Giant of the times

In fact, starting from late April, pirated tapes began to appear on the market.

Li Zetian decided to sell all the equipment in Apple's music tape production factory in Hong Kong. There is no doubt that the buyers are basically pirated manufacturers!

In early May, a small number of 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. Counterfeit tapes can be found in canteens, convenience stores, supermarkets, newsstands, video stores, bookstores, etc.

More and more Walkman users are buying pirated tapes, and non-Walkman users are also aware of the existence of pirated tapes, so they go to Apple flagship stores to buy Walkmans. Apple's flagship store is slowly coming back to life.

These days, Li Zetian is under tremendous pressure, and his tired eyes are bloodshot, but at this moment, he smiles, laughing wildly! He knew that if Apple won, it wouldn't be long before the anti-Walkman alliance collapsed.

Of course, it is not that the Anti-Walkman Alliance has not blocked pirated tapes, but no matter how powerful a record company is, it can block video stores, can it also block canteens, convenience stores, supermarkets, bookstores, and newsstands? Does it dare to go against so many companies?

It is true that American laws are very strict against piracy, and people have a strong awareness of authenticity, but... there are no genuine tapes for sale, what else can you buy besides buying pirated tapes? It is precisely based on this situation that pirated tapes have the soil to quickly breed and grow! ! !

Li Zetian felt relaxed all over and couldn't help humming a song, and came to Tian Shuai's office.

He said to Tian Shuai: "It depends on the situation. Walkman is about to usher in a sales boom. It is time for the factory in Hong Kong to start construction. In addition, the previous tape factory will also be converted into a Walkman production factory to increase production capacity. We will not only make Walkman Sell ​​it to the United States and sell it to the whole world!”

Tian Shuai was also in a good mood, nodded and said: "Okay, I will inform the people in Hong Kong later."

At this time, the anti-Walkman alliance was in chaos.

EMI's board of directors privately decided to produce music tapes.

"I didn't expect that pirated tapes would develop so rapidly, like wildfire, sweeping across the U.S. market. It was so unexpected!" A senior executive sighed slightly.

"We don't produce tapes, but users need tapes, so the piracy factory makes money. At the same time, it still has a great impact on our vinyl records! Instead of doing this, we might as well produce our own tapes. Recover some losses!”

"Yes, the general trend is the trend, we can no longer be stubborn!"

"Everyone, how about our cooperation with Apple? You know, if tapes can be bundled with Walkman, this will greatly promote tape sales! It is reported that those third-rate record companies have greatly increased their tape sales because of their cooperation with Apple. Income has increased several times, some even increased by more than 10 times!”

"Yes. So, right now, if our EMI record company can be the first to cooperate with Apple, we will definitely gain the greatest benefits!"

“Well, yes, we must get there before other record companies!!!”

"..."

Soon, EMI Records made a decision.

That afternoon, the CEO of EMI Records personally flew to Apple's headquarters.

Li Zetian sat on an office chair in the office, took a sip of tea slowly, and asked the visitor unhurriedly: "Mr. Irving Nixon, I was wondering if you are here. What can I do for you?"

In fact, Li Zetian had already guessed the other party's intention, but he just wanted to ask questions knowingly and give him some color. Aren't all the record companies very arrogant back then? Now you want to cooperate with Apple?

"Yes," Owen Nixon said with a smile without any embarrassment, "Among the anti-Walkman alliance, EMI Records is willing to be the first to stand up to support Apple and is willing to cooperate with Apple!"

Li Zetian started to pick up Qiao at this time, and said with a hint of irony: "Mr. Owen Nixon, Apple has offered to cooperate with EMI Records time and time again, but you have ruthlessly rejected them. Now you want to cooperate with EMI Records." Apple has cooperated, but this time it’s our turn whether we want it or not!”

Irving Nixon's face was thicker than the city wall. After listening to Li Zetian's words, he was not angry at all. He still smiled and said: "Yes, I have to admit that this is a major mistake by EMI's decision-makers. Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Apple." The company apologized. Isn't there a saying in the business world: 'There are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies in the business world.' Yesterday, Apple and EMI were enemies; but today, we can be friends. , you think so, Mr. Li?”

Of course Li Zetian welcomes the possibility of EMI Records cooperating with Apple. His previous attitude was just to give the other party a boost and let him know that Apple is not a character that comes and goes at a moment’s notice. But I saw that the other party kept his attitude so low and his attitude was sincere. Li Zetian didn't intend to continue to embarrass him. If Apple can reach a cooperative relationship with EMI Records as soon as possible, it will greatly benefit the sales of Walkman!

By then, the anti-Walkman alliance will collapse, and more and more record companies will choose to compromise and have to produce music tapes. In this way, Walkman will 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 mall. Apple is willing to cooperate with EMI Records!"

Irving Nixon stretched out his hand and said with a smile: "I hope our two companies can have a happy cooperation!"

"Um!"

Li Zetian shook hands with him, and then discussed the content of the cooperation, including binding sales, how to share, how to promote and other specific details.

The two talked for an hour and a half before ending.

When Li Zetian sent Irving Nixon out of the door, he returned to the company, and all the employees looked at him invariably.

Li Zetian smiled slightly and said: "Announcing good news, EMI Records has bowed to us and compromised, expressing its willingness to produce music tapes! From now on, Apple's flagship store can sell any tape music from EMI Records!"

When everyone heard this, they danced excitedly and shouted!

"Win, we finally won, we are the winners!!!"

“Long live Apple!!!”

"Long live Mr. Li!!!"

"..."

At this moment, many people were so excited that they even shed tears. The difficult months and a half had made many people's nerves so tense that they were almost suffocating.

Li Zetian's eyes were also slightly red. No one could help but be moved by this situation. He held back his tears and said to everyone: "Everyone has worked hard during this period. After the Walkman sells well, I will prepare a big gift for everyone." Red envelope!!!"

"yeah!!!"

Everyone excitedly and happily picked up Li Zetian, then threw him into the sky together, shouting: "Long live Mr. Li!!!"

Every time Li Zetian was thrown into the sky, he couldn't help but scream. Firstly, he was happy, but secondly, he was worried that if they didn't catch it, his butt would explode.

…

…

The news that EMI Records and Apple had reached a cooperation soon spread to the "Anti-Walkman Alliance". Members of the alliance cursed each other and thought about quickly producing music tapes. Within a few days, companies such as Polygram Records and Universal Records announced the production of music tapes. At this point, the "Anti-Walkman Alliance" existed in name only.

A week later, the Walkman was a huge hit!

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 firmly believe that Apple will eventually win?"

He replied: "It is every employee who works hard for Apple. They give me the belief and strength to be invincible!!!"