The Coolest Job in the World

I love when people ask me about where I work. I tell them I have the coolest job in the world. That usually gets their attention. I explain it as simply as I can.

My company, LocalLive, produces high school sports, performing arts and other school events. We stream them online live and record them so they're available to watch later on-demand. This allows parents, students, alumni and others to watch games anytime and from anywhere. They don’t have to miss an event, even if they’re working or traveling.

That’s pretty neat, right? They agree, but they’re not yet convinced it’s the coolest job in the world.

Okay, let me tell you how we do it. We install specialized remote control cameras at the fields, gyms, theaters and auditoriums. It just got a little more interesting, didn’t it?

Here’s the really cool part. We hire and train local students as Game Producers to provide camera work remotely. They follow the action using gaming controllers while watching on monitors in our office or other locations. They can actually cover a game from anywhere, like from home or an office at the school.

“Really????” That is amazing.” That’s usually the kind of thing I hear. Then it hits them. 

“Wait a minute. You mean that my kid could get paid to use an Xbox controller? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Yes, it’s true. That day has actually come. All those years of video games are finally paying off.


It turns out, kids are so good with these devices that controlling cameras with one is second nature to them. Not only that, but this allows us to provide jobs and valuable digital video experience to these students while they do something that they are truly passionate about.

It’s a very efficient methodology. It eliminates the need to send a video crew to cover every event and it takes travel, weather and other logistical problems out of the equation. It’s easier and cost effective for the schools. Now they can afford to cover all of their games instead of just offering a select few due to budget constraints. It’s high quality and high volume, but not a high price. 

We’ve essentially crowd-sourced video production, working smarter and more efficiently with a remote workforce. Kind of like what Uber did for cab rides.

Now I’ve got them. “Wow. That IS the coolest job in the world.”

But then they will point out that while the Game Producer is indeed a very cool position, it’s not my job, I do marketing. 

They’ll say, “I thought you said YOU had the coolest job in the world.”

True, but I get to come in everyday and see these impressive young people work their magic. Better still, I get to speak with the schools, parents, alumni and other viewers who tell me how much being able to watch and share these moments mean to them. It’s really quite amazing.

If that’s not the coolest job in the world, it’s close enough for me.


To learn more about LocalLive, the coolest place in the world, visit www.locallive.tv or email info@locallive.tv.

How Did He Know That?

Ever wonder how those TV mediums know so much about people? Well, it does not take psychic powers... just internet access and a little time. Here's the proof. 

Behold, the Social Media Experiment! 


Just remember, more people besides your friends are reading your posts. Be social, but don't be naive.

You May Ship Your Pants After Seeing This

I discovered this video thanks to a couple of different people posting it on Facebook. I don't know if I will ever need to ship my pants, or anything else from K-Mart, but now I know I have the option. More important, here I am sharing their commercial on my blog. I am sure there are a few people who might, that will end up seeing this because it has been shared on one of their social media accounts. 

So I may not end up as a converted lead for K-Mart, but I sure did enjoy their video and I couldn't wait to share it.  The funny thing is, there is not a K-Mart near me, so I would not consider myself a customer or fan of the brand, yet here I am celebrating one of their commercials. I am telling you, this social media stuff works.

And now that I know I can ship, maybe I will be more likely to take a look at their web site next time I am shopping for something they sell. 

Come to think of it, I do need a new pair of jeans. Perhaps this is a chance for me to ship my pants. 

Elmore Leonard on Writing - Enough Said.

If you haven’t read an Elmore Leonard novel, you are probably still familiar with his work and recognize his name as a great American author. His works have been made into such movies and TV shows as Out of Sight, Get Shorty, Be Cool and Justified. Two of his characters in particular have emerged as household names, Karen Sisco from Out of Sight and Raylan Givens of Justified.

