On Sunday morning, a black sedan turned onto a quiet road in Beverly Hills, drove a short distance, and pulled to a stop in front of a private club.
"This is it," Donadoni, who was behind the wheel, announced, glancing at the club's entrance. He turned to Giovanni Salvatore, seated beside him. "The eting with Helen is here."
Giovanni nodded and unbuckled his seatbelt. "Let's go."
He stepped out of the car first and made his way to the club's entrance, waiting as Donadoni exchanged a few words with the doorman before they both passed through the doors.
"Was the decision made at the Milan headquarters?"
"Yes," Giovanni couldn't help but say imdiately. "The film 300 opened in Italy on Thursday. Mr. Giorgio Armani saw it and called the board of directors. He wants Matthew Horner."
Donadoni led the way, speaking as they walked. "Judging by the reaction over the last two days, it will be much more advantageous for us to promote him."
Giovanni nodded. "The Milan headquarters is keen to contact his representative. They want to sign a contract with Horner as soon as possible to release a commorative Armani collection in North Arica and Europe before the film's wide release."
"Excellent idea!" Donadoni clapped his hands together. "We should move quickly."
He slowed his pace slightly. "Based on the first two days at the North Arican box office, this film is going to be this year's biggest Hollywood blockbuster. With Horner's portrayal of Leonidas, it will likely beco an all-ti classic."
This was also Giovanni's assessnt. "In that case, Matthew should have both mass appeal and a certain style."
"Horner's style isn't an issue," Donadoni countered. "Don't forget, he's also the face of rcedes-Benz and Rolex. He's never endorsed anything lower-tier."
Giovanni knew this, which was one of the reasons Armani had chosen Horner.
Choosing a star who was both popular and stylish was the right strategy for Armani. After all, this was an endorsent for Armani underwear. If it went well, it could later extend to n's ready-to-wear, not Armani's haute couture.
As for Matthew Horner's mass appeal, Giovanni needed no further proof than 300. The film had grossed $38.5 million and $34.6 million on its first two days, respectively. What more needed to be said?
"After just two days, the film has reached $73.1 million at the North Arican box office," Donadoni added. "It's on track to beco the first R-rated film to gross over $100 million in its opening week in North Arica."
Giovanni paused for a mont. "Mr. Giorgio Armani gave his assessnt of Matthew Horner."
"Oh?" Donadoni was intrigued. Giorgio Armani rarely involved himself in the company's day-to-day affairs, and it was quite difficult to get him to weigh in on anything. "What did Mr. Armani say?"
"Matthew Horner is stunning. That's what Mr. Armani said after reviewing his profile."
Donadoni nodded and said no more.
He thought, There must be sothing extraordinary about Horner for Giorgio Armani to give such an endorsent.
Soon, they arrived in front of a small building, where a waiter was waiting at the door to show them inside.
Matthew and Helen had arrived five minutes earlier. After introductions were made, Donadoni took the lead for their side.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, both parties got straight to business.
Matthew glanced at Giovanni, recognizing him as the one leading the charge for Armani.
It was Giovanni's first ti seeing Matthew in person. He felt the man was just as he appeared on the poster: tall, handso, mature, and possessing a unique charm.
Perhaps it was a preconceived notion, but his first impression was that the Hollywood star was a perfect fit for the Armani brand's positioning.
Giovanni smiled. "Mr. Horner, I'm sure you're aware of the reason for our visit. Armani is interested in offering you a position as the face of the brand."
For the sake of the negotiations to co, he frad it as an interest, not a final decision.
"It would be an honor," Matthew replied politely, matching his smile. "Armani is a high-end brand that I admire greatly. And if you've noticed, the suits I've worn on the red carpet in recent years have all been from Armani."
As he said this, his gaze shifted unconsciously to Helen beside him. He finally understood why she had insisted that, ever since he'd beco an A-lister, it was best for him to wear Armani for all his red carpet appearances.
Clearly, a deal with Armani had been part of Helen's long-term plan.
