Does your brand have its own TV network?

I love the fact every brand (personal or organizational) can now own and operate its own TV network (or radio station or online newspaper or magazine).

It’s a pretty powerful opportunity we all have at our fingertips. The smart set are all over it. What about you?

Gary Vaynerchuk is a shining example of someone who went from zero to hero via his enthusiastic and savvy use of social media, especially his online Wine Library TV webcast which proved to be a game-changer for the Russian-born entrepreneur who has since become a bona fide is a New York Times bestselling author.

But we can also learn a lot from someone who went the other way – pop legend Daryl Hall (the ‘Hall’ in Hall & Oates, one of the biggest-selling recording duos of all time), who has reinvented himself with his popular web show Live From Daryl’s House.

Hall & Oates were massive for a considerable period garnering a total of eight #1 hit singles along with dozens of hits throughout the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, including 2002’s “Do It For Love,”. Other top singles include:  “Rich Girl,” “Kiss On My List,” “Maneater,” “Private Eyes” etc.

But as a rule time catches up with even the loftiest of rock stars. Fans move on, music trends change and artists struggle to recapture their mojo with audiences. That happened with Hall and Oates.

But Hall did something pretty cool.

He created an free internet video show – ‘Live From Daryl’s House’ (see below for a better description).

Now he’s relevant again. Cool even! Younger people are rediscovering his music. Emerging artists have no problem collaborating with him ‘in da house’.

An unexpected bonus from broadcasting the show and building a solid viewership is that broadcast TV networks come calling.

What about your brand?

Sure, you’re not Daryl Hall or Gary Vaynerchuk but there’s every chance that you (personally or your company or organization) has something to offer the marketplace. A series of stories maybe, some interesting behind the scenes action – why not take people behind the ‘velvet rope’, give them a glimpse behind the ‘corporate firewall’ – loosen up, push your experts forward so they can give opinions on issues and trends affecting your industry.

But don’t be too slick, polished and over-produced.

In this NYdailynews.com article, Hall says of his webcast:

“There’s a certain lack of structure at its core and irreverence. It also has a certain kind of attitude. This isn’t a reality show. It’s something altogether unique.”

Oh, and don’t forget to collaborate!

It makes it less about ‘you’ – it broadens your audience and, if you’re a pretty stodgy brand, it’s not a bad way to start becoming relevant again. Just ask Daryl Hall!

Thanks to his regular webcast, Hall is collaborating (and leveraging off) some of the biggest names in the business, including young emerging artists that help familiarize his name with new audiences.

ABOUT ‘LIVE FROM DARYL’S HOUSE’ (Source)

Daryl Hall started Live From Daryl’s House, the free monthly web show in late 2007, after having the idea of playing with my friends and putting it up on the Internet, and the show has since garnered acclaim from Rolling Stone, SPIN, Daily Variety, CNN, BBC, Yahoo! Music and influential blogger Bob Lefsetz, who have cited Live From Daryls House as a perfect example of a veteran artist reinventing himself in the digital age by collaborating with both established colleagues and newer performers.

Past episodes of Live From Daryl’s House have featured a mix of well-known performers like Smokey Robinson, The Doors Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, Nick Lowe, K.T. Tunstall, Todd Rundgren, Gym Class Heroes Travis McCoy, Fall Out Boys Patrick Stump, Finger Elevens James Black and Rick Jackett, the Bacon Brothers and country star Jimmy Wayne, along with newcomers such as Philly soul singer Mutlu, Canadian techno-rockers Chromeo, MySpace pop-rock phenom Eric Hutchinson, Cash Money rocker Kevin Rudolf, Wind-up Records Chicago rockers Company of Thieves, Bay Area singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson, Charlottesville, VAs rising Parachute, Chicago rock band Plain White Ts and highly touted tunesmith Diane Birch.

FURTHER READING:

• Frank Sinatra Vs Jay-Z: How collaboration can help your brand reach new audiences
• Building a brand the Gary Vee Way