Hometown Heroes

MICHAELA GUZY is a media executive, entrepreneur, speaker + on-air host. She is the ExecutiveProducer for two original award-winning series, Michaela’s Map + OhThePeopleYouMeet. Her recent episode on Sierra Leone is a finalist in the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival + World Travel Market’s Most Compelling Sustainable Story. Based in NYC, she is an adjunct professor at NYU SPS, she teaches a course, "Travel Storytelling: Creating Video Content". In response to COVID-19, she launched a daily viral LIVE @5pm IGTV show: #InspirationStation. Featured on BravoTV’s Tour Group, Michaela is often asked to appear as an industry expert and public speaker, from curating conversations, moderating and conducting workshops to giving keynotes for partners. Her Michaela’s Map: Australia series has been featured on American Airlines in-flight. She appears as a sustainable, transformative travel + human connection expert on TV across the USA. WATCH Michaela’s Talent REEL + her Wikipedia profile here.

This is Hometown Heroes, a custom series, that dives deep into the heart of a place to share real life hometown heroes across the globe. The concept creates necessary inspiring content, accessible to all that instills a sense of hometown pride, but also a sense of global responsibility to our neighbors. Starting in one community that was heavily impacted from COVID-19, through eyes of our ex-corporate executive turned solo entrepreneur, leader in the human connection movement + curator of local hosts, Michaela Guzy.

Positioning Comparison: Explained on Netflix meets CNN Heroes with a dash of 60 minutes sprinkled in

The show format can be adjusted for broadcast, streaming or social platforms. Content comes in many forms + digital has the fastest, easiest, cheapest global reach as evidenced by the recent success of Michaela's new  daily #trending IGTV show, #InspirationStation. The globe came to a literal standstill + our economies brought to their knees. Now is the time for innovation.

The program (HH) would first explore real life heroes who are working every day to bring about positive change in their local community as the world emerges from COVID-19. Season one would start in places that were heavily (+ negatively) impacted by COVID-19 and the economic implications of the lockdowns. There is an opportunity to add relief fund and mentorship elements (including training for example) from organizations and companies that want to help.

In a nutshell: Each episode would highlight the challenges affecting one destinationand real people making a difference. The spot light would be on “change makers” who are selflessly working within their community to help others recover through innovation, civic responsibility, sustainable volunteer programs, wellness initiatives, social entrepreneurship and small businesses. The culmination of each inspiring story when paired with other change makers across the city, results in an overwhelming sense of hometown pride, not only for the citizens but the audience renaissance taking place in each city featured. The purpose of the series would be to showcase real projects, ideas and people. It would be a celebration of a city, it's culture and citizens, especially those actively working to bring about change to their communities.

Example of #InspirationStation: Madam Wokie, Sierra Leone 

My company, OhThePeopleYouMeet is driven by people, places + purpose. We are leaders in the human connection movement. A collective of creators who care about sharing content from credible sources, helpful resources and spreading positive, human centric + motivational messaging.

My audience is smaller than major brands: Verizon, MasterCard or traditional media outlets on Instagram, my engagement/viewership outweighs that of each, @MichaelaGuzy average viewership:10-50k+ per. While topically brands are covering relevant headlines, the messaging feels glossy + sales driven. Where OTPYM's editorial voice is offering credible sources of information, provide real resources to navigate isolation, job loss + working from home. We have also covered topics like: increase of poverty, food insecurity, systemic racism, entrepreneurship, saving coral reefs, women's rights, human trafficking, refugees, self-care, sexism + wildlife conservation.

Our audience vary on our OTPYM's owned media outlets + those that we distribute to. We are reaching global thought leaders who operate with a moral compass and give a shi+ about the greater global good. Our followers, fans, friends + viewers care about being a part of a positive way forward. OTPYM's #InspirationStation: Anders Lindstrom, Norwegian Airlines + now Project Wingman USA and in action at Flushing Hospital, Queens, New York.

What I LOVE about this application is that my socially conscious content company, OhThePeopleYouMeet has already been trying to SOLVE for all three of these dimensions! Just LOVE what you are up to!

I feel so rewarded everyday knowing that I am uncovering + promoting stories of real change makers that would otherwise never be told. Those who might traditionally be left behind, raising awareness for issues + projects - ultimately driving action to solve for and connecting people to foster understanding + compassion.

IGTV #InspirationStation Interview example, D-Nice.

