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My friend Rob doesn't just have an HD-TV. He has a HUGE HD-TV and is quite the host in showing off his prize possession. On one such night following a trip to the Portland, Maine, den of sin called the Old Port, Rob asked if I had seen the MOJO Network, an HD-only channel. In between bits of stale nacho chips soggy with chili and cheese, I answered no and within a few minutes, a wonderous program hit the screen all about visiting places around the world and sampling the various drinking spots they featured. It seemed ironic that on one of those nights that leads to morning-long headaches, I was introduced to Three Sheets for the first time.
While there are no shortage of travel-style programs on TV, there was something about Three Sheets that made it different. In this case, the 'different' is Zane Lamprey, the host responsible for traveling this fine sphere of earth, wind and fire in search of the world's best drinking spots. He has been to Japan, Croatia, Belgium, Portugal and even good ol' Kentucky. If you haven't seen an episode, you might be inclined to roll your eyes at the spectre of a grown man downing booze and getting paid for being drunk. However, you'd be wrong. Three Sheets is more about customs than it is keg stands, more fun than frat. Lamprey is inquisitive, insightful and immediately likeable, disarming even the staunchiest critic with his charm. (Still not with it? He also hosts Food Network's "Have Fork, Will Travel".)
So why am I telling you about a show or a host that has nothing to do with email marketing? Because this marks the first installment of the SendLabs Interview series, a series of talks with up-and-coming celebrities and interesting personalities where we ask them some not-so-typical questions including their email habits. And now to kick it off, allow me to introduce Zane Lamprey of MOJO's Three Sheets, currently preparing for his first round of ZaneCrawls and for the third season of Three Sheets to begin.
Josh Nason: I'm sure many watch Three Sheets and think, "Wow, that's the dream job." What's the toughest part of being Zane Lamprey?
Zane Lamprey: It's a boring answer, but the worst part is leaving my family. I hate leaving my wife and son for any period of time, and most of the time with Three Sheets, I'm on the road for about two weeks. My wife came with me a bunch (Belize, Venis, France, Rio) until she got too pregnant to fly. Now my boy is about 5 months old, so they'll be traveling with me in season four.
Josh: Being on tv and the celebrity that comes along with it affords you a lot of privileges. What's the best perk or situation you've experienced since become well-known?
Zane: Three Sheets is more of a cult hit than a mainstream success. So I have no problem leaving my house and going to the grocery store without getting recognized. When I'm at the mall or at a bar or restaurant, I do usually have someone that tells me they love Three Sheets, but that's about it.
Josh: Is it possible to go out to bars/clubs/drinking holes in the U.S. anymore without being bombarded by fans and other people that recognize you? I would think after a while, that might get to be a bit much.
Zane: It has happened. People always want to put me on the phone with their friend, who doesn't believe that it's me. So I have to try and convince a stranger on the phone (that I don't want to be on in the first place) that I'm me. Weird. And people often offer to buy me drinks, but I do so much drinking on the road that when I'm home, I give my body a break. I only drink when I'm working....
Josh: How do you locate/find all of the great spots around the world and what goes into actually making an episode of Three Sheets?
Zane: The production company, Screaming Flea in Seattle, do an amazing job. They get all of the credit for that. They work very hard behind the scenes. I do make some suggestions -- and push them when I really want to go someplace. And they usually oblige. They're great.
Josh: Finally, I assume you have an email address like everyone else. What entices you to sign up to be contacted by a marketer (retailer, restaurant, etc.) and what gets you excited when you log on to your email account?
Zane: Hmm...interesting question. I'd say that "deals" get me the most interested. I love my work and I love entertaining, but what I really love are opportunities for financial security for my family. I don't know if that's the answer most people want to hear, but it's the truth. Money doesn't buy happiness. But I've never been upset when I've gone to my mailbox and found a check.
If you think you can hang with Zane, I'd highly recommend one of his newly-christened ZaneCrawls, a weekend-long pub crawl to international drinking establishments. Essentially, you can experience an entire season of Three Sheets in three days! Get all the info by clicking here for either Los Angeles (March 14-16) or New York City (April 25-27). The new season of Three Sheets kicks off on Thursday, April 10th.
Big thanks to Zane for doing the first-ever SendLabs Interview. Who could be next?
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