Press Record with Kellan Reck

Chris Acevedo is a cinematographer and business owner in the Boston area. He’s filmed for numerous industries including music, restaurants, and publications and has worked with clients ranging from Red Bull to Panasonic to Legal Seafoods, and SOOO many more.

In this episode of Press Record, Chris and I talk the production business. We compare the freelance life to the corporate life. Chris details his incredible partnership with Lumix and talks about overcoming imposter syndrome.

Find Chris Acevedo online:
Chris Acevedo on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/arc1tek/
Chris' Business on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/reelenvision/
Chris' Website - www.reelenvision.co

Sam Lutz is a senior producer with the Kansas City Royals, covering photo and video needs for the team. He also freelances as a photographer for the Kansas City Chiefs, covering athletes like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in their biggest moments. He’s a master behind the lens, and showcases his amazing work across his instagram, @samshazam_

In this episode of Press Record with Kellan Reck, we talk with Sam Lutz about his venture into content creation for the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. We talk about the joys of creating content for your favorite sports teams, and what inspires a career like this.

Find Same Lutz online:
Sam Lutz on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samshazam_/

In this episode of "Press Record with Kellan Reck," host Kellan Reck tackles the issue of overcoming creative blocks, sharing insights from his own experiences and those of iconic creators like Alfred Hitchcock and Dr. Seuss. He offers strategies such as changing environments, consuming inspiring content, and leveraging networks to reignite creativity. Additionally, Kellan answers viewer questions on topics ranging from social media growth to budget-friendly cameras. He concludes by thanking his audience and teasing future content, celebrating the podcast's progress and the community it's building.

Products discussed in the show:
Canon EOS M50 Mark I - https://amzn.to/3vDH9E1
Sony A7III - https://amzn.to/3vKjBgF

Timestamps:
 
Overcoming Creative Blocks (00:00:00) Discussion on experiencing creative burnout, accepting rest days, and anecdotes of successful individuals overcoming creative roadblocks.

Alfred Hitchcock's Creative Roadblock Solution (00:03:12) Exploration of how Alfred Hitchcock dealt with creative roadblocks by shifting focus and removing stress from the situation.

Dr. Seuss' Constraint Technique (00:05:15) Explanation of how Dr. Seuss used constraints to start his creative ventures and develop them into successful stories.

Personal Strategies for Overcoming Creative Roadblocks (00:06:14) Discussion of personal strategies such as acknowledging the roadblock, changing environment, and consuming inspiring content.

Q&A: Growing on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube (00:11:26) Advice on growing on multiple social media platforms by creating and testing content across different platforms and leveraging trends.

Q&A: Client Outreach Strategies (00:14:26) Insights into client outreach methods including Instagram DMs, cold emails, in-person visits, leveraging networks, and using voice or video messages.

Q&A: Budget-Friendly Mirrorless Camera Recommendation (00:17:26) Recommendation of Canon EOS M50 Mark I as a cost-effective mirrorless camera for beginners.

Q&A: Future Videos with Kevin (00:19:28) Confirmation of future content with Kevin on YouTube and the continuation of content creation.

Billie Weiss is an award-winning Boston based commercial and editorial photographer and videographer. He is the Director of Creative Services and Photography for the Boston Red Sox. He is also co-founder of Bolt Creative Group, a Boston Based Production House. Billie is known for his bold, vibrant, colorful style and his eye for clean, impactful imagery. He’s worked with some of the top athletes and top brands in the world! We worked together for almost a decade at the Red Sox, and I’m proud to call Billie a good friend of mine.

In this episode of Press Record with Kellan Reck, we talk with Billie Weiss about the highs and lows of working in sports. We detail his journey through the ranks at the Boston Red Sox, and talk about his latest venture in business, Bolt Creative Group.

Find Billie Weiss online:
Billie Weiss on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bjweiss22/
Bolt Creative Group - https://boltcreativegroup.com/

Colton Bradford is an Emmy award winning journalist and host who officially joined the NBC10 Boston news team as an anchor in July of 2022 following years as co-host and reporter for the station’s entertainment/lifestyle show "The Hub Today."

In this episode of Press Record with Kellan Reck, we dive into Colton Bradford's incredible career in broadcast journalism. We discuss his brave venture from Alabama to Massachusetts, and his success on the new with NBC10 Boston. Colton is a master of reaching for his dreams and surrounding himself with a strong support system.

Find Colton Bradford online:
Colton Bradford on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamcoltonbradford/

Deven Marrero is a retired professional baseball player. From 2015 to 2022, Marrero played in a number of MLB organizations including the New York Mets, the Miami Marlins, The Arizona Diamondbacks, and of course, the Boston Red Sox, which is where we crossed paths. Recently, he’s been creating fantastic content on Instagram, telling stories from his playing days for the world to see. I’m delighted to have Deven Marrero join Press Record.

In this episode of Press Record with Kellan Reck, we talk with Deven Marrero about life after a career in professional baseball. We discuss what is next for the athlete, and how he's taken up video production - boasting millions of views across his Instagram reels. We go on to talk about social media in sports, and whether or not athletes should feel obligated to post online.

