Chapter 709: A Good PR!

Determined to ignite Taylor Swift's creative spark, Martin extended his stay in Nashville for another two days.

The following morning, Karlie Kloss arrived at the manor accompanied by her two model sisters, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.

Introducing them one by one, Karlie said, "This is Kendall Jenner, and this is Gigi Hadid. They're with me at the modeling agency, mostly training and handling some smaller gigs."

Martin greeted them warmly, saying, "Hello, welcome to Nashville."

Gigi, eager to capture the moment, asked, "Martin, mind if I snap a selfie with you and share it on Twitter?"

Not entirely comfortable with the idea, Martin hesitated briefly before agreeing, "Sure, go ahead."

Taking matters into her own hands, Gigi approached Martin, snapped a selfie, and tweeted it out with glee.

Observing Kendall Jenner's striking figure, Martin couldn't help but notice her resemblance to Judy. Despite her exceptional physique, there seemed to be a hint of hesitance in her demeanor.

As Kendall engaged in conversation, Martin acknowledged, "I've heard quite a bit about of you from Kim and Khloe your sisters."

Kendall's gaze shifted past Martin towards Bruce, her expression reflecting a mix of curiosity and complexity.

Seeking permission, Kendall inquired, "May I speak with him?"

Granting her freedom, Martin stepped aside, saying, "Of course, feel free."

Approaching Bruce, Kendall noted his somewhat uneasy demeanor, having seen his images on her sisters' phones numerous times.

Addressing him, she asked, "Are you Bruce? I've seen you on Kim and Khloe's screensavers."

Bruce, trying to maintain composure, responded, "I have some association with them."

Curious, Kendall pressed further, "Are you Kim's boyfriend, or Khloe's?"

Bruce adamantly denied any romantic involvement, retorting, "Neither."

Disappointed, Kendall remarked, "You're just a bodyguard! I can't fathom why my sisters are fixated on you."

As Kendall walked away, Bruce remained silent, grappling with the notion of revealing his wealth to the young woman.

Observing their interaction, Martin couldn't help but ponder the complexities of relationships and perceptions.

Meanwhile, Taylor and Karlie showered Martin with affection, prompting Kendall to consider the possibility of influencing Martin to make changes that might garner the approval of her sisters.

Inaction proved to be more detrimental than action itself as Kendall sought to join in but faced rejection from Taylor, Karlie, and Blake simultaneously.

Maintaining his cautious approach, Martin kept his interactions limited to Karlie's younger sisters, wary of potential risks.

Dismissive of Kendall Jenner's suggestion to dismiss Bruce, Martin regarded it as folly, believing she was speaking without foresight.

Even if the suggestion came from someone as reputable as Elizabeth Olsen, Martin's response would remain unchanged.

Later that afternoon, representatives from Taylor's and Katy Perry's teams convened at the manor to finalize plans.

Taylor personally presented the proposals to Martin for his input.

Reviewing the documents, Martin commented, "Your team demonstrates professionalism in execution. My role is merely to offer ideas."

Taylor acknowledged, "Generating ideas is often the most challenging aspect." She inquired, "Any specific areas we should pay extra attention to?"

After pondering for a moment, Martin advised, "As a singer, your songs are your most powerful response."

Taylor nodded, affirming, "I understand."

As evening fell and the guests departed, the villa once again became a hub for singing competitions.

Taylor approached Martin earnestly, remarking, "I've noticed a significant improvement in my vocal cords and singing voice over the past two years."

Martin assured her, "Don't worry, I can provide further assistance."

Knowing the demands of vocal training, Martin had maintained a high-protein diet in anticipation of his busy schedule in Nashville.

Given Taylor's need to preserve her singing voice, Martin was committed to meeting her requirements.

By the late hours of the night, exhaustion had set in, leaving Martin drained.

The following morning, Martin boarded a flight back to Los Angeles, seeking respite in the first-class cabin after a sleepless night.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Thomas handed him a copy of The Hollywood Reporter, which contained reports about him.

Despite his efforts, Martin's struggles as a newcomer in Hollywood were highlighted, including his turbulent upbringing and his commendable actions within the community.

One statement caught his attention, "If it were anyone else, I wouldn't know how depraved they would be..." prompting Martin to reflect on the harsh realities of the industry.

