From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Apple, a computer company.

Despite the introduction of the iPod, plunging them into the fierce competition of the music player market, this wasn't particularly novel. Many computer companies were starting to produce digital music players. Ultimately, they were still digital companies, fundamentally different from the entertainment industry and artistic creation.

In fact, Apple didn't mind this stereotype.

Because it could give them a slight advantage, preventing competitors from discerning their strategic intentions and allowing them to seize the initiative with a time advantage.

Everything needed to be done quietly, completing the layout before competitors noticed.

What if, at this point, the confidential news leaked?

The consequences would be unimaginable.

Warner Records was trying to turn the tide and regain control of the situation.

On one hand, Miles and the others were preparing to form their new band, and Warner Records had indeed shown interest. However, they needed to hear the band's music first.

Almost all of August 31st's songwriting came from Anson. Warner Records currently had no way to judge the new band's style and talent. They needed a benchmark before deciding on market positioning.

On the other hand, Anson was returning to his acting career, but Warner Records really didn't want to miss out on him. More importantly, they didn't want Anson's record contract to be snatched up by other record companies. They were doing everything they could to persuade Anson to continue creating music and releasing albums under his own name.

Warner Records had to seize the opportunity before the news of the band's disbandment leaked, waving a check to keep Anson. Only a fool would miss that opportunity.

The release of "Another Light" occurred under such circumstances.

Warner Records was eager to seize the opportunity to create a splash, but even more urgently needed such an opportunity to delay the leak of the band's disbandment.

Thus, despite their different agendas, Warner Records and Apple hit it off, and the entire negotiation progressed exceptionally smoothly.

Generally speaking, cooperation between large companies often requires multiple considerations. The pulling and splitting of interests is more complicated than imagined.

However, this time, Warner Records and Apple quickly reached a consensus.

Both companies were indeed interested in a comprehensive collaboration on digital music distribution, hoping to achieve a powerful alliance. However, the details still needed to be discussed at length, and the tug-of-war would likely take more time.

Just in time, August 31st's single was an opportunity for both sides to try out cooperation and test the waters.

Apple used this opportunity to prove the broad prospects of digital music downloads and their unique advantage with the combination of iPod and iTunes.

Warner Records used this opportunity to assess Apple's distribution capabilities and see the potential of the digital music market, collecting data for future development.

So, the two sides hit it off.

Speed is of the essence.

Apple was racing against time, and so was Warner Records.

The two major companies showed their breadth of mind and vision, not haggling over trivial details, because they were both seeking the real big gains later on. There was no need to lose big for small gains here.

In less than forty-eight hours, the cooperation negotiation was finalized.

First, on Apple's side.

The digital music source of the single "Another Light" would be exclusively released on iTunes; however, Warner Records would not participate in the digital music source revenue sharing of this single. August 31st would sign a cooperation agreement for a single song with Apple as an independent artist.

The digital music source industry is not yet standardized. When platforms sign contracts with independent artists separately, without the participation of record companies, the fluctuation range of the revenue sharing ratio for independent artists is very large, ranging from 30% to 70%. There is no unified default ratio in the industry yet.

Precisely because of this, many musicians say that they need to unite with record companies, and the record companies should jointly fight for their interests and form an industry standard to create conditions for future independent artists.

But this time, Apple was full of sincerity.

August 31st could take away 80% of the digital music revenue sharing.

In other words, for a single song priced at one dollar, August 31st could take away eighty cents.

It was simply shocking.

Of course, Apple was so generous partly because it was limited to the cooperation of this single song, "Another Light", and partly to pave the way for future cooperation.

Secondly, on Warner Records' side.

Warner Records was responsible for the physical single business of "Another Light".

However, Warner Records did not intend to release a physical single alone.

It wasn't cost-effective.

Warner Records invited August 31st to rummage through their archives and find a few more works to include with "Another Light" in the deluxe edition of the album "Midsummer Night".

Yes, the deluxe edition.

Warner Records was preparing to release a re-edition of August 31st's album!

Anyway, the band had disbanded, August 31st had become history, and releasing a deluxe edition alone was also a commemorative act, worthy of collection.

Not only could it drive sales again with "Another Light", but it could also allow people to enjoy a few more of the band's songs and witness this extraordinary journey.

Of course, Warner Records and August 31st's previous contract was still valid, and all kinds of revenue sharing ratios remained the same. Warner Records did not intend to change it. Giving the band members all the sales revenue sharing of "Another Light"'s digital music source was already a generous move, and they were still paving the way for the future.

For every million copies the album's deluxe edition sold, there would be an additional $100,000 bonus, split equally among the four band members, with no upper limit.

They were rich and generous!

It was clear that Warner Records had a long-term vision and was planning for the future.

In less than two days, a major cooperation was finalized.

Only, August 31st suffered.

Apple and Warner Records were so anxious, reaching a cooperation agreement at a sprint, and then all the pressure was piled on the band.

They needed to complete the recording work as soon as possible, so that the two companies could start follow-up work. The arrow was on the string and had to be fired. The spring was directly fully wound, and it was running at high speed like a gust of wind and rain, with no room to breathe.

Anson: ???

Wait, create a few more songs? Wasn't it agreed to only record one song? How did things turn out like this? No one consulted my opinion. Do you think creating music is like drinking water and eating, coming whenever you want?

Hey, you unscrupulous businessmen, I'm going to sue you for exploiting workers!

Beside him, Miles and the others also looked sadly at the sky, obviously they had not been able to recover from the airtight busyness and surge.

Forty-five degree angle, looking up at the sky.