In 2009, with no job and literally a couple hundred bucks in his pocket, Brown took a leap of faith into rental and sales. “Within 6 months I was able to create my own team, and fast forward 6 years later real estate is still a major part of my professional brand,” Brown tells BE Modern Man. “Along the journey I’ve understood the need to take risks and the power of cultivating relationships.”
Cultivating relationships and taking risks have pushed ESSENCE Festival to even greater heights. “ESSENCE Festival 2015 is hands down my favorite and most challenging project I’ve ever worked on to-date,” says Brown. “Seeing this event come to fruition was rewarding because I recalled the countless late-nights my team worked to make this happen. The Festival sponsors like Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble (My Black is Beautiful), Samsung, Ford and other expected the ESSENCE team to deliver their brands in the most unique manner- and we did just that.” Witnessing 500,000+ festival goers coming through New Orleans this past July along with performances from Missy Elliott, Usher, Kendrick and Kevin Hart all in one weekend was monumental for Brown and his team. The ESSENCE Festival is the super bowl of black empowerment – there’s no other platform similar to this festival that celebrates “Black Love”, tastefully.”
Building off of past successes requires innovation and new ways of thinking. “I would like to see more OOH (Out of home) advertising platforms that engage with consumer through their mobile devices,” Brown tells BE Modern Man. “Not only should consumers be able to interact but these ads should present an experiential opportunity that offers multiple destination check-in. I feel like the advertising industry can make a stronger effort in marrying OHH and Mobile worlds.”
Everyday big brands are marketing their products to the African American demographic or these brands are using our culture in their marketing efforts. Brown believes that our presence in the advertising and marketing industry is vital. “There just aren’t enough African American males carrying to torch on the creative, sales or client side of the advertising industry so it’s imperative men like myself receive recognition so other black men can see ” that they can step up to the plate as game changers and gate keepers. “Why not have more of our thinking and execution within the arena of marketing? I’m just one of the many doing it and just blessed to be recognized.”
For brown being recognized as a BE Modern Man means that is work is bigger than him and he is using that influence in and outside the boardroom. “I think every man selected for this program is constantly striving for growth and has a sense of responsibility for himself, his profession and community,” says Brown. “Also, being an BE Modern man means being resilient in the face of so many challenges and obstacles us Black Men face in corporate America and society as a whole.” Being grounded in resilience helps all all BE Modern Men to develop consistent actions that eventually evolve into habits creating success. “Success rarely comes all at once so habits are what will keep me grounded in pursing greatness despite the climate; hot or cold, figuratively speaking.”
The BlackEnterprise.com team salutes Anthony Brown for his relentless pursuit of success. Every year so many of us take part in Essence Festival, but never get a glimpse into the work being done that makes it so special. We are excited to recognize Anthony Brown as a BE Modern Man and look forward to seeing his dedication to the advertising and marketing industry manifest itself on the biggest stage each year.
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