Rebirth: My dad is too obedient

Chapter 426 A new level

Tea break area at the venue.

Zhao Ling, vice president of Baidu Group, slowly synchronized Baidu's project requirements with Xu Chen.

Xu Chen listened silently, but could still clearly sense the project anxiety of this "Mr. Zhao".

Just as Zhao Ling just said, this project is not only personally monitored by Baidu's big boss Robin Li, but also has something to do with the company's future development.

At the end of 2006, Google has not yet withdrawn from the domestic market, and even wants to monopolize the search engine user habits like other countries.

However, the rise of Baidu Search is about to surpass Google's market share in China.

Google and Baidu are the only two competitors in the domestic search engine field.

The competition between the two companies has now entered a completely fierce state.

For Baidu, the situation seems to be good and the number of users is increasing, but in fact the pressure is enormous.

After all, Baidu is the company that Li Yanhong started after returning to China, and its overall financial strength cannot be compared with Google.

During its rise in recent years, Baidu has also been experiencing huge consumption.

At present, Baidu also urgently needs to stabilize investors' confidence and find ways to leverage a new round of financing.

The reason behind this attempt is to show a clear advantage in the competition with Google...

The brand promotion task in Zhao Ling's hands is aimed at the competitor Google.

It may seem like just a "competitor" promotion, but behind it is also related to Baidu's financing, competitive landscape, and future development.

It is indeed a promotion campaign that cannot afford to fail.

Zhao Ling was trying to appear calm on the surface, but Xu Chen could already see her anxiety and distress, and it was obvious that she was under tremendous pressure.

"Our company is headquartered in Beijing, so we looked for a famous 4A company in Beijing...

Ogilvy and McCann-Erickson also gave us proposals...

But I am still not satisfied.

Especially our boss Robin, who said their proposal was too traditional, and all of them were cliché TV commercials.”

Xu Chen: "So Baidu's promotion this time should also focus mainly on Internet media, right?"

Zhao Ling: “That’s right!
After all, our users are also Internet users.

What we need to do is to promote it on the Internet media and channels.

Therefore, the traditional TV advertising routine will definitely not work...

But the problem now is that domestic advertising companies, especially foreign 4A ones, all started out doing traditional TV advertising.”

Xu Chen nodded, having a rough idea in his mind.

It is indeed as Zhao Ling said, the so-called international 4A is still immersed in the afterglow of traditional advertising and has not fully embraced Internet marketing and communication.

As a person who has been reborn, Xu Chen has actually witnessed the gradual decline and demise of traditional advertising and traditional 4A companies in the next ten to twenty years.

At the same time, Xu Chen already had plans in mind for Baidu's promotion project.

Baidu's most popular advertising slogan is "Baidu, and you will know."

But it is very obvious that this slogan alone cannot solve Baidu's current problems and promotion demands.

But for the current project, Xu Chen happened to still remember the "standard answer" in his heart.

At the same time, according to what Zhao Ling said, the companies currently being contacted are all foreign 4A companies, so the small creative company in Guangzhou that later created the "viral advertisement" for Baidu should not have had time to get involved.

This gave Xu Chen another chance to intercept...

Zhao Ling looked at Xu Chen and said with a smile:

"I wonder if Mr. Xu and Dongchen Advertising are interested in participating in our project?"

She paused for a moment:

"But... because we already have other foreign 4A companies that are putting forward proposals, we are actually still in the process of bidding."

Xu Chen thought about it and did not agree in a hurry, but said:

"Of course I am interested, but it still depends on the team's project arrangements and whether they have the manpower and schedule."

Zhao Ling was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

But there is still a hint of loss...

Xu Chen: "Mr. Zhao, why don't you send me a more detailed project requirement first.

We will evaluate it internally and provide feedback as soon as possible.”

Zhao Ling: "That's no problem."

She deliberately showed a hint of apology:
"I was still at the event yesterday and today, so I didn't have time to organize the information."

As she said this, she turned and looked at her assistant Miao Xiaoyu.

The assistant quickly said:
"I will compile the project information tonight and send it to your email address, Mr. Xu."

Xu Chen: “In addition to project requirements, some background information may be needed.”

Zhao Ling: "What do you need?"

Xu Chen: “Since it is an advertisement competing with Google, it needs to introduce the products of Baidu and Google.

Especially the differences and advantages of Baidu."

Zhao Ling smiled and nodded, feeling happy at the same time.

