Can you handle being cool? Well if you’re Gene Simmons, Rock Legend, TV Star, Marketing Genius, and the Chairman of NGTV.com – it’s just another day at the office.
Gene Simmons is one of the hottest celebrities in the world. He is the star of the wildly popular, reality television show “Family Jewels”. He has starred in “Gene Simmons’ Rock School” and has created the Nickelodeon cartoon show – “My Dad The Rock Star”.
As the bassist for the legendary group KISS, Gene is the juggernaut behind the over 2,500 licensed products bearing the KISS name.
Simmon Abramson Marketing, the business run by Gene and his partner Rich Abramson, is the team behind the Indy Racing Leagues innovative marketing and branding programs, including “I Am Indy”.
As Chairman of NGTV.com, Gene is spreading the word on just how cool – cool can be.
NGTV.com is a truly revolutionary media platform. It features today’s hottest stars in a free wheeling, free speech setting that let’s the artists be artists. NGTV.com features original programming and amazing animation and graphics.
Intertainment Media Inc. is the official Canadian partner for the program, and Eye Rock Digital.com will be the conduit for all the Canadian advertising and marketing programs.
In addition, Intertainment Media has the first rights on territory expansion of its partnership with NGTV.com and can extend those rights to include, the UK, Europe, the Pacific Rim countries, Australia, Asia and China.
Intertainment Media is also completing an investment up to $2 Million into NGTV.com.
Recently, Gene was in Toronto to join Intertainment Media Inc. to softly introduce the partnership between Eye Rock Digital.com and NGTV.com and to invite everyone to watch NGTV.com and join the “World of Cool”.
Ian Munroe of the National Post sat down with Gene to discuss NGTV.com, Eye Rock Digital.com and Gene’s impressions of Toronto. The following appeared in the Post on Friday, April 28th. :
KISS Star Invites Us to Join ‘World of Cool’
Gene Simmons, reality TV show star and bassist for the legendary rock band KISS, was in town this month for a meeting with Toronto-based EyeRock Digital, to launch a new online video service. Called NGTV.com, or No Good Television, it will target 18-34 year old males by beaming thousands of candid celebrity interviews around the globe, in three to five minute clips. Mr. Simmons invited the Post’s Ian Munroe in for an exclusive interview at his suite at the Park-Hyatt Hotel:
- In a nutshell, what brings you to Toronto?
- In a nutshell, I go wherever I want to go. We actually have some new friends, an interesting little group called EyeRock. We’ve become partners in the NGTV.com project.
- Why should we go for this over other television programs being geared to a younger audience?
- Well, this is taking over the world, and you can go back in history to Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, or you can join the rest of the world of cool. Because this is what’s happening—no one else can compete.
- When was the last time you were here?
- Not long ago. The first time I came here was when we had a local band open up for us, on their first tour. We took Rush on their first tour.
- What was your favourite show in this city?
- Wherever and whenever we played. You know, you have to get up there and feel like you’re God’s gift, otherwise, you’re not. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. So when we got up there we said, “You wanted the best, you got the best –the hottest band in the world. That’s right.”
- When you came to town, where would you usually hang out if you weren’t on stage?
- The hotel room. It was the best place to be.
- You wouldn’t be out in the city?
- That means nothing. You would have the chicken coop. The next room would be where all the chicks come. You would just go in there—you’re the fox, raid the chicken coop. Because ultimately the clubs, and the drinking – I’ve never been drunk or high in my life—ultimately it all leads to who’s going to share your boudoir. See, a little French content.
- Does that mean that some of your “conquests” have been Torontonians?
- I’d say that’s a very safe assessment, yes.
- So do you have any family in the city?
- Not that I know of. (Laughs)
- What else do you know about Toronto? What’s the longest street in the world?
- Respectfully, nobody knows that except you… Did you know that Canada used to be called CND? C-eh N-eh D-eh. Have you heard the one about the nice person from Toronto who walks up to the a—hole New Yorker in New York and says, “I beg your pardon. I’m from Toronto. Would you mind, it’s my first time in the city. I’m looking for Grand Central Station, can you point me in the right direction, or should I just go f--- myself?
- Any favourite restaurants, neighbourhoods or shopping places in the city?
- I never shop. I get nervous when I go into a shop – someone says ‘may I help you?’ I just start to sweat. I either have (clothes) given to me or Shannon (long time partner, Newfoundland-born actress Shannon Tweed), my Canadian content, will get me some stuff.
- Would you ever consider retiring in Canada? Because you’ve got a bit of a Canadian connection?
- I would live in Toronto, and I’ve warned – Torontoans? Torontonians. They’ve got to shorten that. That’s too long. Toras….. I’ve warned Torontonians, when you come in Los Angeles, don’t be afraid of the light in the sky. We call that the sun, don’t be scared. No, but if the weather was better, I wouldn’t have any problem living here.
- What newspaper do you read when you come to the city?
- Should I tell the truth or lie?
- The truth.
A. Whatever somebody puts in front of me.
