Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. On our Haute 100 New York list is hip-hop magnet and connoisseur Jay-Z, whose first book, a memoir entitled “Decoded,” elevates his status to author and creates a whole new concept for book launches.
Jay-Z
Category: Entertainers
Industry: Music
What Makes Him Haute: More than just a hip-hop icon, the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella co-owns the New Jersey Nets and the 40/40 Club. One of the highest paid artists in his field, Jay-Z signed a $150 million contract with Live Nation in April — one of the largest contracts ever awarded to an entertainer.
What Makes Him Haute Now: Jay-Z continues to reinvent himself and the world by creating win/win situations to build and keep his empire intact. Leading the music industry in 11 No. 1 debut albums, Jay-Z further demonstrates his entrepreneurial prowess with a high energy strategy on the publishing circuit; he is advertising his new book, “Decoded,” by releasing pages ahead of time by way of a game that uses the internet (employing the growing search engine Microsoft’s Bing), physical locations in New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Miami and London (using both traditional advertising pieces and fresh media), and competitive spirit as a marketing platform.
“Decoded”’s journey to our shelves in and of itself will go down in his-story and will most certainly pave the way for more ingenious public relations (with no limits to what book promotion and launches could become). Most notably, though, is how he, both as an artist and businessman, brilliantly applies the creative process from a point A to a point B that hasn’t been taken before and executes; Jay-Z encourages us that there are no limits to what we can imagine, gives us an opportunity to become a part of and feel the creative force through his interactive challenge and proves (at least at this point as the book is not officially all out until Nov. 16), that he has the first rule of writing well perfected — show and don’t tell.
“Decoded,” published by Spiegel & Grau, which is part of Random House, fills in lyrics to many of his songs, the personal meaning behind them, and how his life has followed him. On Oct. 20, Delano, South Beach, hosted a private book “signing” (with a page found on the bottom of their pool in the back orchard); Jay-Z, supported by his lovely wife Beyonce, graciously shared his excitement and passion about the campaign that will be taking place over the next thirty days.
To create your game plan, visit http://www.bing.com/jay-z.
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October 25, 2010Urban Style Served with a Paradise Twist
