Chapter 337: Endorsement Deal

In the world of independent art films in Hollywood, Harvey is undoubtedly a significant figure. However, his influence in the fashion and modeling realms is notably limited.

Upon hearing Georgina's remarks, Martin's mind raced, and he swiftly replied, "I happen to know a few supermodels." Georgina appeared surprised, but with departing guests on her mind, she could only request, "Martin, can you stay a bit longer? We'll talk later, perhaps?"

Martin agreed, saying, "Of course."

Georgina went to see off the departing guests.

Meanwhile, Kate stayed back with Martin and inquired, "What's your plan?"

Martin glanced at the hall and explained, "She's your best friend, and you introduced me to her. I'm here to help, for your sake."

Kate nodded, recognizing Martin's discretion regarding his personal life. She suggested, "Let's go inside and wait."

After a while, Georgina entered the room, visibly fatigued.

Kate asked, "Has everyone left?"

Georgina slouched on the sofa chair, her exhaustion evident. She expressed, "Building a career for a woman is truly demanding. It requires an immense effort."

Turning to Martin and Kate, she smiled and continued, "Fortunately, I have the support of friends like you."

Martin chimed in, saying, "I'm acquainted with some supermodels who frequently appear in the Victoria's Secret Show. I can introduce you to them." The negotiations, including pricing and brand suitability, were left to Georgina.

Georgina reminded them, "The five signed angels of Victoria's Secret cannot endorse other clothing brands."

Martin acknowledged, "I understand."

The three of them engaged in a productive discussion and left a bit later.

As Martin departed from the villa, it was nearly 11 o'clock in the evening.

Saying his farewells to Georgina, he walked Kate to the parking lot and extended an invitation, "Shall we find a place to chat for a while?"

Kate's eyes remained on Martin as she explained, "My daughter, Mia, is in Los Angeles, and I promised to be with her tonight."

Understanding the importance of family, Martin replied, "Of course. Give my regards to her."

He headed to his car, where Bruce awaited. Martin asked for the gift, and Bruce promptly retrieved a two-piece gift set.

Martin handed it to Kate, stating, "I didn't bring the right one, so I'll start with this set of figurines and pendants. I'll add more later."

Kate appreciated the gesture, although she initially declined, eventually accepting it. She admitted, "Between us, there's no need for such formality."

With a smile, Kate added, "I've been wanting to find a godfather for Mia, and you're a good fit."

Martin readily agreed, "No problem. Introduce me to her when you have the chance." He couldn't help but comment, "Originally, I wanted to be the godfather of Leo's child."

Kate chuckled, "You might have to wait a bit for that."

With their conversation concluded, Martin waved and wished her goodnight.

Kate entered her car, and Bruce, at the wheel of the Escalade, inquired, "Where to tonight?"

Martin fastened his seatbelt, responding, "Back home to get some rest. Starting today, I need to recharge."

He knew that Leonardo was reaching out to supermodels, and Martin didn't want to miss this opportunity.

In another setting:

At the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, a team comprising members from the Cadillac Planning Department and the Legal Department had been in Los Angeles for almost a week.

During their morning meeting, each team member reported on the progress of their respective tasks.

Larris from the Legal Department explained, "Over the past few days, I've had several meetings with Brad Pitt's agent and lawyer. Currently, Brad Pitt is under house arrest in Beverly Hills, unable to leave his home. To terminate the contract, we need to visit him in person."

Team leader Johnson emphasized, "Let's expedite the contract termination. Every day we're associated with Brad Pitt causes more harm to Cadillac's reputation. Public opinion across the United States is unanimous in condemning him, which is negatively affecting Cadillac's image."

Larris pointed out, "Terminating the contract is relatively straightforward, but seeking liquidated damages might be more challenging."

Johnson concurred, "First, let's terminate the contract quickly. We can pursue the damages at a later stage."

Larris assured, "I'll work on it as soon as possible."

Johnson turned to Michelle from the planning department and inquired, "What are your thoughts on our new spokesperson?"

Michelle suggested, "Someone recommended Matt Damon to me. He gained fame through the first two Bourne films, and if things go smoothly, the third installment, releasing next year, should also be a success."

