From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Matt took office, but there was no infinite glory as imagined. In fact, he was burdened with an important task. He had to solve a problem that no predecessor had ever faced—how to adapt to the era of comprehensive digital audio sources and seize the pulse of the times, staying ahead of others?

What was Matt going to do?

A simple and crude way:

By inviting more musicians to exclusively reside on iTunes, relying on the appeal of these musicians to sell more Apple devices, and binding more and more listeners to iTunes, thereby getting them used to the existence of iTunes.

For a simple example, if you like Beyoncé, and Beyoncé's new album digital audio source can only be purchased on iTunes, what do you do?

The answer naturally comes out. Either buy a physical album, or log in to iTunes to buy it.

This method was highly praised within Apple. This would not only promote iTunes, but also sell more Apple devices along the way—this is also a soft promotion.

Moreover, as Matt said, they and the record companies are not in a competitive relationship, at least not a direct competition. The record companies are responsible for selling physical albums, while iTunes is targeting digital audio sources. Although there is a possibility of diversion competition, the two parties can completely cooperate and win-win.

Matt is also persuading Warner Records and iTunes to sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement.

Currently, Universal Music is the record company with the highest market share in the global music market. It is dominant and arrogant, refusing to negotiate with Apple; Sony Music has the world's largest copyright library. They are developing their own digital audio source platform and have no interest in cooperating with iTunes.

Obviously, Warner Records is the best partner—they are trying to seize Universal Music's market share, trying to become a disruptor in the global record market. This is also the reason why they signed the August 31st Band in the first place, and it is also the reason why Matt is targeting them.

It was against this background that Matt took a fancy to Anson.

During the Grammy Awards ceremony live broadcast last night, when Matt admired the performance of the August 31st Band, the idea came to his mind—what if Anson and the August 31st Band could exclusively authorize their residency on iTunes?

Leaving aside Anson's personal influence, just speaking factually, the August 31st Band's performance accurately grasped the pulse of life. In the predicament of the global music industry falling into depression and darkness, the band's emergence is a portrayal of dreams coming true.

Rising from the streets of Manhattan, experiencing the test of European street performances, "Roar Hey" completed an incredible counterattack without promotion or hits, creating a miracle of five million album sales solely relying on word-of-mouth, and the first official performance of their professional career was the Grammy Awards ceremony, yet they broke the rules and frameworks on such an important stage and returned to music.

Everything can be called perfect.

Just like Linkin Park, Evanescence, and Norah Jones, the August 31st Band proved with practical actions: Good music will eventually be heard.

Therefore, when Anson said, please continue to believe in dreams, countless independent musicians rekindled their hope.

Relying on this performance and this song, the August 31st Band won an incredible industry position for themselves.

Everything is just like the Beatles who suddenly emerged back then.

Matt has discerning eyes and immediately saw the potential of "Another Light."

When he learned that this song was actually a new song that had not been released yet, Matt fell off the sofa directly, so excited that he couldn't control himself.

After all, who can refuse Anson Wood?

Everything, plus the name "Anson Wood", Matt can already imagine the follow-up of the matter.

Therefore, he must hurry, he must expedite, and he must firmly grasp the opportunity before things change—this is far from being as simple as a song, or even as simple as 10 billion or 100 billion, but it is about them keeping up with the times and completing the layout first.

Imagine that the global record industry's profits have fallen by 4 billion US dollars in just four years, pure profit; if half of these 4 billion US dollars enter iTunes' pocket, what does that mean?

An Anson may allow iTunes and Apple to seize the opportunity before other companies.

No wonder Matt came in person and was so anxious.

However, things are often like this.

Imagining in the mind, the plan is perfect, full of confidence and ambition; however, when actually putting it into operation, there are accidents, twists and turns, hitting walls, and bumps.

Matt stayed up all night, forcing himself to calm down, considering all aspects, and convened an emergency meeting at three in the morning, gathering the Los Angeles office and the New York office on the east and west coasts.

He needs to ensure that when he appears in front of Anson, he is confident.

After actually meeting, Matt admitted that he was still a little surprised—Anson is more charming than imagined.

Now Matt finally understands why Anson was able to climb to the top of the pyramid in just three years, it is definitely not just luck.

At the same time, this also made Matt more confident in his plan, they need to seize Anson.

"...I believe that the cooperation between the August 31st Band and iTunes is a win-win, this is an opportunity, an opportunity to show the public the possibilities of music."

"It is also an opportunity for the band to once again be at the forefront of the times. You bravely integrate classical music into rock and roll. We never knew that the cello could be so charming."

"Digital audio sources are the same. This is the progress of the times, irreversible. We should not continue to hold on to the past, but should keep up with the pace of the times."

"I believe you have such foresight and such courage."

Eloquently and bombastically—obviously, Matt came prepared.

Although the Grammy Awards ceremony ended less than twelve hours ago, although Matt stayed up all night and now caffeine is flowing in his blood vessels, Matt appears calm and composed, and his mind has already conceived a detailed and grand blueprint for the next five or even ten years, and he can complete a lengthy speech without a draft.

Anson listened attentively throughout the process, exceptionally immersed and exceptionally serious.

However, someone interrupted Matt's passionate monologue.

"How is it a win-win?"

Matt looked in the direction of the voice, it was Edgar.

Although he was at a disadvantage everywhere this morning and was completely controlled by Matt; Edgar was not discouraged, highly concentrated, and cut into the topic at the right time, once again showing his demeanor as an agent.

"I know that iTunes needs Anson, but why does Anson need iTunes?"

"I guess, if Anson is interested, he has countless choices now, so why is it iTunes?"