Brands and Celebrities Part 2

I saw this ad/video from Tobacco Free Florida and had to post it. It hits home in so many ways and came at the perfect time.



On the heels of Monday's post on celebrities whoring products, also comes the flip-side and brands whoring celebrities, offering sponsorships for tours, videos, albums, movies, etc.

One tour that I remember was the Roots Tour, sponsored by Kool Cigarettes a few years back. The hip-hop purists in the Orlando community threw a concert in protest of the show, a "Hip-Hop is Not Kool" show. The point was that no rapper, artist or celebrity needs the money so bad that they should be promoting products that are dangerous, especially to the younger audience.

There are 2 sides to blame for this blatant attempt at promotion:
1. The artists/celebrities the see dollar signs
2. The brands that are willing to give money/products to anyone with a respectable audience

Neither side is better than the other and it is hard to say if the celebrity is the in the wrong for accepting money to continue to put food on their table and provide for their families, at least in the case of the Roots, who are not mega millionaires, but well off musicians.

Anyway...short post as I'm on the road to the Keys...hope the weather stays nice.

-Greg Rollett

Being a Local Celebrity

That's a cocky way to start my first 'real' post in over 2 weeks. Turns out at an event in Orlando this week I was chatting with someone I just met and he was telling me about all the things I was doing. It was quite awesome to say the least.

Then I went back into the room and maybe a dozen people asked about one of the launch parties I just threw. More still asked how my show went on Friday night. Boosts your ego and confidence for sure.

So this post is about becoming a local celebrity - or rather a leader in your community. The reason is because I think its important for young people to broaden their reach, expand their networks and get off the computer.

My 5 step plan to dominating your local ego

1. Starts online - You need to brand yourself online for what you want to be known for offline. The images, videos, text and layouts you portray online will go with you when you meet these people in real life. Your personality is expected to be an extension of your online brand.
2. Network with the right people - When I first started getting Rollett Marketing and later Endagon Innovations off the ground the goal wasn't to meet everyone, just the influentials in each market. I joined AD2, a local adverting association for young professionals and hung out with the president a few times. Showed up to an event and chatted with the speakers and the people who put the event on. Now I get invites and referrals from the former president whenever she needs to hand something off. Next I went outside my industry and met a major player from every angle that I can. It doesn't pay your bills to know 100 marketers all selling the same Kool Aid. I'd rather know one heavy hitter in hospitality, one in real estate, a few local business owners, some artists, musicians, media professionals, some developers to code all the crazy stuff I'd like to do and boom you have a diverse network of people who can fill your head with very exciting ideas and problems.
3. Become a leader - I serve on 2 Boards of Directors, for Rock For Hunger and doterati. Both have presented me with opportunities and introduced me to people that I never would have had. They are help me give back the community and see life in different ways than I have in my own life.
4. Give, give , give. These days I am working on the Tim Ferriss mantra of no, no, no (unsuccessfully), but for years I was always about give, give, give. I would play free shows, volunteer for numerous charities, interviewed countless bands, stayed late at work, picked up extra shifts, gave rides, built websites, spoke on panels, gave countless free presentations, wrote a blog with good free advice and all kinds of other stuff. You know what, it pays off. When I need a favor, an introduction or help in an area, I have a great network that is happy to help me out.
5. Love your city. Speaking at Ignite Orlando on the topic I did made me realize that I love my city, the people in it and the events that make it worthwhile. If I hated where I lived, the people didn't support each other and there was nothing fun to do - then it would be really hard to connect, grow and build your business.

This post was all in good fun and while I do have some Urban Outfitter tees that declare my Local Celebrity-ness, I am still eager to get on the town, get dirty and network my ass off, promote the hell out of my work and have a damn good time in my city.

What do you guys think? What makes you or someone you know a local celebrity or what makes them an egomaniacal (is that a word) asshole?

-Greg Rollett