The EAT Model—Engage, Adapt, Transform—offers marketing and communications leaders a clear, actionable framework for sharpening critical thinking and solving complex challenges. By starting with Engage, leaders ensure their strategies capture attention and forge authentic connections with the right audiences. Moving into Adapt, the model challenges teams to be agile both externally (responding to market shifts, competitive pressures, and customer feedback) and internally (reassessing assumptions, rethinking messaging, and evolving organizational capabilities). The final stage, Transform, focuses on achieving meaningful, lasting impact—whether that’s shifting consumer perceptions, creating cultural relevance, or redefining an entire market category.
Read moreUNPACKING FAME, INFLUENCE, AND IDENTITY: WHY "THEORIES OF CELEBRITY BRANDING" MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER
The intersection of identity, media, and influence isn’t simply noise or distraction—it’s a language. Learning how to decode that language is a critical skill for anyone navigating the modern media ecosystem.
“Theories of Celebrity Branding” — A podcast and university course, hosted by award-winning cultural historian Bob Batchelor
From red carpets to YouTube thumbnails, Super Bowl commercials to podcast interviews, we live in a world shaped by celebrity. We don’t just consume culture—we consume people: their stories, values, failures, and reinventions. This intersection of identity, media, and influence isn’t just noise or distraction—it’s a language. And learning how to decode that language is a critical skill for anyone navigating the modern media ecosystem.
Understanding the value of branding and branding history, I launched Theories of Celebrity Branding, a podcast and online (asynchronous) course designed to explore the cultural machinery behind fame, influence, and branding in the 21st century. Whether you are a college student preparing for a communications career or a seasoned marketer wrestling with the pace of change, this podcast series offers insights into how personal and public identities are built, managed, and monetized today. And, what better way to get at branding and celebrity than to analyze it in an online course.
A Podcast That Decodes the Culture of Celebrity
The podcast version of Theories of Celebrity Branding is not just a catchy way to deliver lectures in an online course —it’s a cultural myth lab.
Each episode explores big ideas about branding, storytelling, media evolution, and leadership through the lens of celebrity. But this isn’t about tabloids or gossip. The podcast focuses on examining why Taylor Swift’s rebranding worked, how Oprah Winfrey built generational trust, and what role AI is playing in shaping how we define identity, authorship, and authenticity.
We tackle topics like:
The globalization of branding and how companies like Kimberly-Clark reframe messaging for global markets.
The evolution of thought leadership and how public figures like Brené Brown and LeBron James use storytelling to build emotional resonance.
The ethics of AI-generated content in a world of deepfakes and algorithmic curation.
How creators like Cecilia Blomdahl or bands like The Hot Sardines use social platforms to craft global personal brands.
Each episode integrates academic theory with real-world experience—from advising C-suite leaders to writing bestselling books like Stan Lee: A Life, The Gatsby Code, and The Authentic Leader.
The result? A podcast that doesn’t just explain celebrity branding—it empowers you to understand your own story and how to share it effectively.
📚 A Course That Prepares Students for the Real World
While the podcast is open to everyone, it runs parallel to the course I teach at Coastal Carolina University in the Department of Communication, Media, and Culture, also named Theories of Celebrity Branding.
Offered both in summer and in Fall 2025, this class pushes students to think critically about fame, media, influence, and identity. It’s not just theory—it’s strategic communication, media literacy, popular culture, history, marketing, and career development rolled into one.
Students learn to analyze how influence is created and sustained—and how they can develop values-based personal brands of their own.
We dive deep into my EAT Model—Engage, Adapt, Transform—and use tools like ChatGPT and Canva AI to prototype messaging and audience engagement strategies.
Stan Lee: A Life by Bob Batchelor; Foreword by Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 and To The Stars
The course isn’t about using AI to replace creativity—instead we focus on enhancing creation while staying rooted in cultural awareness, storytelling, and human empathy.
Why This Podcast and Course Matters
If you’ve read my books—like The Authentic Leader, Stan Lee: A Life, or Roadhouse Blues: Morrison, the Doors, and the Death Days of the Sixties—you know that I’m fascinated by how media, identity, and storytelling shape the modern world. This podcast and class bring those interests to life in real time.
“This podcast doesn’t just explain celebrity branding, it empowers you to understand your own story and how to share it effectively.”
Today, anyone with a smartphone can become a brand. But that means the ability to think critically about representation, influence, and authenticity is more important than ever.
This project gives students and listeners the tools to navigate—and lead—in this complex space.
What’s Next?
If you’re a student in my class—welcome. This podcast is your toolkit, guide, and creative prompt.
If you’re a communication professional, educator, marketer, or curious listener—Theories of Celebrity Branding will give you an insider view into how cultural identities are formed, challenged, and transformed.