Back in 2012 everyone thought I was some "spiritual new age freak" that left a cushy corporate job to "change the world." In reality, they weren't wrong. I was soooo sick of going back to clients I had worked so hard to build + gain trust with to try and sell them a traditional ad buy that was disguised as a "never been done before 360 integrated media package." 

SNORE + ICK. On the ad/biz side, I knew the ad model was inherently broken + I knew I didn't believe in any of the suggested solutions from my leaders at the time or my comp set. From the editorial side, I knew that no one was speaking to me, the messages felt shallow + weren't resonating. 

So I made a bold move + left to sort it navigating the new digital/social/video world out myself. 8 years strong + IT HAS BEEN BANANAS, but ultimately we listen, we are flexible + can innovate without shame based upon our key learnings. Major brands I used to sell advertising to, turn to us as thought-leaders + strategic futurists, and we never want to let them down.

As mentioned previously, there were several problems from both a business + editorial perspective that needed to be solved for. What I didn't originally anticipate is, how connected to each story, person + company we cover I would become. 

At OTPYM, we have an obligation to be honest + transparent, but ultimately leave the places, people + purposes we cover in a better position than when we found them. My work with OTPYM at times leaves me in tears, not because I am discouraged, but because I am so humbled + honored that someone trusted me to share their story. As Dr. Brene Brown says...the power of vulnerability. 

My goal with each video, IGTV Live, social post, newsletter, story or broadcast segment is that we honored that person/project with introducing the idea to the greatest number of people we could. If we changed the mind of one = YES! If we made someone even ask a question = GREAT. If we distrupt the way business is done, how people are treated or happen to start a global human connection movement, then I might allow myself 4 hours of sleep tonight:)

The OTPYM team + I have been working around the clock to innovate, disrupt, listen + pivot our content solutions both editorially + from a marketing perspective for the past 8 years. In a former corporate life, I was one of the youngest VP's at American Express overseeing Travel + Strategic Development for the publishing division (Travel+Leisure, Food&Wine, Executive Travel + Departures, as well as serving as the liaison for the travel category + SE region for Time Inc). 

Major brands (often former clients from corporate life) invite me to predict trends or speak with their teams about the future. Here is a trends prediction I presented on:"What the new luxury traveler is seeking," for Accor Hotel Group's General Manager's Meeting. 

This Spring, my business was 100% impacted by COVID-19. Projects dried up or moved to...?? Being personally overwhelmed by the amount of conflicting news, social isolation + very real financial hardship, I asked myself, what gifts did I have to share with the world? Storytelling, digital platforms, a dedicated team, owned content + a global community that I could connect with + shine a light on their inspiring stories were a few. It's week 13 of OTPYM's new IGTV show: #InspirationStation. Our guests range from CEO's of hotel groups, to dj D-Nice, my accountant, a woman led clothing company that employs/trains refugees and even a liquor distillery that turned operations into hand sanitizer for frontline/healthcare workers. I receive calls from viewers who share how much the show has helped them stay motivated -- including CEO's of companies that I've worked with, or to recommend a guest and sponsorship requests. #InspirationStation shone a light on our passion + purpose intersecting for the betterment of humanity. I am excited to continue to let #InspirationStation evolve and more so to begin creating "Hometown Heroes" to instill pride in communities at a local level + share these inspiring stories as we re-emerge.

Leading global teams at Hearst, Travel+Leisure and American Express Publishing came with their own leadership challenges, it was starting my own company 8 years ago that truly tested my abilities.

Motivating a team of people remotely since 2012 on shoestring budgets +  during COVID-19 no budget at all, really put my strength to the test.

Today, OTPYM published our 60th episode of #InspirationStation - a new IGTV show in response to COVID-19. Our initial goal was our gift to the universe, to help navigate the barrage of information, provide resources that could make #SocialIsolation brighter + balanced and hopefully inspire them with an interview from somewhere across the globe. Our episodes garner between 15k-50k+ views - clearly there is a desire for our real + inspiring content right now. 

Major brands + media outlets are contacting us about how to collaborate. While we started #InspirationStation as way to connect isolated people across the globe + make them realize we were all in this together, we did it, because we knew it was the right thing to do. I don't question how hard we work, often without money coming in, because I know #SpreadingTheGoodWord is my life purpose.

OTPYM have a proven track record of creating messages with meaning + attracting global audiences to engage with our content, whether a viewer is seeing the piece on American Airlines, IGTV, The Wildlife Conservation Film Festival or Arianna Huffington's Thrive Global. We don't let roadblocks get in our way or old school ways of thinking. We just try it and most of the chances we've taken, even if a perceived "mistake" actually turned into successful paths forward. Including throwing perfection out the window, and just going LIVE with our new IGTV show #InspirationStation. People are craving real + hope right now, so we listened + continue to deliver.

