Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhett Butler.
Hi Rhett, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
RHETT E. BUTLER
Brand Strategist, Brand Manager, Host, Journalist, Podcaster, Event Management Specialist, Combat Sports Insider, Concept Architect, and Marketing and Communications Specialist, Rhett Butler has been a multi-industry entrepreneur, communicator and executor for most of his professional career. He currently owns RBACM, LLC, home to the boutique professional services consultancy R. Butler & Associates consulting + management, The Studio at the Gateway and is the Owner of Jolie Gelato, LLC.
Rhett Butler started his career as a journalist, parlaying lengthy internships with TIME Magazine, CNN and Money Magazine to a full-time position with Money Magazine upon graduation from Howard University. He continued his journalism career to digital with The Shadow League and The Source Magazine before transitioning his storytelling abilities to marketing & branding.
Formerly, the Director of Communications for the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment, Rhett was instrumental in the creation, implementation, and brand direction of 202Creates, a robust and diverse showcase of the District of Columbia’s creative economy. Rhett has also worked with the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation as the Marketing and Communications Director.
As a Brand Strategist, Rhett has guided businesses and municipalities branding and communications strategies across the country. As a journalist, Rhett is an International Boxing Hall of Fame voter and member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and has been published by TIME Magazine, MONEY Magazine, The Shadow League, The Source Magazine, FIGHT! Magazine, UFC Magazine, and many more.
Rhett was an integral part of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) for a decade, assisting event operations for the biggest mixed martial arts events on pay-per-view and cable television specific to the athletic talent and event athletic logistics for domestic and international fighting events. He currently does the same for Holden Boxing, the U.S. promoter for rising social media star turned boxer, Jake Paul. Rhett coordinated the fighter relations for the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva event in Glendale, Arizona in October 2022 on SHOWTIME pay-per-view.
Rhett has managed many high-level events in the political, sports, live television, and concert fields among others. He has been at the helm of operations in boxing and mixed martial arts globally including major events like Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas, NV and various other televised promotions as well as a former Stage Manager for SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Rhett also was one of the founding members of SHINE Fight Promotions, the first-ever African American owned MMA promotion to be distributed through pay-per- view.
His production experience also has extended to other entertainment genres like e-sports and the Counter Strike Global Offensive Video Game Tournament in Burbank, CA for Twitch, years booking talent for Howard University Homecoming in Washington, DC, stage managing Earth Wind & Fire for Home Shopping Network in Las Vegas, NV, and REVOLT TV outdoor concerts series in Hollywood, CA, BET Soul Train Awards Red Carpet and Latin Billboard Awards Red Carpet in Las Vegas NV and much more.
Rhett is currently on the Regional Board of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce’s Prince George’s Advisory Board and was on the Board of Directors for two non-profits: WeCareDMV formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia on the Branding Committee where he oversaw the organization’s rebranding and the National Concierge Association of Washington, D.C. where he counseled the D.C. Chapter Communications strategy. The New York City native is a proud graduate of Howard University currently living in the Washington, D.C. suburbs of Prince George’s County, MD.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing was given, everything earned and I learned to be fearless in my professional pursuits. The main struggles were lack of financial resources during early stage development and the creation of a team structure. However, through my base of supporters and networking we have made great strides in those respective directions and are still on the journey to a fully functional and comprehensive organizational structure.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Jolie Gelato is my baby. Born from my dairy allergy, this plant-based frozen dessert is steeped in sophistication and solves a need for those seeking non-dairy alternatives that do not lack in flavor.
The Studio at Gateway is my creator’s studio that produces podcasts like my show, Frankly Give A Damn and more.
I am an accomplished journalist that has reported for TIME Magazine and written for MONEY Magazine, Jet Magazine, FIGHT! Magazine, UFC.com, UFC Magazine, The Source Magazine, The Shadow League and much more. Currently writes for his blog on Substack called Frankly Give A Damn.
Rhett Butler is a Brand Strategist and owner of R. Butler & Associates Consulting + Management (RBACM, LLC).
Rhett Butler has worked as a combat sports consultant for twenty years and is the owner and operator of Fight Services, a combat sports consultancy .
Rhett also acts as the Marketing & Communications Manager for Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation..
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next 5-10 years, consumer packaged goods and experiential events in the culinary space will be more in-deand than ever. We seek to remain at a positive growth point during these increases. Content is a top U.S. export and our studio helps creators make their digital products.
Pricing:
- Pints $14.99
- Fight Consulting $5000 +
- Studio Sessions $200/hour
- Studio Season Seasons $800
- Consultation $100/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eatjolie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhettebutler
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhettebutler
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhett-butler-3833452/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thestudioatgateway
- Other: https://www.brandpowerdirect.com
