Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 55 Publicity and Marketing Strategies
Cao Zhong downed all three cups of wine without eating a single bite.

"Director Cao is young and promising, and he's so polite even when drinking."

This was the first time Yu Dong and Wang Zhongjun had met Cao Zhong, and they were surprised to find that Cao Zhong was quite bold.

But when he said he was from Shandong, I understood.

But after Cao Zhong made his attitude clear, both of them felt a warmth in their hearts and raised their glasses to drink together.

Finish this glass of wine.

"Have something to eat," Han Sanpin tapped the table, his heart itching. "Director Cao, let's put the drinking aside for now and finish our business first. If we get drunk later, this dinner will have been a waste. We're all family here, so let's just say what we have to say."

Cao Zhong smiled and said without hesitation, "Okay, Mr. Han, is there anything you'd like to say about the publicity and promotion?"

Han Sanpin shook his head.

Cao Zhong's eyes suddenly sharpened.
"Alright, since Mr. Han has no objections, then let me speak."

Han Sanpin felt something was off; he felt like he had heard those words somewhere before.

Cao Zhong took a sip of tea and cleared his throat.

"You have all seen this movie. Regarding its quality, I believe the three of you will have your own opinions and agree that it is a good movie."

Cao Zhong's tone was full of confidence.

The three of them did not think Cao Zhong was arrogant.

"But as the saying goes, even the best wine needs a good location. In the current domestic film market environment, attracting people to the cinema and whether the film is good or not are two different things."

Han Sanpin wholeheartedly agreed with these words.

The reason why blockbusters use the word "big" is to refer to large-scale scenes, big stars, and grand structures, so as to generate significant public buzz, which greatly helps the film's promotion and distribution.

However, in the past two years, Hollywood blockbusters have seen their box office revenue rise higher and higher, while domestic blockbusters have failed to make a splash.

Crazy Stone is a good movie, but too few people have seen it.

When Cao Zhongneng said this, Han Sanpin understood that the kid was genuinely thoughtful.

Yu Dong and Wang Zhongjun nodded in agreement. Anyone in the film industry knows how difficult it is to get audiences into movie theaters.

"If this movie wants to generate more buzz and achieve better box office results, it must put a lot of effort into its publicity and distribution."

Everyone stared intently at Cao Zhong. What he said was true, but it was as if he hadn't said anything at all.

Cao Zhong, noticing the anticipation of the crowd, continued, "I do have some publicity plans here."

"Appreciate further details."

Han Sanpin said.

"In my view, the marketing and distribution of a film can be broken down into five dimensions,"

Cao Zhongdao said, "Audience positioning, market competition, environmental factors, content quality, and marketing promotion."

"This film, 'Nanjing Photo Studio,' is set for the 70th anniversary of the victims' deaths this year, and its target audience spans the entire country. It also enjoys a uniquely advantageous environment. As for the quality of the content, the three of you have already seen it."

I believe that as long as we follow the rhythm, these three points will naturally fall into place.

That leaves only the last two: market competition and marketing promotion.

Yu Dong and Wang Zhongjun's eyes flickered slightly as they listened. Although Cao Zhong was young and a director, he spoke with great clarity and eloquence.

Most importantly, they all agreed with these words, which showed that Cao Zhong had put in a lot of effort. Han Sanpin raised his head and thought for a moment, "In terms of market competition, if we include one to two months of promotion time, the earliest it can be released is June. On June 12, there is 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,' in July, on July 3 there is a documentary 'Nanjing,' on July 12 there is 'Transformers,' and on July 31 there is 'Secret.' The pressure is immense."

"In August..."

Han Sanpin was thinking,

Cao Zhong didn't give him time to think further and said directly, "President Han, my suggestion is to hold it on August 15th."

Wang Zhongjun's heart skipped a beat. Huayi Brothers' co-produced film "Flash Point" was also scheduled for release in August. If Cao Zhong chose the date, they would definitely clash.

Yu Dong naturally understood the meaning of August 15th, but remained silent.

Han Sanpin nodded, not intending to back down any further, and said, "It's up to me."

“That means we still have nearly four months for publicity and promotion, which is enough,” Wang Zhongjun said, drawing on his experience.

Cao Zhong explained, "At this time, it is right at the tail end of the summer movie season, which doesn't seem like a good time, but it has symbolic significance. We can promote it in this regard, and there will be more room for discussion later."

Yu Dong and Wang Zhongjun's eyes lit up: "Your idea is good, but it's probably not enough on its own."

Cao Zhongdao said, "Therefore, I have a few suggestions."

"First of all, this film will have a long-term, high-density preview strategy starting on August 1st. I am very confident in the word-of-mouth of this film, so I think this word-of-mouth explosion method can only benefit the film's box office and not harm it. Perhaps as a new director, I can't have much driving force for this film, but word-of-mouth can drive the screening schedule."

"Secondly, during the preview screenings, we can provide a certain amount of ticket subsidies, that is, low-priced tickets, to attract moviegoers to enter the theater and rely on their word-of-mouth to increase the film's visibility."

"Third, at the official level, I don't know if President Han can push for a certain amount of publicity. I will also talk to the publicity departments of JS Province and NJ City about the content of this movie."

"Fourth, there are the conventional promotional methods for movies, such as trailers, posters, subway and bus advertisements, and full-channel promotion through events attended by the main creative team."

"Fifth, although August is the end of the summer movie season, it will soon be the start of the school year in September. I think this movie is also a very good patriotic education practice for employees of the system, enterprises and institutions, college students, high school students, and junior high school students, and it can be used to guide public opinion."

Cao Zhong had originally considered linking the movie directly with "The First Lesson of the New Semester," but later discovered that "The First Lesson of the New Semester" had not yet been broadcast.

However, these five promotional strategies, especially the concepts of long-term previews, ticket subsidies to attract audiences, and word-of-mouth-driven scheduling, impressed Wang Zhongjun and Yu Dong.

This is something I can learn!
Write this down in your notebook!

They can use it next time too.

Wang Zhongjun was quite shrewd. He stopped writing halfway through and suddenly realized a problem: good word-of-mouth drives film scheduling, but bad word-of-mouth means everything is over.

This is a double-edged sword!

After Cao Zhong finished speaking, everyone turned to look at Han Sanpin, waiting for him to make the decision.

Wang Zhongjun and Yu Dong understood that Cao Zhong probably wanted to use their publicity resources to bring them along.

At the official level, China Film Group is very strong.

However, in other aspects of promotion, China Film Group cannot compete with Huayi Brothers and Bona Film Group.

Han Sanpin pondered for a moment,
"Cao Zhong, what is your expected print run for this film?"

Cao Zhong raised his head: "At least seven hundred, the more the better."

As soon as these words came out,
All six eyes were dumbfounded.

"Director Cao is very confident."

Wang Zhongjun had no idea how Cao Zhong came up with those words.

You're already like this after just three drinks?
(End of this chapter)