Chapter 171 Making a Decision
"I understand," Kevin conceded, his shoulders slumping as he acknowledged the truth. "We can't risk antagonizing DarkByte Network."
Hilda nodded grimly. "We're not the only ones. Even Penguin Company wouldn't dare to cross them. For an internet company, making an enemy of DarkByte is suicide."
Hackers, despite their often-maligned reputation, commanded a certain respect, their power undeniable. While an individual hacker might be manageable, challenging an organization like Golden Valley, a veritable army of some of the most skilled hackers in existence, was akin to declaring war. Shark Platform had to prioritize, and that meant focusing their efforts solely on Boring.
"Alright, I get it," Kevin sighed. "What's next on the agenda, Hilda?"
Hilda glanced around the room, her gaze steady and resolute. "We need to launch a full-scale PR counteroffensive to salvage our image."
"What do you suggest?" Kevin asked, his brow furrowed with worry.
"We use the conspiracy theories already circulating online to our advantage," Hilda stated calmly.
Kevin's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Conspiracy theories? What are you talking about?"
"There's already chatter online suggesting that the entire Boring incident was orchestrated by us," Hilda explained. "Some believe Boring never existed and that this was all a publicity stunt by Shark Platform to generate buzz."
Kevin let out a humorless laugh. "So, I'm the COO, and I'm completely in the dark about our own viral marketing campaign? That's rich!"
"It's ludicrous, yes," Hilda conceded, "but not entirely useless. If we carefully manage this narrative, we can use it to our advantage. It might not fool savvy investors, but it can sway public opinion. We can spin it as a desperate attempt at viral marketing, distasteful, yes, but ultimately harmless. The public has a short memory, and our image will recover."
Kevin, recognizing the shrewdness of his plan, chuckled. "You're ruthless, Hilda."
"It's the best option we have," Hilda stated simply.
"Then let's do it," Kevin decided, turning to the PR manager. "You heard him. I want to see the results by tomorrow afternoon. Success will be rewarded, failure...well, let's just say I expect better from my team."
The PR manager, understanding the implicit threat, nodded curtly and hurried out, bracing for a long night.
As the door closed behind the PR manager, Hilda turned back to Kevin. "Now, about the streamers...we need to reassure them, especially the major players."
"How? What can we possibly say at this point?" Kevin asked, his voice laced with frustration.
"We focus on the big fish," Hilda stated pragmatically. "The smaller streamers are replaceable, but losing our top talent would be disastrous. We need to appeal to their self-interest."
The disparity between major and minor streamers was an unspoken truth in the industry. Big streamers viewed their smaller counterparts as almost an entirely different breed, not worthy of the same consideration. Small streamers were a dime a dozen, easily replaced, while major streamers held significant sway and influence.
"Alright, so how do we placate them?" Kevin asked, recognizing the wisdom in Hilda's words. "How do we regain their trust?"
"First," Hilda began, laying out her strategy, "we leak the news about our potential acquisition by Penguin Company. We emphasize the financial stability and potential growth this partnership would bring. We promise them no more delayed payments, a perk many streamers would find incredibly enticing."
"And second?" Kevin pressed, eager to hear the rest of her plan.
"We dangle the annual ranking in front of them," Hilda said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "We subtly imply that the company will be offering certain...favors...to ensure a desirable outcome for our most valuable assets."
The annual ranking held immense importance in the streaming world, a yearly event that could make or break careers. A high ranking meant increased visibility, lucrative sponsorships, and a significant boost in earning potential.
Streamers wanted to top the annual rankings to show their earning power, which reflected their popularity and value.
Lucas, Shark Platform's current golden boy, owed his position as the platform's top male streamer to his victory in the previous year's ranking.
However, company favoritism played a crucial role in annual rankings. If they promised streamers some degree of support, they could stabilize them
"But what about the logistics?" Kevin asked, a hint of worry in his voice. "We can't promise every major streamer a top ten spot. It's simply not feasible."
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