I wonder if anyone here has (or know of others that have) successfully found ways to leverage their celebrity status as a performer in ways outside of performing and BOR. For example, using their likeness to sell a line of products or run an establishment. I am interested in discussing ways one can better develop themselves as a local celebrity and then take full advantage of it.

I'm surprised no one has replied to this as it is a very great topic. The very first thing that came to my mind when you mentioned this was Marshall Brodien. For those that do not know, he is a Chicago area magician. He had a role as one of the characters, Wizzo, on Chicago's broadcast of The Bozo Show. While more of a supporting character, where he really made his mark was with his TV Magic Cards. He basically took Svengali decks and rebranded them as Marshall Brodien's TV Magic cards and ran local commercials on Bozo and other morning and afternoon children's shows on WGN (where Bozo aired). This continued after his time on Bozo. The commercials demonstrated four or five quick sample tricks you could do with this magical deck of cards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihN1JLsrVe8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uckMhd4yv0E He sold over 17,000,000 of these. He was famous as Wizzo locally, but even more so as Marshall the TV Magic Cards guy. This was just and example of what can be created from hosting a local area kids t.v. show, utilizing local t.v. spots that are quite affordable, and of course as I've talked about before, strategically using the Press & Media to propel your image, celebrity and also product sales.

It made him an instant celebrity. As Wizzo most of the public didn't know him, but as himself pitching TV Magic Cards he used the media to gain credibility, exposure and success. It led to many other great opportunities and a demand for his performances that still continued until his more failing health days.

Three different possibilities here, local t.v. shows for kids, creating a well identified character and using media to sell a celebrity endorsed product or line of products.

Celebrity is fascinating in today's society. There is also false celebrity thanks to social media, but I do think if you use credible celebrity building techniques, supported by social media, you can have a great combination.

I don’t see myself as a celebrity but for the most part those who do magic are usually viewed by the public as being
a little different anyway. Sure your close friends may see you as someone who only does some ’tricks’ but if you
actually do ‘shows’ in front of an audience, even on a part-time basis, you are somewhat viewed as a celebrity.
Of course that level can be different from person to person. Then too your personality has a lot to do with it.

Over the years being known as a magician has helped me in many different ways. I’m sure my magic listed on the
application had a little to do with some of the jobs I worked early on. It most certainly helped me while I was in
sales and then during my speaking career. Being good at magic requires good salesmanship, so sales and magic go
hand in hand.

My love for magic caused me to include a magic section when I opened my retail businesses (Fun Shops) Magic was even
beneficial in helping start up my Daycare Center many years ago. By including free magic lessons once a week to those
that wanted it helped impress some of the clients. It sure impressed the kids. We even had a small stage in one of the
larger rooms which help sell the appearance of the facility.

I could go on and on about how I have used magic and the positive mindset that comes with it to better myself. But no you
don’t have to be a full time performer with a huge nationwide celebrity status to enjoy the many benefits that come with
knowing a little magic. The secret to improving that status is to keep yourself in front of the public as much as possible.

Tom

Thanks for the responses guys. Mindpro, thanks for the background on the Marshall Brodien Magic Cards. My dad still has his deck from way back when. I never knew the tie in with The Bozo Show. Ironically, what came to my mind first as an example of what I was looking for was what Larry Harrmon did with The Bozo Show by leveraging the popularity of the character to sell video cartoons, and toys. I held back initially because I did not want to steer the responses and also I was hoping to hear of examples a bit closer to those that grew from live local performers.

I think their is potential especially for those of us that target young audiences, as it is easier to create a following with these audiences. My thought is to brand performance characters and use their likeness for books, videos, games and perhaps an entertainment center (Chuck E Cheese or bounce house type establishment). The fact that no recent examples were referenced makes me wonder. I realize each aspect would need to be high quality in it's own right, but it seems possible to leverage the relationships from live performances in front of hundreds of audience members to help drive other entertainment outlets.

Funny you mention Larry Harmon. Larry was a friend of mine appearing on my shows many times over the years. Man, that guy had some stories. Many think he created Bozo, however he really made his money in licensing. He licensed Bozo from a record label (Columbia or Capital, one of those big ones) and then licensed his creation of the Bozo Show to many major and medium t,v, markets across the U.S. and worldwide. While they had to have the main character of Bozo he gave each licensee some latitude to create their own support characters.

In Chicago, one of its top performing markets the show was so popular, there was a ten year wait for tickets. People would actually apply for tickets before they even conceived their kids! It was crazy successful.

