Dave Kerpen
Encyclopedia
Dave Kerpen is an entrepreneur, author and former reality television
personality. Kerpen first received media attention in the Boston sports market
in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his unique vending sales strategies at professional sporting events. He went on to appear as a contestant on Fox
's 2003 reality television series, Paradise Hotel
, and earned additional media attention for his "sponsored wedding" in 2006. He is currently the CEO of Likeable Media, a social media marketing
firm and author of a 2011 book, Likeable Social Media.
guy." Kerpen gained prominence due to his unique vending pitches, featuring dancing and singing, at Fleet Center, Fenway Park
and Gillette Stadium
. Former Boston Celtics
coach Rick Pitino
once had Kerpen ejected from Fleet Center, claiming that he was too distracting to his players.
, which featured competitors vying to stay in the hotel as long as possible. Each week couples paired off by electing to share a room, and the odd person out had to leave the hotel, ultimately concluding with one male and one female winner. Kerpen was a runner-up on the program and the only finalist not to receive prize money. In the finale, female winner Charla Pihlstrom had the option of splitting her $250,000 prize money with Kerpen, however she elected to keep it for herself.
firm founded in 2006 and based in New York City
. He is also the author of the book, Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks), featured on the New York Times Bestseller List in June 2011. Kerpen's writings on the industry have been featured on Mashable
, The Huffington Post
, and other outlets, and he is a featured speaker on social media for publisher McGraw-Hill
.
In March 2009, Kerpen formed an exploratory committee to determine whether to run for the position of borough president
of Queens. Following a few weeks of campaigning, he left the race, due to the entrenched strength of incumbent Helen Marshall
. He was previously expected to run for New York City Council
in 2009, but he abandoned that bid when he decided to seek the borough presidency.
and Boston University
. He resides in Port Washington, New York
with his wife, Carrie, and their two daughters. Their marriage was held at KeySpan Park following a Brooklyn Cyclones
minor league baseball game on July 8, 2006, with numerous companies sponsoring the event, including 1-800-Flowers
and Entenmann's
.
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
personality. Kerpen first received media attention in the Boston sports market
Sports in Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, is home to several major league sports teams, including the Boston Red Sox , Boston Celtics , and Boston Bruins . The New England Patriots and New England Revolution play at Gillette Stadium in nearby Foxborough.The city is home to two renowned sporting events: the Boston...
in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his unique vending sales strategies at professional sporting events. He went on to appear as a contestant on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
's 2003 reality television series, Paradise Hotel
Paradise Hotel
The first season of Paradise Hotel aired on Fox from June 18, 2003 to October 1, 2003 with thirty episodes and was hosted by Amanda Byram. A similar show called Forever Eden was produced the following year...
, and earned additional media attention for his "sponsored wedding" in 2006. He is currently the CEO of Likeable Media, a social media marketing
Social media marketing
Social media marketing is an addition to personal, small business, corporate, and non-profit organizations’ integrated marketing communications plans...
firm and author of a 2011 book, Likeable Social Media.
Boston sports media celebrity
For a period in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Kerpen was well-known in the Boston professional sports vending industry, often referred to as "the Crunch 'n MunchCrunch 'n Munch
Crunch 'n Munch is a brand of ConAgra Foods consisting of caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts. Crunch 'n Munch currently comes in its original form of Buttery Toffee as well as the added varieties of Caramel, Chocolate & Caramel, and Almond Supreme.-History:...
guy." Kerpen gained prominence due to his unique vending pitches, featuring dancing and singing, at Fleet Center, Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
and Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
. Former Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
coach Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino is an American basketball coach. Since 2001, he has been the head coach at the University of Louisville. He has also served as head coach at Boston University, Providence College and the University of Kentucky, leading that program to the NCAA championship in 1996...
once had Kerpen ejected from Fleet Center, claiming that he was too distracting to his players.
Reality television
In 2003, Kerpen appeared as a contestant on the Fox reality show Paradise HotelParadise Hotel
The first season of Paradise Hotel aired on Fox from June 18, 2003 to October 1, 2003 with thirty episodes and was hosted by Amanda Byram. A similar show called Forever Eden was produced the following year...
, which featured competitors vying to stay in the hotel as long as possible. Each week couples paired off by electing to share a room, and the odd person out had to leave the hotel, ultimately concluding with one male and one female winner. Kerpen was a runner-up on the program and the only finalist not to receive prize money. In the finale, female winner Charla Pihlstrom had the option of splitting her $250,000 prize money with Kerpen, however she elected to keep it for herself.
Business and political career
Kerpen is the co-founder (with his wife Caroline Kerpen) and CEO of Likeable Media, a social media marketingSocial media marketing
Social media marketing is an addition to personal, small business, corporate, and non-profit organizations’ integrated marketing communications plans...
firm founded in 2006 and based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He is also the author of the book, Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks), featured on the New York Times Bestseller List in June 2011. Kerpen's writings on the industry have been featured on Mashable
Mashable
Mashable is an American news website and Internet news blog founded by Pete Cashmore. The website's primary focus is social media news, but also covers news and developments in mobile, entertainment, online video, business, web development, technology, memes and gadgets...
, The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
, and other outlets, and he is a featured speaker on social media for publisher McGraw-Hill
McGraw-Hill
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Its primary areas of business are financial, education, publishing, broadcasting, and business services...
.
In March 2009, Kerpen formed an exploratory committee to determine whether to run for the position of borough president
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
of Queens. Following a few weeks of campaigning, he left the race, due to the entrenched strength of incumbent Helen Marshall
Helen Marshall
Helen M. Marshall is the 18th Borough President of Queens, first elected in November 2001, to succeed the term-limited Claire Shulman...
. He was previously expected to run for New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
in 2009, but he abandoned that bid when he decided to seek the borough presidency.
Personal
Kerpen was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Hunter College High SchoolHunter College High School
Hunter College High School is a New York City secondary school for intellectually gifted students located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. It is administered by Hunter College, a senior college of the City University of New York. Although it is not operated by the New York City Department of...
and Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. He resides in Port Washington, New York
Port Washington, New York
Port Washington is a hamlet and census-designated place in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the community population was 15,846....
with his wife, Carrie, and their two daughters. Their marriage was held at KeySpan Park following a Brooklyn Cyclones
Brooklyn Cyclones
The Brooklyn Cyclones is a minor league baseball team in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League, affiliated with the New York Mets. The Cyclones play at MCU Park just off the Coney Island boardwalk in the New York City borough of Brooklyn....
minor league baseball game on July 8, 2006, with numerous companies sponsoring the event, including 1-800-Flowers
1-800-Flowers
1-800-Flowers is a floral and gift retailer and distribution company in the United States. It was one of the first retailers to use a 24 x 7 toll-free telephone number and the Internet for direct sales to consumers....
and Entenmann's
Entenmann's
Entenmann's is a company that manufactures and delivers sweet baked goods. The company offers dessert cakes, donuts, ultimates, cookies, loaf breads, pies, club packs, singles, cereal bars, little bites, Enten-mini’s products, as well as Danish, crumb cakes, and buns...
.
External links
- Likeable Media—official website
- Likeable Social Media—book website