Celebrity, Inc.: How Famous People Make Money

How I Heard About The Book...

This book had been sitting in my Audible wish list for a while before I downloaded it, so I can't recall the exact referal... but I think it might have been mentioned in a Dan Kennedy newsletter a few months back.


The Lesson/Argument in Three Sentences...

There is no real applicable lesson in here, as the book is basically a documentary in print detailing how the quote unquote, famous, actually make their money and play the fame-game. It also talks/reveals a lot about the mechanics of the entertainment business; covering things like how to "buy an Oscar win" . I guess if you are trying to be the next Paris Hilton it may help you forecast/project/plan out your income streams, but it's more of a education on 'how the game is played' than a playbook.


Why Read/Listened To It ...

Maybe you're not obsessed with celebrity like Fleur (my wife) is, but if you are at all interested in learning the economics of fame' this is well worth a read.
And if you're not overtly interested in discovering how celebrities earn their income', you should! 'Celebrity' is one of the largest, hottest and most in-demand industries' ... and as savvy entrepreneurs we should continue to stay abreast of other industries and how they work ... especially if we want to partner with a celebrity on an endorsement deal (and there a are only a few better ways to get attention in this day and age than with a celebrity spokesperson)


Other Similar Books Worth Checking Out ...

Celebrity Leverage: Insider Secrets to Getting Celebrity Endorsements, Instant Credibility and Star-Powered Publicity, or How to Make Your Business - Plus Yourself - Rich and Famous - Jordan McAuley [If you want to go down the path of using a celebrity to promote your business, project or charity; Jordan's book covers the 'how-to', that 'Celebrity Inc' left out.]

Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator - Ryan Holiday [Ryan pulls back the curtains on the media and blogosphere in a similar way; but Ryan mixes his own experiences in with the investigator/reporter angle.]


What Was Missing ...

The celebrity industry is so large that this book could become a series, exposing every trick under the sun celebrities use to cash-in on their fame. There isn't one specific 'monetisation' strategy I was left wanting to know more about .. but a sports version of this book is something I would really enjoy.

Very informative; this is an excellent title encompassing all aspects of celebrity monetization. Piazza puts celebrity gossip and scandal into a business perspective. I am not a regular follower of celebrities and popular culture, and yet I found this title to be of exceptional interest.

Who knew Oscars were campaigned for like the presidency? As much money, spin-doctoring, and rhetoric goes into an Oscar campaign as any run for office. I'll never look at the Academy Awards the same way again!

This was a surprisingly interesting book! While it is pretty common knowlege that a lot of the things in the media about celebrities are "staged", this book puts a whole new spin on it and even causes you to see things in a different light. Why do people hate Lindsay Lohan but love Charlie Sheen? Do celebrities really plan thier hook ups and break ups around their careers? Do publicists tip off photographers when thier clients go places? You have to read it to find out but its all in there and you wont look at celebrity headlines the same way.