👉 Listen now on Spotify
👉 Follow me on LinkedIn
👉 Explore upcoming courses at Coastal Carolina
👉 Learn more about me and my books
New episodes drop regularly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.
🎧 Subscribe.
🧠 Think deeply.
📢 Tell your story.
🔥 Lead with purpose.
We’re just getting started.
3 REASONS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SHOULD READ THE AUTHENTIC LEADER
The workplace is undergoing constant change. As a result, young professionals are stepping into roles that demand adaptability, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose. This type of people-first leadership is at the heart of authentic leadership.
The Authentic Leader: The Power of Deep Leadership in Work and Life is a guide for anyone who aspires to lead with integrity and impact, no matter what stage they are at in their career stage. Here’s why young professionals should read this book and the lessons they’ll take away.
1. Leadership Starts Before the Title
Many young professionals assume leadership begins with a promotion, but The Authentic Leader teaches that leadership is a mindset, not a job title. Leadership starts with self-awareness, responsibility, and the ability to positively influence others—whether you’re managing a team or contributing as an individual.
Lesson Learned: Great leaders take ownership of their work, build trust, and inspire those around them long before they reach the executive suite. By embracing leadership principles early, young professionals set themselves apart and create additional opportunities for growth.
2. Authenticity Builds Long-Term Success
In a world that rewards personal branding and social media presence, it is easy to fall into the trap of trying to be who you think others want you to be. The Authentic Leader emphasizes that real success comes from being authentic, aligning your values with your work, and building trust through transparency.
Lesson Learned: The strongest leaders—now and throughout history—have been those who remain true to their values, communicate honestly, and foster real connections. Young professionals who develop these habits early will build lasting credibility and meaningful careers.
3. Emotional Intelligence is the Key to Influence
The workplace is filled with diverse perspectives, challenges, and moments of uncertainty. The Authentic Leader highlights the power of emotional intelligence in navigating relationships, resolving conflicts, and creating positive workplace cultures.
Lesson Learned: Young professionals who practice empathy, active listening, and emotional self-awareness will be better equipped to collaborate, lead, and create a lasting impact in their industries.
Final Thought
Leadership isn’t something you wait for over days, months, and years. It is your responsibility to develop the necessary skills every day. The Authentic Leader provides the tools and insights young professionals need to become confident, purpose-driven leaders in a fast-changing world. By understanding these principles early, they can build careers that are not only successful, but also deeply fulfilling.
Are you ready to take the first step toward authentic leadership? Pick up The Authentic Leader and start shaping your leadership journey today.
The Authentic Leader by Bob Batchelor
THE AUTHENTIC LEADER: FAQs
The Authentic Leader: The Power of Deep Leadership in Work and Life by award-winning cultural historian and biographer Bob Batchelor explores the concept of deep leadership, which emphasizes authenticity, transparency, and empathy in the workplace and beyond. Batchelor argues that traditional leadership models, often characterized by command-and-control styles, are no longer effective in today's rapidly changing work environments.
Read moreBOB BATCHELOR LAUNCHES NEW PUBLISHING VENTURE: TUDOR CITY BOOKS
International bestselling author Bob Batchelor, renowned for his expertise in cultural history and biography, has launched Tudor City Books, a new publishing company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Specializing in a range of subjects, including crime fiction, entertainment and pop culture history, memoir, and biography, Tudor City Books aims to bring exceptional works to a broader audience.
Read moreROADHOUSE BLUES NAMED 2023 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD BEST MUSIC BOOK
Cultural Historian Bob Batchelor Wins Independent Press Award® for Roadhouse Blues, Rollicking Tale of 1960s and 1970s America; Published by Hamilcar Publications
BOSTON & RALEIGH, March 20, 2023 – Shrouded in mystery and the swirling psychedelic sounds of the Sixties, the Doors have captivated listeners across seven decades. Jim Morrison—haunted, beautiful, and ultimately doomed—transformed from rock god to American icon. Yet the band’s full importance is buried beneath layers of mythology and folklore.
Cultural historian and biographer Bob Batchelor looks at the band and its significance in American history in Roadhouse Blues: Morrison, the Doors, and the Death Days of the Sixties (Hamilcar Publications).
Roadhouse Blues Wins 2023 IPA Book Award in Music
In recognition of the book’s excellence in writing, cover design, editorial production, and content, the Independent Press Award recognized Roadhouse Blues as the 2023 book award winner in the Music category. Selected IPA Award Winners are based on overall excellence among the tens of thousands of independent publishers worldwide. Roadhouse Blues is the third award Batchelor has earned from IPA.
