Summary of Key Highlights
At the "Shining Night" event on June 24th, Oriental Pearl announced a series of innovative initiatives centered around the concept of "culture + technology." These efforts cover four main areas: the upgrade of cultural and tourism landmarks, the comprehensive management of content IPs, the expansion of AI-based information services, and the empowerment of industrial capital. The company's goal is to transform from a traditional cultural enterprise into a leader in the cultural consumption services industry. By integrating urban landmarks, content IPs, AI technologies, and industrial capital, Oriental Pearl aims to make cultural consumption more youthful, technologically advanced, and accessible to the general public.
1. Urban Landmarks Made Trendy and Attractive: Drawing In Young People
Urban landmarks serve as the primary entry point for Oriental Pearl to connect with its audience. This time, they have revamped two of their key landmarks:
- Oriental Pearl Tower Goes Cross-Border: Following collaborations with Mayday and Honor of Kings, Oriental Pearl has partnered with Pop Mart to launch the "Pearl Trendy Playtime Carnival" (starting September 4th). Popular Pop Mart IPs such as Molly and Dimoo have been featured in themed scenarios and limited-edition merchandise, attracting both tourists and parents with children. Additionally, in collaboration with aerospace company SpaceTime DaoYu, they have established the "Pearl Starship·Titanium Sky Experience Center" at 98 meters above ground, which has received 90,000 visitors in just three months and contributed to increased spending within the tower. By the end of the year, a new 107-meter space capsule shooting game (designed by Disney) will be added, bringing aerospace technology out of the laboratory into the tourist area for everyone to experience.
- Mercedes-Benz Center Takes on a New Identity: As a prominent entertainment venue in Shanghai that has hosted over 1,000 events since 2013, the Mercedes-Benz Center's current sponsorship contract is about to expire. This global bidding process involves not only changing its name but also offering various benefits such as brand exposure, ticketing partnerships, and co-creation of content. Sponsors will have the opportunity to insert advertisements during concerts and sports events, connecting with fans across the year.
2. Content IPs in a Comprehensive Value Chain: From Watching to Buying, Both Online and Offline
Oriental Pearl wants to turn its content IPs into profitable ecosystems:
- Baiyulan Live Streaming Room: As a leader in video e-commerce, this platform combines various elements such as content creators, influencers, and IPs. For example, they collaborated with the Shanghai Mint to create a joint IP called "City Impression," offering a seamless experience from creating promotional videos to conducting live sales, allowing users to purchase products directly after watching the content.
- Shangshi Film Industry: Moving beyond traditional long-form dramas, the company has expanded into comprehensive IP management. They have produced the youth-oriented series "My Forensic Log" and collaborated with SenseTime Technology on the comic drama "Wutong Ling," as well as the immersive experience "The Missing Pharaoh 2," extending their business from online to offline platforms.
- Collaboration with Qimao: Oriental Pearl has partnered with Qimao, a digital reading platform, to integrate its IPs into their physical venues. This includes adapting web novels into short-form dramas or organizing interactive events at tourist attractions, opening up new opportunities for digital cultural consumption.
3. AI in Everyday Life: Enhancing Education and Healthcare
Oriental Pearl is also committed to developing smart services that integrate AI into people's lives:
- Computing Power for Various Industries: Oriental Cable (a subsidiary of Oriental Pearl) has nearly a decade of experience providing services to governments and enterprises. They are applying computing power to various fields such as low-altitude surveillance (using drones), healthcare, and education. For instance, their partnership with the Shanghai Education Development Group aims to provide computing resources to universities and schools, making education more intelligent.
- Smart Homes and AI Assistants: Their AI assistant, "Dongdong," manages daily tasks by integrating Oriental Cable's internet services, Oriental Shopping's supply chain, and BesTV's large screens. For example, users can request health advice or recommendations simply by speaking to "Dongdong." They are also working with hospitals and communities to integrate AI services into people's 15-minute living circles, enabling home-based wellness care.
- Free Streaming Media: BesTV's FAST service (a free ad-supported streaming platform) offers a variety of channels (for children, movies, games, etc.), providing users with a rich selection of content on large screens and enriching their digital entertainment experience in the smart era.
4. Capital for Growth: Investing in Projects and Funds
Strategic initiatives require funding, and Oriental Pearl uses a combination of industry expertise and capital to drive its development:
- Dual Approaches: Direct Investments + Funds: Since last year, they have invested directly in projects (such as the immersive performance "Battle of Two Cities" and Super Fusion Technology) while also managing industrial funds. Their funds perform exceptionally well among national cultural industry funds.
- Future Focus: The company plans to invest in three key areas: IP content, technology, and service consumption. By leveraging capital, they aim to upgrade their industries and increase the value of their assets. For example, investing in enhancing their IP management capabilities and technological infrastructure will strengthen their business foundation.
In summary, Oriental Pearl's efforts focus on integrating culture with technology to make its services more modern, accessible, and aligned with public preferences. Their goal is to become a leader in the cultural consumption industry, supporting both national strategic initiatives and the development of Shanghai as a vibrant city.