SuperStar!

The sleek boardroom of Universal Music Group's headquarters in the Netherlands buzzed with quiet intensity. Lucian Grainge, the CEO of the company, sat at the head of the table, exuding his usual air of calm authority. The sun streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows over the executive team gathered around him. Some were physically present, while others joined via video call, their faces displayed on the large screen at the end of the room.

The meeting had been progressing smoothly, but the atmosphere shifted the moment the topic of Ethan Jones' upcoming tour surfaced. Lucian, aware of the mixed sentiments in the room, tapped the table lightly, drawing everyone's attention.

"Let's address the elephant in the room," Lucian began, his voice calm but commanding. "Ethan wants a change in the profit distribution for his tour. He's proposed reducing his $4 million signing bonus to $1.5 million in exchange for an increase in his revenue shares by 15%. I know this is unconventional, but I want to hear everyone's thoughts before we make a decision."

Jack, the CFO, was the first to speak, his tone sharp. "This is absurd. We're already giving him a $4 million upfront bonus—an unprecedented amount for a first tour. Now he's asking for more of the backend revenue? It's ungrateful, to say the least."

Julia, the head of A&R, leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "I don't see it that way, Jack. Ethan's decision shows maturity. He's not chasing quick cash; he's thinking long-term. Reducing the bonus to increase his shares demonstrates his confidence in this tour's success and his commitment to the project."

"Long-term?" Jack scoffed. "This kid is barely out of his first album cycle. We're taking all the risks here. Venue bookings, marketing, production—it's all on us. And he's asking for more of the pie? Come on, Julia, be realistic."

"He's also the one filling those venues," Julia shot back. "Ethan's fanbase is loyal and engaged. If he believes in his ability to sell out shows and generate merchandise revenue, why shouldn't we?"

Lucas, the COO, chimed in, his tone measured. "Let's not forget the bigger picture. Ethan's collaboration with Eminem is about to drop. The hype around him is massive. If there's ever a time to bet on an artist, it's now. Adjusting the profit shares could be a way to ensure he's fully invested in the tour's success."

"Or," interjected Sara, the head of marketing, "it sets a dangerous precedent. If we cave now, other artists will start demanding similar deals. And let's not pretend this isn't risky. January tours are historically tough. We're already gambling with the timing; now we're considering restructuring the financials?"

Lucian held up a hand to pause the escalating tension. "I understand everyone's concerns," he said evenly. "But let's not lose sight of the fact that Ethan's proposal includes a reduction in his upfront bonus. He's not asking for more money overall; he's asking for a shift in allocation."

Jack wasn't convinced. "And why should we agree to that? The $4 million bonus is already generous. Reducing it doesn't absolve him of the fact that he's asking for 15% more of the profits. That's a significant chunk of our margin."

"It's also a sign that he's willing to take a risk alongside us," Julia countered. "Ethan's putting his faith in this tour, in his fans, and in us as a team. That's not ungrateful; that's partnership."

Sara crossed her arms. "Or it's arrogance. Let's not forget he's new to this level of fame. He doesn't fully grasp the complexities of what we're managing here. And honestly, Lucian, you've been unusually lenient with him. Are you sure your personal bias isn't clouding your judgment?"

The room fell silent, the weight of Sara's words hanging in the air. Lucian's expression didn't change, but there was a subtle shift in his posture—a sign that he wasn't going to let the comment slide.

"Bias?" Lucian repeated, his voice calm but steely. "Let me be clear. My decisions are based on Ethan's potential and the data we've all seen. His streaming numbers, social media engagement, and fan loyalty are unmatched for an artist at this stage in their career. This isn't about favoritism; it's about recognizing an opportunity and capitalizing on it."

"But at what cost?" Jack pressed. "If this backfires, we're the ones holding the bag. Not Ethan."

Lucian's gaze swept across the room, meeting each person's eyes before he spoke. "You're right, Jack. The risk is ours. But so is the reward. Ethan's willingness to adjust his bonus demonstrates that he's aware of the stakes and willing to share in the risk. That's not something we see every day, and it's worth considering."

He paused, letting his words sink in before delivering his final verdict. "Here's what we're going to do. We'll reduce Ethan's signing bonus to $1.5 million. In exchange, we'll increase his profit shares by 15%. This ensures he has more skin in the game and aligns his interests with ours. If this tour succeeds, we all win."

The room erupted into a mix of murmurs and protests. Sara shook her head, clearly displeased, while Julia looked cautiously optimistic. Jack leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

"Lucian," Sara began, her tone measured but firm, "I hope you realize the precedent you're setting. This could change how we negotiate with all our artists moving forward."

"I'm aware," Lucian replied, his tone final. "But sometimes, you have to take a calculated risk to achieve greatness. Ethan is worth that risk. Now, let's focus on ensuring this tour is a success. We've got work to do."

The meeting adjourned with a palpable mix of tension and anticipation. While not everyone agreed with Lucian's decision, one thing was clear: the stakes for Ethan's tour had just been raised significantly. And with Universal Music Group's full weight behind him, Ethan Jones was poised to take the world by storm.

As the room emptied, Lucian made his way back to his office. His assistant, a sharp-eyed woman with impeccable timing, greeted him at the door. "Sir, he's calling you again," she said, holding out the phone.

Lucian took it without hesitation. "Hey, Sean," he said, his tone composed yet tinged with a knowing edge.