Closing the newspaper, Martin turned to Thomas, his expression pensive. "Is everything going wrong because of Leo?"

Thomas responded calmly, "Leo proposes ideas and suggestions, but it's the team's responsibility to execute them."

Furrowing his brow, Martin contemplated, "Why does this marketing strategy feel so familiar?"

Thomas offered insight, "Leo drew inspiration from CAA's marketing approach with Keanu Reeves, which despite initial skepticism, turned out to be one of Hollywood's most successful campaigns."

Martin nodded, a realization dawning. "No wonder it feels familiar. Charlize Theron mentioned Keanu Reeves before. That PR stunt must have been quite effective."

Reflecting on Keanu Reeves' career trajectory post-"Matrix" trilogy, Martin acknowledged the series of missteps that led to a decline. Yet, the agency's adept marketing efforts crafted a new narrative around Reeves, effectively stabilizing his star status.

Thomas elaborated on the strategy, "They capitalized on real events, like his ex-girlfriend's tragic death, but spun them to garner sympathy."

Martin mused, "Turning misfortunes into assets..."

Thomas continued, "Even mundane details like his residence were spun to maintain a certain image."

"Living in luxury hotels," Martin recalled, "Presented as a deliberate lifestyle choice."

Thomas added, "Images of him enjoying simple pleasures added authenticity to the narrative."

Martin nodded, impressed. "All carefully crafted to uphold his reputation and marketability."

"Exactly," Thomas affirmed. "Keanu became synonymous with generosity and resilience."

"Incredible," Martin remarked. "A show on the power of strategic marketing."

Thomas shifted the conversation, "Do you think Leo's plan will achieve similar success?"

Martin remained contemplative. "What about Louise's promotional efforts in Los Angeles? How have they been received?"

Having attended all the meetings, Thomas responded, "The response has been positive, particularly from Academy members recognizing your performance. However, there are concerns about the film's genre..."

He spoke frankly, "Science fiction films, despite their compelling plots, often struggle to gain recognition at the Oscars."

"First, secure the nomination, then we'll talk," Martin sighed, shaking his head. "After chasing awards for over a decade, can I really snatch the Best Actor trophy?"

Thomas remained silent, his expression suggesting they were merely amusing themselves with these lofty ambitions.

With Leonardo having no films in contention this awards season, he found himself with ample free time. Teaming up with Nicholson, who always sought attention, they devised a daring yet somewhat pitiable scheme.

Martin, preferring to rely on his own efforts, inquired, "How's the progress on gathering intel about our competitors?"

"Nearly complete," Thomas replied, indicating they were on track to meet the December 1st Oscar submission deadline.

Upon returning home, Martin found himself bombarded by Leonardo and Nicholson, their antics blurring the lines between mischief and familial camaraderie.

They indulged in lighthearted revelry, highlighting each other's eccentricities with music and dance.

In the ensuing days, Martin's schedule became a whirlwind of activity, attending various events, canvassing for votes, and humbling himself when necessary.

Nicholson, ever the showman, hosted gatherings targeting the older male demographic to bolster support for Martin.

Meanwhile, Leonardo rallied his own circle of influential friends to the cause.

Among the films vying for Oscars, "The Martian" stood out with its broad appeal and stellar box office performance.

With a robust North American and overseas box office, "The Martian" was poised to recoup its investment solely through ticket sales.

Crucially, the film's reputation remained untarnished, sustaining its momentum throughout awards season.

In comparison to contenders like "The Midnight Tree", "War Horse", and "Moneyball", "The Martian" remained a frontrunner in terms of critical acclaim and audience reception.

With no Harvey Weinstein to dominate the awards season narrative, Martin's memory of past ceremonies remained devoid of controversies and standout films.

To Martin, this year epitomized the quintessential Oscars season.

"The race for accolades is already in full swing," he remarked, scanning the landscape of Hollywood's competitive arena. While Leonardo and Nicholson devised their strategic sell-out plan, Martin too mobilized his efforts, albeit with a different focus.

His gaze was fixed on the prospective contenders, meticulously assessing their strengths and vulnerabilities. For Martin, success at the Oscars meant not just maneuvering through the glitz and glamour, but also outmaneuvering his fellow competitors with precision and foresight.