Chapter 424: Shareholding Ratio

Chapter 424: Chapter 424: Shareholding Ratio

Britney’s contract with Jive has not officially ended yet.

Back then, under Irene’s interference, the contract duration signed by both parties was not very long.

Starting from 1997, it would be exactly eight years by next year when the contract expired.

Therefore, Britney had spent two-thirds of this year holding concerts to rake in money for Jive.

After all, no one wanted to easily let go of a cash cow like Britney.

However, whether it was Britney’s own attitude or the presence of Irene Coppola and Edward Nelson standing behind her, they were entities Jive could not manipulate.

The kind of coercion through public opinion and capital control that happened in her previous life would never happen again this time.

Therefore, Britney’s current mindset was very relaxed, especially when Irene told her that she was planning to open a record company with her and specifically produce a variety show for her.

She felt like the happiest person in the world; how could she have such a wonderful sister?

Edward Nelson only knew that Irene and Britney were preparing to open a company together, and he was extremely surprised.

He did not expect Irene to be able to do this much for Britney.

As her boyfriend, he had actually considered how Britney should develop after her contract expired, and had even silently investigated the situation of other record companies.

But as for supporting Britney in opening her own record company, he really had not thought of that.

After all, establishing a company was simple, and neither Britney nor Irene was short on money, but developing the company could not be successful relying on Britney alone.

The most important core team configuration, including independent A&R, producers, planning and publicity, executive agents, and copyright specialists, were all essential personnel.

There were also distribution channels and copyright control; neither was a simple matter.

More importantly, the company needed other singers to tap into fresh blood.

It was impossible to support a record company relying on Britney alone.

These were all difficulties for Britney and Irene.

Therefore, deep down, Edward viewed this matter with a skeptical attitude.

However, there had been too many successful cases for Irene in the past, and Britney was also in high spirits, which made him not dare to question it or even offer a dissenting opinion.

On the day of the meeting, Robert took the lead in reporting all the pre-process steps for the well-organized preparatory work.

"Currently, we have completed market research, industry qualification verification, and music scene analysis. Right now, North American independent record companies are in a window of rise.

The model of breaking free from the constraints of traditional major labels, focusing on personalized singer incubation, and original music production is very suitable for our layout.

At the same time, business registration, industry license application processes, copyright filing rules, and artist signing specifications have all been sorted out on my end.

As long as we finalize the equity structure and the attribution entity, we can start the registration process at any time and complete the company’s establishment within one month at the earliest."

Jean Williams followed immediately, adding details on the financial and risk control aspects.

"From the perspective of capital structure, relying on the television station’s variety show star-making system, paired with an exclusive record company, we can form a complete closed loop of ’audition incubation — artist signing — song production — copyright distribution — commercial monetization.’ The costs are controllable, the returns are long-term, and the risk resistance is far higher than a single film or television project. It is a very high-quality long-term asset."

After everyone finalized the company’s positioning, business scope, and operation model one by one, Irene put forward her initial equity plan.

"The core foundation of this record company is Britney’s personal influence, reputation in the music scene, and national popularity, which is also the core brand of our future music track. I am responsible for resources, capital, channels, and project underwriting. Therefore, I suggest that the company entity be registered directly under Britney’s name as her exclusive private property. Britney will contribute 60%, I will hold 30%, and the remaining 10% can be left for you to operate."

"Operating" meant that they could join in themselves or attract other investors to join.

After all, the two brands of Irene Coppola and Britney Spears could still attract quite a few capitalists.

Someone like Ella Walker from CAA would presumably be willing to make a private investment.

After their variety show became successful later on, there would be more Wall Street wolves holding cash wanting to get a piece of the pie.

At that time, they might be forced by the situation to make concessions, and the shares would definitely decrease, but the current equity division was very necessary.

This proposal was the result of Irene’s careful consideration.

She had no intention of carving up the core assets of the music track; she only wanted to pave the way for Britney and help her firmly stand at the top of the industry.

But as the words fell, the previously relaxed expression on Britney’s face faded instantly, and a layer of undisguised concern and dilemma welled up in her eyes.

She was silent for a moment, frowning slightly, her tone carrying a bit of exhaustion and helplessness.

"Irene, I am very grateful that you are thinking of me so much. I can afford this money, but I cannot accept this plan."

Amidst the puzzled gazes of everyone, Britney slowly revealed her concerns, every word sincere.

"You should know about my family—my parents, relatives—who have relied on my resources to live for years and habitually reach out to ask for things.

For these years, I have been paying money to avoid trouble, trying my best to satisfy their material needs, just to live a stable life. Right now, I am just a simple artist and singer, my income is transparent, and my industry status is clear, so they can at most ask for money for subsidies.

But once I have an independent record company under my name, which is a real, tangible industry and capital asset, once the business information is publicized, they will definitely become completely jealous, endlessly coming to pester me, demanding shares, interfering with management, and carving up the profits. This group of parasites will never be satisfied; they will only push for more."

Upon hearing this, Irene understood instantly.

After careful thought, she understood Britney’s worry and also knew that this concern was by no means groundless anxiety.

Over these years, the reason why Britney’s family had always maintained a relatively well-behaved state and dared not to act too recklessly was, on one hand, because Britney had compromised and retreated all these years, spending money to maintain stability, and on the other hand, the most core source of confidence was the Coppola family’s circle influence and Irene’s deterrent power.

With the endorsement of an old Hollywood family like Coppola, plus Irene’s current status in Hollywood which was in full swing, others dared not easily provoke her, and Britney’s family was even more wary, not daring to cause trouble wantonly or excessively drain her blood.

But a privately held entity company was a completely different matter.

Once the company was registered under Britney’s personal name, it belonged to publicly verifiable private assets, which was equivalent to placing a piece of fatty meat directly in front of a group of greedy parasites.

Without layers of barriers to shield it, the family’s greed would only erupt completely, leading to endless pestering, demands, and interference in management, which would eventually drag down the company’s operations and even destroy the career and reputation that Britney had worked so hard to accumulate.

Irene nodded slightly, her tone calm as she soothed.

"You are right; it was my lack of consideration. Simply registering it under your name carries too much risk and too many hidden dangers."