Find Deven Marrero online:
Deven Marrero on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dmarrero305/

Jared Carrabis is a podcast host and writer, best known for covering the Boston Red Sox. A Massachusetts native, Carrabis has been a diehard Red Sox fan his entire life, and built this fandom into a career. He spent nearly a decade at Barstool sports, hosting several podcasts including Starting 9, Section 10, and so much more. He just wrapped up his tenure at Draftkings, hosting Baseball is Dead and The Name Redacted Podcast.

In this episode of Press Record with Kellan Reck, we look at Jared Carrabis' fascinating career story. From a love of baseball at a young age, to a Myspace page at 16, to a dream job covering the Boston Red Sox for Barstool Sports, Carrabis has done it all and more!

Find Jared Carrabis online:
Jared Carrabis on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jaredcarrabis/

Matt Rossi is an experienced brand marketer with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverages industry. He’s spent the last 4 years working for Boston Beer Company, currently operating as brand manager for Truly Hard Seltzer. And in the last year, he’s built a dedicated following across social media for his creative and humorous lifestyle content which often features his very cute humorous Kirkland. I personally see Matt’s videos all of the time on TikTok and can’t resist watching them in full. He is also a Michigan Alum, go blue. 

In this episode of Press Record with Kellan Reck, we discuss brand management and it's importance in the current world. We go on to talk about Matt's rising social media stardom, and what it's like to gain fame alongside his wiener dog Kirkland. We finish off with a rapid fire Q&A that takes us for a wild ride!

Find Matty Rossi online:
Matty Rossi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themattyrossi/
Matty Rossi on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@themattyrossi

Time Stamps:
Introduction (00:00:00)

Podcast Debut (00:01:02)
Matt discusses his first virtual podcast experience and his journey into the podcast scene.

Childhood and Family (00:02:29)
Matt talks about his non-traditional family background, his parents' entrepreneurial spirit, and his childhood aspirations.

College and Career Choice (00:07:22)
Matt shares his college decision-making process, and how he discovered his passion for brand management.

Discovering Brand Management (00:09:53)
Matt recounts the pivotal moment when he stumbled into a Pepsi brand management presentation and found his career path.

Transition to Boston Beer (00:15:18)
The discussion leads to Matt's decision to transition from PepsiCo to Boston Beer, setting the stage for his future endeavors.

Covid and Career Changes (00:16:12)
Discussion about the impact of COVID on career decisions and the transition from New York to Boston.

Joining Twisted Tea and Brand Growth (00:17:05)
The decision to join Twisted Tea, its brand growth, and the impact of COVID on the transition.

Challenges and Opportunities at Twisted Tea (00:19:45)
Challenges faced by Twisted Tea, its market perception, and the viral incident involving the brand.

Entrepreneurial Journey and Content Creation (00:29:53)
Matt's personal and professional journey, including the decision to start creating content and the role of his dog, Kirkland.

Crafting Kirkland's Brand (00:34:09)
Matt explains the process of creating a distinct brand for their dog and the challenges of building a personal brand.

Analyzing Personal Branding (00:36:50)
The importance of personal branding and Matt's approach to building both his and Kirkland's personal brands.

Future of Content Creation (00:44:09)
Matt discusses the future of content creation, the value of personal branding, and the educational aspect of content.

Monetization and Content Creation (00:47:34)
The conversation shifts to the topic of monetization in content creation and Matt's early experiences with monetizing their content.

Building a Portfolio (00:47:56)
Initial brand deals, strategy for growth, and building a portfolio of sponsored content.

Monetization and Negotiation (00:50:32)
Realizing the potential for earnings, the need for negotiation, and the decision to seek management.

Entrepreneurial Challenges (00:52:20)
Struggles with managing multiple revenue streams, the pressure to follow trends, and  quality over quantity.

Rapid Fire Round (00:55:57)
Fun, rapid-fire questions on personal preferences and experiences. Talking The Bachelor ex situation.

Relationship and Career Advice (00:59:28)
Advice for those feeling stuck in their careers and the importance of trying something new or

Kevin Hupp is a part-owner of Unprecedented Media, a digital marketing agency. He’s a specialist in all things social media, influencer marketing, and music marketing. He’s built a TikTok following of over 1.5 Million, and has generated millions of views for clients ranging from Mountain Dew to Shutterfly and so many more. And, of course, he’s one of my best friends!

In this episode of Press Record with Kellan Reck, we talk through the history of Kellan and Kevin. We break down the two times in Kevin's life where he took a significant leap of faith. We go on to discuss the highs and lows of building a business and working together as friends.

Find Kevin Hupp online:
Kevin Hupp on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kevinhupp/
Kellan and Kevin on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kellanandkevin/
Unprecedented Media - https://www.umcreativegroup.com

Time Stamps:

Setting the Stage (00:00:00)
Introduction to Kevin Hupp

Reflecting on the Past (00:01:30)
Discussion about past experiences and the potential for recurring appearances on the show.

