American Peanuts

Chapter 73 Unexpected spin-offs (4K 23 please subscribe)
If the president's office upstairs was in full swing, then downstairs in the small conference room where the "Derivative Products Department" had just been set up, it was dead silent.

With some despair, Ivanie pushed back the golden color with both hands, revealing a bright, plump and round forehead. You could see that there were small red bumps on her forehead. She couldn't eat well or sleep well in the past two days, and she was under great mental pressure. It caused her endocrine disorders and made her a little angry.

Standing next to her was Razek. He also looked dejected and was constantly flicking the drafts on the table with his hands.

As for Chris, who had just been transferred from the bookstall, she was the most optimistic of the three. She clapped her hands to cheer up the two supervisors.

"This is just the beginning. Edison also went through thousands of attempts when he invented the electric light." Chris compared the past situation of the patent merchant to the present.

"We shouldn't give up."

"That's because he was constantly trying to find a suitable filament. At least he already knew the direction at that time, but what about us? We have nothing now. We don't know what we are going to do, we don't know how to do it, it's just like a few useless people. A fly on the head." Razek spread his hands and said helplessly.

Ivanie raised her eyes and glanced at the small blackboard in front of her. Dozens of nouns were written messily and scrawled on it, including various accessories, types of clothes, potential product types, and even daily necessities such as trash cans. .However, almost all products cannot withstand scrutiny, or are not tenable from a commercial perspective.

Derivative products are not Hermès's luxury store. They can produce whatever they come up with. They must conform to the concept of "derivative". Moreover, Hermès has a whole team responsible for creativity, and as for myself... I only have myself.

The discussion between the three people about the product has lasted for three days. The more they discuss, the more bleak the future becomes.

"Maybe... I'm not competent enough?" Ivanie scratched her hair in real distress.

"It seems that our product director has encountered some problems." Following the words, Charlie was seen walking in with a few people.

Following him was none other than Robert Downey Jr. and two screenwriters who had just feasted their eyes on it.

Plus the heroine Gwyneth, she was called over temporarily and had just arrived at the company.The purpose is to play a role that interacts with Robert Downey Jr.

Charlie just finished the interview and came downstairs.In the past, at this time, he would usually just leave the company and go live happily, but today was different, there were still three people behind him, so Charlie changed his plan temporarily and decided to be a real entrepreneur and supervise the progress of his subordinates.

But as soon as she arrived here, she heard Ivanni sighing in despair. It could be seen that the current progress did not seem to be particularly smooth.

As soon as Charlie entered the door, he saw dozens of nouns written on the small blackboard. One of the nouns... made Charlie feel very suitable.

"Since you can't make up your mind, why not let me make the decision? I think that one is pretty good." Cha pointed to a noun in the corner of the blackboard.

pantyhose.
Also known as tear-off socks, they specifically refer to the long ones that cover the entire feet to the waist.

“There is no high-end tear-off socks made by any manufacturer in the world. Of course, there are relatively expensive items, but there is no high-end brand like Victoria’s Secret that focuses on one field. At the same time, what woman doesn’t have a few pairs of tear-off socks? This is a promising market. The most important thing is that this category can give Razek room to play and hold special socks-ripping catwalks, and those men may even use these as magic materials." Charlie explained, in a certain sense Yes, that's a compliment.

"All in all, this will help us open up the market quickly."

With a little analysis, we can conclude that this is a vast blue ocean market.

"But... how much can a pair of stockings cost? They only sell them for five dollars at Wal-Mart, and they might be even cheaper at Costco." Ivanie said immediately.This proposal was first initiated by her, but was quickly rejected. This category was too cheap and could not be sold at the price. At best, it was just a layer of cloth.

"Cost is never the only criterion for selling price. I only need to add other attributes, such as satisfying the customer's vanity, or..." Charlie looked at Gwyneth.

"By the way, my Miss Movie Queen, what did your spiritual teacher say last time?" Charlie asked pretentiously.

"Wearing tear-off socks can help treat varicose veins," Gwyneth said without hesitation.

