Jacqueline Lee/E! EntertainmentTed Chung is the founder of the Los Angeles-based Cashmere Agency and Stampede Management, and he has an incredibly impressive client roster including Snoop Dogg, along with other seriously massive brands like Red Bull and Adidas.
So, we caught up with Ted to find out how his business initially evolved from his love of music and what a busy day in his life is like. Keep reading!
What was your very first job?
My first paycheck was direct marketing for record labels when I was in high school. Doing street promotions was awesome! I got to go to shows and events for free, while passing out stickers and flyers for great artists.
Who are some of your career heroes?
My father is definitely a career hero. He came to the U.S. without much and built an industrial equipment business from the ground up. I remember as a kid playing in his office when there were just a few employees in a trailer in Compton to becoming a full-fledge manufacturing and distribution company. I strive to have the work ethic my dad has. I haven't met anyone who can stay more focused. Additional career heroes include Steve Jobs, Master P, Meyer Lansky, and Diddy.
How did you get started in your job now?
Cashmere Agency started out of my love for music, which has become a key native language for multi-cultural marketing today. I began consolidating accounts amongst various friends across the country who were doing direct marketing in the '90's and that evolved into the creative digital agency that we are today, with dynamic clients ranging from Adidas to Red Bull to Airbnb.
Describe a typical workday like for you. Or if there is no typical day, describe your workday yesterday.
Haha! Recently, I've been traveling a lot to meet with our global mobile partners (en route to Croatia and then to Asia as we speak). But, when I am in L.A., I usually start the day off going through a lot of e-mails, then head to the office. Meetings in the afternoon and then dinner with Cashmere and Stampede executives or clients. Then I spend time with my wife at the house and then back to e-mails until 2 or 3am. Somewhere in between that schedule, I'm catching up on Game of Thrones or Boardwalk Empire (depending on the time of year)!
What's the most unusual thing about your job?
That it's 24/7…and I love it! It is critical for passion, lifestyle, and work to co-exist seamlessly in order to achieve success. I love the people who make Cashmere Agency and Stampede Management. We're a very diverse group that has fun working and enjoying life together.
What, specifically, inspires you the most?
I'm inspired by moments where counter culture meets mainstream consumer products or when a brand takes a sharp left turn. Potato chips are an amazing example of these moments. Like the Rap Snacks line from my school days in Philly; They had the Mr. Magic Honeydew Cheese Curls. I mean, how did a regional No Limit recording artist have his own chips at that time that actually had good distribution…and the flavor was Honeydew Cheese! Amazing. Also love the limited Lay's chip program with Sriracha and Chicken n Waffles. I thought that was a clever way of re-connecting with a multi-cultural audience.
Tabasco could take a cue from them. I also bought my limited edition 1980 Datsun 280ZX T-top convertible as it was one of the last cars before Datsun changed its brand to Nissan. That would be like if Kia (after years of marketing efforts and finances) suddenly changed its brand to Chung without much explanation. There's a lot of speculation on why Nissan made that decision, but given that they still don't even have Niassan.com, perhaps not enough thought was given to the decision. Interestingly, after 30 years, they just re-launched the Datsun brand in India!
List five things that are on your desk right now.
1. My MacBook Air.
2. Printed out schedules for each of our client's campaigns.
3. Dailies from an original comedy pilot we just shot internally called Park Rangers created by Shvona Lavette.
4. The photo history book of Japanese fashion brand A Bathing Ape.
5. An official T-Pain "Auto-Tune" microphone.
What do you typically wear to work?
Sports coat, button-up shirt, denim, and some fresh Adidas.
What's the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
Challenges have hidden opportunities.
Finish the sentence…
Today for lunch I had…Alejo's "Mama Mia" (eggplant parmesan layered with chicken) with a side of their famous chop salad and an iced tea.
The first website I log onto every day is…That's a toss-up between CNN and Worldstarhiphop.com. Two reliable sources of current events.
My cocktail of choice is…Del Maguey mezcal on the rocks.
The beauty/skin care product I swear by is…Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap.
My must-have work gadget is…My iPhone with the Mophie case for extra juice.
If I need a quick break during work, I usually…Walk around the block. Playa Vista is sunny and peaceful.
My favorite outside of work hobby is…Being in the studio making music.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would be…Swimming in a warm ocean.
The best part of my job is…That it didn't start out as a job. I would be debating who has better branding campaigns and marketing techniques with friends even if I worked at McDonalds.