|
|
WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
Wasn't sure if this belonged best in here or Food for Thought but here goes ...
How carefully does one have to protect their brand? For example: If a YouTube channel that is very popular, but also run by someone who promotes racist and antisemitic ideologies, features a video by a magician - should that magician worry about being associated with those racist and antisemitic ideas? Personally, I'm pretty defensive when it comes to stuff like that and I would absolutely request my video be removed from such a channel. Am I just being paranoid? How likely is a performer (and thus their business) to be associated with things they disagree with if they are just featured somewhere?
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10604 Posts |
I am surprised no one has answered or addresses this post. I think we must do our best to protect our brands, image, and positioning at all times. Guard and protect it like any other asset of your business. Many work so hard to create and build their brand, we should always be aware of anything that could impact, change, or compromise it.
I, as others here, have had to deal with this over the last few years with the Trump situation. Many have worked events for the President or White House in the past and many reconsidered how doing so would impact their image, perception and brand by having a relationship with Trump. I know some that were physically told if you do anything with Trump, you won't get any more business from us. The Beach Boys are a great example of this. For years, decades, they always performed the 4th of July for the President and First Lady either at the monument, mall, or some White House location (remember the James Watt/Beach Boys incident in Reagan's early years in the White House?) They (Beach Boys) also were friends of Trump and worked his properties in Atlantic City and other locations. Yet, because of the divisiveness and controversy, they were very concerned with their brand being attached to him during this time. They turned down several of his key and crucial events, instead choosing to do a party-related event in Dallas, keeping their distance to direct opportunities to the President. Even after 55 years, they still had tremendous concerns about their brand with regard to this. |
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Mindpro,
You brought up an interesting point. I did wonder how many children's entertainers worked the Easter Egg Roll at the White House this year and then, put that on their websites. Gerry |
WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
My wife and I have both turned down gigs related to Trump. A lot of my local friends have actively avoided DC gigs in general because of him.
It is reassuring that I'm not just being paranoid. Initially this was inspired by another forum I read where someone was excited about being featured on Pewdiepie's channel. If you don't follow YouTube news (and I don't blame you, it's like high-school dramatics on a global scale) - he's gotten in quite a bit of trouble for his use of racist and antisemitic language and a total lack of effort to distance himself from the Alt-Right (which ... sounds a lot like why people don't want to do DC gigs any more now I think about it) Personally, I wouldn't want to be featured on that channel. I'd probably ask that any reference to myself be removed.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21245 Posts |
So you are saying you will turn down work from literally half the country?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
Personally, I can turn down any gig for pretty much any reason. I don't rely on performance to pay my bills (yet). I also don't do a lot of private gigs, and I'm really focusing on only doing ticketed parlor shows going forward.
But that is the crux of the issue, Danny. Where is a reasonable line to draw? I'm all over the place with this and I can't really organize my thoughts effectively. I think we can pretty much all agree that word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising around. But word of mouth is also vulnerable to assumptions made by the people doing the talking (correct or not). To that end, being absolutely clear about certain positions the performer feels are important could be significant. Someone who supports equal rights wouldn't want to be associated with a racist or sexist group. Therefore, that performer should probably avoid working for any person or company that is known to have racist/sexist beliefs/policies. Audiences want an authentic performer, which means putting one's thoughts, beliefs, and past into their performances. But, business wise, where's the line? I guess it comes down to each performer, but I also guess I'm just trying to figure out what makes sense as far as being an authentic performer, true to myself, and being an effective businessman in a world full of people I might disagree with.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10604 Posts |
To me, it is quite simple when it comes to business - what is best for the business. I get some I work with that are true "artists" and are very concerned about compromising their "artistic abilities" and views. I completely understand this but this can be where art and business conflict. There is a line that each of us has to draw. For me its simple business is business. Everything I do is based on what s best for my business.
It's just like my business insights here. I operate from an industry perspective (and always have). Most operate from a "me" perspective, often based on nothing more than personal opinions, beliefs, and perspectives. To me in business, this is very limiting. It is like a guy that sits and drinks at a bar nearly every day, then decides he'd rather drink in his own bar, then wants to own his own bar. That's me-based thinking and so will his operations. As opposed to getting actual training on bar/restaurant or food and beverage management and operations and operating from a professional industry perspective. Many here would be shockingly surprised that my personal opinions are often very different from my professional industry-based operations and executions. Business is business, personal is personal. |
Nash Inner circle Hong Kong ~ USA 1101 Posts |
Well, if the $$ is good, I'll take the gig, just won't promote it hardcore on my website / social media.
For example, I live in Washington state where marijuana is legalized and the cannabis industry is strong! Some cannabis industry events are huge and I've worked them before. Truthfully, since it is legalized in WA, I don't think any clients in my state will hesitate to hire me just because they saw a post from my instagram that I performed at a cannabis' industry event. But man, you just never know ... So yeah, I'll take the money, but def. be much more 'muted' on social media in my associations with certain groups that can potentially trigger negative vibes albeit unfairly.
I teach leaders the magic of curiosity and empathetic communication. keynote Speaker | Seattle magician
|
WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
I meant to reply to this one again but hoped it would get more responses. So thanks, Nash.
Mindpro - I understand what you're saying, and I have seen you talk about that many times. It's helped redirect my own efforts in the past. In this instance, though - I am trying to think of the long term of the business. How many comedians have gotten hit in their careers because of a joke that they put on social media five or six years ago that didn't age well? How many entertainers have gotten in hot water due to who they used to hang out with and support? My worry is that allowing an association with a particular group or person or ideal could circle back later and be used against me/my business. I guess the proper course of action would be to be consistently expressing the same values that are appropriate to discuss for a business. That's obviously going to be different for everyone.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21245 Posts |
If you can turn down gigs without worry then why worry?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
Because I understand I may be over reacting or flat out wrong in my thinking process, and if so I'd prefer to correct those habits now, rather than when I'm depending on the business to pay bills.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3661 Posts |
Where I would be concerned is if when folks do a search for you they end up on the page that you deem inappropriate. If they are using your video to draw traffic then you have a right to be concerned. I believe folks will think (by association) that those are your beliefs and support them also. I don't know the ins and outs of YouTube but you could probably block their usage of your video.
Blair Marshall "ShaZzam!"
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21245 Posts |
In reality there is only so much you can do. I am not being obnoxious, I am being serious. I mean the thing is things CHANGE. So one day this is a bad thing, then the next day that is a bad thing and this is a good thing. It is CONSTANTLY in flux.
All you can do is be who you are, and let the chips fall where they may.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
I can be seen at any given time with harden criminals and it hasn't yet affected my business.
My day job involves the criminal justice system but clients do not know that.
ClICK HERE for HOW TO MAKE TRANSITION FROM MAGICIAN TO MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER WORLD NEW BOOK!
Click here for NEW PROMO TRAILER! 90 seconds of pure laughs without a standing ovation! Click here for Magicians Austin Mentalist Performance https://www.facebook.com/AustinMagicians https://www.speakermatch.com/profile/gianicano/ Magicians Company Entertainers in Dallas, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8sHW_zVuSc https://about.me/motivationalpublicspeaker |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Protecting the brand (2 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |