643: Fueled By Culture: Create Internal Change, Discover Relentless Persistence, and Empower Brands with Influencer Marketing with Keynote Speaker Marcus Damas

Speaker 1 0:00 Marketer of the Day episode 643, fueled by culture, create internal change, discover relentless persistence and empower brands with influencer marketing, with keynote speaker Marcus Damis, Hey

Robert Plank 0:18 everyone, and welcome back to the marketer of the day podcast, we're chatting with a very special guest, Marcus Damas, who is a former basketball player. He's a keynote speaker, and his company and his partners include avion Lyft couch and Postmates, to name a few. So Marcus is an American entrepreneur. He's a retired professional basketball player, and He's based in New York City, and he's played in Sweden and all over the world. He's played for the Towson University, Towson tigers, I have to admit, I don't know a ton about basketball, but I'm extremely impressed. And his current company, he's the founder and CEO of fueled by culture, which is a creative marketing agency that specializes in connecting and empowering brands with influencers through innovative content and experiential event programming. So we're going to hear all about that. Marcus, glad to be talking to you.

Speaker 2 1:15 Thanks for having me. Man, super excited to be here.

Robert Plank 1:18 All right, so I'm super excited to have you here as well. So what has you excited in general? What's been your focus for the last six or 12 months?

Speaker 2 1:27 Yeah, so I know we'll get into it a bit later in the conversation, but this year, we've been super excited about this partnership that we launched with Forbes. Forbes actually just launched a platform by name of Forbes eight to help entrepreneurs in any journey or any point of their journey, and kind of just guide them from other entrepreneurs who have found success or might have dealt with any situation, and just to guide entrepreneurs. And so we're super excited about kicking off an experiential partnership and content partnership with Forbes.

Robert Plank 2:03 So when you say experiential partnership, what does that mean? Exactly,

Speaker 2 2:07 yeah. So we, when it comes to experiential we create experiences events, so consumers can touch and feel a brand in person, and so brands can, you know, engage directly with their consumers.

Robert Plank 2:22 Okay, so what does that look like, for example, like with with this Forbes thing, or with anyone else you're working with?

Speaker 2 2:29 Yeah. So for example, with Forbes, we created a live talk series where it's like a networking event of handpicked guests and a headline guest. Who would you know one be on a panel and speak and just talk about the strategies, mechanics and stories that got them to where they are, and in parallel to that, the networking and the people you meet at that event in the environment we create so people can connect and network at the highest level possible. And this is all under the Forbes and fuel by culture, brand, brand, environment.

Robert Plank 3:10 All right, so is there a reason why it's called it an experience? Is there something that makes it different from a usual sort of networking event?

Speaker 2 3:19 Yeah. I mean, you know, it's not often that you get to, you know, shake hands and talk business with the CEO of Chase, or talk to Wyclef Jean or see or a bunch of other talents and entrepreneurs throughout an event, you know. And at our event, you might be standing next to LeBron James, for example, you never know. And these people come out, and they're in our network, our network, as well as the Forbes network. And you know, these people are all connecting at a high level, and they come there to connect with new people.

Robert Plank 3:57 All right, so sounds like something new and interesting, and not just the usual. Let me, let me go through the motions and go to some sort of networking event and exchange business cards. This is, this sounds like the real stuff. You're picking up some real great tips there.

Speaker 2 4:13 Yep.

Robert Plank 4:14 Well, cool. Well, so, so how did you transition from this, you know, playing basketball into all your new business ventures?

Speaker 2 4:24 Yeah, so actually, I was playing overseas, and I had my son on the way, my wife and I had our first born on the way, and I just didn't want to raise my child overseas, and it didn't make financial sense for us either, just because of insurance purposes and not being home. So, you know, I told my agent at the time I wanted to kind of step away from playing basketball and, you know, figure something else out in the States. So he, you know, he connected me with our first client, NBA, live. And to initially do, like, wear a suit and do the motion captures, like all the motions for the game, like shooting, dribbling, dunking and etc. And I started giving them tips on the game, and that turned into them being our first client.