As evidenced by OTPYM's multiple successful shows, awards and growing audience, we know that "Hometown Heroes" will bring about the ability to share real stories of change makers at a local level to global audiences. We have built our own media platforms and collaborate with existing media platforms to deliver messaging to key thought leader audiences. We believe in free access to credible information and that education breaks the poverty cycle leading to economic empowerment. 

As a content company, we have the ability to cover multiple stories, projects, places + people and amplify in short order. We also have the ability to connect those that can help make a positive impact (financial, volunteers or even new customers). As an example, the now award winning film work we did in Sierra Leone, has lead to millions of dollars of increased funding  from the World Bank, my interviewing the Minister of Tourism on stages across the world and even as a guest on #InspirationStation, exposure to the country's tourism infrastructure, sustainable tourism development, Dr. Jane Goodall's visit and launch of Roots + Shoots for children and the endangered chimpanzee being named the national and now protected animal of the country.  

CURRENTLY: Given OTPYM's unique distribution model this is admittedly complicated to quantify. On our owned outlets, OTPYM have 250k+ followers. However our content hits the explore page on Instagram almost daily bringing with it 15k-469k+ views on Instagram (we have @OTPYM + @MichaelaGuzy on Insta), San Bushmen example from Botswana. YouTube has a similar "search" success (average 80k-700k+ views), "Michaela's Map: Los Cabos" example. We also distribute to airlines, like American Airlines (30 million+ impressions/mo). Arianna Huffington's Thrive Global has millions+/mo. I also do broadcast including this media tour post Hurricane Dorian to share relief efforts across the USA(live in over 25 markets) and I reposted on Instagram which received 100k+ views.

1 YEAR + 5 YEARS: Our audience is rapidly growing on all platforms. With funding, I'd like to be able to dedicate more attention to audience development (people wise + financially) - we are 100% organic audience. Distribution wise I am in talks with the major US carriers as well as Turkish Airlines and SAA. COVID is making these conversations take LONGER! I am also in talks with traditional and newer media outlets about distribution. Scripp's Networks have offered to give me a sponsorable segment on their 60 stations across the USA (P2P vs. earned) and earned will be picking back up shortly. I have brands even outside of the travel space asking if they can distribute our content on their outlets as they are looking to connect with real stories of inspiring folks. Namaste!

We are already doing it! With financial aid, I will be able to continue to innovate for others. Shining a light on their stories and getting their stories seen and heard by global audiences of thought leaders. Building out the OTPYM content support team + targeting our audiences of change makers across the globe.

Shortish term, looking to get our award winning series (season 1) of "Michaela's Map" distributed to as wide an audience as possible - 10 episodes in review as we speak. The stories of these real change makers need to be seen + heard. I have flipped the narrative to curator of local hosts, the people you should meet in each of these places. The WATCH SHOW REEL.

Goals include the ability to keep OTPYM ad free and a platform for content creators who care to share and we can further amplify. 

Continuing to let our IGTV show in response to COVID-19 grow + evolve : www.Instagram.com/MichaelaGuzy

We are already living out our passion + purpose, we just need to continue to scale and have the resources to continue to create more real content through our existing shows, sites, social channels as well as create new concepts, like Hometown Heroes! Please do check out more about me/OTPYM here: https://ohthepeopleyoumeet.com/who-is-michaela-guzy/

Again, COVID-19 100% impacted my business in March-May and I am a self-funded, solo female owned operation. As of June, I've started to receive small requests from new partners about sponsoring #InspirationStation, I did receive a small PPP but there are soooooo many restrictions and it's a fraction of what I would have normally billed in those months and who knows how long until my previous partners (most of them travel) recover? As evidenced by our growing audience and viewership, I know we are on the right path. 

I do have a great infrastructure for OTPYM (accountant, book keeper, entertainment lawyer, tech, editors, AP, etc), but we are growing so fast that I know in the not so distant future I will need further support (financially and bringing more people on board). Also the team (all IC's) have all doubled down to help during this time and I am not paying them what they deserve, purely because I don't have it right now. It's unbelievably humbling that my team have stuck with me + worked harder because they believe in what we are doing, the difference we are making and positivity we are spreading.

