SOULER Stories are an in-conversation podcast series with key members of the SOULER brand and talent community who move the culture forward.
Jon Wexler has stories you won’t believe. The former Global Entertainment and Influencer Marketing VP at Adidas kicks it with George Manley about Kanye’s Yeezy empire & harnessing lightning in a bottle, one drop at a time. A special live episode from the world famous Chelsea Music Hall in Manhattan.
At the inaugural Souler Symposium, and in front of a live audience at the Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, we tackle a crucial topic: the evolution of social media, and where it's headed -- from the authenticity of influencer marketing to the future of brands. George Manley (CEO/Co-Founder for SOULER) leads a discussion with the dynamic duo of Natalie Zfat (contributing writer to several major business publications, and an influencer authority in the social media marketing space -- @nataliezfat) and Jeff Bullas (named the number one business blogger in the world as well as a serial entrepreneur and an investor -- @jeffbullas). Plus, the audience members themselves from the Souler community have something to say as well. Presented by SOULER.
For Actor, Model, Director, and Photographer Jonathan Morgan, the word influencer (and he has influence to the tune of for than 66,000 Instagram followers) isn’t his identity. He prefers to think of himself as an inspirer. And Jon ’s balance of modeling and promotion has allowed him to pick the brands to work with that are authentic to who he is, and paved the way to an organic audience that responds to his content. Jon shares his story with George Manley (CEO/Co-Founder for SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios, covering Jon’s start in print modeling; tricky ways one has to benchmark the success of an influencer; the importance of a health relationship between influencer and brand in order for the promotion to be effective; standing up for your personal brand and content, and knowing when to say no to a deal; and, what it means to be a career model versus being an influencer, and the grind it takes to be a professional model in 2019. Presented by SOULER.
A lifelong dream to become a hairstylist leads to a decision to go to culinary school. Then, fashion school. Then lifestyle blogging. And ultimately, influencing. For Batsheva Weinstein, the journey may have been necessary to get to the destination. Batsheva shares her story with George Manley (CEO/Co-Founder for SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios, covering why research is such an important factor if you want to take your blogging seriously; the importance of keeping content fresh and to keep your audience engaged; working with brands on your own terms, so that the engagement between your audience and sponsored content doesn’t feel contrived; why it takes a roughly five year grind to build your brand as a influencer into a career you can live off of; and how Batsheva’s religion and cultural background affects how she approaches her blog and personal branding. Presented by SOULER.
For Aissata Diallo, modeling was never a part of the plan. It was medical school, for this Guinea-born American immigrant. Yet when she was discovered through Instagram and went viral in a short period of time, everything changed. Ultimately, modeling would be what leads her to help her country’s troubled healthcare system. Aissata shares her story with George Manley (CEO/Co-Founder for SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios, covering her challenges navigating how to approach brands; the common misconceptions and prejudices laid against the Muslim community; why consistency and regular activity are key to building a following and a brand; and, the importance of keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s getting a reaction. Presented by SOULER.
Spiderman. A bit of misfortune (being bitten by a spider) gave him a future he couldn’t have possibly imagined, casting a web of influence over many. Much like Spiderman, Trevor Bell -- who works in fashion, fitness, nutrition, and motivation -- has quickly grown a role as an effective and active influencer with more than 170,000 Instagram followers. Trevor shares his story with George Manley (CEO/Co-Founder for SOULER) and guest host Christopher Holland in the MouthMedia Network studios, covering how not making it into the NFL may have actually been a good fortune; the moment Trevor turned his life’s passion for athletics and fitness into a revenue stream; reverse-engineering the success of other fitness influencers; how he differentiates his content from the pack through a Spider-Man suit; and, an eye on the emerging social media platforms, such as TikTok. Presented by SOULER.
Marsha Thompson (@divariashow) is a person of influence. She speaks several languages, travels the world, and champions the movement of a vital art from into the modern cultural landscape. She’s also a formidable opera singer who left college where she had a full scholarship, with just 6 credits to go, to audition for a show. The rest is history.
Marsha shares her story with George Manley (CEO/Co-Founder for SOULER) and guest host Christopher Holland in the MouthMedia Network studios. She discusses how the landscape of operas are changing to reflect the times; how her bother Christopher Holland helped her utilize social media to connect with her audience and share her gift with the world; how physical techniques separate opera from other forms of singing; and, Marsha offers an exclusive in-studio performance of her remarkable soprano talent. Presented by SOULER.
At age nine, violinist Tai Murray made her concert debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Social Media Platforms didn’t even yet exist. Before she reached 30, she had been a BBC New Generation Artist for three years. Now, Tai is a busy working concert violinist of the highest caliber, as well as an influencer. In fact, being an active listener and musician enhances her relationship with her followers .
