A Coffee Connector with a Cause
Galinsky (r) and Bloomberg Business Television's Jeffrey Hayzlett (l) presenting the keynote, "The Passion, Fashion and Wonder of Coffee" at the inaugural C-Suite Conference in Dallas Texas. (photo credit Maigen Sawyer)
By Jay Douglas
Robert Galinsky has always had a lot to say and certainly doesn’t find it difficult to express himself these days. A true renaissance man, he has a voice that reaches thousands of people, both online and offline daily. He is the founder of a ground breaking social media company (Kuhoots.net) that serves successful clients like the founders of Barefoot Wine, and Bloomberg TV’s television personality and best selling business author, Jeffrey Hayzlett. His work coaching public speakers for TEDx Conferences is critically acclaimed and extends to coaching the Head Speakers at an array of TEDx events, as well as the New York Bar Association, incarcerated youths on Riker’s Island and C-level executives at Fortune 500 Companies like MetLife Insurance and Grey Advertising.
As if this was not enough, Galinsky has been developing his "COFFEE the Musical" production at coffee conferences (yes they exist), theaters, coffee houses and cafes as well. His goal is to "create positive change in the world through live theater, social media, and partnering with cause related communities.”
"There is no question that Robert has uncannily bridged the coffee world and the theater world together," says Mark Schoenfeld, who is the writer of Broadway’s hit show 'Brooklyn the Musical.’ "Galinsky's theatrical and digital wisdom, combined with his unique approach to the developing and marketing of 'Coffee the Musical,’ is making him a true influencer in the entertainment industry,” says Schoenfeld.
We caught up with Robert at one of his favorite espresso houses and when speaking with him you immediately feel the enthusiasm and gratitude he has for what he has been doing. "I've got the opportunity to evangelize a powerful social justice message while producing and performing a fantastically fun show about our beloved drink. What could be better?" he asks in between sips of a short, strong espresso at the Roost Coffee Shop on Avenue B.
Galinsky is encouraged by the strong response to a successful Kickstarter campaign he organized as he saw over 250 people pledge and contribute enough funding for him to produce over a dozen songs, hire eight actors (including veteran Jay O. Sanders), and put on a live reading of "Coffee the Musical" at the Coffee and Tea Festival and CoffeeFest at Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Center. The positive feedback from live audiences and online donors indicates that he has something special brewing, as his work continues to move to the next level, which includes connecting with sponsors and key cause marketing partners to stage an Off-Broadway production. One early supporter who has been a producer on the project from its inception, is Tony Award Winning Broadway producer Terry Schnuck (“Beautiful”, “Spring Awakening”, “Fun Home”). "From day one Terry has been instrumental in so many ways,” says Robert. “Not only has he invested money into this show, he has been patiently guiding my team with his knowledge and instincts, and has helped put us in the terrific position we're in."
Galinsky would not divulge the total budget for "Coffee The Musical.” He says it's not the typical price tag for a musical production, which is upwards of $10 million. However, Galinsky intends to soon raise another round of funding that will afford finalizing the script and music, and allow for a multi-week Off-Broadway run. He wants a franchised and licensable show that will give solid returns to his investors, while also generating a revenue stream for the social cause that is connected to the show.
Galinsky says he has always been involved in some kind of effort to create a healthier planet and a just society. He sees his current effort as an opportunity to "create a super lively, low cost and exciting musical with a built in charitable aspect that can change lives. Audiences will have a great time at the show and know that the money they spend on tickets and concessions is going to help change lives of those in need." We pressed him to tell us what lives might be affected and changed through his cause driven marketing effort, but again, he was tight lipped and private about some of the potential players.
"I am speaking with a number of organizations that get the point of what I’m doing here and what’s really possible. We live in an age where audiences appreciate exceptional entertainment and at the same time want to know that they're contributing to something bigger. I'm a very lucky man in that I have the opportunity to make this happen by partnering with a foundation or non-profit doing meaningful work," he says.
Industry insiders and taste makers like Lynda Calimano (Producer of the National Coffee And Tea Festival) and David Heilbrunn (President of CoffeeFest) are also excited about being involved and Galinsky’s innovative approach. Heilbrunn says "The coffee, tea and alternative beverage industry has never seen anything like this opportunity before. COFFEE The Musical can strategically position relevant information from your brand across its advertising, social media marketing and branding platforms, through an unprecedented entertainment driven medium.” Calimano of the Coffee and Tea Festival adds, “Getting your brand linked to a Broadway type show may just be the greatest marketing opportunity ever. Imagine a coffee company having their product written into the script or visually showcased on stage. It is a win-win for all.”
