Forbes Celebrity 100
| June 10, 2009 | Posted by Roshawn Watson under Uncategorized |
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By: Roshawn Watson
Fame and fortune. It’s what many dreams are made of, yet relatively few ever achieve it. I would argue that perhaps the biggest benefits of being high-profile celebrity is that it gives influence. For whatever reason, we as a society care what they are wearing, how they smell, and in some cases what candidates they endorse. Consider just how much of celebrity income comes from endorsements. Perhaps the perfect example of how powerful their endorsements are is the Oprah effect. Her endorsements have be credited for making James Frey a best-selling author, boosting Josh Groban Christmas album sells by a few million, and for elevating Robin Thicke’s album sales to platinum status as well. Indeed, expressing disapproval and their opinions can even get them in legal trouble. For example, Oprah cased a firestorm and sparked a lawsuit a few years ago when she spoke out against how farmers were mishandling their animals.
The celebrities that comprise Forbes Celebrity 100 are of the highest caliber. Although you may not care for all their life choices and politics, the fact that you know these details alone supports their influence on our culture. With respect to their marketability and notoriety, these are in a league of their own.
I’ll leave it to Forbes to detail the whole list; however, I would like to highlight two intriguing celebrities who use their fame for profit and to advance good causes.
Beyoncé Knowles – The brand that is Beyoncé consists of music, movies, clothing, a L’Oréal contract, and other lucrative endorsement deals. She has roughly 400 people working for her and her enterprises. All told, Miss Beyoncé took in a reported $87 million last year alone. Her income coupled with her high visibility has earned her the coveted #4 spot on this year’s Forbes Celebrity 100. She is very well accomplished: she has sold upward of 118 million records, won ten Grammys, starred in seven films and headlined three solo tours. Her latest solo effort I Am … Sasha Fierce has sold 4 million copies worldwide. Because of her marketability and success, Beyoncé splits the profits with Columbia, a deal reserved for A-list performers. “
Do you want more details as to how Beyoncé earned $87 million, here are her earnings in pictures Beyoncé is also a giver. she funds the Survivor network, which is dedicated to helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, she donated her acting salary from Cadillac rec cords to a drug and alcohol recovery charity. Beyonce is truly a class act, no wonder her empire just keeps on growing.
Angelina Jolie – There are few who can say that they are more famous than Oprah; however, Angelina Jolie fame is really unchallenged. She brings it like no other really can, and this year she dethroned the talk-show and media mogul to claim the coveted No. 1 spot on the 2009 Forbes Celebrity 100. She brought in $27 million last year, which gives her a pay rank of #60. However, it’s her media (web and print) and entertainment (i.e. Wanted, Changeling, Salt) presence that make her the penultimate favorite.
In fact, there doesn’t appear to be reader fatigue. She graced the cover of 35 magazines last year, yet people still crave so much more. Part of her appeal stems from her multi-faceted life (mother, partner to Brad Pitt, one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, philanthropy, and she is gorgeous) additionally, the Oscar winner is a great actress. Whether it’s her work as a good will ambassador, her adoption of another child, or her kicking butt in a new action movie, we will likely care about Angelina Jolie for many years to come. That’s what makes her fame and her income-earning potential sustainable.
Perhaps, one thing that we can learn from celebrities is that we too can be our own brands. Brands are merely a connection that you have a with a person or company. It means that the products produced will be of a specific quality. If you would like to get started into creating your personal brand that screams out distinction and excellence, please read Tom Peter’s A Brand Called You. It’s is a compelling study of personal branding, and will add tremendous value to your work life.
Thanks for joining me in this slight deviation from our normal personal finance topics. I greatly appreciate you reading this site!
Copyright 2012, Roshawn Watson, Pharm.D., Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.
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