Brandsplat

hello@brandsplat.com | (800) 299-5498
Ghost Written Content In the Voice of Your Brand

  • Home
  • Estimates
  • Content
  • Clients
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • BEX Analytics

January 13, 2011 By Brandsplat Leave a Comment

The Humanity Behind the Man with the Golden Voice

Follow Us

  • RSS Feed
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Google+

Perhaps you’ve heard of Ted Williams. Not the baseball legend Ted Williams, but the Ted Williams who is becoming something a legend in his own right. Williams, dubbed “the man with the golden voice,” became a viral video sensation when he was filmed by a driver who gave him money and had him show off his talents. Williams is a homeless former disc jockey who has struggled with drugs and alcohol. His smooth voice intrigued millions of YouTube watchers, and before we knew it, Williams was a 21st century Internet star. Of course, the unfortunate part of that title is that it can be taken away as fast as it is awarded.

Once the media latched onto the Ted Williams story, a tornado of buzz blew through Hollywood PR offices. In less than one week, Williams appeared on “Entertainment Tonight” as well as several other news shows and even landed a deal as the new voice of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. The Ohio man also was jetted to Los Angeles, where he met with Dr. Phil and had photo ops with the Los Angeles Lakers. Hollywood and Adland both rushed to turn Williams into a quickie rags-to-riches story. It seemed like the Internet, journalists and marketers had found not only the man with the golden voice but with the golden ticket, as well.

Yet like any good story, there was a twist. Just days into his rise to stardom, the Los Angeles Police Department questioned Williams while he was staying in a fancy Hollywood hotel. Reports say the man was in a drunken physical altercation with his daughter; both were detained by authorities. Suddenly, the happy ending for Williams was tainted with reality.

The thing about issues like homelessness is that they are complicated. Homelessness doesn’t get fixed with talk show appearances and gift bags. No amount of hits on YouTube can make people well again. Journalists and marketers acted irresponsibly when they ladened Williams with the “hero” label only to swipe it away when his issues took center stage.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the man with golden voice, but we’re saddened by the reality that he won’t be the last viral video star plucked from obscurity, used for some headlines and quickly thrown away.

Filed Under: Digital Engagement, Viral Marketing Tagged With: Digital Engagement, Viral Marketing

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

BRANDSPLAT creates articles, blogs, social media, and all written content in the voice of your brand. Our clients include entrepreneurs, personalities, mid-size companies, and some of the world's biggest brands.

Get our free Brandsplat Report.






    Search

    Categories

    • Analytics
    • Article Marketing
    • Blog Content Management
    • Blog Marketing
    • Brand Engagement
    • Brandcasting
    • Brandsplat Video Report
    • Business Development
    • Digital Engagement
    • Email Marketing
    • Facebook Management
    • Facebook Marketing
    • Five Things You Might Have Missed
    • General
    • Mobile Marketing
    • News
    • Online Brand Management
    • Online Marketing
    • Online video creation
    • Search Engine Marketing
    • SEO
    • Social Media Management
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Twitter Management
    • Twitter Marketing
    • Video Content
    • Viral Marketing
    • Weekly Five Things You Might Have Missed
    • Weekly Video Report

    Calendar

    • ► 2020
      • September
    • ► 2019
      • April
      • March
      • February
    • ► 2014
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • ► 2013
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • ► 2012
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • ▼ 2011
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • ► 2010
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • ► 2009
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May

    Odds & Ends

    Guest Blogging Guidelines
    The Brandsplat Report
    Articles

    The Brandsplat Report

    A free monthly video with news and information about online strategy, marketing, and content.

    Search

    Home
    Content
    Clients
    Sitemap
    About
    Articles
    Brandsplat Report
    BEX Analytics
    (800) 299-5498
    hello@brandsplat.com
    Email
    http://twitter.com/@brandsplat
    http://linkedin.com/company/brandsplat
    http://brandsplat.com/videos/
    Copyright © 2019 Brandsplat | All rights reserved.