He then produced the Bozo cartoon to be featured in each episode of the Bozo show worldwide, he voiced Bozo himself. Again a license deal. He also then licensed Popeye and Laurel & Hardy to create cartoons with them as well to be included in the live Bozo show broadcast as features. This made the Character at one time the third most recognized icon in the world behind Jesus Christ and Santa Claus. Originally McDonald's licensed the use of Bozo but didn't like the control Harmon held so they dropped Bozo and created Ronald McDonald (the first Ronald McDonald was weatherman Willard Scott).

So Larry really made his money in licensing. I was always trying to persuade him to do live Bozo road shows with the cast of the t,.v. shows. While they did often do a t.v. special or some appearances at Children's events hospitals and causes, he never did it to the extent I would have liked. He didn't need to and again, he had control issues of great concern.

T.V. shows, the media, products are a great way to propel celebrity. Then back that up with endorsements which are a great way to establish a character and a steady following and demand.

Quite frankly this is where I think a lot of kids performers are missing the boat. I have a great formula I would use to do such a thing. I will be happy to license it to anyone interested. Live performances are only one way. Again this goes back to the thread about Do You Have A Business (than can easily be scaled) Or Just Self-Employeed? This is exactly what I was talking about with muti-faceted business models vs. the default business model.

Mindpro and Charlie,

Marshall Brodien and the TV magic cards, and the Bozo Show, are some great examples.

I think there’s always THAT CHANCE that someone will come along and transform their celebrity status into something greater, but I also think that most entertainers just don’t have what it takes to reach that level. (I include myself in that group. )

Also, too, I think sometimes you either HAVE IT, or you DON’T HAVE IT, and most entertainers DON’T HAVE IT and therefore can’t make that jump that Charlie mentions. Sometimes we just have to face reality. If you DON’T HAVE IT, all the marketing and publicity in the world can’t carry you and make something stick for a long period of time. Soon, people will see right through this.

A young David Kotkin was able to transform himself and his career into the David Copperfield enterprise. To my way of thinking, however, David was an anomaly.

While not quite on the same level, one might say that magician and ventriloquist Bob McAllister did the same thing. He started out as a magician and found fame with local TV kid shows that were rage in the 1960-1970 era, before he made it big time with his Wonderama show in New York. One must remember that McAllister had an effervescent personality that was ideal for TV.

Odds are if you ever watched one of those singing shows, like THE VOICE, you’ve come to the conclusion that while a lot of people can sing (in our case, insert the words – PERFORM MAGIC), they just didn’t have what it takes to move to that next level.

Gerry
.

Well said Gerry.

But anyway, I guess I misread the question. Thought it was about how you could use magic to better yourself NOW.
Not wait until you were a superstar. Sorry about that.

Sometimes you have to leverage what you got instead of waiting to be somebody your not. Very few will reach
Copperfield status, but many could still be great in their own little world if they only tried. After all, our
world is only as big as the one we live in and it is there that our fans will judge us.

Tom

I agree with Gerry that most could not pull such a thing off. But I believe in the right sized town in the right location it is possible. One such person who has achieved the necessary local status would perhaps be The Great Zucchini. He can sell out 500 seat theaters on a regular basis. If he choose to leverage such celebrity I believe he would have a shot at success. I am not sure if Washington is the right type of town to do so, but knowing his success makes me think t is possible.

Tom - not everything has to be about NOW. Planning for the future and considering possibilities avoids "seat of the pants" results.

I agree planning and thinking ahead is good.

My point is those who do shows are probably already viewed as a celebrity and just don’t know it. The Great Zucchini is a
good example of somebody not being a Copperfield that can still be a local celebrity. He acts the part and allows the press
to do the work for him by keeping his name out there.

The problem is when you stop performing the celebrity status can change. It’s NOW during those performing days that
you need to make your move to set it for life.

Tom

If you are interested in creating, and the leveraging, celebrity status, I suggest the study of Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.

Paris Hilton became a celebrity for the mere fact that she was wealthy and in the public eye so much.

Kim's mother, Kris, studied Paris (or at least this phenomenon) and took calcualated steps to create the celebrity Kim is today - and the wealth.

I believe Paris Hilton's celebrity status was by chance, while Kim Kardashian's by careful planning.

I would also argue that just about any magician that gets paid for shows, from the local ocassional birthday party performer to David Copperfield, has as much or more talent that Kim Kardashian.

I'm not saying it is easy or anyone could obtain that level of notoriety, however the study of the very public Kardishian family could lead to ideas that a local performer might be able to implement.

