LINCOLN JACOBE

What this episode covers

Lincoln Jacobe is well on his way to a media empire. His companies include television, radio, print, web and events. He represents Jasmine Trias, Camille Valesco and was the bridge between American Idol and Hawaii during the auditions. Lincoln just founded a non profit organization to offer technology scholarships to Hawaii’s youth. BIO: Toth, Catherine. “LEADERSHIP CORNER.” Honolulu Advertiser 19 07. 2004. Leadership Corner. 29 09 2005 . LEADERSHIP CORNER TV production CEO combines mother’s advice with risk taking Interviewed by Catherine E. Toth Advertiser Staff Writer Name: Lincoln Jacobe. Age: 34. Title: Chief executive officer. Organization: Hawai’i Pacific Entertainment, which specializes in TV and film production, sports and entertainment, special-event management, marketing consulting and technology media. High school: Farrington High School (1988). College: Associate degree in business and accounting from Kapi’olani Community College; some course work in travel industry management at Hawai’i Pacific University Breakthrough job: Working as a front-desk manager for Marc Resorts at age 20. “They recognized my early development of management skills, leadership style and work ethics, which they fostered, that gave me a jump-start to my career in business management.” Little-known fact: Though he works with computers all day long, Jacobe doesn’t own one at home. He doesn’t have a DVD player, a stereo system or a CD player. He doesn’t even have cable TV. “Zero technology. Long ago I decided that since I work with technology all day, every day, the only way I can truly relax is to have a house with just a bed, not one single device or gadget. As a young entrepreneur, the bed and a good magazine are all I need at home to relax.” Major challenge: After the Sept. 11 attacks, which affected his business significantly, Jacobe’s challenge has been finding new business opportunities by creating marketing campaigns and finding new avenues of revenue. • • • Q. You’re now representing “American Idol” finalist Jasmine Trias, who recently had a cameo in “North Shore.” What kind of potential does she have? A. She has really good potential. There have been a lot of exciting opportunities that will actually transpire in the fall once she returns home. … There’s a lot of interest in her nationally and internationally as well. Talent and personality — she’s got both. That what it takes to be successful. Q. How did you go from working in a hotel to running a production, management and marketing company with seven full-time employees, producing two TV shows (“Tech Buzz Hawai’i” on KHON and “Flavors of Technology” on OC16) and managing such local celebrities as Nohelani Cypriano? A. Our business literally started on a kitchen table in my business partner’s (Joseph Collins) house he had just bought in ‘Ewa Beach. We had one Apple computer and dial-up Internet access. We used his home phone line for our phone and fax. Q. You were a hotel manager with Marc Resorts, a company you helped during its startup years. And your educational background is in accounting. What made you switch from the tourism industry, in which you have years of experience, to starting your own entertainment-based company? A. I was working nights and days and long hours running other people’s businesses. I had to sit myself down at age 25 and ask, ‘What do I really want to do? Do I really want to give all this blood, sweat and tears to somebody else’s bottom line?’ And the answer was no. Q. What made you choose entertainment as the industry in which you woul...