Michael Levine: I did not go to college, I'm
self educated, I started working for my self when I was 18 years
old, I've never held a job (...) Seven years ago I founded
something called the LBN ELERT for breaking news, it is now read
by 317 thousand people per day, in all 50 states, 24 foreign
countries, and it is free. Any of your readers can go online,
send me an E-mail, subscribe to the E Alert, and get it for free.
It’s a very, very valuable tool.
Bruce Edwin: I agree it is. (Find the site here
below). Michael, I guess I wanted to begin at the beginning,
you've had a fascinating life, and still do, and you began as you
said, self employed...
Michael Levine: Self taught- self employed. And
the magic of that is that, any one can do it, if you are; any one
reading this is- sufficiently motivated, they can teach
themselves almost any thing they want. It's bloody hard work,
but, it can be done. The game is not easy, the game is not fair,
but with enough burning maniacal rage, the game can be won,
though not easy and though not fair...
Bruce Edwin: You have used the metaphor of some one holding a gun
to one's head in order for them to be motivated...
Michael Levine: What I believe is that people
become very motivated when their survival is at stake, and if you
can convince yourself to become equally motivated by excellence
and creativity, with the same degree of intensity that you are by
survival, you will do amazing things.
Bruce That's great. For some one to just go from
just child hood to be self employed how did you do that?
Michael Levine: Well, I started doing a lot of
entertainment promotions, I was always interested in the
entertainment industry. I was always interested in Hollywood, and
politics. and when I was a very young guy, and I was living in
New York, I thought about what I'd like to do with my life. And I
figured out that all politics was, is Hollywood for ugly
people.
Bruce Edwin: Ha Ha. I love that.
Michael Levine: Therefore I moved to L.A.,
because that's where the beautiful people were, and that's where
the entertainment was, and that was the industry I loved, I'm
very interested in politics as well, but it was not the area I
chose.
Bruce Edwin: I see, and so you began doing P.R.,
and I want to ask you about this distinction, publicity versus
P.R., because I know in your best selling book Guerilla P.R.,
which I highly recommend by the way, I believe you mention a
distinction...
Michael Levine: Public Relations is a broader
topic. P.R. is a part of public relations, with media attention.
Look, I think that people reading this need to understand this,
and this is, they are a brand. And in addition to them being a
brand, that they can gift wrap themselves to make their brand
worth more, perceived to be worth more, kind of like a Tiffany
box, a gift. And I think it’s very valuable to recognize
that gift wrapping has a profound impact on the psyche in a way,
on what you think and believe. And since people make decisions
for logical and emotional reasons, emotion is a very important
part of life.
Bruce Edwin: Definitely, that makes a lot of
sense...
Don't miss part two of our exclusive interview with Michael
Levine in our next issue, as he discusses How to Succeed in
Hollywood, New York City, thoughts on The World Trade Center, and
much more, online December 16th, 2009!
For more information on the A-list public relations firm of
Michael Levine, Levine Communications Office, visit: www.LCOonline.com
For more information on Michael Levine, be sure to visit his
website at www.MichaelLevineWebsite.com
If you do not already subscribe to the Levine Breaking News
E-Lert, you will be doing your self a favor by getting free
knowledge and entertainment every day. Visit and sign up at:
www.LBNELERT.com
For press / media, or booking requests of Mr. Levine, contact:
www.StarpowerManagementLLC.com
Tel: 310-226-7176.
© 2009, The Hollywood Sentinel, All rights reserved.