Chapter 915: Met Ah Xi’s Dad

After having barbecue on paper, the two couples returned to their respective rented apartments. Xiaoyanzi had to attend supplemental classes in the evening. Having bought such an expensive house, her mind was now full of thoughts about making money.

Su Zelin had just entered the door when his phone rang. He saw that it was Old Ma calling, and promptly pressed the answer button.

“Hello, Brother Ma?”

“Younger Brother Su, I’ll be heading to Beijing in a few days.”

For some reason, there was an unmistakable anticipation and excitement in Old Ma’s tone.

By rights, for someone like him, going on a business trip to Beijing should be an ordinary affair.

Su Zelin’s mind raced: “Brother Ma, your trip to Yanjing this time is to pursue sponsorship cooperation with CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala, right?”

New Era had achieved great success through sponsoring the Spring Festival Gala, effectively opening up national recognition. Over the past year, they’ve been skyrocketing, and Old Ma had always been envious, jokingly claiming multiple times that Ah Li had to secure the exclusive naming rights for this year’s Spring Festival Gala.

The thing that Su Zelin could think of that would make Old Ma feel excited about going to Yanjing had to be the Spring Festival Gala, and the timing was just about right.

Unexpectedly, he wasn’t joking; he actually had such plans.

“You really understand me, Younger Brother Su!”

Old Ma laughed heartily, “This time I’m going to Yanjing because I want Ah Li and Alibaba to appear on the Spring Festival Gala!”

Although he had already guessed most of it, hearing the confirmed answer still slightly moved Su Zelin.

In the previous life, Alibaba first achieved the CCTV Spring Festival Gala’s highest sponsorship in 2016, and then won consecutively until 2018.

He didn’t expect that due to this successful sponsorship of the Spring Festival Gala, Old Ma’s decision was brought forward by eleven years.

“Younger Brother Su, your company was up last year, so just don’t compete with us at Ah Li this year!”

Although New Era hadn’t shown any interest in sponsoring this year’s Spring Festival Gala, Old Ma, just as a precaution, wanted to confirm it from Su Zelin.

Su Zelin smiled, “Don’t worry, Brother Ma. New Era isn’t interested this year. The effect isn’t as strong after appearing two times in a row, so there’s no need. However, even without New Era, I’m afraid you won’t have fewer competitors!”

Because of New Era’s unprecedented successful exclusive sponsorship of last year’s Spring Festival Gala, many giants were jealous and eyeing this year’s naming rights, getting ready with their money and eager to try, estimating that Alibaba would face considerable competition.

Just on the CCTV side, the sponsorship fee starts at at least two hundred million.

Additionally, they must have events similar to distributing red envelopes.

Overly straightforward and commercially pungent sponsored ads are something CCTV would certainly not accept.

Perhaps they could distribute red envelopes, as Su Zelin couldn’t think of any more fitting activity than distributing red envelopes at the Spring Festival Gala.

However, the amount of the red envelope might be upgraded to another level.

“I know, there’s nothing we can do. Younger Brother Su, you pioneered a new model of Spring Festival Gala sponsorship with such great effects; it’s just that I’m envious, and so are others. So, we can’t miss out on the naming rights!”

Old Ma paused for a moment before asking, “By the way, who do you think our biggest competitor at Ah Li might be?”

“Midea!”

Su Zelin answered without hesitation.

“How so?”

Seeing how swiftly Su Zelin answered, Old Ma was a little puzzled.

Su Zelin secretly thought ythat during the twelve years from 2003 to 2014, Midea almost monopolized the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. From 2003 to 2011, its unprecedented nine consecutive wins were only interrupted by Yanghe Dream Blue in 2012, but it later regained it for two more years. Midea’s ambition was evident.

It was precisely through these eleven sponsorships of the Spring Festival Gala that it established itself as the number one domestic home appliance brand.

If it weren’t for New Era swooping in this year, Midea certainly would have secured it again.

Having lost once, witnessing New Era’s success, Midea must be envious and even more determined this year.

“Midea is ambitious, and it wants to sit on the throne of the number one domestic home appliance brand. This has been evident in its market promotions over the past few years. Moreover, Midea is financially strong. Compared to it, I can’t think of any stronger competitor for Ah Li.”

The loafer explained casually.

“I think so too!”

Old Ma agreed with Su Zelin’s words.

“Midea had consecutive wins in 2003 and 2004. It originally wanted to take 2005 as well, but then you guys appeared like a game-changer, with sponsorship fees and plans that CCTV couldn’t refuse, skipping the bidding process entirely! Younger Brother Su, do you have any good suggestions for your elder brother in this fight for the Spring Festival Gala’s naming rights?”

“Yes, prepare a freight car full of money and go all-in, competing on who has more money and who has more courage. Plus, to minimize the costs, Ah Li could throw out a decoy!”

“A decoy?”

“Yes, for example, release the news that Ah Li has prepared three hundred million for this Spring Festival Gala. Of course, whether Midea believes it or not is another matter, but I think it might give them pause!”

Last year, New Era’s sponsorship fee to CCTV was two hundred million, and since this sponsorship model was so successful, it shouldn’t be lower than that this year, but hitting three hundred million is impossible.

After all, New Era was the first to break new ground, and distributing red envelopes during the Spring Festival Gala gave the public a huge sense of novelty, attracting countless people to participate. Doing the same thing again won’t feel as fresh, and the impact might be reduced. Over-investing in it may not be worth it.

“Yes, this decoy is good. Even if we don’t bluff them, there’s no loss for us at Ah Li!”

It’s a strategy that doesn’t require capital, and Old Ma believes it’s feasible.