Tai shares her story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
She’s been dubbed The Body, and is known for pushing curvy women into mainstream culture and as a winner of Project Runway. But Liris Crosse, model/actress & pioneer in the fashion industry for full-figured women & Black women, and he daughter of preachers who may have unwittingly set her on her unique path, is focused on showing how using the skills she’s honed as a runway model can help others transform in all aspects of their lives. Liris shares her story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
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Helping to define and navigate the digital space as a creative force for brands and influencers, while becoming a recognized and sought-after business innovator and global digital architect — and balancing that with motherhood…
Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, Entrepreneur, Innovator, Transformative Brand Builder, Founder/CEO at BrainTrust, and former Chief Digital Officer at CAA-GBG, shares her story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
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If you know anything about Broderick Hunter, you’d think “supermodel who’s expanding into acting”. And with more than a quarter million Instagram followers, you would think influencer as well.
You might not guess he grew up riding bulls and had a pet pig.
Or that he studied to be an EMT, and had a promising athletic career ahead of him, only to be cut short by an injury just when things were finally getting good.
Most of all, you may not know how deep, thoughtful, and driven a human being Broderick is.
Broderick (@broderickhunter) shares his story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER), along with special guest host Christopher Holland, an intimate conversation recorded a few miles outside Austin Texas during SXSW. We sat near a lake “campfire style.” If you listen closely, you may hear the coyotes howling in the background. Presented by SOULER.
In this story: * A career of fashion 7 years, braced into acting, * Being open now, peeling off old skin, trying something new * Having two parents with different ways of loving and showing love * Not identifying with black friends as much and being seen as a loser, and how he got along with a lot of people but wasn’t popular, just existed, not super deep friendships—yet most popular people peaked in high school * How Broderick only started getting a better understanding of himself in recent years * Lessons he learned from playing ball, and studying to be an EMT * Broderick’s brief college athletic career – not getting recruited by schools he wanted to be seen by because he was overshadowed by coaching decisions, and how he ultimately didn’t end up withs schools he wanted to go to * Getting hurt in a athletic camp that finally was where he wanted to be recruited, and having to ultimately to attend Jr. College * A year of finding himself, and a depression * Growing up in Houston, riding bulls and a pet pig * Those three free-throws that made him realize he. didn’t want to play basketball anymore * Getting recruited as a model * The initial photos as a model that moved well across the Internet * Why his dad didn’t want to support him, when Broderick got his first magazine cover, and how his parents were hurt he left them out of his journey * Deciding he needed agency, how Christopher Holland came into the scene * His. early stages of becoming a supermodel, and how Broderick’s original manager died of cancer * Promoting how he starts from the inside out, expanding on who he is as a person * Being objectified instead of a person while trying to make a good impression * Having one shot to make it * Coming into the business before social media and having two work harder * Being sexually approached in a job situation , and why people will surrender * Know yourself, be honest with yourself * What the #METOO movement did * Always mindful that he possibly doesn’t have as many opportunities as a black man, doesn’t want to do anything to mess that up * How influence has translated into Broderick’s success * Authenticity and how that connects with Twitter following and his desire for showing different layers off himself
When it comes to actor Obi Nwankwo, it makes sense that the word “actor” comes from the Latin equivalent of “doer”. His personal philosophy revolves round putting as much positive energy into the world, and his focus on how our focus becomes your reality—and the law of attraction.
Obi shares his story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
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Betsy Pearce is a high-flying “legal eagle” in the fashion industry, and has been called one of Some of her notable work involves big names you likely know. But to know Betsy herself — she may not may not fit squarely in a box as a”stereotypical” lawyer. She’s much, much more. Fashion’s 50 Most Powerful.
Betsy Pearce shares her story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
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Some people seek influence and succeed. And some stumble upon it, and wield it mightily. Greg Davis Jr. —— known widely as Klarity—(with a K)—never set out to become a global special media heavyweight. But this spoken word artist, actor and comedian has built a powerful following, and true influence, both on Instagram and in entertainment.
