The loan matter was left to Liang Xiaohai, who had boasted he would handle it within a week.
That left Yu Zhou to plan for what came next.
First, he needed to find an advertising company to produce demo reels for his commercials.
There was no immediate need for celebrity endorsements.
After all, very few companies in this era used big stars for advertising, and it was prohibitively expensive. Even with plenty of money, Yu Zhou hesitated to take that step.
More importantly, hiring celebrities for commercials wasn't the most cost-effective option at this stage.
A regular person filming a commercial according to a script wouldn't be significantly different from a celebrity, unless it was a mega-star like Fei Xiang or Chen Beisi.
However, the appearance fees for such stars were beyond Yu Zhou's means. The thought of hiring a big star for tens of thousands to film a commercial was unthinkable.
It was nearly Monday again. Yu Zhou stood by the Guangsha Building, gazing at the over thirty-story structure, filled with emotion.
There weren't many advertising companies in the entire Jiangbei region, and most were concentrated near the Broadcast and Television Building.
This area, known as Guangsha Building, was also where emerging businesses were most prevalent.
"Hello, I have an appointment with Ms. Zhang Zixia from your sales department. Could you please show me to her?"
Yu Zhou walked into the New City Advertising Company and immediately approached the receptionist, presenting his appointment number.
"Manager Zhang? You're looking for Manager Zhang?"
"Manager Zhang has an urgent matter this morning and isn't in the office! However, since you have an appointment, I can take you to Vice Manager Wang."
"Handling business with Vice Manager Wang is just as effective!"
The receptionist didn't even look up. In this era, how many clients did an advertising company specializing in television commercials get every day?
Yet, how few actually closed deals.
The reason was that television advertising was simply too expensive. Without hundreds of thousands, it was impossible to get your advertisement aired smoothly.
Moreover, Yu Zhou, judging by his attire, didn't appear to be a big shot.
What kind of big shot back then wasn't wearing a suit, carrying a pager, and holding a leather wallet and a brick phone?
But look at Yu Zhou now. His jacket might not be cheap, but it lacked style. His belt had no keys dangling from it. He certainly didn't look like a wealthy man.
Yu Zhou frowned. Although he had heard that television advertising salespeople were rather arrogant these days, this level of casual disregard for clients was truly excessive.
Perhaps the so-called Manager Zhang did have an urgent matter and had left. But wouldn't the standard procedure be to contact him directly to reschedule?
Why hadn't they even bothered to notify him, leaving him to be ushered off to another deputy manager upon arrival?
Alright, even though he felt the advertising company was being somewhat arrogant, he maintained a neutral expression.
It wasn't that he was a pushover, but rather that business was paramount. Getting things done efficiently and cost-effectively was his goal.
Did it really matter whether he met with a manager or a deputy manager?
"Alright, please take me to see him!"
Yu Zhou finally nodded. Advertising companies, particularly their sales departments, were usually where the money was. Such departments, if not revered, at least held a significant position within the company.
After a short while, the receptionist led Yu Zhou to the door of a private office.
She knocked, and a voice immediately came from inside.
"Passing me more work again! I'm already swamped, why do you keep pushing business my way?"
Before the receptionist could state her purpose, a disgruntled voice emerged from the smoky office.
However, amidst this voice, Yu Zhou could hear the sounds of Solitaire. Good heavens, was this what the deputy manager meant by being swamped?
Playing Solitaire on a company computer in the office and calling it being swamped?
"Manager Wang, this is a guest of Manager Zhang. It might be a significant business opportunity. Could you please attend to them?"
The receptionist was polite. Even as the smoke stung her nose upon the door opening, she managed a strained smile and said.
"Manager Zhang's guest?"
"A guest of Manager Zhang's is important? I don't want to deal with that woman's clients."
"And haven't you seen his appearance? He clearly isn't a big client! Find someone else, I don't have time."
Upon hearing it was Manager Zhang's guest, Vice Manager Wang's face immediately showed disdain.
Yes, undisguised, impolite disdain.
Yu Zhou, standing at the door, was astonished. Were companies in this era, even private ones, so arrogant?
To treat clients with such an attitude? How did such a company even stay in business?
"I apologize! It seems I have disturbed you!"
"Since Manager Wang is unavailable, I will seek out another company."
Yu Zhou shook his head with a wry smile, abandoning any thought of cooperating with this advertising company.
This was ridiculous. From the employees, one could gauge the company's caliber and quality. The manager's condescending attitude was one thing.
What was truly alarming was that he would speak that way in front of a client, clearly showing no intention of securing a partnership.
Yu Zhou wasn't a sycophant, and he certainly wouldn't pursue cooperation with this so-called advertising company under such circumstances.
Besides, he had other options.
If all else failed, he could simply go to Wanghai. Were the advertising companies there any worse than those in Jiangbei?
"Hey! What's with your attitude? I said you don't have money for advertising, and now you're getting upset?"
"Manager Zhang is always busy with trivial matters, so the clients she meets are naturally of low quality!"
"You want to cooperate? No problem. Show me a hundred thousand yuan right now, and I'll guarantee I'll even kneel down for you!"
Seeing Yu Zhou's demeanor, the manager became furious, his face flushed red as he spoke.
It was as if he was trying to justify his attitude without admitting fault.
Now, it was Yu Zhou's turn to be angry, despite his generally calm disposition. There had to be a limit to how much one could be looked down upon!
Yu Zhou didn't care about such minor figures looking down on him, but he couldn't tolerate the company's attitude towards him.
I am your client. Regardless of whether a deal is struck, once I've come to your door, even if I don't have much money, you shouldn't treat me like this.
Anger flared, and he pointed his hand forward, asking, "Is this the attitude of your company's managers?"
His words were clear and forceful, immediately drawing the attention of many employees from the advertising company.