Ken DeGilio, Founder & Chief Storyteller, LaunchMob Media 

Ken “Orlando Ken” DeGillo

1. How long have you been in business and what exactly do you do? 

I landed my first job as a marketing director for a resort company in Florida after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Advertising from the University of Florida in 1990. Throughout my career, I’ve held many different positions in marketing, PR, and communications. In addition, I was a social entrepreneur before it was a cool thing to do. I was a nonprofit director for over nine years. After working for nonprofits, I started freelancing as a writer for national brands. Currently, I teach college at Full Sail University and I am the Founder & CEO of LaunchMob Media, a boutique Internet marketing and brand consulting business located in Orlando, Florida. I use my brand journalism skills to create web content for local and national brands.

2. Have you always run your own business and would you class yourself as an entrepreneur?

Throughout my professional career, I’ve been successful by using my marketing and communication skills to help other entrepreneurs achieve their business goals. As a social entrepreneur, I used my entrepreneurial skills to create new, national partnerships, gain national media, develop new revenue streams and create global opportunities. Now, I am taking what I’ve learned throughout my career to help build my own business, LaunchMob Media.

3. How do you see social media playing a part in your business in the future?

Social media is a tool that will continue to grow and evolve to help businesses tell their story and engage others in their brand. I am counting on my company to help companies use these tools to bring brands and customers together. I also see my company helping entrepreneurs to use social media to grow their own personal brand, which will continue to grow in importance.

4. How do you see social media playing a positive part in the local community?

As “social media” matures, people will want to make more meaningful investments with the time they spend online. From volunteering to earning money, my prediction is that more Gen Y and other social media enthusiasts will be the first to step up to volunteer to help charities in their local community. I also think that due to the rise of social media, more people will go for their passion by creating their own business opportunities by using social media. Through my company, I give back to my community by providing social media training opportunities to entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations.

Follow Ken on Twitter – @OrlandoKen