Want to sample Michelin star food, watch Madonna strike a pose or see Yankees captain Aaron Judge slam a home run? These are all perks that Zane Michael, 25, has enjoyed working as a brand ambassador at local events. He boosts his earnings with summer side hustles while working at Trader Joe’s in Chelsea and acting. “Summertime is full of opportunity,” said the Bushwick resident, whose typical gigs involve getting revelers to sign up in exchange for freebies.
“Pride Month [June] is one of the most lucrative months, considering the city is gripped with celebration and unity.” Five summers ago, Michael applied to booking agencies Assist Marketing and Brand Allure . He interviewed, waited out a vetting process that included background checks and was cleared to apply to the gigs they posted.
He’s since attended events such as the Governors Ball and US Open tennis, and now that he has experience and has forged connections with brands such as Chase, BMW and Bank of America, marketing teams sometimes contact him directly for gigs. Responsibilities don’t require meeting quotas, so he focuses on initiating friendly conversations. “Managers don’t expect results from interactions; they expect effort,” said Michael.
He recommends signing up for tournaments for steadier work. “If it’s a concert or sporting event, you just work for that day and have to apply for more gigs. On the PGA tour, you could work two weeks consistently.
Just starting out, you might get $20 t.
