Mekhi Simpson
Jared McCain x GQ pitch

McCain got hate online for painting his nails and kept doing it. That's a style story, so I pitched it to Alex Nino Gheciu, who'd written about Bruce Brown's cowboy style and athletes who own their look.

Subject: Jared McCain: 76ers Rookie Who is Redefining Men's Self Care

Hi Alex,

Since his high school days, Jared McCain has been turning heads with his elite basketball skills and bold style. However, this was not wholly intentional. What started as a preventative measure for biting nails evolved into his signature look to express his individuality. Despite facing massive waves of internet trolls questioning his masculinity for painting his nails, McCain was keen on staying unapologetically himself, like the trendsetter he is. This perseverance only amplified his social media presence among Gen Z and solidified him as a cultural icon.

At GQ, you have commonly reported on unique styles, including Bruce Brown and his cowboy style. This piece was not a one-off, as you have widely written about styles that have returned and professional sports players who own their looks. Jared McCain stayed confident that his nail painting was essential to his identity and confidence even on the court.

He doubled down on his commitment when he signed a partnership with a nail polish brand at Duke. His style continued to the NBA draft when McCain rocked all-black nails with his stylish all-black Dolce and Gabbana suit. Now that he is out for the season, McCain is rocking his signature nails with a matching outfit at 76ers home games. McCain's unique style and individuality would be an excellent story for GQ's ongoing coverage of athletes who define their fashion identity.

Best,
Mekhi Simpson

João Fonseca publicity plan

A plan to make João Fonseca, Brazil's best young tennis player, the face of tennis in his country and then an international name. My part was the objectives and how we'd measure them:

  • In Brazil: three interviews with major Brazilian outlets, social engagement up 40%, and two youth tennis events, all within six months.
  • Abroad: three international brand deals, a feature in Europe and one in North America, and two business speaking events.
  • For each goal, how we'd check it: counting published interviews, monthly social analytics, and tracking coverage of every event.

The rest of the team wrote his audiences, a SWOT, his bio, and a charity exhibition in Rio before the US Open.

New Balance Youth 10K communication plan

A New Balance 10K in Boston for up to 600 high school runners. The race is one morning, so my part was keeping it in the news afterward:

  • Posting the winners on New Balance's channels, with short interviews.
  • Pitching reporters stories about the students, not just the results.
  • Having the New Balance athletes who spoke post about the event.
  • A recap video, and a short documentary following a few of the runners.
  • A follow-up event a week later for the winners and their families.
  • A behind-the-scenes social takeover.

The rest of the team wrote the media advisory, the release, the run of show, answers to likely media questions, and a 15-person media list.

On x Recode media kit

A full media kit for an event we invented: On and the nonprofit Recode opening free tennis courts and mentoring for kids in Rio's Rocinha, with a clinic led by Fonseca. As a team we wrote the news release, a media advisory, backgrounders on both organizations, bios and key messages for the three speakers, an event one-pager, a run of show, and the launch-day social posts.