Tag Archives: BE Decoded

Michael Jackson in glasses

Michael Jackson: Decoding the Brand Power of a Black Music Legend

A reflection on the King of Pop's musical and business impact two years after his passing

As a musical icon Michael Jackson’s legacy spans from record breaking album sales and groundbreaking…

By Andreas Hale

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Oprah WInfrey

Oprah Winfrey Decoded: Makings of a Multimedia Master

Over the past 25 years Oprah Winfrey has inspired us as a billionaire businesswoman. Here's a snapshot of her financial power

Oprah Winfrey airs the finale of her top-rated talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show today,…

By Tamara Warren

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LeBron James with hand on chin

LeBron James Decoded: A Slam Dunk Brand

Moving to Miami only amplified LeBron James' stock in the NBA and is having a similar effect on his business and bank account

Since joining Dwayne Wade on the Miami Heat, LeBron James has made millions more and…

By Andreas Hale

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New York Knicks Slam Dunk Contest Trophy

Decoded: The Economics of a Winning Knicks Team

How the Knicks making the playoffs gives New York City businesses a boost

How the Knicks making the playoffs gives New York City businesses a boost

By Christina Tapper

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Evolving in the public eye, Chris Brown has gone from teenaged heartthrob to pop music megastar to vilified brute and then repentant sinner. At the heart of his image downturn is the 2009 assault of then girlfriend, Rihanna, which showed a darker side to the talented singer/dancer/actor. Brown’s subsequent apologies, paid debt to society in the form of community service and an emotional performance of Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror” at the 2010 BET Awards seemed to have almost wiped his slate clean—that is, until last month’s Good Morning America appearance. Following an awkward and defensive interview with GMA co-host Robin Roberts, Brown threw a tantrum backstage, smashing a window at ABC’s Times Square studio in the process. Though Brown has since apologized for his behavior (again), many speculate that he’s running out of second chances and that’s bound to hit him in the pockets. BlackEnterprise.com takes a look at how all the drama has or hasn’t affected the troubled star’s money.

Chris Brown Decoded: The Finances of a Tarnished Brand

An exploration of how much the troubled star's scandals have adversely affected his bottom line

An exploration of how much the troubled star’s scandals have adversely affected his bottom line

By timmhotep aku

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Over the course of the past decade Tyler Perry has dominated. His stage plays, motion pictures, DVDs, sitcom series, online talk show and book, based on commentaries from his popular character of Madea, have collectively grossed hundreds of millions of dollars. As the most commercially successful Black filmmaker in history, Perry is quickly making his way to billionaire status not by following the rules but by breaking them. Staying true to his core audience and pushing his message of family values, the media mogul has a lock on a lucrative slice of the African American market. Whether you love him or you hate him, you definitely can’t ignore him. If there’s still any doubt, here are a few reminders of Perry’s influence.

Tyler Perry Decoded: The Deals, the Brand, the Influence

A breakdown of the media mogul's empire and reach by the numbers

A breakdown of the media mogul’s empire and reach by the numbers

By Darralynn Hutson

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All Images: GettyThe recent trade of NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks has dominated sports discussion and headlines since the moment it happened. Fans of the Knicks are ecstatic that their once proud franchise can now officially return to relevance. Lost in the uproar, however, is the potential economic surge this trade will likely have. Not just for Anthony, who signed a three-year $65 million contract extension as part of the deal, but for the NYC area as well. Former NBA player and now TNT analyst Kenny Smith shares a few of the ways that Anthony�s Big Apple acquisition can change the financial stakes for him, his new team and business owners in the entire tri-state area. —Khalid Salaam

Carmelo Anthony Decoded: The Economics of the Trade

The NBA all-star wasn't the only one to get a big payday signing with the Knicks, small businesses were impacted as well

The recent trade of NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets to the New…

By Khalid Salaam

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Most may view Nicki Minaj as just another rapper/singer/performer; but the multi-faceted entertainer is much more than that, she’s a bankable brand that’s only just begun to blossom. In a few short years, Nicki has influenced trends through her music and unmistakable fashion sense, and her involvement in cosmetics, television, hair and even the floral industry (Nicki has exclusive pink collection bouquets available on flowers.com for Valentine’s Day) has helped spike sales and visibility for a number of ancillary brands. Whether her detractors like it or not, Ms. Minaj is a one-woman marketing guru. BlackEnterprise.com takes a look at some of the brands the young starlet has—directly or indirectly—helped bolster by association. —Andreas Hale (Images: Getty)

Nicki Minaj’s Branding Power Decoded

More than just an artist, the rap phenom has built a bankable brand in a few short years that businesses are buying into

Most may view <strong>Nicki Minaj</strong> as just another rapper/singer/performer; but the multi-faceted entertainer is much…

By Andreas Hale

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Skilled orators are savvy marketers by definition. Take for instance, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. The rapper-turned-businessman can deem a product cool or passé simply by how he flips it in a verse. But does Jay-Z co-signing a brand in rhyme necessarily equal a boost in its respective sales? Here, BlackEnterprise.com takes a look at some products that have been name-checked by the influential orator over the years, and how they fared in the aftermath. —Alvin Blanco (Images: Getty)

Jay-Z’s Marketing Power Decoded

Some people merely speak things into existence, but the influential music mogul speaks brands into profits

Skilled orators are savvy marketers by definition. Take for instance, <strong>Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter</strong>. The rapper-turned-businessman…

By Alvin Blanco

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JayZFirstSlide

Decoded: The Business Lessons of Hip-Hop Powerhouse Jay-Z

Hip-hop entrepreneur Shawn Carter releases book about his life and lyrics

Hip-hop entrepreneur Shawn Carter releases book about his life and lyrics

By Janell Hazelwood

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