Phil understood clearly that following the ordinary path carried too much risk of failure.

Although he had substantial funds at his disposal, on the ordinary path, this wouldn’t necessarily be an advantage – it might even backfire.

Previously, wealthy individuals had participated in superhero talent shows, bribing the production team for more screen time, higher mentor evaluations, and cooperation from other contestants for staged performances.

But such behavior triggered viewer resentment and boycott. Despite gaining attention through spending during the show’s broadcast, they lost momentum before reaching the second stage.

It must be said that becoming a superhero required more than just money and attention – it needed actual ability, or at minimum, public approval – whatever type of approval.

After consideration, Phil realized that joining a superhero selection program like others would simply lead down the same beaten path. Would audiences like him? Unlikely seemed the most probable outcome.

Because wealthy participants in superhero selections naturally started with negative points against them.

Audiences preferred superheroes from common backgrounds with tragic backstories showing strong social responsibility.

Though Phil had fans, in most people’s eyes, he was a carefree playboy, naturally giving off an “unreliable” impression.

Moreover, millionaires joining superhero contests had transparent motives.

Therefore, Phil decided on an alternative path: personally funding a superhero talent show.

Exclusive naming rights for current popular superhero selection programs had exceeded one hundred million dollars.

Of course, these shows had extremely high production costs too.

Superhero contests differed from regular talent shows – besides standard venues, heroes needed to do extensive location shoots and participate in specially arranged incidents.

Additionally, influential shows required famous, prestigious superheroes as mentors, whose appearance fees reached astronomical levels.

Thus, Phil needed to invest at least two hundred million dollars for his plan to potentially succeed.

This carried enormous risk. This amount could secure exclusive naming rights for many superhero shows, and such sponsorship could effectively advertise the Simmons family’s real estate business.

In other words, using this money to buy exclusive sponsorship of other shows wouldn’t result in massive losses.

But Phil couldn’t be a sponsor, at least not exclusively. On one hand, this approach would be too obvious, arousing audience suspicion and affecting his entire plan; on the other hand, without sufficient incentives, other major conglomerates would never participate.

Therefore, Phil’s plan involved partnering with conglomerates behind the two currently hottest superhero talent shows, organizing “The Successor” variety show under these two groups’ names.

On the surface, the Simmons family would completely distance themselves from “The Successor” show, not sponsoring it. Even if people suspected hidden interests, they wouldn’t find it excessive.

With these two major conglomerates already fiercely competing in the superhero arena, having them co-sponsor “The Successor” would generate enormous buzz and attention before airing.

For these conglomerates, getting naming rights to a massive superhero talent show investment worth tens of millions without spending anything – why refuse such a gift?

Phil Simmons’s only request was complete control over the production team, ensuring the show followed his scripted development.

Phil would serve as a mentor on “The Successor.”

The show featured four mentors total: besides Phil, there was a superhero, a star superhero agent, and a marketing director from a superhero management company.

The other three mentors were all major figures in the superhero industry, existing solely to perform alongside Phil, creating the illusion that “Phil belongs at their level” for viewers.

In reality, with Phil’s abilities and knowledge, he could never match the other three mentors’ performance in such settings.

But that was fine – he had the script.

Following the script ensured Phil’s success.

Phil lacked experience in producing superhero talent shows, but money attracted talent. With sufficient spending and hiring the right people, all problems could be solved.

Not every top superhero was interested in being a mentor on such shows – it felt somewhat like children playing house – but with enough money, suitable candidates could be found.

After Phil’s lavish spending, “The Successor” was entrusted to a highly capable TV station in Hope City for production. Auditions and filming quickly got scheduled.

“The Successor” followed similar production to other superhero shows: normal auditions, discovering potential newcomers hoping to become superheroes nationwide, determining winners through training and competitions.

Only the show’s rules featured innovation: mentor recruitment battles and team competitions.

Four mentors built teams through competitive recruitment, with the four teams competing against each other to determine the ultimate winner.

Within this framework, Phil received the “second place” script.

He chose second place over first to avoid being too conspicuous. According to the script, Phil’s team would appear “seemingly weak but actually strong.”

These contestants would intentionally underperform during auditions, when Phil would notice their hidden potential and recruit them. During actual team competitions, they’d perform dramatically better but still lack the strength to win, resulting in a regrettable second-place finish.

This way, audiences would think Phil guided mediocre contestants to excellent performances.

Finishing second wouldn’t reflect poorly on Phil as a mentor – it was because his teammates were too weak to carry.

Thus, most viewers would perceive Phil as outwardly a playboy but actually highly capable, on par with the other three respected figures.

This would lay solid groundwork for Phil’s next phase.

Soon after announcing only the mentor lineup, “The Successor” was already creating pre-broadcast buzz!

The list included established superheroes, star agents, and marketing directors – all industry insiders with high reputations. Yet among these three was Phil Simmons, the notorious Twitter influencer playboy rich kid?

Online immediately erupted with skepticism: Phil Simmons might have decent credentials and run a company as CEO, but was he really qualified as a mentor for such a show?

But these doubts were quickly overshadowed when “The Successor” production team announced the competition format: four mentors recruiting contestants for team battles.

Those previously questioning Phil Simmons now turned gleeful, eager to watch him embarrass himself on the show.

Though all four mentors had equal “recruitment quotas,” the best and most promising contestants would surely be snatched by the other three mentors, leaving Phil with second-tier candidates.

Team battles would likely be one-sided affairs, with Phil’s team undoubtedly becoming punching bags, probably struggling to win even minor matches.

With this massive topic buzz, the first episode of “The Successor” officially premiered.