Klarity shares his story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) and special guest host Christopher Holland in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
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A consultant who helps small brands build, how her very early connections with social media players led to a successful business, and why with 100k followers within reach, and despite looking and acting like an influencer, she doesn’t see herself as one…
Haley Findlay, Travel Entrepreneur, Co-Founder at Exclusively Social, and Founder at Findlay Client Services, shares her story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
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How traditional retail thinking about influencers in the social commerce space, how retail is evolving from brick and mortar into commerce and the future of retail is digital but the future of brand is physical, and how transitioning into advisory and philanthropic roles has provided additional insights…
Marigay McKee, CEO and Founder at MM Luxe Consulting, and former President of Saks Fifth Avenue, and Former CMO of Harrods, shares her story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
In this story: * The modern transition from brick and mortar stores to online, and the collapse of iconic retailers such as Sears * The future of retail is digital but the future of brand is physical, and preparing for the consumers of tomorrow * The 3 E’s; Experience, Environment, and Emotion, the 3 H’s; Hard work, Humility, and Humour * Marigay on running her two companies, MM Luxe Consulting and Fernbrook * Being lost in translation, British humour * Mohamed Al-Fayed belief that Theater and Activation of retail is what makes the magic happen * The death of the old department store model * The U.S. has the highest per capita density of Department Store in the world * How do you merchandise 2,500 brands in a meaningful way. * Department stores and their future, competing with Amazon * China’s 500M millennials and the differences between US and international millennials * America’s youth looking towards non branded goods, gift bags, saving the environment, wearing vintage, street wear: How do brands reinvent themselves for a younger consumer? * The age gap between average department store consumers vs online * Marigay’s vision for luxury retail in the future, catering to best in class, world class experiences. If you’re not focused on service, why bother? * Inclusivity is the new exclusivity * A mix of humanity and technology is the right equation for the future of the retail experience * Showcasing the back of house, behind the scenes, and building a brand’s story, you should fall in love with the story and in doing so love the brand. * Buying less while buying better * Peter Marino and Michael Burke’s argument over experiential environments * Charm and charisma, the two most underutilized instruments in business * Marigay’s philanthropic work, and her marriage to an American and what he’s taught her about philanthropy * Europe’s inverted philanthropy vs America’s external philanthropy * The impact of The Gates Foundation, The Soros Foundation, and The Ford Foundation. * The Rockefeller University and its place as a leader in medical research and roster of nobel laureates * The Highline and opening The Shed, a new cultural institute which has raised $550 million privately * Her role as a consultant for The Hudson Yards Project * Investing in brands: what is it going to take to scale, what’s the wow factor, what’s the point of difference, what’s going to help that brand generate more revenue? * What does experiential mean? * Infrastructure, a way to prepare for the future. China has built 67 new international airports vs US’s 1 in the past 20 years * Eyeing the Big 4: Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft – their role in the future of consumerism * The need for bipartisanship in dealing with prison reform, healthcare, the environment, and infrastructure * Marigay’s father’s efforts to improve the lives of his constituents in his later years * From tea to coffee, and Marigay’s love for America * Getting out of your bubble and making a difference: how do you effect change? * The power of dialogue, the need for proper civil discourse
Building an international creative agency producing branded content and travel production with influence…
Spencer Kohn, Co-founder and Creative Director of Supercharge (an integrated community of content creators, producers, and influencers, utilizing their talents to create unique branded experiences), shares his story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
In this story: * How Spencer started Supercharge with him and a business partner two years ago * Spencer was coming off a stint as creative director of magazine, looking for something new to explore * Multi brands sharing the cost of a campaign, and international trips * First trip to Nicaragua * Brands paying influencers to travel for free, campaign with imagery and video, and influencers agree to post * Campaigns have brought him to St. Lucia, Morocco, Cuba, Mexico, Bali, Finland, Croatia * Looking forward to traveling for fun for the first time in a few years * Recruiting more influencers * Larger scale projects, waiting for brands to come to them, and brands becoming exclusive with those influencers * Justifying that the images and assets that come from the trips will generate ROI for brands * Requiring brands to hire content and marketing teams alongside Supercharge’s work * Influencer have a large following that cares what what that person is saying, like modern day celebrities * WinkyLux as a success example * Instagram very valuable but changing, influencers very curated and very focused are getting it done * How Spencer got into photography, inspired by mother, being working as photographer since 15, but entrepreneurial since 12 * Always understood value of money * How skateboarding knowledge got him a photo gig * When Spencer bought his first pro camera because another camera broke * Creating a collective of fashion people and other creative people * Having a small portfolio of NY models while on West coast * Building a meaningful portfolio * Spencer known for surreal photo scheme, with special effects all done in-camera * All the people Spencer’s been with in past dozen years — still with them and still good friends * Shooting for major labels, major celebrities, his work in major magazines – -all before age 26 * Spencer never had a bad experience with a celebrity—only with people who think they will be celebrities * Finding what peaks your own creative interest * When an unsolicited email from Instagram changed everything and made Spencer go viral, and why he didn’t take as much advantage of that as he should – online fame but few jobs through Instagram * Spencer’s friends are his greatest cheerleaders, never had to formally market himself * Loving photography, what makes Spencer pull his camera out – personality * Musicians are awesome to work with, and why Spencer is inspired by writers * And — the birth of a possible collaboration
Brand management and consulting for talent, actors, models, professional athlete models…
Christopher Holland, J.D, Founder of Duck Holland, LLC (legal and marketing package (one-stop shop) for persons and businesses needing assistance with Brand Growth and Brand Registration and Protection), shares his story with George Manley (CEO & Co-Founder of SOULER) in the MouthMedia Network studios. Presented by SOULER.
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