Page 67 of Protecting Bianca

“Bianca, how many guests do we have at the launch?”

“About fifty, sir.”

“Why so little?”

“We had to downsize the event to VIPs only due to security measures—”

“No one cares about the security threat anymore. They want this launch to happen immediately. Otherwise, we might lose the platform altogether.”

“There isn’t much we can do, sir.”

“Yes, there is. Move the date sooner.”

“But Jager—”

“I don’t care what Jager says. This is my company!”

“Okay. I’ll see what I can do. But it won’t be easy. I’ll have to check if the event space is free, andthen find out if our guests can make the new date. Sir, I really would not suggest doing this.”

“Then what would you suggest we do?”

“We keep the event date where it is now, but we start a social media campaign online teasing the new launch. We show everyone that they need to join Grapevine or they’ll miss out on exclusive events.”

He inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Go on.”

“I don’t have a complete plan yet, as I’m thinking and talking at the same time, but what if we use the platform to host the biggest World Series Party this country has ever seen?”

“How?”

“I’ll have to work out the details, but I’m thinking Grapevine will be the first social media platform to broadcast the game live.”

“That makes no sense. People can watch it on TV already.”

“Yes, but can they watch it from the dugout? Or how about the locker room? Aren’t you good friends with the Yankees’ owner? I’m sure you can arrange something like that.”

He rubbed his lips. “I could.”

“We’d have exclusive footage of the pregame pep talk from the coach. People will feel like they’re in the locker room with the players—feel like one of the team. Then, when the game starts, the cameraman takes the feed to the dugout and sits on the bench next to Aaron Judge himself. What this generation wants more than anything else is to experience things. We can give them that in the comfort of their own home. We can give them the experience of a lifetime.”

Towers was nodding his head even before I finished. “I love it.”

“Perfect. I’ll put together a plan with the team and we’ll have a press release on your desk by theend of theday tomorrow.”

“Good.”

I turned to leave Towers’ office when he stopped me. “Good job, Rimoli. I’m glad I didn’t listen to Walsh.”

I nearly tripped on my way out. “Pardon me, sir. Mr. Walsh didn’t approve of you hiring me?”

“It’s not that he didn’t approve. He wanted me to hire his son instead. But that kid doesn’t know his head from his ass. I don’t regret the decision.”

“Thank you, sir.”

As I walked out of Towers’ office, my shoulders tensed. I never knew that VP Walsh wanted someone else instead of me—his son, for goodness' sakes. I replayed every interaction with him over the last year and saw every critique and every frown in a different light. Were those ideas bad, or was he just trying to make me look bad? I shook off the thoughts, as they would only distract me. It didn’t matter. I was here. I earned this position, and I was going to blow it out of the park with this next event. Literally. Mmm…maybe we could get Judge to give viewers a homerun lesson on the platform. I wrote the idea down as soon as I got to my desk.

Over the next couple of hours, I devised a plan for the first social media broadcast of the World Series. My team and I came up with some interactive ideas and takeovers by other athletes and comedians that we were sure would have viewers worldwide tuning in. Unlike television, we didn’t have to follow any rules or regulations. It was exciting, but I had to axe a few questionable suggestions.

“This isn’t a college party. We’re not having a drinking game live on the air,” I told one of my team members. He looked disappointed, but was mollified when Jeremy suggestedcovering the pre-game tailgate party and I agreed. He smiled at me.

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