On the morning of February 10th, Linton, Mira, and Zhou Haisheng walked into Daniel's office with laughter, only to see Lisa also smiling broadly with her accountant inside.
However, this time Daniel did not handle the settlement in his own office; instead, he took them all to the office of President John Smith. It seemed the settlement amount was too large, requiring the President's personal attention.
Besides his secretary, John's office also had a lawyer and an accountant, and a bottle of champagne had already been opened on the desk.
The first part was the final royalty split for the three singles, covering November 1, 1991, to the end of January 1992.
In the North America market, “Baby” accumulated 350,000 copies, “Numb” accumulated 420,000 copies, and “Believer” accumulated 480,000 copies, totaling 1.25 million copies, with an average price of $4.8 per copy (due to significant discounts during the final sales window).
In the Overseas Market, “Baby” accumulated 830,000 copies, “Numb” accumulated 870,000 copies, and “Believer” accumulated 960,000 copies, totaling 2.66 million copies, with an average price of $4.6 per copy.
According to the agreement, Linton would receive a 22% share, making his personal share $4,011,920.
The second part was the first royalty split for Linton's debut album, which was the main event, up to the end of January.
In the North America market, the album accumulated sales of 11.26 million copies, with an average price of $15.8 per copy.
Overseas sales were 15.87 million copies, with an average price of $15.2 per copy.
According to the agreement, Linton would receive a 22% share, making his personal share $92,209,040.
The third part was the copyright licensing fees for the songs; the licensing for all 13 songs on the album performed exceptionally well.
Among them, “Sugar” was the most outstanding, with licensing fees for various occasions reaching $8.32 million, far exceeding everyone's expectations.
The total new licensing fees for all other songs combined reached $19.45 million, making the grand total $27.77 million.
Based on a 22% royalty split, he would receive $6,109,400.
Adding the three parts together, Linton received a total income of $102,330,360 this time. He paid WMA Company $10,233,036 (this was 1991's income, still based on the previous commission standard), Zhou Haisheng $1,023,303.6, and his net gain was $91,074,020.
Seeing such a massive settlement figure, everyone was naturally overjoyed, and their breathing quickened.
After the accountant verified and confirmed everything was correct, Linton and Lisa both signed their names on the various documents.
Daniel had already poured several glasses of champagne, and John personally handed them to everyone, saying, “Cheers to our cooperation.”
“Cheers to our cooperation!”
“Cheers!” Everyone raised their glasses together, cheering loudly.
John looked at Linton with a complex expression. Last year, Universal, relying on Linton's three singles and album, earned massive revenue, and profits surged, achieving unprecedented results, and he himself received a huge bonus.
More importantly, it marked a Perfection end to his career; achieving such results during his final term could be said to have earned him immense prestige.
Correspondingly, the retirement package and post-retirement compensation from Universal when he retires in the second half of this year will be even more generous.
However, Linton was also the source of his greatest heartache. As the President of Universal, he had missed the opportunity to discover Linton, a superstar.
It was a complete benefit for Daniel, allowing Daniel to become Linton's manager. The manager's commission alone was drool-worthy, and even more outrageous was that Linton's new song for the movie this time was directly given to a female singer from Daniel's company to perform.
Does his company not have suitable female singers? The thought made him so heartbroken he couldn't breathe. No, he couldn't think about it anymore; if he did, his heart wouldn't be able to take it.
“As of yesterday, Linton's debut album sales officially Breakthrough 28 million copies, surpassing Madonna's 'True Blue' at 27.7 million copies, ranking second in album sales history. Congratulations!” John quickly composed himself and continued, raising his glass.
Everyone raised their glasses and cheered together.
“The company has already issued announcements across major media congratulating Linton on his debut album sales officially Breakthrough 28 million copies. Related reports will be out tonight, further promoting the album and stimulating sales.”
“Thank you, I look forward to sales reaching new heights,” Linton said, raising his glass.
“There's even better news: 'Sugar' unexpectedly rose to second place on last week's Billboard chart.”
“Our promotional staff investigated and found that all wedding companies, bridal shops, and other wedding-related businesses are playing this song. We have urgently produced and released the LD version of the 'Sugar' music video.
Now you can hear this song everywhere, it's safe to say 'Sugar' has completely broken out, and it will definitely be the Billboard singles champion this week, which has also driven album sales.”
“The bigger surprise is that 'Sugar' has not only become a breakout hit in the United States but also in almost all Overseas Market.
Last week, it achieved good rankings on charts in multiple countries, and it is sure to climb higher this week, also boosting album sales in the Overseas Market. The company has urgently launched 'Sugar' chart-topping promotions in various regions to expand the victory.” Daniel added.
“It seems that album sales Breakthrough 30 million copies in February should be no problem,” Linton said happily. He also thought to himself, no wonder his Cultivate speed has increased greatly recently. He originally thought it was due to media hype, but it turns out the breakout success of “Sugar” also contributed.
“It will definitely be more than 30 million copies. Thanks to the breakout success of 'Sugar,' cumulative sales in February should be able to Breakthrough 31 million copies.”
“Linton, to support the promotion, the company wants to hold a celebration dinner tomorrow for the album sales Breakthrough 28 million copies. What do you think?” John suggested to Linton.