Xu Chen hit the nail on the head with just one sentence, which made her feel a little relieved.

It seems that there is indeed no problem with the professionalism of this "Mr. Xu".

“This is already available, and we have also compiled a document internally.

However, they are all internal and technically oriented. If they are used as advertisements to communicate with users, they still need to be refined and polished.”

Xu Chen: "That's no problem. If we decide to do this plan, we will take it into consideration."

……

After talking about the project, both sides exchanged pleasantries and chatted about some trivial matters.

It turns out that Zhao Ling is also an important guest from the brand and was originally scheduled to attend the official dinner.

But she was anxious to return to the company, so she booked a flight for tonight in advance.

The award ceremony had just ended, and when Zhao Ling wanted to talk to Xu Chen about the project, she thought of inviting Xu Chen to dinner and changing the flight ticket.

But now they found a chance to finish discussing the matter in the meeting room, and Zhao Ling decided to return to the capital tonight as originally planned.

“I am a little disappointed that I didn’t get to have dinner with Mr. Xu.

However, we should have the opportunity to invite Mr. Xu to our Baidu headquarters to discuss the project in detail and entertain him.”

This is an implicit suggestion, suggesting that they hope Xu Chen can join Baidu's project.

But for Xu Chen, it was still a "competition" after all, and he was a little reluctant.

He was still polite:
"If Mr. Zhao comes to Shanghai, you are welcome to visit Dongchen Advertising. I will definitely entertain you well."

……

The two were chatting and talking when a young staff member came over and said to Xu Chen:

"Mr. Xu, Dean Lin wants you to come over..."

Zhao Ling smiled and said:
"I just happen to have a flight to catch, so I won't bother you, Mr. Xu."

Xu Chen: "Mr. Zhao, you're welcome. Have a safe trip."

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Ling and the assistant turned around and left.

Xu Chen turned his head and saw Xie Bingran sitting quietly on a chair not far away, waiting, with his hands in his pockets, looking very cool...

When she saw Xu Chen looking at her, she stood up and walked over.

"Have you finished chatting?"

"The chat is over."

Xu Chen looked at the staff again:
"Where is Dean Lin?"

“In the banquet room in the back.

The dinner is about to begin, and Dean Lin said he would like to introduce the guests to you..."

Xu Chen: “Okay, thank you.

I’ll be right over…”

……

……

the other side.

Zhao Ling and her assistant Miao Xiaoyu have already boarded a taxi heading to the airport.

Miao Xiaoyu typed on her phone while saying, "Boss, I can sort out the information at the airport and send it to Dongchen Advertising."

Zhao Ling nodded, but sighed softly.

Miao Xiaoyu: "Is it reliable?

Even Ogilvy’s proposal was rejected by Robin…”

Zhao Ling: "There is no other way now. We should first convince Mr. Xu to come up with a plan. Maybe there will be a surprise."

She paused, then asked:
"You still have two plans in your hand, right?"

Miao Xiaoyu: "That's right! McCann's bright and smart proposals were just sent to me these past two days.

There are also proposals from two 4A companies, which are expected to be given after New Year’s Day.”

Zhao Ling: "Let's put it on hold for now. After the New Year's Day holiday is over, I'll try to find a way to talk to Dongchen Advertising.

If they can come up with a plan, they can show it to Robin together."

Miao Xiaoyu: "Okay."

Zhao Ling frowned and pondered for a moment, then spoke in a low voice:

“It’s really surprising that the case of ‘fear of getting angry’ was handled by such a small local advertising company.

But it is incredible that a freshman like him could come up with such an industry-disrupting case.”

"And the slogan he made for 'Baidu Knows' is also really good..."

……

……

Meeting place.

Xu Chen looked at Xie Bingran and said:

"I don't think I'll be able to spare the time to accompany you at the dinner party later.

If Brother Bing finds it boring, I will take you back to the hotel first.

I'll take you out for a midnight snack at night."

Xie Bingran took a half step towards Xu Chen and squeezed his right hand:
"I'll follow you, you don't have to worry about me."

Xu Chen smiled and said, "Okay, I can't bear to leave you either."

Xie Bingran looked down at the two hands he was holding:

"Did I just...hurt your hand?"

Xu Chen: "Yeah, Brother Bing's grip is really strong!"

Xie Bingran lowered his head:
"I was so happy to hear that you won the award."

