In fact, from late April, pirated tapes began to appear on the market.
Li Zetian decided to sell all the equipment of Apple's music tape production factory in Hong Kong. There is no doubt that the buyers are basically pirated manufacturers!
In early May, small-scale pirated tapes appeared on the market. By mid-May, a large number of pirated tape factories were built, causing the entire market to be flooded with pirated tapes. There are pirated tapes in grocery stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, newsstands, video stores, and bookstores.
More and more walkn users also know the existence of pirated tapes, so they go to Apple's flagship store to buy walkman. Apple's flagship store is slowly coming back to life.
These days, Li Zetian was under enormous pressure, bloodshot in his tired eyes, but at this moment, he laughed and laughed wildly! He knew that Apple won, and the anti-Walkman coalition would fall apart before long.
Of course, the anti-walkman alliance has not prevented pirated tapes, but no matter how powerful a record company is, it can block audio and video stores, can it also block commissaries, convenience stores, supermarkets, bookstores, newsstands? Does it dare to go against so many companies
It is true that US laws are very strict against piracy, and people's awareness of genuine copies is relatively strong, but... There are no genuine tapes for sale, what else can you buy other than pirated tapes? It is precisely based on this situation that pirated tapes have the soil for rapid growth! ! !
Li Zetian felt relieved, and could not help but hum a song, and came to Tian Shuai's office.
He said to Tian Shuai: "Looking at the situation, walkman is about to be sold. It's time to start the factory in Hong Kong. In addition, the previous tape factory has also been changed to walkn and sold to the United States, and it has to be sold all over the world. go!"
Tian Shuai was also in a good mood, nodded and said, "Okay, I will inform the people in Hong Kong a little."
At this time, the anti-walkman alliance was in chaos.
EMI's board of directors decided privately to produce music tapes.
"I didn't expect pirated tapes to develop so rapidly, like a wildfire, sweeping across the US market, it was a surprise!" A senior executive sighed slightly.
"We don't make tapes, but users want them, so the money goes to the pirate factories. At the same time, it's still a big hit to our vinyl records! It's better that we make the tapes ourselves. , to recover a little loss!"
"Yes, the general trend, we can no longer be stubborn!"
"Everyone, how about our cooperation with Apple? You know, if the tapes can be bundled with walkman, this will greatly promote the sales of tapes! It is reported that those third-rate record companies have cooperated with Apple, and the sales of tapes have greatly increased. The income has increased several times, and some even increased by more than 10 times!"
"Yes. So, right now, if we, EMI, can be the first to cooperate with Apple, we will definitely get the most benefit!"
"Well, yes, it must be ahead of other record companies!!!"
"… "
Soon, EMI Records quickly made a decision.
That afternoon, the CEO of EMI Records flew to Apple's headquarters in person.
Li Zetian sat on an office chair in the office, took a sip of tea slowly, and asked the visitor unhurriedly, "Mr. Owen Nixon, I don't know if you are here, what's the matter?"
In fact, Li Zetian had already guessed the other party's intentions, but he just wanted to ask him knowingly and show him a little color. Weren't the record companies all arrogant? Coming to work with Apple now
"Yes," Irving Nixon smiled without embarrassment. "Among the anti-walkman alliances, EMI is willing to be the first to stand up for Apple and cooperate with Apple!"
At this time, Li Zetian began to pick up Joe and said with a hint of irony: "Mr. Owen Nixon, Apple has offered to cooperate with EMI over and over again, but they have been ruthlessly rejected by you. Now you want to cooperate with EMI. Apple has cooperated, but this time it's our turn to be willing!"
Irving Nixon's face is thicker than the city wall. After listening to Li Zetian's words, he was not angry at all, or he said with a smile on his face: "Yes, I have to admit that this is a major mistake of the decision-making level of EMI. Here, I apologize to Apple. Isn't there a saying in the business world: 'There are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies in the mall.' Yesterday, Apple and EMI were enemies; today, we are We can be friends, you say, mr·li?"
Li Zetian certainly welcomes that EMI Records can cooperate with Apple. His previous attitude was just to give the other party a slap in the face and let him know that Apple is not a role that comes and goes. But I saw that the other party put his posture so low and his attitude was sincere. Li Zetian did not intend to continue to embarrass him. If Apple can reach a partnership with EMI as soon as possible, it will greatly benefit the sales of Walkman!
At that time, the anti-walkman alliance will fail, and more and more record companies will choose to compromise and have to produce music tapes. In this way, walkman can be popular all over the world!
At this time, Li Zetian nodded and said, "Yes, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies in the shopping mall. Apple is willing to cooperate with EMI Records!"
Irving Nixon stretched out his hand and smiled: "Hope our two companies can work together happily!"
"Um!"
Li Zetian shook hands with him, and then discussed the cooperation content, including binding sales, how to split, how to promote and other specific details.
The two talked for an hour and a half before ending.
When Li Zetian sent Owen Nixon out the door, he returned to the company, and all the employees were watching him in unison.
Li Zetian smiled slightly and said, "It is good news to announce that EMI Records has bowed its head to us and compromised, expressing its willingness to produce music tapes! In the future, Apple's flagship store can sell any tapes of EMI Records!"
When everyone heard the words, they danced with excitement and shouted!
"Win, we finally won, we are the winner!!!"
"Long Live Apple!!!"
"Long live mr·li!!!"
"… "
At this moment, many people were so excited that they even shed tears. The difficult period of one and a half months made many people's nerves tense so badly that they were almost suffocated.
Li Zetian's eyes were also slightly red, and he couldn't help but be moved by this situation. He held back his tears and said to everyone: "Everyone has worked hard this time. After the Walkman is sold out, I will prepare a big one for everyone. Red envelope!!!"
"yeah!!!"
Everyone excitedly and happily hugged Li Zetian, and then together they threw him into the sky, shouting: "Long live mr·li!!!"
Every time Li Zetian was thrown into the sky, he couldn't help but cry out. He was happy and worried that if they didn't catch it, his ass would bloom.
…
…
The news of the cooperation between EMI and Apple soon spread to the "Anti-Walkman Alliance", and the members of the alliance cursed one by one, thinking in their hearts to quickly produce music tapes. Within a few days, Polygram, Universal Music and other companies announced the production of music tapes. So far, the "anti-walkman alliance" exists in name only.
A week later, the walkman is a super sale!
At the end of May, Li Zetian accepted an interview with Time Magazine as a winner.
The reporter asked him: "mr.li, what makes you believe that Apple will win in the end?"
He replied: "Every employee who worked hard for Apple gave me the invincible belief and strength!!!"