BMG's New Era
"Mr. Blackstone, are you serious?" a reporter yelled over the din.
"You're dropping all your artists?"
Brandon nodded, his expression unwavering.
"Every. Single. One."
The crowd erupted, a wave of disbelief crashing over them. Reporters leaned forward, microphones trembling in their hands, waiting for him to explain.
Brandon raised his hands, commanding silence, the room falling into a tense, expectant hush.
"Settle down, settle down,"
Brandon's voice cut through the rising noise like a knife, a hint of a grin tugging at his lips.
"I haven't lost my mind—at least, not completely," he added with a wink, his charisma effortlessly diffusing the tension.
"I'm pleased to announce that I will be personally investing 30 million into Blackstone Music Group, to breathe new life into it and show that I mean what I say."
The reporters hushed, hanging on his every word.
"We're in the works of planning a reality show where we will host auditions for music talent from all walks of life to join BMG as signed artists. Regardless of your age, gender, or look, we prioritize one thing and that is your voice."
Murmurs of excitement rippled through the crowd. Some reporters furiously scribbled notes, while others gaped in astonishment.
Jessie's eyes widened, a mix of admiration and shock on her face. Andre pumped his fist silently, grinning from ear to ear.
Isabella's mind kicked into overdrive, dissecting Brandon's announcement from every angle. This wasn't just a bold move; it was marketing dynamite.
The potential for buzz was astronomical.
A complete clean slate, a reality show, a focus on raw talent – it hit all the right notes for today's audience.
She imagined the headlines: "Blackstone Music Group: The Phoenix Rising from Corruption's Ashes."
The narrative practically wrote itself. A young, charismatic CEO taking a stand against industry rot, championing authenticity in a world of manufactured pop. It was the kind of story that could captivate millions.
Isabella's fingers twitched, itching to grab her phone and start crafting social media campaigns.
Hashtags, teaser trailers, behind-the-scenes exclusives—they flashed before her mind's eye like neon signs, each idea brighter than the last.
The possibilities seemed endless, a kaleidoscope of viral potential waiting to be unleashed.
She locked eyes with Brandon, a newfound respect blossoming. This kid wasn't just talking big; he was thinking big.
Brandon's confidence radiated as he delivered his final announcement.
"We will launch an official press conference in the following weeks," he declared, his voice carrying a hint of mischief.
"But since you fine people are here, how about returning the favor for giving ya'll so many headlines?"
A ripple of intrigue swept through the crowd. Brandon leaned in, as if sharing a secret.
"BMG is on the hunt for the unsung heroes of the music industry," he said, his tone conspiratorial.
"Those brilliant minds who've been stifled by dirty politics and scandals. The ones who still believe in the power of a damn good song."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
The reporters leaned forward, pens poised.
"So, help a young CEO out will ya?," Brandon continued, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Spread the word… BMG's doors are wide open to anyone who's sick of the bullshit and just wants to be in a company that makes kickass music."
The crowd erupted, shouting questions and waving recorders. Brandon held up a hand, his smile widening.
"Now, now, that's all the time we have today. I'm sure you understand why," He winked at the cameras.
"But stick around, folks. This is just the beginning of BMG's renaissance."
With a final wave, Brandon turned on his heel, gesturing for Jessie, Isabella, and Andre to follow.
As they made their way through the building, Brandon could feel the energy buzzing around him.
Employees stopped and stared, whispering excitedly as he passed.
He caught snippets of conversation—
"Did you hear?"...
"A reality show?"...
"All new artists?"
—and couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
The group filed into the meeting room, closing the door behind them.
Brandon let out a deep breath, the weight of what he'd just done finally settling on his shoulders.
He looked around at the faces of his executives, a mix of shock, excitement, and apprehension evident in their expressions.
"Well," he said, breaking the silence. "I'd say that went pretty well, wouldn't you?"
"Well, that was quite the show, boss," Andre chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.
Brandon grinned, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through his veins.
"Sometimes you gotta shake things up to make real change happen."
"Alright, team," he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us. Legal, I need you to start drafting new contracts and policies. We're going to set the gold standard for artist treatment in this industry."
The Head of the Legal Department nodded, already pulling out his tablet to make notes.
Brandon turned to Jessie, his eyes sharp with determination.
"Jessie, I need you to compile a list of hires we need at BMG. Rank them by urgency."
He paused, his jaw tightening.
"And while we're cleaning house, let's go all in. Anyone who doesn't fit the new BMG vision needs to go."
Jessie's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. She fidgeted with her pen, her knuckles turning white.
"Are you sure? That could mean..."
"Losing the another half of the company?"
Brandon finished, his voice steady. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"If that's what it takes, so be it. I trust your judgment."
Jessie's heart pounded in her chest as she processed the enormity of Brandon's command.
Her mind raced with the potential fallout—the lawsuits, the backlash. Her fingers tightened around her pen, knuckles whitening.
"But... the fallout, the lawsuits…" she stammered, her voice betraying her unease.
Brandon's lips quirked into a half-smile.
"We'll handle it together. This is our chance to build something revolutionary, let's do it right."
Jessie took a deep breath, her posture slowly straightening. She met Brandon's gaze, a spark of determination igniting in her eyes. "Alright. I'll get started right away."
Brandon nodded, satisfaction evident in his expression. "Good. We're not just changing BMG. We're changing the industry."
"Isabella was it?," Brandon continued, turning to the Head of Marketing.
"I want a full PR strategy on my desk by tomorrow. We need to control the narrative and build excitement for our new direction."
Isabella's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Already on it, Boss. I've got some ideas that'll blow your mind."
"That's what I like to hear," Brandon said, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Oh and Isabella, I want you to work closely with Jessie. Form a group and brainstorm some ideas for our audition reality show. This is our first major move in the industry, and it's our best shot at buying time while we rebuild our A&R department from scratch."
He stood up, his presence commanding the room.
"Alright, folks. That's a wrap for now. Get to work – BMG's future is counting on you."
As the team began to gather their things, Brandon's voice cut through the shuffle.
"Oh, and just to be clear," he added, his tone dropping to a more serious register, "I wasn't joking about my 30 million capital injection. Do your best, and you will be rewarded. There are many things I lack, but as a Blackstone, money isn't one of them."
The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Brandon. He let his gaze sweep across each face, his expression hardening.
"But let me make this crystal clear," he continued, his voice low and intense.
"There is to be no more funny business in our new home. I buried Julian and his cronies under the prison in a single day. Test me, and you'll end up just like them."
Brandon held the silence for a moment longer, letting his words sink in.
Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the intensity vanished from his face, replaced by a charming smile.
"Now, let's make history, shall we?"
With that, he strode out of the room, leaving his team to process the whirlwind of emotions and directives they'd just experienced.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Brandon paused for a brief moment, the murmur of excited voices swelling in his wake. The air buzzed with possibility, the old BMG fading into memory as the dawn of a new era began.