For example, the distribution of season 1 of "Michaela's Map" could lead to a licensing fee(s), or potential sponsorship dollars which have started to come in, in small amounts. Our production intern has helped me create an Excel doc with over 100 active pitches we have out to helping the world re-open (many global travel partners and now even possible partners outside the space). In order to keep existing shows running on platforms we contribute or distribute too, I will need some of our partner's dollars to come back in more significant amounts (sponsorship, broadcast, social and/or retainer work). In order to create new shows like "Hometown Heroes" I would need financial aid like The Elevate Prize to create and distribute this meaningful content of inspiring real change makers on channels reaching thought leaders across the globe.

In the past year, OTPYM have worked with partners like: Accor Hotel Group, CBS, FOX, International Luxury Travel Market, World Travel Market, TravMedia, International Media Marketplace, Scripp's Networks, New York Times Travel Show, Modo Yoga, Evryman, The Disability Empowerment Project, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Absolute Sicilia, WeWork, Soho House, CORE Club, American Airlines, Thrive Global (Arianna Huffington), The World Bank, Jane Goodall Institute, Ministry of Tourism of Sierra Leone, St.Kitt's Tourism Authority, Tourism Australia, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Visit Queensland, Virgin Australia, JetBlue, Botswana Tourism, Rwanda Tourism, Los Cabos Tourism, Fairmont Hotels + Resorts, MGallery, Swissotels, Raffles Hotels, African Bush Camps, Six Senses Hotels + Resorts, Auberge Resorts, The Social Outfit, Echo New York, Cino Lifestyle, Lonna&Lilly, Coral Gardeners, Simple Spirits, Modern Elder Academy, Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Air, Project Wingman, Madam Wokie, Center for Mindful Living, Sea The City, Raw Spirit Fragrances, Chatham Bars Inn and D-Nice.

> A recent e-newsletter: HERE (recent IGTV episodes)

> OTPYM's capabilities presentation - includes partnership examples with results

> An example of OTPYM's 360 approach to storytelling, a possible timeline + with current results/viewership

Our existing business model does work (sponsorship, partnerships, speaking engagements, teaching, influencer work, P2P broadcast, coming out of COVID-19 we need a financial kick start for our existing shows/concepts and to create our new show, "Hometown Heroes" which I would envision also being sponsored, and/or majority funded by media outlet. Though as always, I remain open to suggestions and testing new possibilities!

Please do check out more about how we've made the past 8 years happen + varied revenue streams: https://ohthepeopleyoumeet.com/who-is-michaela-guzy/

As mentioned above, OTPYM need the kick start to recover and sustainably grow operations, team and audience. Partners are starting to reach back out, but I anticipate it's going to be a while before they fully recover, but many have expressed how much they need us as a part of their plans to recover. I have applied for grants and I did receive a small PPP though there are so many restrictions. I would like to raise funding to get existing OTPYM operations into 2021 while not losing momentum and launch our new concept, "Hometown Heroes" to address real life change makers across the globe as we re-emerge as a global community from COVID-19.

While I have been self-funded thus far, I am open to investors who see and believe in the editorial vision. Donations + grants always welcome! I believe partnerships, sponsorships, consulting and distribution fees will be our sustaining revenue models in the years ahead. 

Silver lining of COVID-19 is that we've only become more nimble and flexible. We've found ways to do things remotely, with less cost and overhead. So yes, we will have production and human talent costs, but we've found new ways to keep our expenses to a minimum and often times reduce without compromising the quality of content people have come to expect from OTPYM.

OTPYM is totally self-funded by me (Michaela Guzy -100%). I have received a small PPP from CNB bank. My revenue to date (since 2012), has come from partnership or sponsorship dollars, consulting and writing fees, speaker/hosting/workshop/training fees, I teach storytelling at NYU, influencer projects and production services. In the coming months, I am in discussions about content distribution fees and I am excited to be collaborating on a commercial marketing/training project with Sirius XM and their auto partners.

I am happy to have a conversation about this but not comfortable with this information being published publicly. 

I am happy to have a conversation about this but not comfortable with this information being published publicly. 

I feel very confident in the spaces I have operated, most certainly travel, but I am always open to knowing more people! I would like assistance in categories that I have not operated in since corporate America. For example, real introductions to partners that could benefit from aligning with the content OTPYM create or sponsorship of "Hometown Heroes" for example. And I am always open to distribution conversations or intros to outlets I may not know of that have likeminded audiences.

Again so open. As a solo entrepreneur I am so grateful to have an outside and fresh perspective! I really think financial services, tech, media outlets, higher education and even insurance companies could really benefit from the type of work we create + have some great ways to collaborate.