If you’re over 25, chances are your heart isn’t beating wildly every time you hear the name Justin Bieber, yet for millions of kids – mostly girls – this teenage sensation is a heartthrob. Watching it brought back memories to my own teenage sensations; unlike other girls, I didn’t have Lief Garrett and Bobby Benson plastered on my ceiling, but they were likely scattered on the wall in between photos of nature and fashion.
I’m not quite sure I ever shared the same pitter patter for teenage rockstars although I did melt at Michael Jackson, but it had to do with his dancing and ability to steal a stage with movement, motion and passion more than it had to do with a dream of marrying him one day. His voice had a way of melting you too – then and throughout his life.
Throughout the Justin Bieber documentary, we heard again and again how many girls wanted and in some cases, expected to marry him one day. Scooter Braun discovered him on YouTube in 2008 at age 12 from a series of videos he had posted and flew him down to Atlanta for a week long “conversation.”
Mix dedicated visits to radio stations and high schools around the country with social networking and four years later, Justin managed to sell out of Madison Times Square faster than any star with as much experience in history.
A great marketing decision by someone, a tradition was created where Justin sings One Less Lonely Girl at each concert to a girl in the audience – on stage, while giving her attention including a dozen red roses. The other smart marketing move is handing out free tickets to families for each tour he does. A great marketing idea by Snoop Dog as shared in the movie was having Justin grow his hair long, pony tail them up or braid them. He says, “it’s one more thing he can use in his toolbox.” I couldn’t help but laugh, because he’s spot on.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.