Read Online Me, Inc. by Mr. Gene Simmons - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Mr. Gene Simmons
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Randolph, and Dave Carpenter, the former CEO of Transamerica, which at one point was the worldâs largest insurance company.
I designed the Cool Springs Life logo. When our public relations company told me that they didnât think the cable news stations would give coverage to a brand-new financial entity, I fired them and called up CNN, Fox, MSNBC, and Bloomberg myself to get my partner Sam Watson and me on television to promote it. Do it yourself.
My prior qualifications for creating a life equity strategy? None.
I was a cofounding partner, with David Lucatch and Rich Abramson, in Ortsbo, one of the largest universal language translators. I helped design the Ortsbo logo, and did marketing outreach (with Rich Abramson) and appeared at live events to promote it.
My track record in the technology industry? None.
I cofounded Simmons/Abramson Marketing with my then partner Rich Abramson. We had a grand total of one staff member, and we never had an office and therefore never paid rent. We were the marketing company for the Indy Racing League, as well as the Indianapolis 500. I created the âI Am Indyâ marketing campaign and cowrote the Indy anthem of the same title with Bag, an artist who was signed to my Simmons Records label. And I forced the Indy Racing League to stop calling themselves IRL and simply call themselves IndyCar. My campaign lasted for several years, and was copied by the National Football League (âI Am the NFLâ), by charities (âI Am CAREâ), by radio stations (âI Am KROQâ), by clothing companies (âI Am Wolverineâ), and even pet food manufacturers (âI Am IAMSâ).
My background in marketing? Well, in this instance, I would have to say that my experience with KISS gave me a grounding in marketing and spreading a brand that has served me well ever since. But I didnât know anything about IndyCar. I just had my gut, and that seemed to be all I needed.
I knew I could do anything. People told me I couldnât, because âyouâre just a musician.â Well, I was, until I wasnât. Every CEO starts out without any qualifications. Then they jump in the deep end, and start swimming. Itâs the way Iâve always lived. It doesnât matter the taskâif youâre not qualified, you can become qualified. If you have never done it before, you can do it a first time. And then a second time. You can do it. Because I did.
Several years ago, I was honored to meet Frank Stronach, a very interesting gentleman who founded the massively successful auto parts company Magna International. Today, Iâm proud to say that Iâm a partner in the Stronach Group, which owns most of North Americaâs major horse-racing tracks, including Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, and Pimlico.
I had no title within the Stronach Group, and I couldnât tell you much about horses or jockeys. But I love horse racing.
I also noticed that horse racing was widely referred to as âthe sport of kings.â I did some research and determined that no one owned that phrase. So I quietly trademarked it, and now the Stronach Group owns the phrase The Sport of Kings TM . I created an entire licensing and merchandising program, including logos, designs, hats, and T-shirts, and I connected Live Nation to mount live music festivals on Stronach Group racetracks.
My prior knowledge of horse racing? You guessed it. None.
I am a founding partner in Rock & Brews restaurants. My partners (thereâs that word again) are Michael Zislis, Dave Furano, and Dell Furano. Great food. Many choices of craft beers. Gluten-free pizzas and beers if you so desire. Restaurant brands usually take a long time to get traction. Not ours. We hit the ground running almost two years ago, and within a few months we wound up on the cover of Franchise Times .
Rock & Brews is growing by leaps and bounds. We have restaurants in Cabo, Mexico, on Maui, Hawaii, and in El Segundo
I designed the Cool Springs Life logo. When our public relations company told me that they didnât think the cable news stations would give coverage to a brand-new financial entity, I fired them and called up CNN, Fox, MSNBC, and Bloomberg myself to get my partner Sam Watson and me on television to promote it. Do it yourself.
My prior qualifications for creating a life equity strategy? None.
I was a cofounding partner, with David Lucatch and Rich Abramson, in Ortsbo, one of the largest universal language translators. I helped design the Ortsbo logo, and did marketing outreach (with Rich Abramson) and appeared at live events to promote it.
My track record in the technology industry? None.
I cofounded Simmons/Abramson Marketing with my then partner Rich Abramson. We had a grand total of one staff member, and we never had an office and therefore never paid rent. We were the marketing company for the Indy Racing League, as well as the Indianapolis 500. I created the âI Am Indyâ marketing campaign and cowrote the Indy anthem of the same title with Bag, an artist who was signed to my Simmons Records label. And I forced the Indy Racing League to stop calling themselves IRL and simply call themselves IndyCar. My campaign lasted for several years, and was copied by the National Football League (âI Am the NFLâ), by charities (âI Am CAREâ), by radio stations (âI Am KROQâ), by clothing companies (âI Am Wolverineâ), and even pet food manufacturers (âI Am IAMSâ).
My background in marketing? Well, in this instance, I would have to say that my experience with KISS gave me a grounding in marketing and spreading a brand that has served me well ever since. But I didnât know anything about IndyCar. I just had my gut, and that seemed to be all I needed.
I knew I could do anything. People told me I couldnât, because âyouâre just a musician.â Well, I was, until I wasnât. Every CEO starts out without any qualifications. Then they jump in the deep end, and start swimming. Itâs the way Iâve always lived. It doesnât matter the taskâif youâre not qualified, you can become qualified. If you have never done it before, you can do it a first time. And then a second time. You can do it. Because I did.
Several years ago, I was honored to meet Frank Stronach, a very interesting gentleman who founded the massively successful auto parts company Magna International. Today, Iâm proud to say that Iâm a partner in the Stronach Group, which owns most of North Americaâs major horse-racing tracks, including Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, and Pimlico.
I had no title within the Stronach Group, and I couldnât tell you much about horses or jockeys. But I love horse racing.
I also noticed that horse racing was widely referred to as âthe sport of kings.â I did some research and determined that no one owned that phrase. So I quietly trademarked it, and now the Stronach Group owns the phrase The Sport of Kings TM . I created an entire licensing and merchandising program, including logos, designs, hats, and T-shirts, and I connected Live Nation to mount live music festivals on Stronach Group racetracks.
My prior knowledge of horse racing? You guessed it. None.
I am a founding partner in Rock & Brews restaurants. My partners (thereâs that word again) are Michael Zislis, Dave Furano, and Dell Furano. Great food. Many choices of craft beers. Gluten-free pizzas and beers if you so desire. Restaurant brands usually take a long time to get traction. Not ours. We hit the ground running almost two years ago, and within a few months we wound up on the cover of Franchise Times .
Rock & Brews is growing by leaps and bounds. We have restaurants in Cabo, Mexico, on Maui, Hawaii, and in El Segundo
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