Hudson

(I accidentally posted this as part of another post in another thread, sorry, it was meant for here)


I think the celebrity element into a business model is one of the greatest strategies available. Especially if you understand the press and media, specific social media of today, and how to utilized multiple mediums. In many ways this is kind of advanced stuff. What has always killed me is people think "while I just live in _____" Like that Kameron Messmer guy that pops in her every once in a while. He seems to believe all of his struggles come from him being in billings, MT. Sure every area creates challenges, but they also create opportunities. This celebrity status concept is something I initially had always thought would be prime in Billings. They are a media market with network affiliates and independent medias as well. That can be a great combination. This is where I think kids performers are very narrow-minded and short-sided. They only seem to stick with what they know which is usually only the basics needed to perform kids parties. Then not growing or evolving much from there. Not picking on them, not at all, but it is a common trait with many. Point is everyone always things "this could never happen in my area" or
"sure this could happen if you packed up and moved to L.A. or New York. They have no idea how much harder it is in LA or NY, lol. I've worked with thousands of celebrities and I always tell people it is no different booking Jerry Seinfeld, Cher or Lady Gaga, that it is operating as or booking Bobo The Clown, The Magic Of Boogerman or a local storyteller. Performers think its different, but it is all the exact same, a few elements and details are different, but not much different than the differences in booking a DJ vs. a magician vs. jump house. People think once you get on a national level it somehow is different. it's the same. And one of the things we always discuss is how they all started locally right in their small unheard of town.

I agree not everyone has what it takes, but I feel it is due to these misperceptions. I also agree that it is only minimally due to their performance. Yes it needs to be good, solid and well polished on all levels. Personality, a clear and honest understanding of who you are and what your are trying to attain is essential. False belief, puffing, misperception will always stand in your way and prevent it from happening. I think we see a great example of that happening here. The whole false belief of one thinking they are something bigger than they are is exactly what could be standing in the way of one actually achieving that. It will not simply happen. I see it nearly every day.

I also agree personality is key, as is a strong business sense and behind the scenes understanding and plan. Most don't have these three or four things firmly in place. These are what they should be working on a daily basis to get to where they want to need. Not promotional hype.

A few years ago there was a guy that came on the Café and posted that he had studied mentalism for a number of years and the business of entertainment. He had never performed before. He was offering $5,000 for someone to work with him one on one to create a show, train him how to perform it, and elsewhere I think he offered $10k to someone to teach and assist him with learning the business. It was interesting to me because he was willing to pay for bystep the learning curve. I was contacted and found this interesting. This type of thing (similar not exact) happens all the time in Hollywood - a performer is cast in a role they then seek a consultant to help familiarize them with being (say, for example) a magician, how to do some material, how to present and carry themselves, etc. It shortens the learning curve.

In the case of the guy wiling to pay to create an act and business, he did it. However, what was missing was A. personality (as mentioned above as a key) and B. the understanding of and through experience. He expected once he paid for a show and business knowledge he would never have a struggle and it would just be doing show after show continuously as he wanted to perform night after night continuously and then tour worldwide. He had all the new and shinny proper, accessories and tools of the trade, he had the costumes and clothing and the look. I suspect he had a wealthy daddy who was willing to help him by paying for his success. I think we have seen something similar here too.

So no not everyone can do it, but it is more possible than many would realize. They just don't want to educate themselves in how to do it or don't have/know the resources to do so or understand how to make it possible.

I agree. In the scenario I was describing, the performer would use performances as paid appearances to propel the other ventures.

To Gerry's point though, just because kids come up and fawn over you at the end of the show does not mean you have achieved celebrity status necessary for them to further invest time or money in your offerings. This is where I am a bit uncertain how to measure impact. Facebook views and responses is one way. Those attending multiple shows is another, but for this to be successful- I would think a coordinated effort would be necessary, with proper promotion, advertising, product creation and of course notoriety.

Facebook is an indication of quite little. It is the Internet version of kids fawning ask over you.

I agree to a point. When parents take the time to join your Facebook and comment or "like" on posts unrelated to shows they attended, it is a different level of relationship and engagement than just instinctively come to the front at the end of a show. Never the less, I agree - it can serve as a false positive.

It takes nothing to like or friend anyone. Do it and it can be forgotten and often later regretted. It is something that can typically happen in the moment, not permanent reality-based.

I would say a first point of measurement is when someone comes just to see you. Or purchases something just because it is you. Dozens of magic sets or tricks are available, but only one is yours and that is the one that they want.

Another is to provide content that has a demand and they look forward to receiving. There are so many great things that could be done with this today that were previously unavailable to previous generations. There has yet to be a current, mass-appeal kids icon that encompasses today's technology and mediums. Many great possibilities. Shhhh.

