American History 1988
Chapter 191 - 185: Bite the Dust

Chapter 191: Chapter 185: Bite the Dust

"PC World" is the most influential publication among computer magazines, bridging professional and mainstream content.

Not only do many technology enthusiasts like it, but the general public also gathers information about the latest technology trends from this magazine.

Microsoft intercepted Byte Company’s disk advertisement, reaping the outcome it desired.

More than half of those who bought the magazine tried out the accompanying Windows 3.0 system.

The windowed interface made system operations simpler and more intuitive, freeing people from the hassle of studying various complex commands.

"Do you know how their Windows 3.0 system sales are doing?" High interest would inevitably bring high sales.

"It is said that they could sell 3 million copies this year." Jimmy was also following Microsoft’s moves closely; as an industry insider, he had many channels for information.

million copies? Hearing this number, Dean was also fiercely excited.

Windows 3.0 was released only in May, and now it’s almost November, barely half a year’s time.

Selling 3 million copies in half a year, this figure left countless software companies far behind.

Microsoft priced this system at around 145 US dollars, amounting to sales of 435 million US dollars for 3 million copies.

If Dean’s estimates were accurate, Windows 3.0 would continue to sell well in the next year, potentially surpassing ten million.

The system itself was designed very successfully, and with the boost of advertising, the explosion in sales would last a long time.

Maybe Microsoft’s market value would soon break the 20 billion US dollar mark, a milestone marking the first time a software company had reached such a scale.

Alright, while Microsoft’s sales figures made Dean drool with envy, what he cared more about was his own Teams software.

Putting down the "PC World" magazine he was holding, Dean shifted his gaze to the colorful array of magazines on his left.

Byte, Popular Electronics—Dean could understand, but what the hell was "Educator"?

Dean casually flipped through it. Just like its name suggested, it was an education-related journal.

Seeing Dean’s frowning expression, Jimmy had no choice but to awkwardly explain.

"Boss, we pre-ordered nearly 800,000 diskettes, and these magazines combined can’t handle this many.

So to distribute them in the shortest time possible, we had to partner with as many magazines as possible simultaneously."

Dean shook his head. The effect was far inferior to that of "PC World," but he was not fixated on it as there was a reason behind everything.

"So how did our advertisement do?"

Although he initiated the marketing model of bundling giveaways with publications before Microsoft, Dean wasn’t very hopeful about it.

"Within a week after the magazine launched, we had 80,000 activations of our trial version.

Accounting for the circulation cycle of print media, this number will likely settle around 150,000 in the next month."

Byte Company now had its servers, and the back end of their online-activated Teams software had precise data.

With 800,000 distributed, the final activation rate was estimated to be around 18%, barely reaching the minimum target they expected.

Compared to Microsoft’s millions in sales, this was undeniably far less.

"How many of these activated potential users do you expect will convert into our actual customers?"

The activation was only for the trial version, and Byte Company’s ultimate goal was to get them accustomed to paying.

"According to the sales and customer service departments, over 60,000 people called to inquire about our Teams software, and more than 40,000 placed orders," Jimmy reported.

Dean’s eyes lit up—this retention rate was good, almost around 50%.

"Would the orders for more than 40,000 copies cover our cost of advertising?" Dean initially set a high advertising budget of over 2 million US dollars.

Jimmy flipped through the report in his hands, "After deducting our costs, we are expecting a surplus of about 3 million US dollars."

Good, Dean silently breathed a sigh of relief. Although Microsoft disrupted their plans, Byte Company didn’t suffer any loss.

If the final activation rate reached 18% to 20%, and the retention rate was about 50% as calculated, Byte Company would gain about 80,000 more in sales.

After deducting the 2 million US dollar advertising cost, this disk marketing strategy would bring Byte Company around 10 million US dollars in sales.

Overall, this advertising campaign was a success, of course, had it followed the original "PC World" plan, the success would have been even more impressive.

An urgent measure landing roughly 80,000 in sales gave Dean a more direct impression of the market demand for Teams software.

"Good job, Jimmy. Not only did we not lose any advertising money, but we also gained tens of millions of dollars in sales."

Dean needed to give more encouragement; Microsoft might have snatched Byte Company’s results, but they weren’t admitting defeat.

Encouraged by Dean’s approval, Jimmy’s face lit up with a smile, "Boss, do we continue with this disk strategy?"

"Hold off for now, our activation rate is too low. Let’s focus on the West Coast Computer Festival instead."

Microsoft’s Windows system in "PC World" magazine had an activation rate of over 80% and was still rising.

This was related to the excellent design of version 3.0 and its targeting of the mainstream consumer market.

It was also the ultra-high activation rate that made Microsoft’s sales shine this year, and Dean was envious.

But Teams software was developed specifically for enterprise users. Along with the emergency switch in advertisers, the trial version’s activation rate was barely meeting expectations.

