Chapter 204 Sky-high Contract! (4 more monthly tickets requested)
"Is Mr. Zero Hour very young?"
Along with the handshake, Kawai Yoto took back his hand and said with emotion.
He could feel that the skin on Ling Shi's hands was very delicate and firm, unlike his old age, where the skin was a bit loose.
"Compared to those young people, I am no longer young."
Not wanting to reveal his true age, Kurosawa Hikaru shook his head slightly.
As soon as these words came out, Igarashi Runa next to him snickered in his heart.
This little guy is obviously very young, but he pretends to be old-fashioned.
"Your hands are well taken care of."
"That's what pianists do."
"Mr. Zero Hour, what do you think of the Kawai piano?"
After the simple courtesy, Kawai Yoto looked at his mask and was not curious about what he looked like, so he just asked.
"The tone is very warm, very suitable for neon, and also very suitable for romantic piano music like Adelina by the Water."
Faced with this question, Kurosawa Hikaru thought for a while and answered.
"Compared to a Steinway?"
Kawai Yoto's question is a bit sharp and highly targeted.
“There are deficiencies in professional areas.”
Kurosawa Hikaru was very indifferent and didn't hide anything.
It is a recognized fact that neon pianos cannot compare to those in Europe. After all, Italy is the birthplace of the piano.
Before it spread to Asia, Europeans were already in love with the piano.
Steinway's performance piano has a very transparent tone and a more natural transition between strong and weak effects. As long as the environmental conditions are all set up, it is definitely the best piano.
"Is this why you chose Steinway instead of Kawai?"
Kawai Yoto actually knew the truth behind this, so he smiled bitterly and asked.
Although the Kawai family has been immersed in piano making craftsmanship for a hundred years, it has become the best piano company in Neon and created the Kawai brand.
But unfortunately, even if they become No. 1 in Neon, the world's top pianists will still choose Steinway...including pianists like Zero Hour.
"Mr. Kawai, you misunderstood. I did not choose Steinway."
Kurosawa Hikaru heard his bitterness and helplessness and shook his head.
This sentence contains a strong sense of powerlessness and helplessness.
"Not chosen by you?"
"That Steinway piano was a gift from my sweetheart." Kurosawa thought for a while, and there was nothing wrong with saying that.
Although he and Miss Ninomiya have not confirmed their relationship so far, nor have they become boyfriend and girlfriend, that will happen sooner or later.
"Is Mr. Zero Hour already married?"
"not yet."
"Then is your sweetheart here today?"
Kawai Yoto thought of the romantic piano music he just played, and suddenly thought of this possibility.
Piano artists are completely different from entertainers and celebrities. Even if they get married or fall in love, they will not be disputed by people. They will only give heartfelt blessings and think it is a good story.
"..."
When Kurosawa Hikaru heard this question, he fell into deep thought. He looked at Runa Igarashi next to him and didn't know whether he should say it or not.
Just saying that he has a lover has revealed some information. If he said more, others might find out more.
However, when he tilted his head to look, Kawai Yoto thought it was an answer.
"So it's Ms. Igarashi..."
Kawai Yoto took a look at the mature and capable Igarashi Runa, wearing glasses and a uniform, and thought to himself.
Regardless of appearance, ability, temperament, or even charm, Miss Igarashi is a very outstanding woman.
Although in terms of ability, it is far inferior to Mr. Zero Hour, but the love between two people is never because of equal talents, but because of the right time, when two people meet and fall in love.
"As far as I know, Mr. Zero Hour probably doesn't have any musical instrument endorsements, right?"
Thinking about this, Kawai Yoto didn't ask any more questions. He just nodded with understanding and got into the topic of asking.
Just as Igarashi Runa guessed, Kawai Company's invitation to Zero Hour as a special guest is indeed a test.
Perhaps there is a lot of controversy on the Internet about Zero Hour's level. People who really know the industry think he is very strong, while some people in the industry deliberately belittle him because of his passiveness.
But from a neutral standpoint, such as Haruto Kawai, what he sees is the fame and potential shown by the pianist Zero Hour, as well as the international level of performance.
As long as Ling Shi's performance level is genuine, coupled with his creative talent, and with some hype and publicity, he will definitely be able to become the spokesperson of Kawai Piano.
What's more, the level of horror at Zero Hour simply exceeded everyone's expectations.
Just now on the stage, "The Bell" played by Zero Hour can be said to be a stroke of genius. As well as the two original piano pieces, the performance effect of each one is extremely explosive, and both have the potential to become popular all over the world.
"It's true that I don't have an endorsement yet."
It was no longer a casual chat, but business, and Runa Igarashi spoke.
"I wonder what conditions are required to allow Mr. Zero Hour to endorse Kawai?"
Seeing her speaking on her behalf, Yoto Kawai was not surprised and asked.
