Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Sorkin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rick. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
pol·y·math (noun): a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas, such a person is known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems.
I am a Santa Monica, California-based producer, cultural consultant, digital strategist, songwriter, photographer & writer. I graduated from The George Washington University with degrees in Entrepreneurship, Business Management, and Jazz Improvisational Studies. I’ve worked in the music, media and marketing industries, and before starting my own business, I worked at 360i (top digital media agency), WhoSay (top celebrity social media company, as VP of Talent & Strategy), and CAA (top talent agency, as head of digital). I’ve worked with countless actors, musicians and athletes to build their online brands and businesses, and perform a variety of services for my brand and personal clients.
I’ve made music my entire life, and write and perform my own music under the name SPELLS (thisisspells.com).
I executive produced 2018’s TELETHON FOR AMERICA, a star-studded, non-partisan get-out-the-vote event that was simulcast across Comedy Central Digital, BET, MTV, Ellen’s YouTube channel, and talent social including Chelsea Handler and Meghan Trainor.
My favorite project right now is the podcast I launched with my mom. It’s called EVERYBODY AND THEIR MOTHER HAS A PODCAST. check us out; www.everybodyandtheirmotherhasapodcast.com.
How did I get here? I once heard a great line about how we pretend our resume’s are carefully curated long-arced plans, but in reality, it’s really just a list of where we’ve been. That rings pretty true for me.
I do my best to only work on projects that EXCITE me, that fit in my WHY, and with people who are FUN to work with.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road; at least not at first. It took me a long time to recognize that the issues I experienced in Corporate America weren’t my ‘fault’. Company politics were never my thing, and I truly think the higher someone climbs the ladder, the more politics (and less actual work) there is. So I struggled to fit in these environments. I still thrived in the creative work, but never felt at home at work, like I recognize some people do. Once I realized I could (and should) do it on my own, I was liberated. It’s a real eat-what-you-kill situation. Feast or famine. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Rick Sorkin Media/Spells – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Founded and operated by entertainment & advertising industry veteran Rick Sorkin, Rick Sorkin Media provides bespoke, superior digital strategy & media services for the world’s top entertainers, entertainment properties, international brands, and small businesses. Our specialties are social media management, business consulting, social media ad buying, content production, and Influencer sales marketing and strategy. I’m proud of our client list and the work we’ve done for them. I’m especially proud of the work we’ve done for individuals that span our services (content, strategy, media, social, marketing) like Eva Longoria and Matthew McConaughey, NBA and Woodstock.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I came to LA almost eight years ago and absolutely loved it. Nobody cares where you *came* from, only where you’re going. No one cares what school you went to. I love that. The super dope parts of LA are the things that sound like cliches… the weather, the food, the beautiful people. I love the westside. I definitely venture all over LA, but love coming back to Santa Monica at the end of the day.
Ricky Gervais once said I’ve lived in New York, and I’ve lived in LA. The ONLY difference is people in NY will stab you in the FRONT’. Although cynical (and I don’t do cynicism, just skepticism), it really rings true. If you judged the project by the meeting, every single thing would get made. How many ‘great meetings’ have you had that went nowhere?! That’s my biggest dislike, the inability for people to just say no if the answer is no. What are you afraid of?! (oh and ghosting, that seems to be an epidemic in LA).
Contact Info:
- Address: 827 4th st 109
- Website: https://www.ricksorkinmedia.com/
- Phone: 9172397441
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricksorkin/
- Other: https://www.thisisspells.com/
Image Credit:
Rick Sorkin
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