Chapter 57: Public Relations Manager

[Chapter 57: Public Relations Manager]

"Asking me to help you 'interview'? How shameless!"

"Are you in or out?"

"How old is she?"

"Twenty-two."

"That's too old." Fizz shot him down directly. Models thrived on youth, and in a strict sense, her comment wasn't outrageous.

"She had signed with a Russian agency before; it took a few years to sort it out." Thanks to Ryan's patience, he was able to finish the sentence smoothly.

"No." Fizz continued to reject him.

"She's the star of my music video."

"Oh... then send me her info, and I'll think about it." Fizz immediately changed her tone, adding, "And don't call me again when you're doing this kind of thing!"

...

Ryan returned home to see Trey with her arms crossed, watching TV, looking quite gloomy.

"Stop right there!" Trey noticed Ryan heading upstairs and immediately called out to him.

Ryan feigned innocence: "I was just introducing her to a new job. We didn't do anything."

"Don't think I'm that easy to fool! Ryan, do you know what you're getting into? Do you realize how many guys trip over women? You're still so young, and you're already getting mixed up in this. What will it be like down the road?" Trey bombarded him. "Your mom entrusted you to me, and I have to do my part to educate you. What you had with Taylor might have been a fluke, but getting involved with Abigail was a mistake. You're just asking for trouble! Do you know anything about this model? Do you even realize how messy things can get?"

Ryan nodded. "You're right. Next time I interview a music video lead, I'll definitely ask for their health records."

He was actually being careful; he took enough precautions.

"Next time? There won't be a next time. If you're not ready to change... move out! I can't have you here." Trey issued her ultimatum.

"That won't fly." Ryan quickly walked down the stairs and sat next to her.

"You treat me so well -- don't charge me rent, help me deal with school, even buy me clothes. You've been better than my own mom." Ryan clutched her arm.

Trey deliberately turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

'Well, you certainly remember that well,' Trey thought.

"I still need to support you when you're older; I can't leave. Not only that, I have to stay with you forever."

His words seemed to soften Trey.

She turned to Ryan and began to advise him again with concern: "You have no idea how vicious women can be out there. If they find something on you, your career is ruined. You'll regret it when that time comes."

"Right, I'll definitely be careful. I'll only date girls like you."

"Hmm?" Trey raised an eyebrow.

"I mean, I won't date anyone else but you," Ryan added.

Trey scoffed, "If you dare to get any ideas about me, I'll kick you!"

"How can you give birth to a baby if you're so pissed?"

"Fuck off!" Trey raised her foot and was about to kick him.

Ryan stood up and headed straight into the kitchen to make dinner for her.

Forty minutes later, looking at the array of dishes on the table, Trey sighed, "After this meal, I'll really be your accomplice."

...

The next day, while at Big Machine Records, Ryan received a text from Irina.

"I'm getting on a plane soon, and the staff at Next Models just called me. Thank you, Ryan, I will always remember your help!"

Drag Trey into the water and help Irina ashore, Ryan brilliantly practiced two of men's favorite hobbies.

"What were we discussing?" Ryan looked up.

"The image you want to project in the public eye." A middle-aged woman with gentle features, Paula Erikson, said.

She was Taylor's public relations manager, and thanks to her, Taylor was known for having many boyfriends. Paula tends to ignore all subjective opinions from the outside world. The biggest role of her public relations manager is to do nothing. Only after Ryan got to know Taylor better did he realize that two of the four guys from her first album never even dated her, and one was strictly a fling; she had been young, and her parents kept a close watch. The truth was clear.

Admittedly, while Taylor enjoyed benefits from this, she also had to be prepared for criticism. Still, Paula could have clarified some basic facts, but she didn't do that at all.

Ryan wouldn't have brought her in if he had any other options.

"Does this matter?" Ryan inquired, feeling like his "public image" wasn't in his control.

"Of course, maintaining a steady public image makes it easier for people to remember you, and it keeps you from being easily forgotten. You need to choose a tone -- youthful idol, cutting-edge electronic music genius, or a quiet yet talented creator. You have to pick one."

"Can't I just be myself?" Ryan responded.

Paula shook her head.

"Well, I'll go with the youthful idol."

"But your songs don't fit that image."

"Then I'll still go with the youthful idol. My target audience is teenage girls, just like Taylor." Ryan was determined.

Young female fans undoubtedly held the highest power within fandoms; they were often generous toward their idols and very willing to defend them online with strong offline activism. Most importantly, they were easily influenced.

"Alright, so your public persona will need to change. You'll have to dress differently, and it's best if you can have flirty relationships with a few girls your age, but no more than two. Otherwise, your female fans will start to doubt your character. And never date anyone more than six years older than you -- no tattoos, no piercings, stay in shape, and be careful about facial hair..."

"Got it." Ryan said; it wouldn't be hard for him to manage these, especially the flirting.

"Most importantly, from now on, if you ever have any media queries, don't take action without asking me first. I've sent you my contact information; remember to save it." She extended her hand.

"Thank you, Ms. Erikson." Ryan shook her hand, and for the foreseeable future, she would be his public relations manager.

"Call me Paula."

...

As for the more important roles of marketing director and radio head, Ryan was relatively satisfied with the arrangements Scooter had made. Considering the impact a rash change could have on his future promotional plans and possibly irking Scooter, Ryan wasn't planning on touching those two positions.

For the equally crucial legal role, he opted for someone from Taylor's team.

Besides, there were other less important roles like stylist and personal assistant. Since Taylor's assistant, Erica, couldn't cater to both of them at once, Ryan had to look for someone else.

...

"How did it go?" Taylor walked in, leaning against a chair and bending down to kiss Ryan on the cheek.

Just then, someone walked in unannounced, causing Taylor to straighten up quickly.

"Why can't you ever learn to knock?" Taylor frowned slightly, showing her displeasure.

"Uh, I'm really sorry. I didn't know someone else was here," Erica, Taylor's assistant, hurriedly apologized. She had been with Taylor ever since Taylor signed with Big Machine and was the kind of person who wouldn't stand out in a crowd.

"Is there something you need?"

"Scott is looking for you; he wants you to come to his office to discuss the exclusive EP deal with Walmart," Erica said, then turned to Ryan.

"He also said to bring Ryan Rivers with you; that should be you, right?"

"Bring me over?" Ryan wondered. He didn't even know Scott.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.