Robert Plank 5:17 Awesome. So is that seemed to happen a lot with you, where it's like you take some of these unexpected journeys where you make this connection that leads to that new idea and that other person. Does that seem to be like a thing that you

Speaker 2 5:34 do? Yeah. So I think networking is a big part of, you know, my business and my success and meeting the right people. I wouldn't necessarily call it luck, but just taking the right amount of action for something massive to happen, right amount of action and risk for something massive to happen, for me,

Robert Plank 5:54 right? And, and, I mean you, you can say you don't call it luck, but it's like you create enough opportunities, you try enough different things, you take enough action, and eventually something pays off, right? You create enough luck, 100% awesome. So, all right, so, so you, so you work with all these big brands, and it so is the core focus of what you do. Is these experiential events, or is there other sides to it,

Speaker 2 6:21 yeah. So it's experiential and branded content. So those are the two main focuses of fuel by culture,

Robert Plank 6:29 all right. So what is branded content?

Speaker 2 6:32 Yeah. So we work with brands, and just like in the experience, in person, and you get that, you get to touch and feel, we create something brand specific and tailored to the brand that we're working with, or talent that we're working with, and we put it on video or audio.

Robert Plank 6:47 So is that sort of like you see the Old Spice guy coming out of the shower, or Red Bull has people you know, doing mountain biking, things like that?

Speaker 2 6:58 Um, not, so much that, but more so like maybe an interview, maybe some new, new content series, whether it's like asking people questions, or a show you know, something along those lines that may that that'll move the brand forward.

Robert Plank 7:19 All right, so out of that sort of stuff, what has you excited the most about all that? Like, what kind of things, you know, get you the most interested?

Speaker 2 7:28 Yeah, just, you know, connecting with new people, being creative, challenging ourselves, as far as doing things that have never been done, you know, things, things of that nature is what usually gets me excited. And, you know, I just waking up every day, and being able to, you know, run this company, is exciting to me.

Robert Plank 7:48 Awesome, living the dream and doing your best. So when you've met with all these these, you know, celebrities or people who run companies or people have a lot of things figured out, have you picked up along the way, one or two just really good pieces of like life advice or anything that they share with you that just sort of blew your mind.

Speaker 2 8:11 Um, you know, I pick up a ton of advice from all over, right? One, one thing that I that I've heard, and I might have been from a book, but you know, one thing that I was that always sticks with me is, you know, I don't want to be a man, another man that lived then died like I want to make sure I leave some kind of legacy and significance in this world.

Robert Plank 8:38 Yeah, yeah. Because you don't, yeah. You don't want to just go through the motions and live those years and then there you go. That's it. What was, what was the point of that whole thing? So what is your legacy? Do you have a plan for that, or still figuring some of it out?

Speaker 2 8:54 Yeah. So, you know, my, my legacy will be, you know, leaving a media impression, and, you know, just being with the the that American founder that kind of left a legacy for other young African American kids, and showing them that, you know, entertainment isn't the only way out of a bad situation, but you can also create something from nothing, entrepreneurial, and, You know, change your family's lives.

Robert Plank 9:21 Awesome. And so in this, this company you're building, like, I know that you're all about, like, the company culture and the values and things like that. So what sorts of values do you have?

Speaker 2 9:33 Yeah, so, you know, we actually have core values in the company. And, you know, the is what we all stick to, and everybody, kind of like, chipped in and, you know, came up with something that that stood, stood out to them and resonated with everyone on the team.

Robert Plank 9:55 All right, so do you have a couple of examples of that?

Speaker 2 9:59 Oh, yeah, sure. I should have kind of led with that, huh? Yeah, so our core values are, you know, family, you know, honesty, hard work, action oriented, communication, and just really, really the main, main point to us is just being action oriented and staying sophisticated. Those, those are we harp on, those two the most

Robert Plank 10:30 awesome and and, like I said, when we started talking like, I'm not a real sports guy, I played a few years of Little League when I was really young, and that, and I'm, I'm resonating with a lot of these value things that you're talking about, where it there's, like, a lot of, there's a lot of a comparison right between, like, the like sports and the business thing, where you're all working as a team, you all have a common goal, where it's really easy to go down a dark path of just poor sportsmanship or cheating or the the mind games, the politics, the bullying, but it's a lot better if everyone works together and is honest and has that sort of hard work and communicates and kind of Going through the rough patches right, going through the parts where where things hurt, or where you're working on your skills, to come out the other end, and then everyone sort of is proud of this thing they did together as a group. It seems like there's a lot of relation between the sports and the business stuff.

