Living The Red Life Rudy Mawer

In today's episode we have Ben Press, someone who found some of the greatest stars we have seen in our favorite movies. One he is most known for is securing a role for Amanda Seyfried in "Mamma Mia!" despite initial resistance from the studio, highlighting the importance of persistence and leveraging trusted relationships. He emphasizes never taking no for an answer and building authentic connections that can facilitate achieving significant goals. This mindset, which was crucial in his career as an agent, enabled him to navigate the industry successfully and secure major opportunities for his clients.
In the discussion, Ben also delves into his transition from talent representation to the world of entertainment technology startups. He talks about his involvement in ventures like Russell Wilson's TraceMe, which was later acquired by Nike, and his advisory role at Cameo. He explains how celebrities have become more accessible for brand collaborations due to economic changes in the entertainment industry and shares insights on how entrepreneurs can leverage celebrity partnerships for brand growth. His approach combines understanding target demographics, vetting potential celebrity partners, and structuring equity deals to benefit both parties.
CHAPTER TITLES
1:00 - Introduction and Guest Overview
2:08 - From Mailroom to Agent: Ben's Career Journey
2:30 - Working with Hollywood Legends
3:00 - Packaging America's Next Top Model and Mamma Mia
3:45 - Pivot to Entertainment Tech Startups
4:20 - Leveraging Celebrity for Business Growth
5:00 - Evolution of Celebrity Brand Work
6:10 - How to Engage Celebrities for Your Brand
7:25 - Vetting and Selecting the Right Celebrity
8:45 - Structuring Equity and Compensation Deals
10:15 - The Importance of Fast Decisions in Celebrity Deals
11:00 - Activations and Fundraising with Celebrities
12:21 - Creating Authentic Celebrity Partnerships
13:08 - Case Study: Landing Amanda Seyfried for Mamma Mia
16:23 - Lessons in Persistence and Relationship Building
18:10 - Strategies for Effective Asks
19:27 - Encouraging Staff to Overcome 'No' Responses
20:41 - Turning 'No' into 'Maybe' and 'Maybe' into Meetings

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QUESTIONS
1:37 - What has been your biggest challenge in growing your business online and how did you overcome it?
2:32 - How do you stay motivated and inspired in the face of setbacks?
3:28 - What is a breakthrough moment that significantly changed your business trajectory?
4:13 - How do you balance your personal branding with company branding in your marketing strategy?
5:05 - I'm struggling with creating viral content that resonates with my audience. What is your secret?
5:34 - How do you leverage influencer marketing to boost your own brands' visibility?
6:05 - What strategies have you found most effective for scaling your ad spend profitably on social media?
6:51 - What's the best way that you identify and capitalize on emerging trends in digital marketing?
7:54 - How much do you pay attention to data analytics and how does it play a role in your decision-making in your business?
8:45 - Can you share a story about a successful collaboration you've had with a celebrity or influencer?
9:21 - What is the best way to establish trust in your brand?
9:55 - I'm building my first sales funnel. What are the key elements of a successful sales funnel in your experience?
10:43 - We're struggling to keep customers. How do you approach customer retention and loyalty in your brand and business?
11:50 - I'm just getting my start in digital marketing. What is one piece of advice you would give me right now?
12:39 - How do you look at and measure ROI of all of your marketing campaigns?
12:57 - What's your approach to content creation and distribution across all of your different platforms?
13:34 - How do you manage and motivate a large team to achieve high performance?
14:39 - What do you think will be the biggest change in the next five years in the digital marketing and social media space?
15:03 - A couple of bad reviews have set our business back a lot. How do you handle negative feedback or criticism about your brand online?
16:31 - What is the most valuable lesson you learned from your worst failure?
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FULL TRANSCRIPT
0:00
Rudy, what is the most valuable lesson you learned from your worst failure?
0:04
I think probably the biggest lesson, which is kind of ironic is I'm struggling with creating viral content that resonates with my audience.
0:12
What is your secret?
0:13
Something I've learned from a lot of people that are very successful on socials is just like, what do you think will be the biggest change in the next five years in the digital marketing and social media space?
0:24
The next five years, biggest change will probably be, we're already ahead.
0:28
I would say we've been doing it over 18 months now.
0:31
I think it's gonna change how content's made, how content's produced the ability to create content.
0:37
I think that's gonna be the biggest change.
0:38
It's a good question too.
0:39
I think a breakthrough...

Larry Namer, a veteran in the entertainment industry known for his work with E! Entertainment Television shares his journey of building a multi-billion dollar network from scratch. He highlights the challenges faced and the innovative solutions implemented to overcome financial constraints. Recounting how his team started the network with just $2.5 million, he explains how they maximized resources and leveraged high-quality content like movie trailers and popular shows such as "Talk Soup" and "Howard Stern." He emphasizes the importance of hiring people smarter than oneself and constantly reassessing business strategies to stay relevant and successful.
Larry also discusses the role of the Kardashians in turning E! into a global brand, crediting Kris Jenner's strategic guidance in their rise to fame. Reflecting on broader principles of entrepreneurship, he advises listeners to balance passion with practicality, prioritize time management, and stay adaptable to changing environments. His experience extends beyond the U.S., having created successful shows in China and Russia, demonstrating that effective storytelling transcends cultural boundaries. The episode provides valuable insights into the entertainment industry and entrepreneurial wisdom from his extensive career.

