new artist is your daughter, Kobi Kari. Don't be surprised; at our level, there are few secrets among us." Li Jingming was just putting on a show of profundity. He had indeed achieved some success in the U.S., but he was still far from being on the same level as Warner.

However, Ken Kari clearly believed Li Jingming's words. He himself was somewhat aware of Kobi's album plans and knew that the company was indeed preparing to use his little Kobi as a test. He couldn't let it show, so he asked, "So what?"

"The implications are significant. If Miss Kobi debuts on our iTunes platform, how many copies will she sell? Five thousand or ten thousand? Will the online sales count towards her album's sales performance? Warner is clearly using your daughter as a test stone. Regardless of the outcome, they will still be Warner, one of the four major record labels (in 2007, EMI had not yet been acquired by Universal). However, your daughter will not have a second chance in the music industry. You and your daughter are being ruthlessly used. As the overall manager, I know each partner's plans. Warner is not the only one preparing to release albums on our platform. Although online music has risen, the market is still relatively small, mainly targeting young people. Your daughter, although talented and gifted, still worries me. I really like her voice and am a fan of her blog. For her future, I have even leaked company secrets to you."

All these additional clauses were fabricated by Li Jingming. These clauses do exist, but they were signed as early as 2002. Li Jingming knew that Kari couldn't get this kind of confidential information, so he deliberately misled him. However, he did not lie about the details of Kobi Kari's online album release. Deception is a mix of truth and lies, and when the truth and lies blend, people are easily deceived. Li Jingming's deception was very successful.

Li Jingming's words had a deeper meaning. Warner has a long history and many big names, with various factions. He was hinting that if Kobi joined Warner, it wouldn't just be about making music; she would also have to compete for the company's resources with her peers. Although Ken Kari is a veteran at Warner, there are many more talented people there. Openly competing in music and performance is one thing, but the internal competition is unpredictable. Once she signs with Warner, she would be at their mercy.

"What can you offer me, no, what can you offer Kobi?" Ken Kari clearly wavered.

Only someone who wants to buy something would ask the price. Li Jingming was overjoyed inside but didn't show it on his face. "It's not about what I can offer Kobi, but what you, Mr. Kari, can offer. Take over this studio, and everything here will be based on your will. I won't interfere with the music. I only seek fame, not money. To be honest, like others, I ultimately want to play in the film industry on Hollywood Boulevard. Your resources and my money will make your daughter the new goddess of this street. Unless you lack the confidence to create a second 'Rumours' for your daughter. Although the physical distribution channels are a bit weak, in terms of virtual world promotion, I don't believe anyone on this planet can compete with me, a shareholder of Apple, Facebook, and Google combined." Li Jingming was just boasting, and Americans eat this up.

The psychological tactic of provocation is particularly effective for Americans, who are passionate and easily swayed. Ken Kari immediately felt a surge of blood. However, passion aside, this was his daughter's lifelong career, and he couldn't be careless. He needed to ensure that what he would gain was more than what he would lose, or at least equal.

"iTunes is personally managed by me, and the cooperation and promotion strategy between Facebook and Apple this year was also achieved by me. If you and your daughter join my Light Nation Records, I will give you a week of promotion on the Apple Online Store homepage and the Facebook homepage. I can also think of ways to help with Google search terms." Li Jingming had influence at Apple and Facebook but not much at Google, so he could only think of ways to help.

Li Jingming's high regard for Kobi Kari was not just because he genuinely believed in her potential and future fame but also out of necessity. This talented girl (who is a year older than Li Jingming) had been the symbol of the American blogosphere for several years. However, a tall country singer who criticized her ex-boyfriends and a fat British girl later overshadowed her, causing Kobi to fade into the background. Now, Li Jingming still believed in Kobi. Born into a musical family, Kobi had great talent and was trained by many seniors. A good father is crucial, as a good start is half the battle. Most importantly, Li Jingming knew that Kobi had not yet signed with Warner, which would save a lot of trouble and money.