She pays her spiritual teacher tens of thousands of dollars every month, and the other party will also provide her with personalized and comprehensive suggestions and reminders. Of course, she will also take the opportunity to sell some items with unique effects.

"Yes, tearing socks is not just a decoration, it can also improve our health." Charlie immediately agreed.

"Charlie, I need to remind you that this is a pure rumor. The torn socks are too soft, and there are special socks for varicose veins." Razek quickly reminded that he felt the need to give Charlie some common sense.

"So what? We can make the finished product slightly narrower to give customers a tight feeling. We are not performing physical therapy, psychological therapy can also be considered therapy. Chris can achieve this requirement from a product perspective Bar?"

Chris thought for a while, and then said cautiously: "I don't know enough about this category, but with a few ribs, I should be able to achieve this while ensuring the beauty."

"Very good. This is the effect we want. This is the difference between us and the products on the market." Charlie nodded.

"In addition, we can also spread out other functions, such as...protecting leg shape, avoiding O-shaped legs, and good body shaping effect, just like the waist corset in the past. Women can gain confidence and elegance by wearing our tear-off socks. . We can even promote the fat-burning effect, which can have a weight loss effect." Charlie's words are becoming more and more irrelevant.

"Such an advertising slogan may not be approved. It is already considered an unauthorized medical device, and the FDA will ban our products from the shelves." Ivanie reminded.

FDA is the Food and Drug Administration of the United States, responsible for drugs, foods, biological products, cosmetics, veterinary drugs, medical devices, and diagnostic supplies in the United States.

"Then try to hire a relevant lobbying company and gain the committee's trust through some compliant transactions. Of course, I think this should be regarded as a 'marketing channel' expense." Charlie said without hesitation.

It’s unknown how many medical products the FDA has approved that are potentially harmful to users, including birth control rings with defective designs, gastric pills with carcinogenic effects, and addictive OxyContin. Almost every few years, some related news will be released. scandal.

"If you really want to do this, I can try to contact the relevant team. They will make targeted modifications to the product and help us pass FDA approval." Ivanie tried to say.

"Very good, I'll leave this matter to you. Also, do you guys have any good suggestions?" Charlie looked at the others.

"I think we should increase sponsorship, sponsor stars, and let them wear our products when they go out on the street." Ivani thought for a while and then said.

This kind of sneaker sponsorship originated from sports stars at first, and gradually extended to other aspects.

It should be said that with the advent of the mobile Internet, it will become more and more common to sponsor celebrities for daily wear, such as coconut. It seems that Yifanni has some own experience in coming up with this idea at this time.

"I agree with this idea." Charlie immediately raised his hand and praised a little: "It sounds very good, Ivanie, you did a good job."

"Thank you." Ivanie responded with a smile.

Then Charlie looked at Gwyneth standing not far away.

Now that we are all our own people, don’t you also want the company’s sponsorship money?

Gwyneth smiled and said, "Just send me more products, and I will rotate them by then."

Count you acquainted.

Charlie glanced at Robert Downey Jr. inadvertently, and he immediately said awkwardly: "There won't be a men's version, right?"

"Of course...no." Charlie sneered.

"Then I'll be relieved." Robert Downey Jr. felt at ease, otherwise he wouldn't know how to refuse.

Razek then made a second key point.

"Without a reasonable brand concept to support it, I'm afraid customers won't buy it. We need 'tradition' or stories."

"You can look for traditions from magazines, or you can choose existing brands, such as several old European manufacturers, which have rich historical traditions. For example, Austria's Wolford has patented fabrics and invented the world. The first 5D ultra-thin tear-off socks. They used to make tear-off socks specifically for the royal family, and Princess Diana liked this brand very much."

Nylon material was invented by DuPont in the middle of the last century, but it was carried forward by Europe.After all, tearing off socks was orthodox in Europe and was very popular among high-ranking men in the Middle Ages.

"Can you contact them? Razek. We need to cooperate with them, and it's best to acquire them directly."

"I can try, but the possibility of acquisition is very low. Authorization or joint research and development can be obtained. After all, this is a free money for them." Razek nodded.

"It's almost done, but we still have one most critical problem to solve." Chrissy, who had been standing aside for a long time without speaking, suddenly spoke at this time.