Speaker 2 11:39 100% I couldn't have put it better or clearer than but yeah, 1%

Robert Plank 11:49 awesome. I feel like I scored some points there or something. So you have this cool so you have these core values. You're you have this this legacy where you want to be a role model to young kids. You're working on the the are, you're, you're hosting and creating these experiential events with these brands. So where are things headed towards the future? What's sort of, your your five year vision? What's what's in store for the future?

Speaker 2 12:16 Yeah, so you know, for the future, we really want to just, you know, one leave an impact. Stay Ahead of influence and attention. You know, continue to partner and collaborate with reputable brands like a Forbes magazine, where, you know, in talks with some partners who might be parallel in stature to Forbes. And you know, just to continue to collaborate with brands like that, and also, you know, build assets of our own that you know, can leave a legacy, like these brands

Robert Plank 12:47 awesome so getting, getting these skills figured out, figuring out your system, and just always on the move, always figuring out what's the next, you know, the next opportunity there, Who The next brand that you can help out.

Speaker 2 13:03 Yeah, 100%

Robert Plank 13:05 Awesome. Well, you as you know, success is not a straight line, and sometimes we have some successes, but then a lot of failures along the way. So did you ever have times like that where you just hit a wall, or you had a real huge setback, anything like that come to mind?

Speaker 2 13:23 Well, I wouldn't say that because, you know, I think every part of the journey is a part of the journey forward. But I will say that, you know, there's been upstairs and down, and you know, one in particular was one I set out the goal to go to the NBA, and I fell short of that goal. So that's a failure that kind of set me straight as far as work ethic, and, you know, opportunities I might have left on the table or discipline that I might have lacked. I definitely had the talent, but there were other things that, you know, I might have missed, as far as changing internally. And you know, if you're if you're not right within, how you gonna win,

Robert Plank 14:02 right? Yeah, you could have all the talent in the world, but if you don't have a good mindset, if you don't apply it in that healthy way, then you're going to be your own worst enemy, for sure.

Speaker 2 14:13 Yep.

Robert Plank 14:15 So when you do this sort of like your keynote speaking and stuff like that. What sorts of topics you usually talk about?

Speaker 2 14:24 Yeah, so I usually just talk about, you know, limitations, and, you know, not letting society put its limitations on you. I usually like to connect with other athletes or people who come from rough neighborhoods, just because that's similar to my story. And I know, you know, what I would have loved to hear coming from those those places, and if you know, I kind of kind of got that message at a younger age, I probably would have been better off. So it's important for me to share the story about how, you know, there's society might tell you that you're not able or capable, or you don't have the resources. Resources. But you know, there's, there is nothing that's stopping you from, you know, reaching anything that you set forth, or if your mind sees it, you can do it.

Robert Plank 15:12 Yeah, I agree, especially in this day and age. So, so you said that you had, you fell short of that NBA goal. But as far as those limitations, and you're saying that, you know, sometimes society brings us down and tells us we can't do it. Did you experience any of that?

Speaker 2 15:30 Um, you know, I guess, you know. I guess I did, just from being where you know, just kind of in these situations where you know people, it made sense and it was easy. The easy way out was to say, I'm black, I couldn't do something. Or, you know, society wouldn't let me do something because I'm African American. You know, that's, that's something that, you know, I think it's a societal limitation. Or even, you know, limitations I said on myself, like making sure I dress nice every day, or I didn't want to go to school. That's a limitation that I said on myself, you know, those are, those are all things, or even like, you know, playing tough, because I thought that was, you know, how men were supposed to communicate, or how men were supposed to carry themselves. And that was another limitation that I said on myself as a young kid. So these are all things that you know, societal issues and internal issues or limitations that I set on myself.

