"It is not about how much money you make. The question is, are you educated enough to KEEP it." -Dr.Shaq

Recently, I stumbled upon a post on Instagram, regarding the now Dr. Shaquille O’Neal, Ed.D.  “Shaq," as he is popularly known, did not always title of “doctor,” and reflectively, I’ve often heard that there is not much value in a college education or degree.

         During my senior year in high school, I took my first Economics course. I was immediately fascinated by the subject matter and shocked at my knowledge deficiencies. The course taught me the wonders and powers of the knowledge of applied economics. I made a decision to design a solid plan that will assure my future financial strength and stability.

         My original goal is to build and acquire new knowledge that will provide substance and so far, I’ve learned the many aspects and benefits of digital marketing. I will apply the material personally and professionally by continuing to enhance my innovative ideas that will stimulate my knowledge and peers. I’ve digresses. After delving into the retired NBA superstar’s past experiences, my knowledge has again increased and my plans have been enhanced.

         In 1992, when Shaquille O'neal was drafted into the NBA, he spent his first million dollars within 30 minutes. This led to a wake-up phone call from his banker. Shaq was advised, cautioned, and told if changes are now made, he will end up joining the list of former athletes who are now utterly broke. O'neal began his educational journey at LSU but wisely decided to become astute in business and finance. In 2000, he returned to college, completing his Bachelor's of Arts in General Studies, followed by his M.B.A online from the University of Phoenix, and lastly, his EdD from Barry University.

         As of today, Shaq is the joint owner of 155 Five Guys Burger restaurants; 17 Auntie Annie's Pretzels restaurants; 150 car washes; 40 Twenty-four hour fitness centers; a shopping center; a movie theater; and several Las Vegas nightclubs. In addition to his business holdings, O'neal still earns $22 million per year (roughly $423,000 per week) from his endorsement deals with Arizona Creme soda, Icy Hot, Gold Bond, Buick, Zales, and at least a half dozen additional corporate sponsors. He is also a studio analyst for TNT. In Shaq's own words, "It is not about how much money you make. The question is, are you educated enough to KEEP it."

         According to Financial Juneteenth, “Education is the key to protecting wealth,” and I could not agree more. Dr. O’Neal is a brilliant example of the value of education and a college degree. Indeed, there is a time value to money and the value of financial literacy should never be underestimated. The rule for the majority, is educated individuals have greater abilities to accumulate wealth and protect it.

Experts in My Industry

I chose to analyze Kevin Geiger and Kathleen Kennedy, whom are business experts in the film industry. Kevin Geiger was the digital artist for Reign of Fire (2002) and Fantasia (2000).  Additionally, he was the CG supervisor for Chicken Little (2005), the production supervisor for Henry’s Garden (2002), and held other titles with several other films. After researching Geiger, I found a video excerpt of him discussing indie film business plans. His main concern for several indie filmmakers is that they have the creative abilities, however, they lack business knowledge. Therefore this reasoning was my motivation to attend Full Sail University to become savvy in entertainment business.

Geiger listed a few critical and key components that investors look for in a business plan including:

•       How are the investors going to make their money back
•       Prepare a cash flow projection
•    Create a business plan presentation for investors
•        Select development and advisory teams

These are considered key, because having a plan that does not discuss how an investor would retain their money back, results in a low chance of distributors, banks, or even studios investing in a project. I’m considering all these factors, but most importantly how my investors will finance my projects and make their money back.

Kathleen Kennedy started as a production assistant for Steven Spielberg’s 1942, eventually landing a job as a producer. She is best known as producer on movies such as: The Sixth Sense (1999), Twister (1996), Jurassic Park (1993), and several of the Star Wars episodes, and Indiana Jones series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she is now the world's second best successful producer, earning the title of co-chairperson atop of the George Lucas empire, and was the president of the PGA ('02-'06).

According to Hollywood TV, when hiring new people she looks for individuals who are talented, have a lot of tenacity, strong work ethic and values to make it in the film industry. According to USA Today, Kennedy wants the demographics within the industry to reflect society including: more faces of color, more women, and gay people. She states that most of her meetings are in rooms with white males. Additionally, she also stated because she’s a women, she “makes a conscious effort to diversify the people I’m hiring.” 