One of the trademarks of Leonard’s work is great characters. They are compelling, layered and always interesting. I have read a lot of “how to” articles and books on the subject of writing, but I may have just learned more from this quick video from Elmore Leonard. The biggest thing I walked away with was the importance of your characters. You may think that’s an obvious point, but listen to it the way he explains it. It will take on a whole new meaning.

Whether you are just starting out as an author or a seasoned pro, I highly suggest checking this out. Then go read Elmore Leonard novel, for goodness sakes. (And watch Justified... it's one of the best shows on TV.)

Can You Build Empathy With Experiential Research?

A blizzard is moving in on the Northeast and most of us are hunkering down for the next couple of days. To help you pass the time in a constructive way, I thought I'd post this video from a presentation my friend Mike Carlon recently delivered to the Market Research Association. Mike is the owner of Vertigo Partners, a marketing consultancy that helps clients uncover and apply consumer, shopper, and cultural insights. 

Mike is not only a very knowledgeable researcher, he's also a great presenter and a pretty funny guy. I promise you'll learn something from this video and probably laugh a few times too. One thing is for sure, after you watch this, if you run into him at the supermarket, you'll know a great way to ask him where the eggs are.  

Here's Building Consumer Empathy Through Qualitative Research: Parts 1, 2 and 3.

Part 1


Part2

Part 3

How to Not Suck on Instagram

Have you ever rolled your eyes at some of the posts you see on your Instagram feed? Ever want to whack one of your friends on the side of their head with your iPhone for the 400th pic of their dog or the 5000th eCard repost from Pinterest with some quasi-humorous saying on it?

Well, YouTube filmmaker Casey Neistat has created a video that should be required viewing for anyone registering for Instagram. This video is priceless.

Check him out at https://www.facebook.com/cneistat

#BluhmonFallon - A Live Social Media Case Study

Have you seen Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers on YouTube, playing great songs while driving around in their van? If not, check it out. Great, huh?



Now here is my recent appearance on 10 Minute Strategy with Peter Propp. Peter and I have started a grassroots movement to get singer Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers on the Jimmy Fallon Show. It's a combination of our fondness for the band and our proclivity for social media. Let's see if we can make this happen. Check out the article at 10 Minute Strategy and the video below.

You can join out Facebook page and tweet about it using hashtag: #bluhmonfallon and let Jimmy know at @jimmyfallon

10 Minute Strategy: BluhmOnFallon, a Live Social Media Case Study: In this episode of 10MinuteStrategy, I’m bringing back Jack Campisi, who was one of the first people I interviewed when I started this video...

How's the Weather?

Here is a video I created to help NewsiT promote and recruit for their latest crowd sourced news story. This one is being done in conjunction with AccuWeather, who predicts some wild weather for some parts of the country this summer.

I proud to say that many of the photos in this video were also shot by me. (The rest came from AccuWeather.com.) 

For more details or to participate in the project, visit NewsiT.

Thriller as performed by IDT: Integrated DNA Technologies

Here's a company that gets it. Fun must be in their DNA.

IDT (Integrated DNA Technologies ) has a tradition to create a short film for their company's annual holiday party. This year they created their version of the famous "Thriller" video by Michael Jackson.

This is so great. You can't... Beat It.

Talk about a "viral" video. Humorous content like this really humanizes the corporation... well, maybe "zombifies" is a better word. You know what I mean.

As a social media guy, I tip my cap. And I do that Thriller hand swing thing too. It's this kind of "surprise and delight" strategy that gets people talking.

One of the great things about the new landscape of social media marketing is that companies can now use unconventional ways to reach people. Let's face it, DNA is an industry that many people don't think about a lot, unless they are in it. But you just watched that video and now you know who they are. And what's likely to happen in most cases? You'll share the link with a few of your friends. Maybe because they are in the industry or maybe because they love Thriller.

It also says something about IDT as an employer. If I am a looking for a company to call home, I certainly would be attracted to a place with a vibe like this.

Great job IDT. I can't wait to see next years number. I wonder what you could do with Lady Gaga.

For more information on IDT, contact Keven Stevens at kstevens@idtdna.com