Robert Plank 16:31 So what is the way

Speaker 2 16:32 out from those limitations? Is it a matter of having that role model or of thinking in words, or how do we get out of some of these bad habits? Yeah, so you know, it's really about, you know, change, changing internally. You know, you're the master of your own fate, so nothing if you don't change, then everything around you is going to say the same. You know, if you don't like your environment, and that that's because of you, if you don't like you know where you're staying, you're home, that is because of you. What you're driving, that is because of you. So if you set your mind to something, you know, you just have to change everything, one thing, little by little, that can change. Like, really, if you think about it in the most simple form, you know, things like corn grows from corn, apples grow from apples. So you can only, you know, good can only come to you if you change, or everything around you is good, and negativity comes to you. Everything around you or in you is negative.

Robert Plank 17:39 That's a really important and powerful message and and I especially like the the part about how you you change incrementally, right? If you don't like, if you're in a really bad situation, it's, it's not going to get better instantly. It's not going to it's going to be like you're being the NBA just because you want to. And tomorrow you'll be in it some, some of these journeys were on, take a lot of repeated focus effort to get there. And so I think that that's a really important part of what you were saying there, is that, like change comes from within, and we need to work on that, but it's also also sort of a slow and steady process, right?

Speaker 2 18:17 Yeah, exactly.

Robert Plank 18:20 All right, so, so you have this, this sports career going on, and for all those reasons that you mentioned, you know, it just what the overseas thing just wasn't working. So then you pivoted to business, and it's led all the way to this recent partnership with Forbes. And would you say that there was a specific thing that led you to that? Or was it a matter of always networking or always hard work? Or how did you end up landing the Forbes deal?

Speaker 2 18:48 Um, just, you know, hard working, relentless and, you know, not not giving up on a vision, just being in a taking the right amount of action for this to actually happen, you know, I didn't stop. As far as you know, I know who I wanted to meet. You know, at first I was internally speaking with the wrong people, and I knew who can kind of move this deal forward. And I did everything in my power to, you know, kind of get in front of that person and move this deal forward. And you know, kind of I got in front of them, I executed, let them, told them the vision, and they were ready to roll.

Robert Plank 19:27 Awesome. I love it. So you talk to the right people, you have that relentless persistence, and you knew when things weren't working. You knew when you were speaking to the wrong people, and that that part of it had to change. And so if people are getting a lot of out of our conversation here and they like what you have to say and they want to reach out to you, what specifically would you want them to reach out to you for? And how can they do that?

Speaker 2 19:52 Yeah, so I think if any listener is here and they need help with anything that they think I can help them with, feel free to reach. Out, you can contact me on Instagram or Twitter at Marcus Damas at m, A R, C, U, S, D, A, M, A S, and, you know, feel free to ask questions, business questions, you know, anything you know. Happy to help wherever I can. If I can't help you, I'll try to point you in the right direction.

Robert Plank 20:19 Fantastic. So business questions, if you need a keynote speaker for your event, if you are a brand and you need some of this experiential experience event stuff set up, then Marcus is your man. So that is at Marcus Damas on social media. And to spell that out, that is m, A R, C, U, S, D, A, M, A, S, anything to say here? Marcus, to wrap this conversation up,

Speaker 2 20:47 yeah, um, not that we definitely touched on on changing internally. So I definitely want to leave you know your audience with another gem. If that's all right with you,

Robert Plank 20:59 let's do it. And

Speaker 2 21:00 just to touch on a bit, what I was saying before, circumstance does not make the man or the woman. The man or the woman, makes the man or the woman

Robert Plank 21:14 Awesome. Well, thank you very much.

Speaker 2 21:16 All right, man, this was amazing. Thanks for having me.

Robert Plank 21:18 No problem. We really appreciate you listening to today's episode of marketer of the day. Subscribe to us on iTunes and rate and review us at marketer of the day.com/itunes. You.