America 1919

Before Donnie could finish, Phil Dupont expressed his dissatisfaction, "Donnie, you have to realize that an advertising fee of 300,000 US Dollars is already the highest advertising fee at the moment. Do you still have any complaints about this amount?"
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Donnie spoke without expression, "While the fee is high, I believe General Motors' gains must have been substantial. Although we don't have specific data on our end, I imagine General Motors' sales data must be looking very good during this period, right?"

In future times, after an advertising agency completes an ad for a product, they will definitely check the sales data of the product in a timely manner, which is also a basis for the cooperation between the advertiser and the product maker.

However, at the present, the cooperation model between advertisers and product makers is still being explored, so naturally, no such data is available!

"So, Donnie, you're planning to make an exorbitant demand?"

Phil Dupont's expression was becoming impatient!

Donnie gestured dismissively, "It's not about making exorbitant demands, but simply about re-pricing according to the market. If the influence of Miss America were to decline, I believe that even if we raised our advertising fees, General Motors would certainly refuse!"

Phil Dupont was somewhat speechless. The current situation was clear to everyone: Miss America's influence was expanding. By the second event, as long as the organizers of Miss America didn't make major changes out of the blue, the influence was absolutely going to continue expanding.

This was why the DuPont Family sent Phil Dupont to negotiate a continued partnership with Donnie, even before the first Miss America had concluded.

"Donnie, don't forget, before this, no one was optimistic about the success of Miss America. It was General Motors that offered 300,000, which allowed you to successfully hold the event."

Hearing Phil's words, even Nucky furrowed his brow; it was clear that Phil's statement had become somewhat condescending towards Nucky from the DuPont Family's perspective!

After all, it was Nucky who had facilitated the partnership with General Motors!

"We are very grateful for General Motors' assistance during Miss America's most difficult time. Nucky has told me more than once how thankful he is for Mr. Pierre's help. That's why we decided to continue our partnership with General Motors. Perhaps, Mr.

Dupont, you are unaware that right now, inside the Ritz Hotel, at least five companies want to secure a partnership with us, to become S-level advertising partners for Miss America.

If it weren't for Mr. Nucky telling me that the most important principle in business is integrity, we could easily call for a bidding conference after this Miss America event concludes

and invite all company representatives to bid for the exclusive naming rights of Miss America. I believe the price at that time would definitely exceed 300,000!"

At this moment, Nucky's feelings were complicated after being directly addressed by Donnie. On one hand, Donnie's words showed Phil the value of their friendship, but at the same time, there was a feeling that Donnie was using him as a pawn.

His emotions were complex, leaving him unsure whether to be grateful to Donnie or to resent this behavior.

Phil Dupont was slightly taken aback; his focus was on another aspect altogether.

Bidding Conference!

Although there was no such thing as an advertising bidding conference in the American business community yet, other forms of bidding conferences did exist, with auctions being one among them.

Conveniently, Phil Dupont often attended auctions and was fully aware that an item would bring in a price far exceeding its original value after going through an auction.

"Are you saying, Donnie, that you want to reject the friendship of the DuPont Family?"

Having grown accustomed to the dominance and superiority afforded by the DuPont family name in any setting or place, Phil DuPont was extremely dissatisfied with Donnie's attitude at this moment!

"No!" Donnie shook his head and said, "I believe that in the United States, there is not a single person who can refuse the friendship of the DuPont family. I am simply stating a fact: Miss America, as a mature commodity, if not matched with a price befitting her value, this would be a serious blow to her worth.

Would the DuPont family want to own a product that can't satisfy their status?"

"Haha!" Just when the tension between Donnie and Phil DuPont was becoming rather sharp, Harry D'Agostino suddenly burst into laughter: "Phil, why make the atmosphere so tense? We're all friends here. I believe there's nothing that can't be solved at the negotiating table. Today is our day to be joyful, so let's put aside our differences and start having fun—that's what's most important!"

At this point, Harry D'Agostino stood by Donnie's side. After all, the regional finals were about to start, and the Miss America competition had become a battlefield of great interest to Harding. As Harding's campaign manager, Harry D'Agostino couldn't afford any mishaps.

Even if they were currently in urgent need of the DuPont family's support, exceptions could not be made!

With Harry D'Agostino smoothing things over, the drawn swords and taut crossbows between Donnie and Phil DuPont began to ease, and Nucky took the opportunity to speak with a smile.

"That's right, Phil, didn't you say you really liked Tanisha White, the contestant who ranked fifth in Atlantic City? Now with Donnie here, that Miss America can't be hard to find!"

These Miss America contestants, already having fans of their own outside, were seen by those fans as the loves of their lives. But, in truth, to men like Donnie and Nucky, these girls were just playthings!

Furthermore, these girls were also a crucial tool for Donnie to connect with high society.

The girls had signed contracts with Starry Entertainment, which also signified that Starry Entertainment had officially begun its foray into the entertainment industry.

If these girls wanted a better future, they needed to listen obediently to Donnie.

With the tension gone and the arrival of the girls, the room buzzed with excitement.

However, it was at this time that Nucky found Donnie, wanting to have a private talk.

Clearly, the content of Donnie's recent conversation with Harry D'Agostino had put pressure on Nucky.

"Donnie, are you thinking of smuggling some whiskey and brandy into the country from overseas?"

Nucky didn't beat around the bush, asking outright.

In Atlantic City, the bootlegging industry had always been under Nucky's control. Not even Donnie or LeBron had encroached upon it.

This was one of Nucky's means to maintain his grip on Atlantic City.

After all, not everyone can afford to drink fine liquor!

Now that Donnie had suddenly proposed using Harry D'Agostino's connections to get through to the Coast Guard, this was something Nucky couldn't accept.

Donnie laughed and said, "Nucky, don't worry, not a single bottle of my smuggled liquor will flow into Atlantic City!"