CHAPTER TITLES
0:48 - Welcome Larry from Entertainment Television
Introduction of the guest, Larry, and his background in entertainment television.
1:21 - The Origins of E! Entertainment
Larry shares the story of how E! Entertainment was founded with his partner Alan.
2:59 - Innovating on a Tight Budget
The innovative strategies used to start E! Entertainment with limited funds.
4:08 - The Role of Interns in Building E!
How interns from UT Austin contributed to the early success of E! Entertainment.
4:55 - Talk Soup and Early Successes
The creation of "Talk Soup" and its impact on the network's growth.
5:47 - Leveraging High-Quality Content
How E! used movie trailers and other content to attract viewers.
6:26 - Global Success and Comcast Acquisition
Discussion on E!'s growth into a global brand and its sale to Comcast.
7:00 - Strategic Hiring and Talent Selection
The importance of hiring the best hosts and how it contributed to E!'s success.
9:50 - Achieving Success in the Asian Market
Larry's experience with writing and producing a sitcom in China.
10:53 - Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Three crucial lessons for entrepreneurs from Larry's career.
12:09 - Balancing Passion with Practicality
The need to balance passion projects with financial viability.
16:50 - The Reality of Reality TV
Insights into the behind-the-scenes workings of reality television shows.
18:41 - The Importance of Adaptability
Emphasizing the need to adapt to changing business environments and technologies.


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In this podcast episode, i delve into the world of disruptive brands, exploring the transformative impact of billion-dollar companies on various industries. Through examples like Liquid Death's unconventional approach to selling water or the paradigm-shifting clash between Netflix and Blockbuster, the narrative unveils the power of innovation and adaptation in driving success.
These stories underscore the importance of agility and foresight in navigating turbulent economic landscapes, urging entrepreneurs to seize opportunities and pivot swiftly to meet evolving consumer demands. By dissecting the strategies and philosophies behind these disruptive giants, this episode offers invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to carve their own path in an ever-changing business landscape.
CHAPTERS
1:33 - The Need for Speed: Staying Ahead in Disruptive Markets
2:32 - Uber: A Case Study in Industry Disruption
3:51 - Netflix vs. Blockbuster: The Evolution of Entertainment
5:46 - Airbnb: Transforming Travel and Hospitality
7:58 - Impossible Foods: Redefining the Meat Industry
9:53 - Spotify: Revolutionizing the Music Business
12:00 - Warby Parker: Changing the Way We Shop for Glasses
13:09 - Robinhood: Democratizing Stock Trading
14:56 - The Power of Disruptive Brands: Lessons for Entrepreneurs
15:59 - Liquid Death and the Art of Branding Innovation
16:30 - The Speed of Disruption: How Fast Is Fast Enough?
17:24 - Creating a Billion-Dollar Brand: Strategies for Success


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Paul Fisher, a Supermodel agent, that has represented some of the biggest stars in the industry over several decades. From Naomi Campbell to Stephanie Seymour, his roster boasts iconic names that have graced the covers of top magazines and walked the most prestigious runways. With a knack for spotting talent and brokering multi-million dollar deals, Paul's influence extends beyond the modeling world into the realm of social media, where he now navigates the landscape of influencers and celebrities.
Transitioning seamlessly into the digital age, Paul recognizes the shifting dynamics in the industry, where social media metrics often hold as much weight as traditional modeling accolades. His approach emphasizes not just star power, but also the values and impact of the personalities he manages. Fisher's insights into the convergence of celebrity, brand influence, and entrepreneurial endeavors offer a unique perspective on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of fame and commerce. Buckle up, this is a juicy one!
CHAPTERS
1:06 - Introducing Paul Fisher, Supermodel Agent
2:32 - Navigating Celebrity Influence: Building Brands in a Changing Landscape
4:55 - The Future of Brand Deals: Strategies for Beginners
8:16 - Harnessing Celebrity Influence for Startups: Strategies for Success
13:39 - The Role of Philanthropy in Branding: Creating Conscious Celebrity Partnerships
15:44 - The Impact of Influencers: Shaping the Modern Fashion Industry
18:01 - Building a Successful Business: Key Principles for Entrepreneurs
22:01 - Paul Fisher's Journey: From $10K to Over $300 Million in Deals
23:07 - The TV Show Legacy: Exploring "I Can Make You a Supermodel"
24:31 - Unveiling "Confessions of a Modeling Agent": Insider Stories from the Fashion World

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In this podcast episode, I delve into the psychology of buying and selling, unraveling the mysteries behind pricing strategies and consumer behavior. To help you understand, I draw from parallels between the automotive industry and product pricing, emphasizing the critical role branding and perceived value play in driving consumer decisions. The importance of aligning pricing with the buyer's journey and psychological triggers, which will hopefully shift your perspective and force you to tailor their marketing strategies accordingly.
Another key concept I cover is the stages of buyer awareness, from the unaware masses to the committed customers, advocating for a nuanced approach in messaging and content creation. By understanding where potential customers fall within this spectrum, businesses can craft targeted campaigns and offers that resonate with their specific needs and preferences.
CHAPTERS
1:08 - Understanding Pricing Psychology
2:07 - Analogies from Everyday Shopping
3:50 - Matching Sales Processes to Products
7:05 - Simplifying the Sales Process
8:13 - Tailoring Touch Points to Product Value
9:50 - Webinars and High-Ticket Sales
11:08 - Drop-off Rates and Sales Funnels
12:09 - Matching Price to Purchase Process
15:08 - Perceived Value and Branding
16:30 - Elevating Product Perks and Brand Strength
18:36 - Brand Effect on Price
19:50 - Adding Value: Ideas and Implementation
22:02 - Navigating Buyer's Awareness Stages
24:20 - Tailoring Sales Approach to Buyer Journey

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