OST Request
"Money is no issue," he said confidently.
"I'm not worried about the licensing problems either. We can start by exclusively releasing music that I write for myself and future BMG artists on our platform. From this point forward, our music will only be released on our platform and no where else."
Jessie crossed her arms, still skeptical.
"But even with exclusive content, people are used to owning their music. CDs are a tangible product. How do we convince them to switch to something entirely digital, something they don't physically own?"
Bailey, who had been listening quietly suddenly spoke up, her tone thoughtful.
"Think about it, Right now, a CD costs, what, $20? That's for a single album. But what if we could offer people access to not just one album, but all the music they want, for a fraction of that cost? Say, $5 a month."
Jessie considered this, her brow furrowing as she ran the numbers in her head.
"So instead of paying 20 dollars for one CD, they pay 5 dollars a month and get unlimited access… Over the course of a year, they'd spend 60 dollars, but they'd have access to a vast library of music. Hmmm…"
Brandon nodded and added,
"There's another major feature we need to implement," he said, looking between Jessie and Bailey.
"We should offer a free version where users can still use our platform if they watch an advertisement before each song."
Jessie's eyebrows rose, her interest piqued.
"That's... actually brilliant. It gives us an additional revenue stream through ad sales, and allows users to test our app without committing to a subscription."
Brandon nodded, then turned to Bailey, his expression intense.
"The ads should be in 10-15-30 second slots, which we can then sell to brands. This is an integral feature, B. And if possible, I want you to create a commenting system where comments will slide across the screen."
Bailey tilted her head, considering the idea.
"Sliding comments? That's doable, but why?"
"It'll give users a false sense of listening to songs with people all over the world," Brandon explained. "It creates an illusion of listening to music with friends, makes the experience more engaging."
Bailey's eyes lit up,
"Got it. Sliding comments, ad integration... anything else?"
Brandon smiled and replied,
"Think outside the box. Anything and everything to make our platform the talk of the town, no, of the world."
He winked and shot Bailey a profound look.
"Also, focus on cybersecurity, yeah? I'll have Gordon work closely with you."
Bailey nodded and smiled.
"Leave it to me."
"Do your best to recruit IT experts in ALL fields," Brandon continued.
"This is just the first step. It's about time our Blackstone empire expanded into tech."
Bailey's eyes lit up with excitement. She could already see the possibilities unfolding before her.
Bailey's eyes sparkled with excitement as she jumped to her feet.
"I'll get right on it! This is going to be amazing!"
She rushed out of the room, her mind already buzzing with ideas and plans.
Brandon watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips. He turned to Jessie, his expression growing serious.
"What about our nationwide audition program? Has Izzy and the team come up with any plans? We need fresh, real talent urgently."
Jessie nodded, her professional demeanor returning.
"I'll get Izzy and the team to present their ideas to you. But before that, we've got a rather urgent request for a movie soundtrack. The director asked for you specifically."
Brandon's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Really? Someone's approaching us now, especially when our label is in shambles?"
"Yes," Jessie confirmed.
"It's E.L. He's working on a passion project and says that only you can come up with the soundtrack he needs."
Brandon furrowed his brow, a look of confusion crossing his face.
"E.L.? Who's that?"
Jessie's eyes widened in disbelief.
She stared at Brandon for a moment, her mouth slightly agape.
"You've never heard of E.L.? E.L. Leclerc?"
Brandon felt a pang of embarrassment. He rubbed his nose awkwardly, averting his gaze.
"Uh, well... I'm not really much of a movie buff…"
Jessie shook her head, still looking stunned.
"E.L. Leclerc is one of the most renowned directors in the industry. He's won multiple Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. His films are known for their artistic vision and groundbreaking narratives."
She paused, collecting her thoughts before continuing.
"He's been called the 'Auteur of our Generation' by critics. His film 'Whispers of Eternity' is considered a modern masterpiece. It swept the Oscars a few years back."
Brandon listened intently, trying to mask his ignorance.
Jessie's expression shifted from awe to a more somber tone as she continued to explain.
"As much as I admire E.L., I have to admit that his recent work hasn't been as well-received, especially at the box office," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Brandon leaned forward, intrigued by this new information. He watched as Jessie's eyes took on a faraway look, as if recalling a cherished memory that had somehow soured.
"His early films were groundbreaking, both critically acclaimed and commercially successful," Jessie explained.
"But over the years, E.L. became... well, more experimental. He started pushing boundaries that maybe the general audience wasn't ready for."
She sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"His last few films have been, frankly, box office disasters. They're still praised by critics for their artistic merit, but they're just not connecting with mainstream audiences anymore."
Brandon absorbed this information, his mind already racing with possibilities.
"And now he wants us for his soundtrack?"
Jessie nodded, her eyes meeting Brandon's.
"Yes. Despite his recent struggles, E.L. Leclerc asking for you specifically is still a big deal. It could be an incredible opportunity... or a significant risk."
She leaned forward, her eyes serious.
"This could be a game-changer for BMG, Brandon. E.L.'s films aren't just movies; they're cultural events. Having our music associated with his work would put us on the map in a way nothing else could."
Brandon leaned forward, intrigued.
"What's the movie about?"
Jessie's cheeks flushed slightly as she cleared her throat. "Well, it's... it's about a college graduate who becomes involved in a BDSM relationship with a wealthy and powerful businessman."
Brandon's eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly. He blinked rapidly, trying to process what Jessie had just said.
'Is she... talking about 50 Shades of Grey?!' he thought, his mind reeling.
Excitement bubbled up inside him, and he leaned forward eagerly.
"When can we meet?" he asked, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
Jessie looked surprised at his sudden change in demeanor.
"Actually, he's been waiting in the cafeteria since 10 AM."
Brandon's eyebrows shot up. He glanced at his watch, then back at Jessie.
"Send him to the studio in 30 minutes," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jessie nodded, but a flicker of concern crossed her face.
'Does he understand the implications of working with a legendary Hollywood name like E.L.?' she wondered, studying Brandon's excited expression.
"Boss he may have fell off in recent years but he's still a legend," she began carefully,
"E.L. has contacted all of the biggest labels and was unsatisfied with every one of them. This is a huge opportunity. I hope you're taking this seriously."
Brandon waved his hand dismissively.
"Of course, of course," he said, his mind already racing with ideas.
"While I meet with him, I need you to brief Izzy's team about our plans to launch our own streaming platform. Work with them to integrate that into their plans. I'll join you for a meeting after I speak with E.L."