Chapter 0846: New Department

Sitting on the train from Binzhou to Ninghai, Zhou Jing was in a terrible mood.

Advertising was never an easy industry; often, one traveled far and wide to close a deal, only to end up with nothing. That was a common occurrence.

He had heard others talk about it before, but this time, it was his turn.

Since joining Future Advertising, everything had gone smoothly for him. This was his first taste of failure. He had originally planned to just leave, but then he received a call from Zhao Fusheng, asking him to come to Ninghai. As Zhao Fusheng's assistant, Zhou Jing dared not delay, so he hopped on a train and came straight over.

"May we be born ordinary, yet never forget to create a better world."

At that moment, Zhou Jing recalled the words at the company entrance, which he had heard were put up by Zhao Fusheng.

Now he had quite a few things he wanted to say to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng, of course, had no idea that he had become the beacon desperately sought by a newcomer who had just suffered a setback in the workplace. He only knew that Zhou Jing had arrived in Binzhou and thought he might as well have him come over to help with some matters. After all, Zhou Jing was nominally still his assistant.

So when he saw Zhou Jing's gloomy face, Zhao Fusheng was quite surprised.

"What's wrong with you?" Zhao Fusheng asked with a smile.

As someone he had recruited himself, Zhou Jing was, in a sense, one of Zhao Fusheng's trusted men, so naturally he cared a bit more.

Zhou Jing sighed and said slowly, "It's just that something's on my mind, and I can't figure it out."

"Because you didn't land that deal?" Zhao Fusheng asked curiously.

He thought Zhou Jing was feeling down because he hadn't closed that particular deal.

After all, he was a newcomer. Encountering something like this could easily make one lose confidence. He had been through it himself, so Zhao Fusheng could understand.

"It's not that," Zhou Jing said, a little awkwardly, looking at Zhao Fusheng. "I was just thinking idly, and I feel like maybe the way we do advertising now is a bit behind the times."

"Hmm?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow, glanced at Zhou Jing impassively, and asked, "So tell me, what would count as not falling behind?"

Zhou Jing hesitated for a long time, then finally gritted his teeth as if summoning up courage, and said to Zhao Fusheng, "Well, I think maybe we could consider focusing on the internet as a key area for development."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Fusheng was completely stunned.

To be fair, he really hadn't expected that at this moment, someone would realize the impact of the internet on the advertising industry.

It was like walking by the Lugou Bridge in 1937, and suddenly someone tells you that in a few hours, war will break out, and the Japanese will attack Wanping County.

Everyone's first reaction would probably be shock, let alone Zhao Fusheng.

The fact that he didn't stand up on the spot was a testament to his composure and self-control.

Seeing that Zhao Fusheng didn't speak, Zhou Jing grew uneasy, carefully watching Zhao Fusheng's expression without saying a word.

"Ahem, sorry, sorry." After a moment, Zhao Fusheng snapped out of it, realizing his behavior was a bit inappropriate, and quickly said to Zhou Jing, "Go on..."

"I think the internet is developing very fast. In other words, if possible, we could try to work in this area to ensure the company's development doesn't fall behind."

Facing Zhao Fusheng's gaze, despite being a bit nervous, Zhou Jing spoke confidently, because he knew that for him, this was an opportunity—a chance to soar.

Zhao Fusheng pondered in silence for a long time. In hindsight, Zhou Jing's words might seem laughable, because he hadn't really articulated the core ideas, but one had to admit that his line of thinking was correct.

Often, the correctness of a matter is not only judged at a single moment but must be considered within the broader context.

Zhao Fusheng hadn't paid much attention initially, but Zhou Jing's words now gave him some new ideas.

From the quietly emerging blogs of today, to the Weibo that would become a hot topic requiring money to buy trending spots in a few years, to the public accounts that would sweep through WeChat Moments—one had to admit that Zhou Jing was right about one thing: the business of an advertising company would no longer be limited to print and flat media in the future.

No one could foresee the emergence of WeChat, nor could anyone imagine the influence of a public account article that could easily garner over a hundred thousand reads.

In short, times are changing, and as an advertising company, it must keep pace with the times.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng smiled and looked at Zhou Jing. "Zhou Jing, do you know anything about computers?"

Zhou Jing was taken aback and nodded instinctively. "A little, but not much."

He was telling the truth. He wasn't a professional, so when it came to computers, Zhou Jing could only guarantee that he could operate one and understand the basics, but he knew nothing about complex things like programming.

Little did he know, Zhao Fusheng didn't expect him to know programming at all. Professionals do professional work; he wouldn't feel comfortable leaving programming to someone of Zhou Jing's level.

"Here's the plan: I'll suggest to President Zheng that you be put in charge of setting up the company's internet department," Zhao Fusheng said to Zhou Jing, something he never expected to hear.

"The company can't offer much support, but funding and office space are guaranteed. However, you'll need to recruit the staff yourself. I have only one requirement: you must ensure our company's voice on the internet. Understand?" Zhao Fusheng said slowly, looking at Zhou Jing.

Zhou Jing was stunned. "Voice?"

"That's right, voice," Zhao Fusheng said calmly. "For example, the TV series 'Conquest' that the company recently invested in has just aired. As the head of the internet department, your sole focus should be to coordinate with the company's PR department to build hype for the show online. I want everyone who goes online to know that 'Conquest' is a great work, and if you don't watch it, you're out of touch. Understand?"

Zhou Jing was dumbfounded. The marketing strategies that would become commonplace in later years, when spoken by Zhao Fusheng, struck Zhou Jing like a thunderbolt, suddenly enlightening him as if opening a door to a new world.

Seeing Zhou Jing's reaction, Zhao Fusheng knew that the guy had understood his meaning.

Shaking his head with a smile, Zhao Fusheng said, "You just do this well, and in the future, no matter how big a star is, they'll have to come begging to you."

He was telling the truth. Celebrities need a good reputation, and as times develop, the influence of the internet grows. If Zhou Jing could really pull off what he envisioned, he would have the power to control the narrative. Ordinary celebrities, unless they were top-tier, wouldn't dare to offend him.

It was like how Zhuo Wei, clearly a scumbag who exposed countless celebrities' secrets, no one dared to do anything to him. Part of that was due to the influence of mass entertainment, but more importantly, who knew what dirt he had? If pushed too far, it would be a fight to the death. He, with his worthless life, had nothing to lose, but those celebrities who had worked so hard to climb to their current positions would fall from grace—something no one could accept.

But Zhou Jing seemed not to have heard Zhao Fusheng's words, sitting there in a daze.

He was truly shocked.

He had been with the company for less than half a year, and now, because of a suggestion, he was going to lead a department on his own!

"Teacher Zhao, I..."

Although he was about the same age as Zhao Fusheng, Zhou Jing still habitually called him Teacher Zhao. After all, since learning about Zhao Fusheng's background, he felt it wasn't embarrassing at all to call him that.

Those who achieve mastery come first, let alone the person in front of him, who was a legend in the industry.

"What, you don't think you're up to it?" Zhao Fusheng said with a half-smile, looking at Zhou Jing. "If you think you can't handle it, I'll have someone else be the head, and you can assist them. How about that?"

Zhou Jing quickly shook his head.

He wasn't stupid. To let someone else take credit for his own idea and make a wedding dress for others—only a fool would agree to that.

It was just a department manager position. What the hell, go big or go home—just do it!