Kobi Kari, through her father's connections, was preparing to release her album through Warner's channels. However, Warner clearly did not see much potential in her, which is why they arranged such a casual way to release her debut album. Ken Kari, a proud man, wanted his daughter to follow in his footsteps and be involved in production, which is a different concept from creation. How could Warner's top producers agree to let a girl in her early twenties participate in their record production? The artist contract they offered was not very generous.

When things fell through, Ken Kari, upon seeing Warner's contract, immediately threw things at home. He disagreed with everything, and they even offered a lousy contract to fool him. Thus, Ken Kari no longer wanted his daughter to sign with Warner immediately. In fact, the contract was not bad, considering Kobi was still an unsigned newcomer. Warner, seeing that they were not preparing to sign, suspected that the father and daughter had other plans, and the relationship deteriorated, leading to a delay in the album and contract matters. Ken Kari, who considered himself a key figure in Warner's dynasty, was naturally upset when his face was lost to a few juniors. Without their sincerity, he saw no reason to stick with them. After dedicating half his life to Warner, he found himself in this situation, feeling disheartened and squatting at home. At this point, a friend found him and introduced him to a new path, leading him to Li Jingming.

"You don't have to join my studio. You can continue to use your connections at Warner to help your daughter. You can help us contact Warner, and we can even pay to use their distribution channels. Miss Kobi will get her own music studio and become the soul of this place. She has the chance to become a legend."

Ken Kari had made up his mind. As long as it wasn't a long-term contract, his daughter could explore other opportunities. She was still young, and this opportunity was much better than what Warner offered, enough to make him reconsider. He believed that with his experience, his daughter would succeed.

"What conditions can you offer for the contract?" Since Ken Kari had decided to let his daughter join, it was now time to discuss the terms.

Li Jingming knew he had successfully recruited his first artist but didn't show his joy. "Although you are Kobi's father, I think it's better to talk to Miss Kobi first. Her wishes are more important than yours."

Li Jingming was just putting on a show, a typical example of getting the better deal and still acting superior. He knew that Ken Kari had the decision-making power, which is why he approached him directly. Otherwise, Kobi might have already signed with Warner. However, this move greatly pleased Ken Kari. The respect for Kobi Kari was more important than the respect for himself, as it was his daughter who would be joining the company, not him.

"I can make the decision. If you agree to skip the new artist contract, as long as you can sign a contract within five years, I will make Kobi agree."

"You are a good father, and I won't let your kindness go to waste. Within five years, 40% of the music business (album, music performances, and concert profits) will be split, and I won't take any endorsements or merchandise. I will take all the merchandise."

"Isn't that too little? Although it's extremely generous compared to a new artist contract, it's a bit less for a formal contract, especially since Kobi will be a producer." Ken Kari thought the offer could be better, and as Kobi's father, he would also contribute. A 50-50 split would be more reasonable, and the offer was not what he had in mind.

"Perhaps you misunderstood. The subject of that sentence is me, meaning the 40% is for me, so Miss Kobi will get 60%. That shouldn't be too little, right?" Li Jingming deliberately let Ken Kari ride the emotional rollercoaster, knowing that this would make him feel indebted. "But as you can see, the conditions I offer are very good. I said before that I am only seeking fame in this industry and won't invest too much effort. You are a veteran in the music industry with extensive connections. If you can find other staff, your daughter will have more authority in the company, won't she?"

Li Jingming, in essence, offered nothing but money and online promotion, which didn't cost him much. Setting up this music studio was almost entirely done with words.

"You are the best negotiator on this planet. No wonder you have achieved such wealth at such a young age." Ken Kari met Li Jingming because he learned from a friend that he was a major shareholder in Apple, Facebook, and Google, a truly wealthy person.

Li Jingming was very humble. "The best negotiator on this planet is not me, but Mr. Franklin." He took out a hundred-dollar bill and placed it in Ken Kari's hand. "He used his charm to convince me, which is why