I’m considering Kennedy’s rationale of the way people are changing viewing television content. She used the example; if a narrative needs five hours, then provide the audience with the opportunity to watch it anytime they want in 30-minute segments. She compared it to reading a novel, many don’t read it all at once, it’s incremental. Therefore, why can’t a movie experience be like that? Essentially, Kevin Geiger and Kathleen Kennedy’s background and experience has provided much insight on how to move forward with a concise and innovative business plan.

Black Pioneers in Social Media

           

During recent studies, African Americans have shown escalating numbers dominating the social media atmosphere. Our social media sphere includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterst, YouTube, Tumblr, Flickr, Vine, and the list goes on. Laura Washington reported in  Chicago’s Sun Times article that a new study by Pew Research Centers reports 29% of African Americans tweet, compared to 16% among whites and Latinos respectively. Additionally, blacks use LinkedIn 30% more than their white counterparts at 22% and Latinos at 13% who post resumes and connect on the professional networking site. Many researchers did not have much to offer about the digital spurge of African Americans but I can concur with some valid points based off the article.  Social media has been cutting edge especially to our nation’s leader, Barack Obama’s tweet “four more years” back in 2012, which was the most re-tweeted ever.

          Although African Americans have negative trends and stigmas, social media has given us an outlet to showcase our knowledge, positivity in our own voices and terms. We no longer need the media to misrepresent us through news stories by so-called “experts,” “spokesmen,” and well-meaning journalist. Oftentimes the truth is left out, but we must admit that African Americans rule social media because we set futuristic trends that evolve into other cultures and nations across the world.

        

          In the article, elected mayor of Newark in 2006, Cory Booker adapted Twitter to connect with his constituents through a myriad of causes from public safety to healthy eating to charitable acts. His now 1.47 million followers wrote his name in history when he became New Jersey’s first black senator dubbed “Twitter’s favorite mayor.” Mayor Booker captured major fame by tweeting his philosophy on governing, advice, news and campaign appeals, dozens of times a day.

         With the advancement of technology African Americans can continue to excel and develop digital standards by conquering the most powerful communications today, social media.

HHHhis

Grand Theft Auto Milestones & Downsides

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) video game was released September 17, 2013. GTA retails for about $55 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation systems, which makes it the most expensive video game ever! According to Take Two Interactive Software, the iconic interactive entertainment series has accomplished to reach more than $1 billion in retail sales in the first 3 days!

Of course, the game has caused shock waves across the world. GTA was almost as desirable as the newest iPhone or the latest Jordan sneakers. When I browsed social media sites such as Twitter and Instagram, the majority of the posts were about GTA 5.  I’ve been wondering what makes this series such a hot item?

 

I decided to dig a little deeper and I reviewed the history of this cultural phenomenon. Since 2005, Take Two Interactive became the parent company of Rockstar Games to team up as a multinational video game and developer mega-business. According to Forbes, GTA 5 is the fastest selling entertainment property, including video games and feature films. GTA 5 beat the three biggest film launches- The Avengers, Avatar, and Harry Potter & the Deadly Hallows- by 16 days.  An ABC News article reported a team of 250 people took 4 years to develop a 1,000- page script. Wow!

            The GTA series is primarily known for its vulgarity and violence. While viewing the sneak peak of Rockstar GamesOfficial YouTube channel for GTA 5, two things captured my attention. First, the video stated new “mechanics” were added that are “fun and fluid.” Second, the video reported characters could make “sensible investments” such as “tattoos and fast cars.” One may not see the problem with these casual video game’s statements but all I could think about is the number of young adults who take video games as real life. All over the world, people have been robbed; stabbed, and killed over GTA- these incidents have been reported from Florida to London.

To  better place things into perspective, this game could distort normal mental functions and potentially cause young to become disrespectful to citizens or even murder. As far as profits, anyone who has stock in Take Two Interactive is winning; however, the younger generation is losing. As much as I desire to be optimistic about GTA, the profanity, sexual content, and intense violence that the game offers is just not worth it.