Forbes Magazine Sizes Up Celebrities

Forbes is at it again. It has done another of its annual surveys and this time the focus is on celebrities. Who are entertainment's most powerful people? The measure isn't based on money alone, but also on the subjective "buzz" that surrounds them. Such factors makes individuals like myself a little nervous, but here is the list with comments:

1) Oprah Winfrey. Are we surprised? The daytime queen has recently had a night time presence and will soon have a network of her own. Further, she has a massive web presence, magazine and more. Her entrance in politics may have caused her a bump, but she is still good as gold.

2) Tiger Woods. The richest man in sports is charismatic and smart. I am not surprised to see him on this list.

3) Angelina Jolie. I am not as sure about this one. Angelina Jolie is attractive, does her obligatory movie every year or so, and has opinions on just about everything under the sun. But I don't quite understand her either on the list or at this level.

4) Beyonce Knowles. Another celebrity that I can't help but think is slightly over rated. Beautiful and in many commercials, but in the top ten? I just have my doubts.

5) David Beckham. Maybe a decade ago. Maybe. But today? Certainly over rated. Beckham can't even "bend it" like Beckham any more. It is as though he came to the US because he hadn't worn out his presence here yet. I believe that will be short lived.

6) Johnny Depp. Depp reminds me that money must be a huge factor because he is relatively off the radar screen compared to many others on this list. My daughter says his looks alone makes him worthy.

7) Jay-Z. Initially a rap artist, Jay-Z is evolving into a media conglomerate in his own right. He also co-owns a night club and the New Jersey Nets. Very impressive.

8) The Police. Of course I love the Police and was delighted to see them come together for their reunion. However, they are one of the many on this list that raises more questions than answers.

9) J.K. Rowling. Rowling is brilliant and has to be as much a financial genius as she is a literary one. She transcends generations with people on Wall Street to Sesame Street (almost) familiar with her and her work.

10) Brad Pitt. See number 3. I don't get it.

Who did you think deserved to be on the top ten? Did you care? The Forbes lists tend to change fairly dramatically and the entertainment one in particular. I have to wonder how relevant this list will be in several months, let alone years.

According to recent surveys on marketing, most advertising attracts sellers (others who want you to buy more ads) and not buyers. Do you want to know why? Email info@HoustonBusinessShow.com and put "marketing audio" in the subject line and we will get it to you.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Dr. Phil Reaches 1000

Everyone knows I am something of a fan of Oprah, in spite of her politics. I'm equally -- and maybe even more impressed -- by Dr. Phil. Today, I am watching Dr. Phil's 1,000th show. Dr Phil is extremely real and, unlike most of the crazy people who have a daytime TV show, he actually seems to be helpful. He requires guest to take ownership over their issues -- or take a walk.

Dr. Phil is, of course, "his own man." However, he was discovered by Oprah whom he worked for as a consultant during her trial in Amarillo with the beef producers. She discovered his home grown wisdom that was tempered by a PhD.

What started as a weekly segment on the Oprah show evolved into a daily program of his own and it became the second highest daytime show (after his mentors) in no time. Phil McGraw is tough, yet has a great sense of humor (as seen from his antics on The Simpsons, Scary Movie 4, his banter with Dr. Phil, and other appearances).

I congratulate Dr. Phil for making common sense into interesting television.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Oprah Creates Television Network

I am ashamed to admit, but I was surprised to hear that Oprah has decided to create her own television network. Silly me! What should really surprise me is that it has taken this long to happen. That shouldn't surprise me either, because Oprah rarely does anything unless she can do it with excellence. That is the secret of her success.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the talk show queen has been dreaming the idea of a 24/7 TV network for around 20 years. Now she plans on making that dream into a reality. She has said that she has been wanting to share her approach to media and her influence all the time (literally all the time). She didn't want to be limited by a show, or a magazine, or even a continuously updated website. She wanted her fans to turn on the tube and see her media at any time. This will be her way to do just that.