The problem that is eluded to in Tom's post and it very very common, is performers think that just because kids and parents come up to them after a show and tell them how much they enjoyed the show or how great they are, is often misinterpreted and taken out of context by the performer. In reality this should be the MINIMUM EXPECTED RESULTS, even for an unknown, if they provided a great performance. It is about the fact that they were entertained. Many performers think this is because of them (specifically) or a false-celebrity. It is an ego thing of course but again as I stated elsewhere, one needs to see this for what it really is and be honest with themselves. Many other performers could have generated the same results.

So as this pertains to charliecheckrs question, this is another very clear indicator, when the responses are directly towards and because of you, not a general performance. For example a catch phrase, a unique only to you prop or BOR product, hooks, a unique fashion look (think early Madonna before she became a well-known name) or special something they can attached themselves to.

It is more about identity and connection. Thia combined with image and promotion. That is why there are many well known, mediocre performers. Many celebrity performers are not the best by any means, but its these other elements that surround them. Remember the movie The Idolmaker? Based loosely on 50's teen idol Fabian. (paraphraisng) A producer makes the claim he can turn anyone into a teen idol/superstar, talented or otherwise. He's driving down a Philly street and sees a kid sitting on the front steps of his house, stops the car, approaches the kid and his parents, makes his a deal to make record and he becomes an instant superstar.

It is about a combination of certain elements that combine to instigate a certain, precalculated reaction. I have studied this for years and been personally fascinated with it. My efforts have lead to work with and even friendships with Davy Jones, Mark Lindsay, David Cassidy, Tony DeFranco, Leif Garret, Cory Haim and many others that were a result of theses exact precalculated efforts. They are all identical. This formula continues for all generations. Starting with Sinatra, continuing with the Jackson, New Kids On The Block, all of Perlman's boy bands, and so on. Black (Jacksons, New Edition, etc.) white (Osmonds, Defranco Family, Hansen), and even different ethnicities and foreign countries and cultures as well (Menudo, etc.). It is and continues to all be the same.

There is a difference and also as I always say you don't know what you don't know. To take it a step farther you don't know what you haven't experienced. I was in radio for several decades. In the beginning you are just an unknown on the air. If you did appearances for the station or remote broadcasts (think-grand openings, local fairs or festivals, car dealerships, etc.) people stop by because of the station itself. They are listeners of the station. They may come up to you and say how much they love the station or that you play the best music, but again, it is NOT because of you, it s because of the station. Most only ever experience things on this level (as the above reference to most performers). However, once you gain notoriety, celebrity and have real, actual fans and followers that tune in JUST BECAUSE OF YOU, come out to appearances just to see you, want pictures and autographs of you, and keep collectibles or moments of you, it is much different on many levels. You must also be prepared for some of the additional elements that come with celebrity. One of them that is weird to realize is once a fan, always a fan. Go to any Donny Osmond, David Cassidy and before he passed away Davy Jones/Monkees concert and you will still see 40 and 50-something women go crazy. I once has this conversation with the biggest daytime talkshow host of all-time. We were talking about the celebrities that created the greatest demand for in-studio tickets. She said without even thinking, it was craziest and the wildest audiences when she had David Cassidy and (separate shows) Rick Springfield on (the clips are on yutube and she is truly amazed by it herself). So once a fan always a fan.

Celebrity is a business in and of itself but has many unique and lasting benefits.

[quote]On Jul 3, 2016, Mindpro wrote:


I am not saying anything near that. Being good at what you do doesn’t have a whole lot to do with being a celebrity.

The Great Zuc would be the first to tell you that he is by far not the best magician in the business.

It's all about public perception.



I know many that 'think' I used to be a great magician. I’m not about to disagree with them.

Tom

I know YOU think that.

Yeah, that and connection.

I had more exposure to Bozo than many others my age (except those in the Chicago area) due to the video tapes Larry produced. He performed at Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire when I was young. We spoke of going there as part of a family vacation - it sadly never happened before he passed away in 2008.


It doesn't seem like locally produced tv shows occur any more for kids, maybe I am wrong, or there is a regional component to it. My thoughts were more along the lines of leveraging a You Tube channel. Endorsements is something I know nothing about. Sounds interesting though.


I now nothing of lisences of this sort. Can you share with us what this is in a bit more detail?

It was this thread that got my wheels turning and thinking about future possibilities. I am glad to see this thread moving forward with ideas, perspectives and insights.

It is cheaper not to produce them locally.

WGN in that form hardly exists any more.

Bozo was part of the culture locally for us in Chicago. I watched it growing up, went a lot, as and the studio was close to Schuliens. The guys came in all the time and it was great to get to know them. It was an anomaly that can not really be looked to for duplication. The idea maybe bury not the specifics.



I think of of the worst mistakes is guys who try to promote themselves as a celebrity when they have no star power. It makes you look silly often.