“Does Anybody Poke Anymore?” Social Media Week Continues…

February 14, 2012

Today rounded out Day 2 of Social Media Week and we made it to another panel – this one took place at Big Fuel Headquarters, a digital marketing agency on 23rd St. But before we dive into recapping that panel, which was called “Social Love: The Future of Social Media and Relationships”, let’s flashback to yesterday withJermaine Dupri at Hearst.

“He’s a one person content factory,” described Adam Lavelle, Chief Strategy Officer for iCrossing, a digital marketing agency, who moderated Dupri’s panel alongside Richard DormentEsquire magazine’s features editor. Jermaine was selected because of Global14, the social networking site he is the active brains behind. He described Global14 as basically a Facebook “Like” button, as he uses the site as an outlet to showcase items in fashion, music and friends that he likes.

Jermaine cracked me up. When asked by the panelists about who his audience is mainly composed of, he answered, “Interestingly it’s women. Maybe because they have so much to say.” He also felt strongly against pop-up ads, “What’s going to happen if somebody just puts like pampers up here? Ugh.”

Starting Global14 with the advantage of being, well, Jermaine Dupri, he brought to the table a following and funding – something not every entrepreneur can claim. He made sure to let us know that his standing placed him in a unique position (“If you’re my friend, 9 times out of 10, Usher will want to shake your hand” and “I know Justin Bieber personally, I could call him right now and get him on the phone for everybody in this room,”)

Who’s got Bieber fever??

But here’s the thing. What sounds pompous in quotes (and italics) was outrageously hilarious in person. Which must be at least part of the secret to his success. Own it! If you are what you make yourself out to be, no one can argue with that. After all, hasn’t confidence statistically been one of the most attractive qualities amongst mates? So Jermaine Dupri is his brand. Sitting amongst Lavelle and Dormant, Jermaine provided the perfect combination of comic relief, business accumen and valuable branding tips to compliment the seriousness of his stage buddies.

“The person that speaks up is the person that gets rich,” Jermaine explained. “If you can voice your opinion, then that can be something that you can do for a company,” he drove home.

Not bad. Also, the features editor from Esquire has red hair – a ginger at Esquire?? Threw this gal for a loop!

One point Jermaine Dupri – own your image; own your brand.

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  1. Awready

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