The name of the new channel will be OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network. How appropriate, because if she keeps this up she will own virtually everything.

On the Oprah site, the media leader announced:

In an unprecedented deal, Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications announced plans today to create OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. The new multi-platform media venture will be designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN will debut in 2009 in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel. The venture will also include the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com.

According to Forbes, Oprah Winfrey is worth over $2.5 billion. She clearly isn't motivated by money alone (note: I don't believe anyone ever makes "enough money," so please don't interpret my remarks as such). I believe Oprah wants to be an agent for change and influence. I believe she wants to continue to add to her legacy. I think she wants to get a TV gig for her best friend, Gayle King. Okay, just kidding, but I'm sure that is going to happen, just as Gayle has largely taken over Oprah's show on satellite radio (Oprah and Friends on XM).

Whatever the reasons, I'm confident that this effort will be as successful as virtually everything else Oprah puts her hands on.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Time Magazine's Best Lists: Commercials

In my recent "list of lists" on Time Magazine's "Best" series, I have been pretty critical. I have to admit though, I did like some of their choices for commercials in 2007.

On the upside for commercials, I love their choice of the David Letterman and Oprah Winfree "love fest" while watching TV together. The two have had a much publicized chilling relationship for years and to get them together made for an eye catching and humorous ad.

The "Impossible is Nothing" ad for Adidas made you laugh (when you saw the cute, little soccer player), made you cry (when you understood the challenges the subject had gone through), and made you proud (when you read how that person over came such). Great stuff!
One ad campaign that I love, but didn't get much air time, was Gatorade's "Thief" campaign. It is funny, smart, and memorable. A must see.

American Express' "Tina Fey" examines the numerous challenge facing a business woman, any of which could be devastating and how refreshing it was that someone rescued her from one without her having to break a sweat.

On the down side, they didn't include any of the great Geico conspiracy ads (like the one on the Flintstones) or any of the Cavemen ads that birthed a TV show (which died quickly, but still, leading to a TV show is impressive!). This is because Time Magazine tries to be some what "high brow" in the way it approaches things, I must conclude.

But overall, I was pleased with Time's choices in this category. I will be reviewing magazine covers in a future post.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Receive that free ezine by clicking here.

Oprah Winfrey Gets Political

Let me preface this by saying that I absolutely respect Oprah as a media personality. In fact, I can safely say she is the most successful at what she does than anyone I know. Her show is now over 20 years old and it remains among the most highly rated and, I believe she is the highest paid celebrity.

There are reasons for her success, and these are just a few of them in my opinion:

* She makes sure her visual presentation is better than anyone on day time TV. Her sets are amazing and very inviting and makes watching the program very enjoyable.

* She has excellent guest selection. After years of cultivating relationships she is able to get some of the best show participants a person will find on television regardless of time of day.

* She doesn't insult the users intelligence. She is smart and her programming highlights that, making for excellent viewing. She has even made "book clubs" popular again.

* She has remained remarkably apolitical. We are all pretty sure of her political leanings in the way she throws softballs to those with a liberal bias and tries to nail conservatives. She is, however, at least willing to have conservatives on her program. I personally believe this last characteristic is one of the most important reasons. I remember being told that you don't want to talk politics or religion with friends and she has been very careful when it comes to this area.

Until now.

Just recently Oprah endorsed a candidate. Something she hadn't done to date. She has come out in support of Barack Obama who is among the most liberal of the Democratic candidates (I put him just after John Edwards). Many are suggesting that her endorsement won't matter much, since they both appeal to the well educated and more affluent constituencies rather than the broader population that John Edwards has pursued so passionately. I disagree, I think she will help Obama reach a group that Hillary Clinton thought she had in the bag -- upper middle class and well educated women.

Time will only tell whether Oprah will make that big a difference. Time will also tell whether such a move hurts her TV program. She has accumulated a lot of capital over the years, but there is no place that is quicker to lose it than in the world of media.

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