“Roadhouse Blues is candid, authoritative, and a wonderful example of Batchelor’s absorbing writing style,” said Kyle Sarofeen, Founder and Publisher, Hamilcar Publications. “Taking readers beyond the mythology, hype, and mystique around Morrison, the book examines the significance of the band during a pivotal era in American history. Readers and reviewers have proclaimed that Roadhouse Blues is the most important book about the Doors ever written, just behind the memoirs of Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, and Robby Krieger.”
Cultural Historian Bob Batchelor Wins 2023 Independent Press Award — #GabbyBookAwards
“Independent publishing is pushing on every corner of the earth with great content,” said Gabrielle Olczak, Independent Press Award sponsor. “We are thrilled to be highlighting key titles representing global independent publishing.”
REVIEWS OF ROADHOUSE BLUES
“Fascinating, informative, extraordinary, and essential reading for the legions of Jim Morrison fans.” – Midwest Book Review
“Bob Batchelor writes with great eloquence and insight about the Doors, the greatest hard-rock band we have ever had, and through this book, we plunge deeply into the mystery that surrounds Jim Morrison. It is Batchelor’s warmth and compassion that ignites Roadhouse Blues and helps explain Morrison’s own miraculous dark fire.” – Jerome Charyn, PEN/Faulkner award finalist
“The most important book for Doors fandom since No One Here Gets Out Alive—and incomparably better! Grouped with Ray, Robby, and John’s books, this is the fourth gospel for fans of The Doors.” – Bradley Netherton, The Doors World Series of Trivia Champion and host of the podcast “Opening The Doors”
For more information, please visit independentpressaward.com. To see the list of IPA Winners, please visit: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2023winners
An excerpt “My Doors Memoir” is available at
https://hannibalboxing.com/excerpt-roadhouse-blues-morrison-the-doors-and-the-death-days-of-the-sixties/ (Open Access)
Hamilcar Publications
https://hamilcarpubs.com
Foreword by Carlos Acevedo
ISBN 9781949590548, paperback
ISBN 9781949590548, eBook
ABOUT BOB BATCHELOR
Bob Batchelor is the author of Roadhouse Blues: Morrison, the Doors, and the Death Days of the Sixties and Stan Lee: A Life. He has published widely on American cultural history, including books on Bob Dylan, The Great Gatsby, Mad Men, and John Updike. Rookwood: The Rediscovery and Revival of an American Icon, An Illustrated History won the 2021 IPA Award for Fine Art. The Bourbon King: The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition’s Evil Genius won the 2020 IPA Book Award for Historical Biography. Stan Lee: The Man Behind Marvel was a finalist for the 2018 Ohioana Book Award for Nonfiction.
Batchelor’s work has been translated into a dozen languages and appeared in Time, the New York Times, Cincinnati Enquirer, American Heritage, The Guardian, and PopMatters. He hosts “Deep Cuts” on the New Books Network podcast and is creator/host of the John Updike: American Writer, American Life podcast. He has appeared as an on-air commentator for National Geographic Channel, PBS NewsHour, BBC, PBS, and NPR. Batchelor earned a doctorate in Literature from the University of South Florida. He and his wife Suzette live in North Carolina with two wonderful teenage daughters. Visit him at www.bobbatchelor.com or on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
Contact:
Kyle Sarofeen, Publisher, Hamilcar Publications
kyle@hamilcarpubs.com
OR
Bob Batchelor, bob@bobbatchelor.com
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Crisis Communications Basics -- 5 "Different" Messaging Strategies During the Coronavirus Crisis
A famous Warren Buffett quote claims that it takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. Importantly, Buffett explains, “If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
-- Warren Buffett
“Differently” during a crisis is a challenge—exactly the right move, but countered by the fact that people hate change. Crises are centered on change and uncertainty. Most leaders are not going to want to respond differently when they don’t have a clear indication of what is happening now, let alone later.
What COVID-19 is proving by the minute is that communications is more important now than ever before, even though up until a week or so ago (at least in the US), most people probably assumed that we had more communications than ever before in human history.
Having all the communications channels in the world doesn’t matter if no one is paying attention to the message.
5 things to do “differently” during this crisis:
Be compassionate – Real people (including you) are facing unprecedented transformation.
Be authentically empathetic – Given the uncertainty, be authentic in representing the situation and its consequences for your organization, business, community, and society.
Be direct – No time for sugarcoating or platitudes. Tell your communities—and your employees—what you know and what they need to know as new information becomes available.
Be flexible – All we know for certain is that the scope is extraordinary. Rethink what you assumed and try to keep the first point in mind, these are human beings you’re communicating with.
Be attentive – In the recent past, record numbers of people have rallied to charitable causes in times of crisis. Look for (safe) ways to help. What is the opposite of hoarding toilet paper? Do that…