Brand You Realized

Over the past three years Rafat Ali has built a micro media empire in PaidContent.org that competes with the big boys for news scoops and often wins at that game. Now someone is wisely investing in this brand.

ContentNext Media Inc. (Rafat's company) has raised venture capital financing for pennies on what it would cost to invest in a magazine and with a greater likelihood for return. His is the latest in a series of micro media companies that has received financing.

The round of financing points to a bigger trend. Back in 1997 Tom Peters urged us all to become brands with a breakthrough piece called Brand Called You. Today it's a reality thanks to social media and a game-changer for PR. CEOs and other authority figures don't hold all the cards anymore. Now anyone can become an influential brand overnight, perhaps even inside your own company. More on this in this week's Adage.

Tags: paidcontent.org