Xu Chen: "Then you have to compensate me."

Xie Bingran narrowed his eyes, seeming to show a hint of alertness.

Xu Chen gave a wicked smile, "Hehe".

……

……

The banquet hall was crowded with people.

It seems to be in the form of a buffet and cocktail party, which should be convenient for everyone to communicate.

There were also many Tencent product and business introductions displayed around the banquet hall, which showed that this dinner was also sponsored by Tencent.

Xu Chen had already seen Dean Lin Ruyang from a distance, so he turned around and whispered to Xie Bingran:

"I can't accompany you."

Xie Bingran: "Don't worry about me."

Xu Chen: "Then find something to eat by yourself."

He smiled again:
“As long as you wear a hat, the mask should be fine.

No one would have guessed that a sports star who won an Asian Games gold medal would sneak in at this kind of event."

"Oh."

……

……

Dean Lin Ruyang, who was communicating with a few people, also saw Xu Chen from afar.

He looked very happy and waved to Xu Chen with a smile.

Only then did Xu Chen half-bend his body and hurried over to greet him.

Before he even got close, he heard Dean Lin's hearty laughter, and he stretched out his hand and pulled Xu Chen to his side:

"Let me formally introduce you to my beloved disciple!"

……

There are mainly three groups of people attending the dinner today.

The experts, scholars and advertising tycoons on the "Great Wall Award" judging committee, senior executives of brand clients, and advertisers who have won the "Great Wall Award".

Lin Ruyang pulled Xu Chen aside and introduced him to all the acquaintances and bigwigs in the academic and creative circles.

The old man was obviously showing off as he kept calling his disciple his beloved disciple.

This was naturally a good thing for Xu Chen. It helped him expand his network instantly and get to know a lot of great people in the circle.

The business cards of "Dongchen Advertising" were also successfully distributed, which expanded the company's recognition and influence in the industry.

Mo Kangsun, an advertising tycoon from Hong Kong Island, joked:

“To be honest, I have never heard of ‘Dongchen Advertising’ before.

I thought a young genius in the industry emerged from a small local company.

I'm actually still thinking about inviting Xu Chen to join us at McCann Bright...

Later I found out that Dongchen Advertising was his own company.”

Liang Weifeng, partner of BBDO and a famous advertising man in Singapore, said:

"I've actually heard of Dongchen Advertising and Mr. Xu a long time ago!"

Hearing this, several other big guys around him became interested.

Liang Weifeng smiled awkwardly:
"Jeep was originally a project of our BBDO, but we lost to 'Dongchen Advertising' in the project competition."

Several other bigwigs in the circle thought to themselves, "So that's how it is," and did not forget to tease Liang Weifeng a few times.

Liang Weifeng looked at Xu Chen and said with a smile:

"Vincent also spoke highly of Mr. Xu, and I have always wanted to find an opportunity to meet him."

Vincent, of course, refers to BBDO’s creative director Liu Wenqin.

Xu Chen held the wine glass in his hand and clinked it with Liang Weifeng:
"Mr. Liang, you are too polite! You are a senior and creative person, and I have admired you for a long time."

Although he was surrounded by real industry leaders, Xu Chen did not show any fear.

The emotional intelligence he displayed, which was far beyond his actual age, also surprised a number of academic and industry leaders.

……

During the dinner, some brands also took the initiative to come and get to know Xu Chen.

Xu Chen was still warm and polite. After all, if the brand came to get to know him, it meant possible future business and orders.

Since the award-winning advertisement for the herbal tea of "Wang Laoshun" was won by "Dongchen Advertising", several domestic fast-moving consumer goods and food and beverage clients approached the company.

Xu Chen naturally accepted everyone who came and exchanged business cards with them one by one, getting to know them very politely.

Among them, two or three companies expressed their desire to discuss some advertising business.

Xu Chen looked at the products and brands of the two companies, but he was not very interested.

For small third- and fourth-tier brands, the promotion budget will not be very high...

But we were still polite and exchanged contact information, saying that we could communicate later.

Xu Chen is still very interested in several of these brands.

For example, BMW Mini’s customers, a first-tier milk tea brand, two real estate developers, etc.

They are all the kind of people who have "more money and less work"...

The other party was a senior executive and might not know the specific project requirements, but they all expressed some willingness to cooperate.

For Dongchen Advertising, this means the accumulation of some potential business and orders, which is naturally a huge gain.

(End of this chapter)