Everyone turned their eyes to her.

"It's a matter of recognition." Chris, as expected of a woman who has worked in related industries, immediately pointed out the problem.

Regardless of thickness, color, or style, there are already precedents for these in the market.

The publicity that everyone has talked about before, the additional "functions" and the brand heritage are all added on and play a supporting role. How to make people see at a glance that this is PLAYBOY's sock tear-off is the most critical issue.

Without recognition, even if they are popular, they are still just expensive tear-off socks and cannot become a "status symbol."

In fact, it was Charlie who thought of the answer to this question first, otherwise he would not have directly decided on the category.

"I... it's hard to describe. Let's go and ask an employee to go downstairs and buy a few strips. I'll give you a live demonstration."

"No need, I have a pair in my bag that I just wore yesterday." Ivanie suddenly said at this time.

"But you both wore pants today..." Charlie glanced at the lower bodies of Ivanie and Chrissy, and then turned to Gwyneth's side.

"My queen, you are the only one wearing a skirt here. Don't you suggest that you act as a temporary model?"

"It's not like there are other employees outside." Gwyneth thought for a while and said.

"They don't have such a pair of beautiful legs, and I also want the final effect." Charlie explained.

Are you looking for a model or... to take advantage? ? ?Gwyneth felt a little unhappy.

"I was originally talking to Robert Downey Jr. about the role..." she explained hesitantly.

"So?" Charlie said.

Gwyneth opened her mouth and noticed Charlie's "expected" gaze. After all, she still didn't dare to disobey him, so she could only nod.

"Okay, I'll put it on."

Ivanie left and after a while brought in the torn socks that had been rolled into a donut shape.

Gwyneth walked up to Charlie, then stood on tiptoes, sat on the table, raised one leg, and slowly lifted her socks up.

Although her brain is not very good, she is still very attractive from a visual perspective, especially the current action.

After doing all this, she stood in front of Charlie with her legs together, and Charlie picked up a marker and started to sign her name on her legs at an oblique angle.

Not one, but many, separated at fixed intervals, much like the Balenciaga letter model that was popular in the previous life.

Charlie's whole movement seemed cautious, but well, this was not a flat surface, but a curved surface. In order to make the font neat, he could only hold on to the actress's legs.

Gwyneth stood tensely, her expression becoming more and more embarrassed, her eyebrows trembling a little.

In fact, it's okay to do it in private. The key is that this is a business occasion. There are so many people standing, not to mention the people in the room. There are many employees looking up outside the glass wall.

"Have you finished painting?" Gwyneth asked anxiously.

Charlie stood up at this time and put down the marker.

"This design reminds me of those plastic-sealed fresh food packages..." Robert Downey Jr. couldn't help but say.

At first glance, it looks quite similar. I wonder if Balenciaga’s designers got the inspiration while visiting the supermarket a few years later.

"But then again, at least this design has never been seen before." Razek's eyes lit up.

"It is indeed very recognizable." Ivani had to admit at this time.

"But I don't understand, why do I need to use your name?" Ivanie looked at the signatures covered in cursive letters on Gwyneth's legs, feeling a little puzzled.

She also admired the design, but she didn't know what Charlie meant by this.

"Of course it's because Charlie Rossi's name is now well-known and very well-known. In comparison, using PB's iconic rabbit head will look... like a street advertisement in a magazine. In addition, the long strip The text is more recognizable than the square LOGO, otherwise it would just be the plastic-wrapped Iberian ham in the supermarket." Razek explained with a smile.

"To be honest, I had an illusion that you graduated from jewelry design." Ivanie shook her head and sighed.She felt that Charlie was more suitable to be a product manager than herself.

"Mr. Razek's answer involves a visual perspective, and I think there are also psychological reasons." Robert Downey Jr. couldn't help but say.

Imagine that when sales start, women all over the street will have Charlie Rossi's name on their legs...

"Oh, no. That would be a disaster." Charlie's expression was unnatural.

He just felt that the logo was difficult to draw and he didn't know what to write, so he temporarily used his own name instead.

Why is it finalized?

(End of this chapter)