Through his incredible megaphone called Kuhoots Social Media, his far reaching tentacles into the coffee industry, his inspirational work with hundreds of corporate teams and thousands of young people across the globe… we think that Galinsky’s vision of "Beans over Broadway" as the New York Times says, is "Exciting stuff!"
Robert Galinsky has always had a lot to say and certainly doesn’t find it difficult to express himself these days. A true renaissance man, he has a voice that reaches thousands of people, both online and offline daily. He is the founder of a ground breaking social media company (Kuhoots.net) that serves successful clients like the founders of Barefoot Wine, and Bloomberg TV’s television personality and best selling business author, Jeffrey Hayzlett. His work coaching public speakers for TEDx Conferences is critically acclaimed and extends to coaching the Head Speakers at an array of TEDx events, as well as the New York Bar Association, incarcerated youths on Riker’s Island and C-level executives at Fortune 500 Companies like MetLife Insurance and Grey Advertising.
As if this was not enough, Galinsky has been developing his "COFFEE the Musical" production at coffee conferences (yes they exist), theaters, coffee houses and cafes as well. His goal is to "create positive change in the world through live theater, social media, and partnering with cause related communities.”
"There is no question that Robert has uncannily bridged the coffee world and the theater world together," says Mark Schoenfeld, who is the writer of Broadway’s hit show 'Brooklyn the Musical.’ "Galinsky's theatrical and digital wisdom, combined with his unique approach to the developing and marketing of 'Coffee the Musical,’ is making him a true influencer in the entertainment industry,” says Schoenfeld.
We caught up with Robert at one of his favorite espresso houses and when speaking with him you immediately feel the enthusiasm and gratitude he has for what he has been doing. "I've got the opportunity to evangelize a powerful social justice message while producing and performing a fantastically fun show about our beloved drink. What could be better?" he asks in between sips of a short, strong espresso at the Roost Coffee Shop on Avenue B.
Galinsky is encouraged by the strong response to a successful Kickstarter campaign he organized as he saw over 250 people pledge and contribute enough funding for him to produce over a dozen songs, hire eight actors (including veteran Jay O. Sanders), and put on a live reading of "Coffee the Musical" at the Coffee and Tea Festival and CoffeeFest at Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Center. The positive feedback from live audiences and online donors indicates that he has something special brewing, as his work continues to move to the next level, which includes connecting with sponsors and key cause marketing partners to stage an Off-Broadway production. One early supporter who has been a producer on the project from its inception, is Tony Award Winning Broadway producer Terry Schnuck (“Beautiful”, “Spring Awakening”, “Fun Home”). "From day one Terry has been instrumental in so many ways,” says Robert. “Not only has he invested money into this show, he has been patiently guiding my team with his knowledge and instincts, and has helped put us in the terrific position we're in."
Galinsky would not divulge the total budget for "Coffee The Musical.” He says it's not the typical price tag for a musical production, which is upwards of $10 million. However, Galinsky intends to soon raise another round of funding that will afford finalizing the script and music, and allow for a multi-week Off-Broadway run. He wants a franchised and licensable show that will give solid returns to his investors, while also generating a revenue stream for the social cause that is connected to the show.
Galinsky says he has always been involved in some kind of effort to create a healthier planet and a just society. He sees his current effort as an opportunity to "create a super lively, low cost and exciting musical with a built in charitable aspect that can change lives. Audiences will have a great time at the show and know that the money they spend on tickets and concessions is going to help change lives of those in need." We pressed him to tell us what lives might be affected and changed through his cause driven marketing effort, but again, he was tight lipped and private about some of the potential players.
"I am speaking with a number of organizations that get the point of what I’m doing here and what’s really possible. We live in an age where audiences appreciate exceptional entertainment and at the same time want to know that they're contributing to something bigger. I'm a very lucky man in that I have the opportunity to make this happen by partnering with a foundation or non-profit doing meaningful work," he says.
Industry insiders and taste makers like Lynda Calimano (Producer of the National Coffee And Tea Festival) and David Heilbrunn (President of CoffeeFest) are also excited about being involved and Galinsky’s innovative approach. Heilbrunn says "The coffee, tea and alternative beverage industry has never seen anything like this opportunity before. COFFEE The Musical can strategically position relevant information from your brand across its advertising, social media marketing and branding platforms, through an unprecedented entertainment driven medium.” Calimano of the Coffee and Tea Festival adds, “Getting your brand linked to a Broadway type show may just be the greatest marketing opportunity ever. Imagine a coffee company having their product written into the script or visually showcased on stage. It is a win-win for all.”
Through his incredible megaphone called Kuhoots Social Media, his far reaching tentacles into the coffee industry, his inspirational work with hundreds of corporate teams and thousands of young people across the globe… we think that Galinsky’s vision of "Beans over Broadway" as the New York Times says, is "Exciting stuff!"