Chapter 422: Another Way to Collaborate

Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Another Way to Collaborate

She candidly voiced the doubts in her heart.

"I almost never take any commercial endorsements, business appearances, or commercial events. I do not have any artist-style business revenue streams. From me, CAA can only extract project commissions from my work as a director, screenwriter, and producer. Compared to the tens of millions in business income that Will Smith or top-tier stars easily generate, the book profits I can create for CAA are actually far less than those of top artists. He has absolutely no need to be so obsessed with my agency rights."

This was a fact that everyone in the industry knew well.

Irene Coppola’s value never lay in short-term cash flow; she had no commercial premium like an artist, and the book profits she could bring to the agency were extremely limited.

Yet Ella Walker had always been persistent, repeatedly taking the initiative to show goodwill and wanting to get involved.

This persistence was truly abnormal.

Robert chuckled upon hearing this.

"Irene Coppola, it is you who has not fully understood where your value lies. What Ella Walker lacks has never been your meager project commissions. What he truly wants is not monetary profit, but a unique power position within CAA."

He slowed his speaking pace, calmly analyzing the power structure within CAA.

"CAA’s internal rules have always been cruel; they do not rely on seniority or years of service, but only on ability, resources, and the influence of the artists under one’s management. Shelly’s status at CAA has risen with the tide over the years. Today, his speaking power, influence, and authority to allocate resources are already in no way inferior to those of Ella Walker, who is the CEO. And all of Shelly’s confidence, capital, connections, and status were entirely bestowed upon him by you."

"As long as you are here, Shelly will always hold the top film resources in Hollywood, the scarcest Oscar-contending projects, and the hottest commercial IPs," Robert continued to break down the logic.

"A constant stream of A-list actors, potential newcomers, and top creators will actively flock to Shelly’s team, just to vie for the project resources in your hands. As time goes on, the number of top-tier artists, talented creators, and emerging talents under Shelly will continue to grow, and his team’s power will continue to expand. Sooner or later, it will completely shake, or even surpass, Ella Walker’s ruling position at CAA."

Finally, he stated the most core and secret key reason, completely resolving Irene Coppola’s doubts.

"Also, you should not have forgotten that the founder of CAA is Michael Ovitz. Ella Walker witnessed firsthand the pattern of the founder controlling the entire company single-handedly. He absolutely cannot tolerate another Ovitz-style figure using top-tier resources to control half of CAA’s territory again. Regardless of whether Shelly himself has the intention to seize power or the ambition to expand, in Ella Walker’s eyes, as long as you are still supporting Shelly’s influence, he is his greatest potential threat. His desire to enter the game and become your co-agent is essentially to divide power, check and balance Shelly, and solidify his own position as CEO."

Irene Coppola suddenly realized.

"If you put it that way, I understand."

With Irene Coppola’s consent, Ella Walker soon took time out of his schedule to arrive at Echo Pictures and held a one-on-one in-depth meeting with Irene Coppola.

After sitting down, Ella Walker spoke first, candidly and straightforwardly stating his position and requests.

"Irene Coppola, I will not beat around the bush," Ella Walker lifted his eyes slightly, his tone sincere and direct. "I have always hoped to become your co-agent. The outside world might think I covet the project commissions in your hands, but you and I both know that I have no need to expend effort to fight for such meager earnings. What I truly want to do is to be deeply bound to you. Every layout of yours, every new project, is subverting the inherent rules of the industry. My existing resources are something that Shelly would not be able to reach even with a few more years of effort. Our collaboration would be a long-term win-win, far more valuable than short-term interests."

After Robert’s previous analysis, she had long since seen through Ella Walker’s deep-seated intentions.

The so-called deep binding was, after all, about power checks and balances within CAA; the other party wanted to use her resources to solidify his position and check Shelly.

But she did not expose him; she just listened quietly, then gave her response in a calm tone but with a firm attitude.

"Ella Walker, I am very grateful for your recognition and esteem," Irene Coppola said, her pace even, not wanting to completely offend the other party. "But my working mode has been fixed for many years, with Shelly handling all my affairs from start to finish. We have worked together for many years, are sufficiently in sync, and worry-free; there has never been any slip-up. Adding a co-agent would instead increase communication layers, disrupt the existing efficient rhythm, and breed unnecessary internal friction. Therefore, I can only politely decline your request."

Ella Walker was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, a hint of obvious disappointment flashing in his eyes.

But he was not angry; he just gave a helpless chuckle and nodded candidly.

"I had expected this. Your personality has always been such that once you have made up your mind, you will not easily change your decision. I understand."

After these words, the reception room fell into a brief silence.

Ella Walker inevitably felt regret; missing the opportunity to enter Irene Coppola’s core circle was equivalent to missing the key bargaining chip to check Shelly.

"Although the agency collaboration model does not suit me, I can give you a brand-new, more long-term cooperation opportunity today," Irene Coppola looked up at Ella Walker, her gaze clear and firm.

It was not that Irene Coppola did not understand the balance of human relationships; she did not want to accept the television station resources and connections provided by Ella Walker for nothing and owe him a favor.

Therefore, she chose to throw out a blockbuster cooperation blueprint that was enough to smooth over all regrets and whose value far exceeded agency rights.

Ella Walker instantly looked up, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Oh? I would like to hear the details."

"Our plan to acquire local television stations has been finalized, and next, we will fully build the content broadcast channel belonging to Echo Pictures," Irene Coppola said unhurriedly, slowly detailing her complete layout. "After the channel is established, I will immediately launch a brand-new national music variety show. The format is one that has never appeared in North America, called ’The Voice’."

Ella Walker leaned forward slightly, his expression serious.

"A brand-new music variety show? Singing competitions are endless in the market right now. What is special about your new model?"

"Blind auditions throughout," Irene Coppola used four simple words to precisely point out the core highlight, then explained in detail,

"All judges have their backs to the stage throughout the process, judging strength solely based on the contestant’s singing voice, vocal skills, and timbre, without looking at their looks, figure, appearance, or age at all. As long as the voice is outstanding enough, they can break through and advance, completely breaking the inherent ailment of looks-based talent shows in the entertainment industry."

"After the preliminary selections, there will be judge team formation, intra-team battles, and cross-team confrontations, finally leading to a nationwide live performance where the annual grand champion is chosen by audience voting across the country," Irene Coppola introduced the complete competition format with clear logic.

"The champion can directly obtain a singer contract qualification and formally step into the music scene. This program is specifically designed to unearth talented amateurs buried among the public."

The surprise in Ella Walker’s eyes completely faded, replaced by intense interest, his gaze becoming brighter and brighter.

Having been deeply involved in the entertainment industry for many years, he instantly understood the subversive value of this variety show.