Gavin Keilly

Jennifer Hill asks philanthropist and CEO, Gavin Keilly, how he created his dream job working with celebrities and charities for various awards shows. Gavin talks about how he pioneered the celebrity gifting suite industry using innovation and business strategies. Gavin also shares how he created and sustained long-term success, and offers advice to entrepreneurs.

gbkproductions.com

Gavin B. Keilly is the Founder and CEO of GBK (gbkproductions.com), a luxury lifestyle gifting and special events company, specializing in entertainment marketing integration. Founded in 2000, GBK consists of five distinct divisions: GBK Luxury Gift Lounges; GBK Events; GBK Weddings; GBK Charitable Consulting and GBK Public Relations/ Marketing Services. Though separate, each entity is interconnected, allowing clients/brands a full range of marketing services and benefits. GBK is a company dedicated to giving each client customized marketing options with high quality and tailor made services. With a proven track record for attracting a celebrity clientele such as Eva Longoria, Jennifer Aniston, Helen Mirren, Forrest Whitaker, Leonardo Dicaprio, Fergie, Rhianna, Neil Patrick Harris, and Ryan Seacrest, (just to name a few). GBK has taken part in such high profile events as Gifting Lounges for the Oscars, Emmys, Emmy, Golden Globes, backstage at the CNN Hero Awards, BETs 10th Annual GLAAD Awards, Sundance, Cannes and the list goes on. Gavin has also been seen on CNN, CBS NEWS, NBC Morning Show, MSNBC, FOX, EXTRA, and various other shows. GBK and Gavin has also been featured in Business Week, People Magazine, US Weekly, In Style, USA Today, The Front Page of the New York Times, CNN.com, and many nationally read publications.

Charity is Very Important to Gavin. His First Charitable Consulting Client, 10 years ago, was Sharon Osborne, where helped create her inaugural Charity event at her estate. Utilizing his combined marketing, sales and non-profit experience, Gavin has since helped over 40 non-profits raise their fundraising goals by integrating celebrities into their events and thinking outside the box to generate higher paying sponsors. By discovering the needs, wants and goals, Gavin creates strategies to help them accomplish their ultimate goal of raising funds and garnering more awareness for their causes. Gavin also practices what he preaches. He (GBK) gives back 20% of their profits to a variety of charities. GBK has donated Millions; over $3,000,000 in products, services, and cash over the last 4 years alone…

Gavin was one of the first companies to actually come up with the gift suite concept. Today, GBK produces gift suites for all the big award shows like the Emmys, Oscars, Grammies, and numerous others with gift bags valued in upwards of $100,000 per bag. This business is truly about creating the “Win-Win-Win”. The celebrity wins because they get a phenomenal amount of fantastic gifts, including vacations, jewels, the latest fashion, and plenty of the coolest gadgets on the market, the Vendor (GBK’s client) also wins, as they get a photo with each celebrity and their product that they can use in their internal marketing material, social media, and most importantly the ability to submit it to press outlets, and the charities win because they have the opportunity to garner additional exposure and revenue.