Although Byte Company ended up with an additional 10 million US dollars in revenue, Dean knew that the potential of the Teams software on these magazines had almost run out.

"Microsoft will surely continue to increase its advertising investment in ’PC World’ for the time being.

Therefore, Teams should not invest more in magazine marketing, as it won’t bring us any additional exposure."

Jimmy understood the subtext in Dean’s words: With Microsoft’s Windows dominating, Byte Company needed to temporarily avoid the limelight.

"I’ll arrange for the marketing department to shift the focus to the West Coast Computer Faire. Oh, and Boss, this is the mock-up of the sponsor’s advertisement we created."

For the computer faire in November, Byte Company was better prepared than for magazine advertising, as Jimmy and his team viewed it as a revenge against Microsoft.

In the booklet he handed over, Dean saw various designs of posters, billboards, booths, and tickets.

Without exception, all these items featured Byte Company or the Teams software logo, which was the right of the title sponsor.

"OK, I have no objections. I just hope that at the computer faire, I can see Byte Company’s name in every corner."

"No problem, Boss, I guarantee that even the venue’s coffee room will have our advertisements."

"Good, I’ll be there that day. 3Com is also launching their sound card; I promised Metcalfe."

The computer faire in November was expected to last three days, and Dean, the CEO, would also be there to support his company’s products.

"Alright, Jimmy, let’s talk about the rest next week, let me rest for a few days first."

Dean hadn’t even entered his home since returning from the East Coast; now he needed some private space.

...

"Dean~" Jennifer Connelly had always seen herself as a strong girl, but tears welled up in her eyes the moment she saw Dean.

"There, there, dear, it’s not the end of the world." Handing her luggage to the housekeeper Lucy, Dean hugged Jennifer and sat down with her in a chair in the yard.

"But they said my character had no soul... sob sob sob..." Jennifer burst into tears in Dean’s arms as she thought of the scathing review in The New York Times.

"Dear, they don’t understand movies; they’re just deliberately being mean to grab attention...they..."

Well, as he spoke, Dean almost burst into laughter. Fortunately, Jennifer didn’t see it, or she would’ve exploded with anger.

Why did Dean want to laugh? Because Jennifer’s first return to Hollywood with the movie "Boiling Point" was a flop.

Not just a flop, but a massive flop.

Before the release, she was non-stop on various talk shows and even made an appearance at the Toronto Film Festival.

But on the opening day at the end of October, it dealt the production team a blow.

Only 23 theaters showed the movie that day, and it made just 110,000 US Dollars at the box office on its first weekend...

That number... might as well not mention it, the weekly sales of Teams software far exceeded it.

The New York Times was harsh on Jennifer’s performance, "Unfortunately, the Sarah played by Jennifer Connelly is disappointing.

She looks good, but that’s about her appearance. Jennifer Connelly lacks conviction, and her lines were delivered with the emotionlessness of a rehearsal reading.

These lines were recited; she did not believe in her character, and there is no soul to speak of."

The Sun’s headline was more direct, "’Boiling Point’ tries to substitute nudity for story!"

The Pioneer Press, "This new movie blends ’Summer Heat’ and ’Double Indemnity,’ extremely dull. It should not have been 130 minutes; at 90 minutes, my buttocks were protesting for me to get up and leave."

"Sob sob sob... Dean, no one will want me for movies anymore." Jennifer Connelly was now starting to doubt herself after a disastrous return as a lead actress.

"Dear, that will never happen." Dean embraced her waist with one hand and picked up a newspaper with the other.

"Not everyone is criticizing your performance. Look..." Dean glanced at the paper, [Everyone should take a look at Jennifer Connelly’s beautiful body curve...]

Damn! These critics are so shallow!

Without a trace, Dean set down the newspaper and wrapped his arms around Jennifer Connelly.

"Anyway, let’s relax properly for the next few days, I’ll take you for a drive along the West Coast."

"10 million US Dollars...110 thousand dollars..."

"What?" Dean didn’t catch her muttering.

"Dean, the movie cost 10 million US Dollars, but only made 110,000 on its opening weekend, Director Hobbs is going to hate me."

"Forget that shitty director, it’s his job to be responsible for the film, not yours."

Dean had looked into the film; he knew that the other lead actors hadn’t publicly supported it before its release.

Clearly, these old pros had already sensed something, they knew whether the movie was good or bad.

"Jenny, you will always be the most enchanting angel in my heart! Before you return to Yale, I think we need more wonderful memories."

Dean decided to give her a good whipping, as a distraction.

When it came to comfort, Dean had his methods.

"I’m not planning to go back to Yale, Dean." Jennifer clung to his neck, not wanting to get off him.

"Why, dear?" Dean asked, surprised, as he carried her toward the house.

"Because this semester, I transferred to Stanford."

"What?!" Dean stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

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