002 Instagram's Apology For Manboobs: From Prank To Profit With  James Shamsi

002 Instagram's Apology For Manboobs: From Prank To Profit With James Shamsi

Author: Brian Swichkow: Social Engineering, Digital Empathy, Community Marketing November 21, 2015 Duration: 33:47

James Shamsi, Founder of Chameleon.LA, arrived in Los Angeles for a job that he would quit before ever completing a full week of work. The allure of the city was one based on creativity and he could quickly see this position wasn't going to afford him much. James had to get creative about building a network in one of the world's largest hotbeds for tech and entertainment so he started looking at the process in a different perspective.

Tune in to hear how he fostered conversation for social change by trolling Instagram only to have the news story be submitted to Reddit's /r/TwoXChromosomes community. James also shares details of other viral successes like how he created a service for photoshopping puppies into people's Tinder profiles or that time he pretended to be a hot girl on LinkedIn.

Create social leverage with the Ghost Influence community.

Music: 'Zonderling Feat Bishøp - Crazy For You'


Ever wonder what really happens in the hours after a post explodes on Reddit? The Ghost Influence Podcast: How Viral Happens On Reddit goes beyond the upvote count to explore the human stories and strategic decisions that follow sudden internet fame. Hosted by Brian Swichkow, whose background in social engineering and digital empathy provides a unique lens, each conversation dissects a specific case of viral content. You’ll hear directly from the people who created or were thrust into the spotlight, learning not just how something caught fire, but more importantly, what they chose to do with that fleeting attention. This isn't about generic tips; it's a deep dive into the nuanced art of turning a temporary surge of views into lasting impact, whether that's building a business, advocating for a cause, or simply understanding the mechanics of online communities. The podcast meticulously deconstructs the ecosystem of platforms like Reddit, revealing how genuine community interaction can lead to massive, organic exposure. For anyone curious about the intersection of modern marketing, psychology, and digital culture, these conversations offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the real work that happens after the meme is made. Tune in for a compelling analysis of influence that feels both authentic and actionable.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 16

The Ghost Influence Podcast: How Viral Happens On Reddit
Podcast Episodes
006 Pixel Thoughts: Meditation Tool Gone Viral With Marc Balaban [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:44
Marc Balaban wanted to escape his job in tech recruitment to improve his web development skills and move towards something more creative. He joined a hackathon to push those boundaries and was challenged to create a prod…
005 AirConsole: Redefining Gaming & Media With Rafael Morgan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:49
Andrin von Rechenberg wanted to play video games on his computer and he wanted to use his smartphone as the controller. Unable to find an existing solution, Andrin sought out to create his own and within just two days —…
001 Reel Scary: Rating Movies Based On Scariness With Scott Plybon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:24
As Scott Plybon's degree was coming to a close he knew he needed to differentiate himself in order to survive in the job market. He sought an opportunity to showcase his web development skills with and settled on an idea…