Comments on: Howard Stern: A Misunderstood Brand

By: Kel

Kel — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:04:26 +0000

honestly mary — i think you totally summed up howard to a tee! right on, right on. can’t believe you met him. that would rock my world. thanks for the insight. hope to see you here again. peace out.

By: Mary McKnight

Mary McKnight — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:59:47 +0000

Great POST! First, I have met Howard and he is a really great guy. He understands his brand, his personality and his audience better than most. He nails controversial and strikes the right balance on air and off air. I find, in the celebrity world, the people that filter themselves too heavily be it through politics, yoga, personal dogma, law of attraction inspirations BS etc, end up having the kind of “personality” no normal person can relate to. Howard is 100% relatable and that’s what makes his brand unique and a benchmark.

By: Kel

Kel — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:39:31 +0000

jen, thanks for your comment. it made me smile. i have been in your shoes with clients who are very conservative. it’s never easy when you are the exact opposite. tell them to read this post. haha!

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:44:48 +0000

I hate listening to Howard Stern but LOVE this post. It has really opened my eyes to his finer qualities as a person.

Also, this post came at just the right time for me. I’ve been struggling a bit as my clients are (mostly) very conservative, and I’m just not. Trying to rein in one’s personality and run one’s thoughts through multiple filters is paralyzing. Thanks for the inspiration!

By: Kel

Kel — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:36:58 +0000

go katie go! people need to lighten up. saturday night live gets away with a similar approach to poking fun at people and nobody appears to be giving them a hard time. as long as the teasing is at everyone versus a specific audience. howard makes more fun of himself than he does any race, religion, sexuality, etc. take a risk…and laugh a little. thanks again for sharing your perspective.

By: katie

katie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:59:28 +0000

Howard Stern is a lightening rod of criticism because we live in a world where political correctness is valued above honesty and if you ask me…it’s pretty messed up. I think the bottom line to your post is that too many people are walking around on egg shells, afraid of tarnishing their image, being disliked or saying something offensive. Too many people are absolutely full of crap. Howard Stern is a breath of fresh air. I don’t necessarily like everything he has to say, but that’s life…that’s real life. If I wanted to live in a make believe world where everyone thinks and feels the exact same way… I’d go watch an episode of “The Hills.”

By: Kel

Kel — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:49:37 +0000

janet, you really are wise at such an young age. i love the line "standards are for mediocrity but originality is for people...who really make a footprint." i am a big believer in being whoever you are. the people who matter to me appreciate unabashed honesty -- i hear that all the time from readers of my blog. i think my "it's agency not slavery" post really struck a chord and gave a voice to many in our world. you go girl! i hope "hotties" never cools down.

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:28:22 +0000

The word’s from Matthew’s mom are really touching I think there’s a lot to say about “being who you are” and personal brands. I think sometimes job advice for young professionals is to completely white-wash who they are and meet some abstract standard. I remember when I first started my blog some lady wrote me a comment that basically said I was endangering my chances of getting a job because I named my blog roll “hotties.” Guess I wasn’t serious enough? I think the truth of the matter is that standards are for mediocrity but originality is for people and brands like Howard who really make a footprint.

By: Kel

Kel — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:22:22 +0000

“peter & john” — is that like “sal & richard?” haha. your first two words said it all: “howard rules!” he really does. i am gay and appreciate all the support he gives the gay community, particularly on gay rights & marriage. now if he could only bring artie around from being a homophobe, he would really be a god. thanks so much for taking the time to share your insight. i loved your comment and i’m sure my readers do as well. hope to see you here again.

By: Peter & John

Peter & John — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:01:55 +0000

Howard rules!!! We listen every day (big fan since 1985), and totally agree that Howard is misunderstood by many people — mostly those who don’t listen. Other gay people we know are under the misconception that Howard is anti-gay because they hear that he makes gay jokes. Since they never give him a chance, they never find out that not only does he make jokes about EVERY group, but his humor is intertwined with intelligent and insightful social commentary, HIGHLY supportive of gay rights. If they gave him a chance (and have a sense of humor about themselves… who can avoid howling with laughter at old classics like the “Homo Room?) they would likely find more laughs in an hour of Howard than they find all week anywhere else. The laughter is great for us, along with the empowerment that comes from hearing someone of Howard’s stature speaking out for us from time to time. What better advocate for gay rights can there be than a totally straight guy talking to lots of other totally straight guys. If that doesn’t get the message across to an important target audience, we don’t know what does. Thanks for the great posting Kel!

By: Kel

Kel — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:44:50 +0000

amen sista’ meagan! i appreciate your honesty. i will refrain from commenting on anything bush-related. once i start, i can’t stop.

By: Meagan

Meagan — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:26:29 +0000

While I can’t claim to be a fan of Howard (I don’t get the throwing bologna at naked girls, although I’ve tried)- as a marketer/media junkie, it is impossible to argue that his honesty and realism appeal to millions of Americans and are one of the best parts of the current media landscape. I did catch myself listening during the “anti-Bush political phase” while still on standard radio that many fans seemed to hate, and I loved every minute. He has no fear, and represents himself 100%, always. That’s how “media” got its start in this country, which is why I respect the instituion of Stern.

By: Kel

Kel — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:33:31 +0000

frank, i am with you on all points. i was disappointed the show had not posted a video or audio of pete’s performance yet. i plan to update the post with a link as soon as the show makes it available.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:28:14 +0000

Kel, great post. I too have been a huge Howard fan and listener since 1993… I couldn’t agree more, he genuinely cares for people. It’s clear he is the champion for the underdog and the disenfranchised (ok, and sometimes those just plain weird). The point is, listening to Howard today gives me the same feeling as it did in 1993. I may not always agree with him, but I always respect him and his opinions. He is the master of crafting a clear vision of what his brand is all about and makes no excuses… brilliant.

PS – I was listening yesterday when Pete was on and didn’t sing, can’t wait to hear the replay on my ride home.