"The main reason for this eting is that there are a few conditions I must state upfront," Giovanni continued. "Armani is a world-renowned brand, and any business partnership is aid at mutual benefit. We intend to work with Mr. Horner, and we envision this as a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership."
Matthew knew he hadn't finished and didn't interrupt.
Giovanni's voice was calm and exceedingly confident. "For a long-term collaboration, we would require you to maintain your current physique, at least without any major changes. If you were to get engaged, we would ask that you inform Armani in advance. And when you appear in public, the clothes you wear should be predominantly from Armani."
These preliminary conditions weren't excessive; in fact, they were similar to the terms put forth by rcedes-Benz and Rolex. Matthew had heard them more than once and knew that if he didn't agree, there would be no point in entering formal negotiations.
Matthew exchanged a look with Helen. After she gave a slight nod, he finally spoke. "Alright."
Giovanni smiled faintly and stood up. "I hope our subsequent negotiations will lead to the desired outco."
Matthew, not expecting the eting to be so brief, also rose to his feet. "I hope so, too."
Giovanni shook hands with Matthew and Helen and, without any further pleasantries, excused himself and left.
Once the two n had departed and the door was closed, Matthew spoke. "That was fast."
Helen found it perfectly normal. "Ti is money."
"Helen, what do you think Armani will offer for the endorsent?"
"It won't be exceptionally high," Helen said, her experience evident in her assessnt. "For now, it's just for the underwear line. No more than five million dollars."
She leaned back against the sofa. "Securing the underwear endorsent is just our first step. Next, we need to get the n's clothing line from them."
Matthew paced back and forth a couple of tis. "Let's hope it goes as well as the rcedes deal."
Helen fell silent for a mont before adding, "Don't be impatient. There are plenty of brands we need to secure endorsents from."
It was true. Stars like Tom Cruise and George Clooney were almost completely decked out in the high-end products they endorsed.
Compared to them, Matthew felt he still had a long way to go.
"By the way, Matthew," Helen suddenly recalled their conversation from yesterday. "What's the situation with Universal Pictures and The Fast and the Furious?"
"I just think the series has lost its way. But I also think it has the potential to beco a massive franchise."
Helen frowned. "Are you sure?"
Matthew shook his head. "How can anyone be completely sure about sothing like this? I've spoken with David Ellison. He's interested, and the two of us are going to see if we can buy the rights from Universal Pictures."
"That will be difficult. The 'big six' studios only sell off the rights to films in their libraries two or three tis a year, at most."
This was exactly what Matthew found challenging. It wasn't that the 'big six' never sold the rights to their films individually, but they did so very rarely and always for an exorbitant price.
"If we can't, we'll impress them with our price. I'll ask David to step in. I think he'll have more capital at his disposal if 300 does well at the box office."
Helen nodded. "I'll also ask around and see what Universal Pictures's intentions are."
"One more thing. Oprah's people confird you'll be invited to Chicago next week to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Matthew nodded. He had originally wanted to appear on Oprah's show before the film's release, but they had ended up scheduling it for after, as part of the ongoing promotion.
Just as their conversation was ending and Matthew was about to leave, his phone suddenly rang. It was Nibora, his 'Leonidas' double, from Los Angeles.
After talking for half a minute, Matthew hung up and turned to Helen. "Get in touch with Eleanor and our lawyer, Wilson. There's a problem with the 'Spartans' on the streets of Los Angeles."
"What happened?" Helen asked with concern.
"A thief robbed soone and was fleeing a Beverly Hills mall when he ran right into Nibora. Nibora was in full gear, sa as mine. He knocked the thief down with his shield. Now the Beverly Hills Police Departnt is involved, and Ilana sent two paparazzi from TMZ to follow them and film everything."
Helen understood what Matthew was getting at. "I'll call Wilson and ask him to go down to the police station..."
She paused for a mont, thinking. "This is good promotional material. I'll see if I can get them on our side. The film's opening week is already a lock, but if this news breaks tomorrow, it'll be great publicity for the weekday box office."
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