Forbes: Brow Candidate Thinks Out Of The Box

 

BY BUDDY NEVINS

 

 

Finally, a candidate who thinks out of the box!

It’s not me saying that. It’s Forbes.com.

The business website  just wrote an online post about Broward County Commission candidate Mark Bogen.

 

 

Mark Bogen at Margate Democratic ClubMark Bogen (left) at Margate Democratic Club this week

 

 

Apparently Forbes is impressed with Bogen’s a new venture. Very impressed.

That’s very impressive for a candidate that most people thought was just a condominium lawyer.

Bogen figured out a way for sports fans to meet their sports heroes.  Cheaply.

His new venture would allow fans to trade loyalty program points at airlines, hotels or other businesses for some serious face time with major athletes.

Forbes wrote about it under a headline: Why Entrepreneurs Need To Think Outside The Box.

“I was surprised,” Bogen said. “Forbes could have gone to any one of a million entrepreneurs. They went to me.”

Bogen saw a problem: Thousands of sports fans want to meet their heroes. But their only option is a 30-second autograph session or spending thousands of dollars for a stint at a sports’ camp.

Bogen’s new venture would allow the fan to mix with stars for up to two hours by using a few thousand loyalty points. They would also pay a small processing fee estimated at $150.

The idea appeals to airlines and hotels, Bogen said. They can get the loyalty points — essentially liabilities — off their books without giving up a seat on a plane or a night in a hotel. Plus, there is a marketing advantage of offering such a prize to their most loyal customers.

What does this tell voters?

Bogen isn’t just another lawyer, the job that put bread on his table for years. He’s a businessman who solves problems in new ways.

He’s the only businessman in the five-candidate race in north Broward.

Other than Bogen, the candidates include two politicians — Commissioner Lisa Aronson of Coconut Creek and former Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom of Fort Lauderdale. Also running is Terry Edden, who was once a losing candidate for Florida Senate, and community activist Carmen Jones.

The Forbes story is linked here.  



13 Responses to “Forbes: Brow Candidate Thinks Out Of The Box”

  1. They Are Clueless says:

    Heard Mark Bogen is about to show Amy Rose and Barbara Miller, the door

  2. Bogen Fan says:

    Mark is great, I’ve met him a few times now and I think he’s going to be a great County Commissioner.

  3. Ronny says:

    Can I use my points with strippers and porn stars?

  4. agree with numero uno says:

    I see bogen has dropped some real money on promotional items from David brown. I bet david is in and miller/rose out by july4

  5. The Guess Who says:

    Wonder if Bogus Bogen can come up with a loyalty reward program that allows him to get a house in the district.

  6. Marky Mark says:

    Can I use my points to buy votes?

  7. Keep dreaming says:

    Amy Rose signed in all of Bogen’s petitions at the SOE in the last 2 weeks. Saw her name in the book on several different dates. Doesn’t sound like she’s going anywhere.

  8. Broward Dem says:

    Out of the box, as in out of the district box? Citizens deserve a representative who is from the district, not another opportunist who seeks to enrich his own business.

  9. Duke says:

    It’s time to have someone on the Broward County Commission who thinks out of the box..or doesn’t resent being shown how they get it done in other places, and doesn’t have a “What’s in it for me” mentality. This guy just may meet all 3 criteria.

  10. Sam The Sham says:

    Not only does he not live in the district, he does not even live in the county. He only just recently rented a place to qualify.

    On the plus side, he has demonstrated a little unique thinking. That is not entirely bad.

    All the candidates for this slot are Democrats, so it is not like we are going to get any government downsizing. Plus the tendency for incestuous political shenanigans in Broward. My guess is same shit, different players. I have yet to be proven wrong.

    FROM BUDDY:

    He has an answer in his stump speech on his residency. He said several times Monday night at the Margate Regular Democratic Club that “for 20 years, 90 percent of my clients has been right here (in Broward).” He notes that he lived in Broward before moving to Wellington and has now moved back.

    It should also be noted that the Broward County Charter — the governing document on residency of commissioners — says this: “Each Commissioner must be an elector of the County and must be a resident of the particular
    District upon election.”
    He is perfectly within the law to move into the district anytime before election day.

  11. Ghost of McLovin says:

    “It should also be noted that the Broward County Charter — the governing document on residency of commissioners — says this: “Each Commissioner must be an elector of the County and must be a resident of the particular
    District upon election.” He is perfectly within the law to move into the district anytime before election day.”

    This is the method Kristin Jacobs followed in 1998

    FROM BUDDY:

    Kristin Jacobs actually lives in her district when she took office, which is more than I can say for several House members (Jared Moskowitz, et. al.) and one Senate member (Maria Sacks). Jacobs obeyed the law. The House and Senate members played games intended to fool the public.

  12. Broward Resident says:

    Just because he is “within the law” does not make it ok to be a capetbagger. Constituents should have representation by a person who has lived in the district and experienced first hand, not second hand through their clients, the issues of that district. Those who seek office to represent a district they do not live in should AlWAYS have their motives questioned.
    That goes for Bogen, Rodstrom, Gibbons, McKinzie, Sachs, and ANY other pol who skirts the intent of residency requirements. These positions exist to provide district representation, not for political opportunity.

  13. Noris Williams says:

    Lisa Aronson has been a government employee her whole life and owes her house, car and food to lobbyists. This article proves that Bogen will be a different type of commissioner with new ideas not beholden to the status quo. He doesn’t even take money from lobbyists.