[Chapter 255: Jackie Chan and Jet Li's Videotape Buzz]
Back at the film company, Linton handled so backlog tasks. Klinsmann reported on the promotion of videotapes featuring Jackie Chan and Jet Li's films acquired from Hong Kong. The publicity team spent a month translating 39 films and adding English subtitles.
They produced 50,000 videotapes each for 23 targeted films, and 20,000 tapes each for 14 films bundled alongside them. These tapes were distributed to Walmart, Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, and various regional video companies.
Two posters were created: one showed Jackie Chan from Police Story 3: Super Cop, and the other showed Jet Li from Once Upon a Ti in China III. Both posters featured the tagline "The sa Kung Fu as Bruce Lee" at the bottom, and poster placents were bought in those channels.
"How are rental and sales doing?" Linton asked.
"Boss, things look very good," Klinsmann handed a report.
"Just give the short version."
"They've only been on shelves for two weeks, and already sold 360,000 tapes, plus 150,000 rentals."
"In two weeks, an average of over 10,000 units per movie? You call this good?" Linton was surprised.
"Boss, you can't compare these to our own blockbuster releases. These are foreign movies, and the rights were dirt cheap."
"Oh, I see. Tell more."
"Based on our overseas rights experience, a foreign film selling 10,000 videotapes a month is pretty solid. If we sell all 143,000 tapes from the first run, we'll recoup the copyright investnt and net nearly $3 million."
"That much profit?" Linton perked up.
"Mainly due to the cheap rights. So the return is naturally high."
"Go on."
"At this rate, these tapes will sell out in three months max, then we can start the second batch. We'll adjust quantities based on first batch sales. Also, word of mouth should boost rentals even faster."
"Sell out in 3 months, and future sales speed up? Really?" Linton was puzzled. Usually, tapes sell best when first released, then slow down.
"Boss, these films aren't like our own. Our movies get big theater releases and heavy North Arican promotion, so sales peak right away. But these foreign films have no initial reputation here -- they start from zero, so sales build gradually, depending on quality."
"So we made a smart deal."
"More than that. It's a gold mine. Didn't you say we could sell broadcast rights to TV later?"
"Yes, I planned that."
"In North Arica, if yearly video rentals and sales hit 50,000 for a foreign film, TV stations might buy broadcast rights, though usually for about $50,000 per airing. But TV exposure also helps promote further tape sales."
"Makes sense. Like box office -- strong video sales make it easier to sell TV rights."
"If tapes reach 100,000 sales and rentals yearly, TV stations pay at least $100,000 per broadcast. At 200,000 rentals/sales, TV stations proactively seek rights and pay even more, $200,000 plus per airing."
"So these films really bring big profits."
"You've got sharp instincts, boss. Profits might exceed all expectations."
Though the flattery was clumsy, Linton felt relaxed and pleased, though he kept a serious face.
"Not just my achievent -- you helped a lot. This project's yours now. Do your best, and there'll be a big bonus."
"Thanks, boss. I have a suggestion."
"Go ahead."
"Since foreign films sell well, can we increase imports, bringing more great international titles to North Arica for promotion?"
"Good idea. Have a plan?"
"We used to scout films at festivals, looking for promising titles. Now, I want to form an overseas film acquisition team in publicity and distribution to gather information and buy tapes of popular foreign films, including past hits. Purchasing decisions would remain collective in the departnt, but if you can supervise, that'd be best."
"Sounds solid. You can devise a reward and penalty system where success or failure directly affects bonuses."
"Thanks, boss."
"One more thing. My analysis shows North Arican audiences generally hesitate with foreign films, but four genres break all barriers worldwide."
"Which genres?" Klinsmann asked eagerly.
"First, action movies. If they deliver thrilling, beautiful yet intense fight scenes, audiences embrace them easily. Key is having skilled actors."
"Like the Jackie Chan and Jet Li movies we bought."
"Exactly. Second, horror films. No cultural barriers there; if it scares people, it sells. Focus on those."
"Makes sense."
"Third, science fiction depends heavily on effects, and foreign productions rarely reach our quality. Fourth, adult films are popular globally, but the industry here produces too many high-quality titles with high audience expectations, so foreign ones rarely make an impact unless they have exceptional stars or thes."
"Got it. Let's focus on action and horror then."
"Yes, but keep an eye on the others as well."
*****
spatreon/Sayonara816.
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