SuperStar!

June 1st, 2021

United States of America, New York, Sony Music Group

Inside the towering skyscraper of Sony Music Group, a meeting was taking place among the industry's most influential men and women. The high-rise hummed with energy, as the top executives gathered to discuss the company's progress and future plans.

At the head of the table sat Rob Stringer, CEO of Sony Music Group, a man known for his sharp business acumen and calm leadership. His company was thriving, and Rob was in high spirits, enjoying the success he'd worked tirelessly to cultivate. He knew that much of Sony's recent success was due to the meticulous care he and his team had put into each artist, each album. This was a time for celebration, but Rob also understood that complacency was a dangerous thing. The stakes were always high.

"Dennis," Rob began, turning his attention to the President of Global Digital Business and U.S. Sales, Dennis Kooker. "What's the latest with Olivia?"

Dennis didn't need to hesitate. "Her songs are still dominating the charts, sir. She's huge right now. Every single is a hit. Her fanbase keeps growing, and she's got the momentum we need if we continue like this, we can hit best new artist at next year's grammy."

Rob smiled. It was a simple response, but one that signaled months of effort, marketing campaigns, and outreach finally paying off. He wasn't surprised—he had believed in Olivia from the start.

"And Beyoncé? H.E.R.?" Rob asked, eager to hear more.

"Amanda Collins, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, chimed in with a confident nod. "They're both on track to win Grammys this year. Their campaigns are running smoothly, and everything points to them both bringing home multiple awards. I'm confident." (i want to use this to thank Beyonce and jay z 😂)

Rob's smile grew. Everything seemed to be falling into place. But then, Ron Perry, Chairman and CEO of Columbia Records, a subsidiary of Sony, spoke up, a more cautious note in his voice.

"Let's not forget about Harry," Ron said, shifting in his chair. "He's nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and is the favorite to win."

"Right," Rob acknowledged, his mind racing with all the possibilities. Things were going well, but there was always another challenge waiting around the corner. And Rob was no fool—he knew competition was fierce.

Just as the conversation began to settle, Kevin Kelleher, Chief Operating Officer, spoke up. His voice was measured, but there was something in it that made Rob's attention sharpen.

"Sir, Universal has been making some big moves."

At the mention of their rivals, Rob's expression changed, his eyes narrowing. "What kind of moves?" he asked, his voice dropping into a darker tone.

Kevin handed Rob a tablet, which displayed detailed information about Universal's latest acquisitions. "They've signed Ethan Jones, the YouTube sensation we were tracking. He's already released three tracks online that are performing incredibly well. They're preparing to release those as official singles and are working on an album. They've already got a major marketing push lined up."

The room fell silent, as the weight of the information sank in. Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment's 360RA Music Division, didn't mince words. "Ethan Jones? The YouTuber? You wouldn't stop raving about him, Rob, but does he really warrant all this attention? We've got Polo G's album coming out soon. Anything they release would be swallowed by that."

Rob Stringer's gaze was cold as he scanned the report. "If you'd read the details, Rob, you'd see why this kid is a threat. His YouTube videos have accumulated over 500 million combined views. His fanbase is growing faster than anyone could have predicted."

There was a brief moment of shock in the room. It wasn't the most outrageous thing they had heard in their years in the industry, but the numbers were staggering nonetheless.

"And here's the kicker," Rob continued, his voice low. "Max Martin is working with him. You all know how picky Max is. He doesn't collaborate with just anyone."

The room went quiet again. Max Martin's involvement was not something to take lightly. The man was known for his work with the biggest names in music, and his endorsement could take an artist from unknown to global superstar overnight.

"We have Polo G's album coming out soon, and that will be our focus," Rob said, his voice calm but firm. "We just need to stay ahead of this new threat. I'll personally oversee the PR campaign. We cannot afford to underestimate Universal's investment in Ethan. This kid must be special for them to go this far. We need to be ready."

There was a collective nod around the table. The executives knew that when Rob Stringer spoke like that, it wasn't a suggestion—it was a directive. They would act, and they would act fast.

Meanwhile, at Universal Music Group, LA Branch

In Los Angeles, Ethan Jones sat in the recording booth, headphones in place as he wrapped up the final touches on his latest track, What Do I Know. The track had been a birthday release, and the response had been overwhelming. He removed the headphones, his mind buzzing with satisfaction as he looked up at the team surrounding him. Max Martin, his producer and now friend, stood by the mixing board, his expression approving.

"Great job, Ethan," Max said, his voice calm but warm. "We're done for today. Let's take a break."

Ethan grinned, taking a deep breath. The weight of the situation was starting to sink in—his dream was finally becoming a reality.

As he stepped out of the booth, he overheard Bill and Jessica, members of the team, discussing their release strategy.

"We'll drop 'Shape of You' on the 10th, followed by 'Sing,' and then 'What Do I Know,'" Jessica said, her voice filled with confidence. "It's a solid lineup."

"That works for me," Bill agreed, nodding. "We just need to make sure the PR campaign is ready to go."

From the side of the room, Rebecca, the head of PR, turned to Jessica. "I think it would be great to get Ethan on a talk show when the singles release. It'll help create even more buzz."

"That's a good idea," Jessica said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Let's get the ball rolling on that. It'll be perfect timing."

Ethan, still standing quietly in the background, sipped his water, listening intently. He was no stranger to the idea of fame, but now, it was real. His team was working tirelessly behind the scenes, and he could feel the momentum building.

Max was already working on the next phase of the album, adjusting beats and sounds to match Ethan's growing vision. It was happening. Ethan's rise was undeniable, and Universal had invested heavily in him. It wasn't just luck—it was strategy. And he was ready for it all.

P.S remember to vote and also check out my new book The next big thing thanks for your repeated support