Normally, negotiations for a sky-high price cooperation should not be like this. It requires a lot of time and energy to pull and run in. You must not show your desire and enthusiasm like this.
But he knew very well that if he couldn't sign Zero Hour tonight, starting from tomorrow, piano manufacturers from all over the world would come looking for endorsements.
Especially for Steinway, you must know that Master Zero chose Steinway when he first came out. Now there is also the allusion of a gift from a lover, which can be said to be the best endorsement.
"Under what conditions does Mr. Kawai intend to invite Zero Generation to speak?"
Igarashi Runa is raising the ball. She hopes that the other party will make a price first, so that she can negotiate better.
"10 billion yen to endorse Kawai pianos for two years. This is already the highest budget."
After thinking deeply, Yoto Kawai gritted his teeth and directly offered a sky-high price.
5 billion yen for one year and 10 billion for two years. This is an undeniable high-price endorsement. He firmly believes that no other piano in the world will pay higher than their price, not even Steinway.
He was risking his life to keep Ling Shi as a pianist in Neon, and also to make Ling Shi give up Steinway.
"this……"
Igarashi Runa, who originally wanted to negotiate the price, was confused when he saw that the other party directly gave the highest budget. This was not in compliance with the charter.
After her astonishment, she came to her senses in disbelief.
Tonight's performance is destined to be big news. Coupled with the tens of billions of endorsements, the name Zero Hour will definitely become famous all over the country and even overseas.
The fundamental reason that made it difficult for her to react for a while was because of the equity distribution of the firm... Even after paying taxes, as long as she can promote this cooperation, the money she can get is calculated in units of hundreds of millions.
It is no exaggeration to say that as long as this cooperation is promoted, her gains will far exceed her total income in so many years of employment.
This Mr. Kawai is really a big benefactor.
"With such a sky-high price, what should I do?"
Although he quoted a price of tens of billions, Kurosawa Hikaru was only slightly excited. He found that Miss Runa was restrained and spoke.
Tens of billions, this price is scary, but after these days of experience, his perception of money is different.
Became close friends with Sato Shinichi.
There will be more intersections with Sifengyuan in the future.
Learned about Miss Ninomiya’s family background.
The most fundamental reason is that he showed off his talents and strength, which subtly changed his mentality.
"This is the plan I drew up before, only the endorsement fee is different."
Seeing his opening, Kawai Yoto took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to him.
Kurosawa Hikaru took it in his hand and began to scan and size it carefully.
Following this action, Igarashi Runa also reacted and looked over.
Yes, endorsement fees are sky-high, but the question is, at what cost?
This 10 billion yen cooperation is not free, but cooperation.
"To summarize briefly, there are five hard requirements."
"There will be 120 concerts in two years. Kawai will support all expenses throughout the process, and the locations are all over the world."
"When Kawai opens a new store, I need to fly to the new store's locations around the world to promote the platform and performances."
"Kawai wants to shoot new advertisements related to endorsements, no matter how many times, we will actively cooperate."
"Actively cooperate with Kawai's operations and promotions, including but not limited to, public image, designation of performance repertoire, speeches on streaming media platforms, and activities to maintain visibility."
"During the contract period, pianos from other brands are not allowed to be used, only Kawai."
Kurosawa Hikaru's voice was magnetic and deep because of the mask, but it was clear and powerful.
"The endorsement fee for this cooperation has been increased from 200 million to 10 billion."
Because he couldn't see his expression and his voice was so calm, Yoto Kawai couldn't guess his mood, but he added confidently.
In fact, as long as Zero Hour tonight's performance is not inferior to the video of War of Remembrance, he will take a big gamble.
Like Ling Shi, a pianist who wears a mask but has such a strong appeal and can become popular on the Internet overnight. That unique image can be said to be the only one so far.
If it can be utilized, it might be able to set off a wave of piano craze in Asia and even the world.
Nowadays, Ling Shi has shown unparalleled piano skills, so he gritted his teeth and increased the cost of this endorsement by fifty times.
“Sorry, this endorsement cannot be used with you.”
After Kurosawa thought about it, he handed him the draft.
"Why?"
Hehe Yoto couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart when he heard this.
"120 concerts in two years, that's 60 concerts a year, one every six days on average, and there are additional platform activities, covering all parts of the world. I don't have so much time and energy."
Hikaru Kurosawa actually doesn't care about regulations that actively cooperate with publicity, but when it comes to these performances, it does.
"This is a contract that can earn 10 billion in two years. You only need to work for two years to earn money that others cannot earn in a lifetime. And at this price, it is impossible for any other piano company to offer it Such a high price is not possible even for Steinway.”
Kawai Yoto, who was already confident of winning, couldn't understand his decision when he heard this.
Even more, another reason why he offered such a high price was that he wanted to promote the reputation of Ling Shi, the No. 1 pianist in Japan.