Ernest Jackson

Ernest Jackson of MNS Media Group is a Brand Specialist, Marketing Manager & Publicist that has worked with some of the elite talents in the entertainment industry including Actor Gregg Wayans, Actress/Model Summer Wayans, and Producer Diedra Wayans of The Wayans Family, Basketball Wives LA star "Jackie Christie", Bravo TV's Millionaire Matchmaker "Robin Kassner", Briana L. Isaacs (WEtv Growing Up Hip Hop), Shatava Lindsey & Courtney Larisa from OWN Network "Ready To Love", Curvy Chick Fitness & TLC's Chilli presents the Body Challenge campaign, Kimberly Rivers Roberts HBO's "Treme", Legendary Female Dance/Rap Group Oaktown's 357, The First, Second and third Female Hip Hop Honors Awards. Also, Ernest Jackson has been featured in such diverse media outlets as Hip Hop Weekly (7x), Black Enterprise Magazine, Examiner.com, and a host of others. In short, he has worked on everything from NYFW, Full Figured Fashion Week, Face The Sweet Fashion Fights Diabetes, Red Carpets Events, Films, TV Shows, Art Gallery showings, Branding Products, and more. Ernest has two partners in the MNS Media Family which are Durvel Wilson & Eduardo Simmonds. Ernest is also Co-Owner of BillboardBuzzing LLC.

Vocal readers, please enjoy our interview!

Tammy Reese:

What inspired you to enter into the marketing and media industry?

Ernest Jackson:

I always loved the entertainment business. My uncle was a big producer and worked with people like Whodini and Chris Rock when I was young. I really enjoyed going over to his house because you always saw stars like UTFO back then that was big lol. However, it really made me want to be an artist. Although that never worked out, I fell in love with behind the scenes of Entertainment.

I had a chance to do indie promo for major labels including J Records, Rocafella, The Inc, and more. We were on the streets handing out CDs. After that slowed down I needed the next level. A Publicist by the name of Trea Davenport gave me a chance to be a junior publicist for an event with Tha Dogg Pound in NYC. That was the beginning of my career in Public Relations/Brand Management.

Tammy Reese:

What do you love most about the work that you do?

Ernest Jackson:

I love connecting with positive people. I also love making visions a reality. In my mind, if you come to me for services you have already made up in your mind your about to go hard for your brand.

Tammy Reese:

What are some challenges?

Ernest Jackson:

The industry is always changing, which means you better stay two steps ahead. Plus your clients want victories so you always have to stay on your grind.

Tammy Reese:

Please tell me about your billboard business.

Ernest Jackson:

My partner Alexis Saner and I met on Facebook and became great friends. She had a close family member who passed and I wanted to do something nice for the family, who was so nice to me. I thought a billboard would say it best. The gesture went over so well with the family that Alexis and I decided to see if we can make a business out of it. Months down the line we are doing great. We are giving small black businesses a chance to be on billboards in Times Square and all around the nation. The stories, screams, and tears make it all worthwhile.

Tammy Reese:

What are some of the proudest moments in your career so far?

Ernest Jackson:

Wow, good question! I have to say it was working with Charity Lynette, who is now a Celebrity Fitness Trainer. Working on that project made me much more confident in what I do. Since then I have worked with some of the elite talents in the entertainment industry including Actor Gregg Wayans, Actress/Model Summer Wayans and Producer Diedra Wayans of The Wayans Family, Basketball Wives LA star "Jackie Christie", Bravo TV's Millionaire Matchmaker "Robin Kassner", Briana L. Isaacs (WEtv Growing Up Hip Hop), Hip Hop Legend Queen Pen, Shatava Lindsey & Courtney Larisa from OWN Network "Ready To Love", Curvy Chick Fitness & TLC's Chilli presents the Body Challenge campaign, Kimberly Rivers Roberts HBO's "Treme", Legendary Female Dance/Rap Group Oaktown's 357, R&B Sensation "E'ssential", The First, Second and third Female Hip Hop Honors Awards.

Tammy Reese:

What are you currently working on?

Ernest Jackson:

Currently, I am focused on BillboardBuzzing LLC. Also, all though I'm not taking on new PR clients I am proudly working with Shatava Lindsey on her new collection release "Dripped In Graffti", available at www.shopourglass.com. E'ssential is currently on the cover of the December Issue of Queensize Magazine. Charity Lynette & Summer Wayans has a healthy mind, a healthy body initiative that they are working on. and Courtney Larisa always has something new happening.

Tammy Reese:

What other projects are in the works that we can be on the lookout for?

Ernest Jackson:

I am big into TV production as well and we are working on a couple of shows. Feel free to check out our first show called What's In Your Basket?" hosted by Charity Lynette. Also, we are expanding the business and looking for reps. So if anyone is interested in making money in your free time please email us at [email protected].

Tammy Reese:

How has the pandemic shaped your day-to-day life?

Ernest Jackson:

To be honest it has been a gift and a curse. During the pandemic, we created a business and helped small businesses be visual. The negative is the emotional things like losing a cousin to Covid, not being able to travel freely to see friends or work events for clients.

Tammy Reese:

What do you want your legacy to look like?

Ernest Jackson:

I want my legacy to be that I am a person that was real with people and always supportive. Always open to sharing knowledge with anyone that would listen and most importantly I've always worked with passion.

Tammy Reese:

What advice would you have for anyone who wants to follow and pursue your career path?

Ernest Jackson:

Always think out of the box. Like the movie Hidden Figures. Always see the change coming and prepare to be among the change and not left behind. Be creative. Stop thinking your brand ends with you. Unique partnerships work well. If you're a clothing line partner with a shoe line because y'all can go hard together.

Tammy Reese:

Any shout-outs?

Ernest Jackson:

Please follow our artist on Spotify. Ez Lyrical Skitzo, Da Real Durtyflow, Kas Brees, and Sin aka Wizz Nation. Shout out to my entertainment business partners Durvel Wilson and Damien Moore. Also Hoz Pizarro for holding me down when I needed the support, and to my BillboardBuzzing partner.

Be sure to keep up-to-date with Ernest Jackson and his career journey by connecting on Instagram @stricklyforthepromo, and @billboardbuzzing.