Give Kardashian your thesis, then sell it
We all know Kim and Kanye, but what about Corderro?
He’s the one who wrote a thesis that analyzed why celebrity news matters, connected that to social media and explained how Twitter drives journalism, all through the prism of Kim Kardashian West and Donald Trump.
He’s also the one who got the attention of Kardashian West, who asked for the thesis, causing a mini frenzy online, giving him the idea to turn the paper into a book, which he named for the December 2018 tweet that gave him his first taste of fame. (It’s called “Can I Get a Copy?”)
Corderro Allantae McMurry is a star, but I’m afraid he’s not dreaming bright enough.
McMurry is a 28-year-old Ph.D. candidate at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, pursuing a doctorate in journalism and mass communication, and he has a book-signing at noon Saturday at the Barnes & Noble at Chandler Fashion Center (3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ, 85226.)
He’s selling “Can I Get a Copy?” to raise money for the Corderro McMurry Foundation, which he established to help students at his Maryvale middle school, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. (Maybe this year he applies for a Season for Sharing grant through The Arizona Republic?)
And he parks cars for a living.
No, seriously.
McMurry works as a valet and says no one will give him a shot as a full-time, paid entertainment reporter.
I can’t figure out why.
He’s got all the standard qualifications and qualities. But most importantly, he’s got tenacity and creativity.
Kardashian West asked him, “Can I get a copy?” And instead of clicking “like” and leaving it at that, he got her the paper, saying he staked out a hotel in Flagstaff last summer, introduced himself to Kanye West and then gave the thesis to his manager.
McMurry’s examination notes that a U.S. presidential debate was happening on the same day that Kardashian West was robbed in a Paris hotel room, and he connects the two to show how celebrity relates to influence and how that matters to readers and viewers in today’s media landscape.
Telling his story has gotten him coverage from USA TODAY, The Republic, ABC15, CBS 5 and Yahoo!
He wants to be a reporter, but I can see him one day running a network or becoming a prominent cultural critic or even an agent.
He has what it takes.
“The biggest skill is interpersonal communication,” sports agent J. Tooson said, describing what’s necessary to excel in his field.
He represents athletes such as former ASU star N’Keal Harry and former Utah star Zack Moss.
“You have to have the ability to communicate with a wide variety of people and, when it comes to athletes, meet them where they’re at. That’s No. 1 . ... From a personal standpoint, the biggest attributes I bring to the table are creativity and not being a linear thinker,” Tooson said.
So, like turning your thesis into a book to maximize your viral fame and generate money for kids in your neighborhood?
McMurry also could push to monetize his social savvy.
“Maybe going off this hype, he becomes a vlogger,” said David Amaya, director of social for The NTWRK.
Amaya has worked in social media for the hip-hop culture magazine and website Complex and the music label Def Jam.
He’s made a career of capitalizing on viral moments.
“People make crazy, crazy, crazy money off of YouTube,” he suggested.
“All these opportunities open up because all these companies want them to promote them,” Amaya said.
The takeaway is that if the system won’t let you in, you have to be prepared to go around it to accomplish your goals.
If McMurry gets big enough on his own, he’ll have people begging him to work for them.
For now, McMurry wants what he wants.
“Being in front of the camera,” he said, “that takes me to my happy place.” We all know Kim and Kanye. Here’s hoping Corderro is up next — and that potential mentors reach out to make sure his dreams match his talent.