“28 million copies, it seems not impactful enough. I suggest we might change it to a celebration dinner when it Breakthrough 30 million copies; the news will be more shocking, and the media will be more motivated to report.”
Linton thought for a moment and suggested, adding that he had been too busy recently and didn't want to bother.
John and Daniel exchanged glances, nodded, and agreed:
“Alright, then we'll hold the celebration dinner when album sales Breakthrough 30 million copies. It won't take too long anyway.”
After leaving John's office, Daniel invited Linton to his office to discuss matters. Linton asked Mira and Zhou Haisheng to wait in his own office first.
Walking into Daniel's office, Daniel happily said:
“Linton, there's more good news. I've streamlined the internal processes at Universal for the production of the movie soundtrack album. The male group for the song 'Ain't Cha' has also been arranged and given to John's people. You should arrange for someone to come and discuss the specific collaboration details as soon as possible.”
“Okay, I'll arrange it when I get back. The movie's producer, Robert, will come to see you as soon as possible.”
Linton agreed, and couldn't help but feel sad for Panasonic. The company, from top to bottom, was undermining its own interests, and it had reached an undisguised level.
But what did that have to do with him? Moreover, if these senior executives truly stood by Universal, this settlement wouldn't have been so quick. In a way, he was also a beneficiary.
“By the way, the recording of the movie songs needs to be prepared as soon as possible. Filming for the movie starts in March, and a preliminary version needs to be recorded in February for use during filming. Of course, it will be replaced with the final music product during the final editing.”
“Okay, I'll start preparing tomorrow and ensure I don't hold you back. Are we still choosing Lisa as the producer?”
“Let's stick with her. We've worked well together, so let's continue the collaboration.”
“It all feels like a dream. I never thought that in just one year, you would reach this level. Now your album sales have already surpassed Madonna,” Daniel said with a sigh.
“Isn't Michael Jackson still ahead? I wonder when my album sales will reach those of 'Thriller'?”
“Michael Jackson will always be unique. He is a special product of a special era, a representative American Dream singer created and promoted by the United States Government using the power of national media.
In the 1980s, the Soviet Union was bombing Afghanistan. Based on propaganda considerations, we needed a star Hero like Michael, who was anti-war, anti-racism, and constantly advocated for peace worldwide.”
“At that time, the media of our other five major record companies had to work for Columbia for free, promoting Michael throughout the world.
You know, the people most crazy about Michael were the Eastern Europeans under Soviet Union control. That was the effect of our propaganda at the time.”
“But Michael's songs really are good! I've loved listening to them since I was a child.”
“I don't deny Michael's professional ability and personal charisma as a top singer, but objectively speaking, without the nation's need during that special period, he would still have been successful, but he couldn't have reached his current height.”
“But times are different now. In the past, the Soviet Union was dropping bombs abroad, and we needed to advocate for world peace, promoting Michael globally.
But what about now? We are dropping bombs abroad. Do you think the country still needs to create such a star Hero?”
“Do you remember the 'points' I once mentioned?” Daniel suddenly asked.
“I remember. Is there a connection?”
“In the past, the country needed Michael, and Michael was actively traveling the world through his actions.
It can be said that Michael was providing points to the United States Government and many politicians. The United States Government and many politicians shaped him into a global superstar, so he gained immense prestige, success, and enormous wealth.
But now that the country and politicians no longer need him, he is no longer the one providing points. The prestige he once gained will slowly lose its Foundation.
If he cannot use his existing prestige and wealth to convert into other points, the consequences might not be good, right?”
“How so?” Linton also became interested.
“Michael is of Black descent. In the current national situation in the United States, the Black community should naturally be his base.
However, after gaining fame, he gradually distanced himself from the Black community, even undergoing multiple skin-whitening plastic surgeries, trying to align himself with White people.
What made it even harder for the Black community to accept was his public statement, 'This life is not lived for a certain skin color.'
It can be said that he lost his biggest cornerstone. His prestige and upper-level support are slowly disappearing, and his grassroots Foundation is gone.”
“What will happen?”
“As an ordinary person, there might not be a problem, but don't forget, he possesses immense wealth. His 'Neverland Ranch' alone covers over 1,800 acres. This is a Los Angeles estate, not a farm elsewhere.
Moreover, last year he snatched the copyright to The Beatles' songs from the six major record companies. So, with such immense wealth and no protection, what will be the consequences?”
“What will be the consequences?”
“What do you think? Didn't I tell you before that America is essentially a dog-eat-dog society, except everyone adds a layer of legal facade to their actions? Just wait and see. I wonder if Michael himself has realized it?”
“Even if he doesn't realize it himself, his lawyers, agents, and accountants around him would surely remind him, right?”
“Let me tell you a golden rule: never place your hopes on others. Perhaps his agents, lawyers, and accountants have already allied with or been bought by others, calculating how much benefit they can gain from him.”
“Perhaps this is the true nature of America,” Linton thought, recalling Michael Jackson's ultimate fate in his previous life, gaining a deeper understanding of America's harsh reality.
“Linton, I'm telling you these things because I consider you a true ally. I hope it can be helpful to you, and I hope our cooperation can last longer,” Daniel said seriously.
“Thank you, Daniel. I will definitely keep your reminder in mind and strive to make myself stronger,” Linton sincerely thanked Daniel.