Starting the Business (00:02:31)
Discussion about the birth of Unprecedented Media and the challenges faced in its early stages.

Life during the Pandemic (00:04:05)
Exploration of the impact of the pandemic on Kellan and Kevin's lives and the start of their content creation journey.

Navigating Challenges (00:09:20)
Reflection on the struggles faced during the initial phase of content creation and the lessons learned.

Unexpected Recognition (00:11:51)
Discussion about the unexpected recognition and the impact it had on Kellan and Kevin's lives.

Personal Branding (00:16:15)
Exploration of the importance of personal branding in the context of content creation and business.

Monetization and Business Development (00:21:35)
Consideration of the potential for monetization and the development of a business around content creation.

The first job leap (00:22:35)
Kevin's transition to a career aligned with his skill set and aspirations, joining an influencer marketing company.

Unprecedented Media creation (00:24:42)
Kevin and Kellan's venture to help businesses expand on social media, their success, and client relationships.

Deciding to quit the full-time job (00:28:30)
Kevin's decision to leave his stable job for the growing business, the support system, and making a plan.

Challenges of running a business (00:33:31)
The difficulties of leaving stable work, maintaining a partnership, and understanding each other's work styles.

Balancing work and personal life (00:39:44)
Kevin's daily schedule, business prospecting, and prioritizing physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Gym and personal growth (00:43:20)
Kevin's focus on fitness, confidence, and personal growth through gym workouts.

Life Changes and Career Growth (00:45:23)
Discussion on personal growth, career changes, and transitioning into a new phase of life.

Following Your Passion (00:46:48)
Advice on pursuing one's true passion and being accountable for aligning actions with personal dreams.

Book Recommendation: The 10th of December (00:49:10)
Recommendation of the book "The 10th of December" by George Saunders, emphasizing the value of creativity and persistence.

Contact Information and Musical Performance (00:51:08)
Sharing social media and website links, followed by a musical performance and closing remarks.

Connor Coyne is a Global Social Media Associate at New Balance. He’s a specialist in all things social media and content creation. He’s built a huge following on TikTok and transitioned that into a merch business called Lone Rider Ranch.

In this episode of Press Record with Kellan Reck, we discuss TikTok fame and the viral potential of the platform. We also break down working a full-time job while building a business on the side. We go on to discuss mental health, surrounding yourself with a strong support system, and so much more!

Find Connor Coyne online:
Connor Coyne on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concoyne/
Lone Rider Ranch - https://www.loneriderranch.com/

Time Stamps:

Intro (00:00:00)

Introduction and Career Overview (00:00:35)
Kellan introduces Connor Coyne and discusses his career, social media expertise, and transition to a merch business.

Balancing Work and Passion Projects (00:01:13)
Connor talks about managing a 9 to 5 job at New Balance and pursuing side passion projects.

Starting Career and Transition to Content Creation (00:02:40)
Connor shares his journey from college graduation to landing an internship at Harvard Athletics and later transitioning to content creation.

Self-Taught Video Production and Career Progression (00:05:30)
Connor discusses his self-taught video production skills and how he turned a free filming experience at his college into a job.

Importance of Personal Brand and Niche Content (00:13:13)
The significance of personal branding and niche content in today's creator landscape, and the impact on audience engagement.

Finding Your Personal Brand (00:14:40)
Connor provides advice on discovering one's personal brand, emphasizing creating content based on genuine interests and passion.

Trying a Wide Spread of Content (00:15:07)
Connor discusses the value of experimenting with different types of content to determine what resonates with the audience.

Understanding TikTok's Algorithm (00:16:28)
Kellan and Connor talk about the nature of TikTok's algorithm and how it impacts the visibility and engagement of content.

Building a Personal Brand on TikTok (00:17:19)
Connor shares his experience in developing a personal brand on TikTok, focusing on Boston and coffee-related content.

Monetization and Brand Deals (00:20:06)
The conversation shifts to the monetization process on TikTok, including brand deals and partnerships.

Transitioning to Entrepreneurship (00:22:31)
Connor discusses the transition from content creation to starting his own business, Lone Rider Ranch.

Challenges of Starting a Business (00:24:29)
Connor shares the challenges and learning experiences of starting and running Lone Rider Ranch.

The Story Behind Lone Rider Ranch (00:27:47)
Connor explains the inspiration behind the brand and its connection to men's mental health.

Balancing Mental Health and Work (00:29:54)
The discussion delves into the importance of maintaining mental well-being while managing work, relationships, and entrepreneurship.

Opening up and finding balance (00:31:12)
Discussion about finding support, opening up, and balancing personal and professional life.

Advice for creators (00:32:03)
Encouragement for creators to try new things, overcome fear of failure, and build a strong personal brand.

Networking and mentorship (00:35:36)
Importance of networking, finding mentors, and building a supportive community in the digital space.

Support in the online space (00:37:49)
The value of finding support and encouragement from like-minded individuals in the online space.

Influence and inspiration (00:38:58)
The impact of personal brand development and the inspiration for others to pursue their passions.

Future plans and cr