Unlabel | Marc Ecko | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Marc Ecko shares his experience and insights on building a personal brand, overcoming labels, and finding authenticity in his book "Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out."

Transcript

ROB KENNER: Welcome everybody. My name is Rob Kenner. I'm a senior editor at Complex Media. And I'm glad that all of you could join us here in the flesh and digitally, virtually around the Google diaspora. And I'm joined by Mr. Marc Ecko. Round of applause. MARC ECKO: Then they add like the "roar" track. You'll just cut that in. It'll be like [ROAR... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏛️ Overcoming labels and finding authenticity are crucial in building a personal brand.
• 🙈 Failure is an essential part of the learning process and should not be seen as something to be embarrassed or ashamed of.
• 🏛️ Emotional impact and meaningful human interactions are powerful tools in branding and building relationships.
• 🎯 Gatekeepers can sometimes limit creativity and innovation, while goalkeepers (your target audience) should be the focus of your brand.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Marc Ecko get the idea for his book "Unlabel"?

Marc Ecko was inspired to write "Unlabel" to provide a different perspective on personal branding and to offer a book that was not like the typical "personal branding" books that can come across as patronizing.

Q: How does Marc Ecko define authenticity and how does he break down the formula for it?

Ecko explains that authenticity cannot be prescribed as a step-by-step process but rather as a philosophical approach. He breaks down authenticity into components such as unique voice, creative selfishness, and truthfulness.

Q: How did Marc Ecko connect with George Lucas and get him to license the Star Wars archives?

Ecko sent a 12-inch action figure of George Lucas to a fundraiser, where he caught Lucas' attention. This led to a meeting in which Ecko proposed the idea of licensing the Star Wars archives, which eventually became a successful partnership.

Q: Was it challenging for Marc Ecko to secure funding for his business?

Ecko initially obtained funding from his business partner Seth Gerszberg, and they later secured seed investment from another group. He emphasizes the importance of relationship-building and finding mentors who can guide and support you along the way.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Marc Ecko wrote the book "Unlabel" to provide a subtext about personal branding without being patronizing and to help readers understand his philosophy on branding in the digital age.

• He discusses the label that was put on him as a fashion designer and his journey to build his own brand, embracing both failures and successes along the way.

• Ecko highlights the importance of distinguishing between external and internal brands and the need to be transparent and authentic in personal branding.