However, someone raised objections, citing Damon's average image and the perception that he had a melancholic appearance unsuitable for the role of a successful Cadillac owner.

Michelle concurred, saying, "I share the same concerns."

Another team member proposed, "What about Ben Affleck?"

However, another member disagreed, asserting that Affleck's status had diminished, particularly following the failure of "Daredevil," and he hadn't had any significant work for several years.

After Michelle presented her candidate, a voice in the discussion objected, "I have another candidate, but he's not a client of CAA. We've had prior cooperation with CAA."

Johnson, unfazed by the agency, responded, "For Cadillac, whether it's CAA, WMA, or any other agency, it doesn't make a difference. Tell me about this candidate."

Michelle introduced Martin Davis, a movie star represented by William Morris. She highlighted Davis's impressive credentials, including his status as a Hollywood star, an American hero, an honorary citizen of Los Angeles, and his role in assisting the FBI in catching Russian spies.

One member immediately chimed in, "Martin Davis is a better fit than Matt Damon."

Several others concurred, praising Davis's personal image and demeanor, mentioning his recent work with Leonardo in "The Departed," and highlighting his stability and alignment with Cadillac's market strategy.

Johnson considered this candidate carefully. Michelle then presented a slideshow with newspaper clippings showcasing Davis's loyalty to Cadillac, especially his use of black Escalades at public events.

Johnson examined the clippings attentively, some of which dated back to 2004, indicating a consistent alignment between Davis and Cadillac.

As he reviewed the materials, Michelle signaled her assistant to change the pictures. After a few minutes, Johnson declared, "Misha, you're responsible for contacting Martin Davis and his agent. The terms of the endorsement contract can follow the approach we took with Brad Pitt."

Michelle promptly responded, "I'll take care of it right away."

The meeting concluded with two significant outcomes: Cadillac terminated its contract with Brad Pitt and initiated contact with Martin Davis regarding endorsement matters.

As Christmas approached, Martin and Bruce packed their bags. After spending Thanksgiving in Atlanta, they planned a holiday vacation, with a visit to Miami followed by a trip to a private island in the Caribbean to celebrate a special Christmas.

As they prepared, the doorbell rang. Bruce answered it, and Thomas entered the living room with a few newspapers, bearing good news. Cadillac had expressed interest in making Martin its global image spokesperson. Thomas had actively recommended Martin to Cadillac.

Appreciating the effort, Martin commended Thomas for his efficiency. The endorsement contract had the potential to be worth tens of millions of dollars annually.

Thomas expressed his plans to work during the holiday season to organize the necessary materials for the negotiations. He confirmed that the endorsement deal with Brioni had mostly been negotiated, with only a few details remaining, including a yearly endorsement fee of $6 million for a tentative two-year contract. Additionally, negotiations with Coca-Cola were set to be renewed, indicating significant potential for additional multi-million-dollar endorsement contracts.

Martin entrusted these tasks to Thomas, and Martin inquired about the alignment of the endorsement contract with his salary.

Thomas estimated, "A superstar with an exceptional image like Brad Pitt can typically command $10 million to $15 million for a single endorsement. However, these figures can vary. Top-tier names can earn even more, but that's quite a blessing for the star himself."

Martin understood and likened it to the world of high-style art films.

Thomas confirmed, "Absolutely. The ceiling for endorsements in the industry is currently held by Leonardo, who rarely accepts ads and has refused any below $15 million."

Reflecting on the situation, Martin sighed, "Who wouldn't envy Leonardo?"

However, Thomas reminded him, "Leonardo's new movie didn't perform well at the box office."

Martin picked up a newspaper, reading about "Blood Diamond," which had a strong reputation but struggled at the box office. The film's first weekend in North America had earned just $8.6 million, largely due to its challenging story background and genre.

Martin knew that while the film had a good reputation, its box office success would depend on the international market, and it might not even recover its $100 million production cost. He also acknowledged that the movie industry's factors extended beyond quality to encompass genre and marketing.

Martin attempted to call Leonardo but received a lackadaisical response, with Leonardo urging him to meet at the airport and not delay their departure.

Soon after, Thomas left, and Martin and Bruce drove to Burbank Airport. On the private tarmac, they had leased a business jet to take them to Miami for their Christmas vacation.