From LA to Legacy: Does a ShoutOut LA Feature Legitimize Your Brand?

In a city as talented and hustle-oriented as LA, it isn’t merely a headline-grabbing catchphrase or influencer promoting your brand that gets attention. Los Angeles is all about exposure being worth more than gold—and having authentic articles and genuine platforms like ShoutOut LA makes putting the spotlight on your journey more critical than thirteen minutes of fame. That’s what happened to Ben Behrooz, founder and CEO of Branding Los Angeles, who recently appeared in the publication’s founder feature.

What exactly does a feature in the media do for business?

Publicity creates credibility. It allows you to obtain the third-party endorsement stamp of approval for what you cover in your own words. When ShoutOut LA featured Ben Behrooz, it wasn’t merely a gesture of thanks for his previous life as an entrepreneur and marketer—but an endorsement stamp of approval in front of local and passionate readers. The magazine is touted as being supportive of entrepreneurs, artists, and small businesses in Los Angeles, and having a seal of approval from the magazine means something to readers who are actively searching for new companies to visit and patronize.

That kind of media attention is more than a regular ad; it is the value of endorsement. Your clients realize that Ben did not pay for it. With sweat, he earned it and earned it. That distinction—between advertorial and editorial—influences prospective customers’ and business partners’ perceptions of your business.

How does earned media impact the perception of a brand?

Earned media—media not for paid advertorials but organically created—is high value. In Ben’s interview, he speaks on Branding Los Angeles principles, entrepreneurial heritage, and what drives him. He offers insights into building long-term client relationships, what has been learned from failure, and how to build a brand on creativity and influence.

This kind of story evokes emotional identification. It humanizes a company. It gives potential buyers and business partners something to identify with. When people can relate to a name and face, they identify with it. Identification can be in the way of loyalty—and loyalty is fantastic for driving sales.

A logo will catch your eye, but a quality story touches the heart. Ben’s story in ShoutOut LA exemplifies the effectiveness of one quality piece of coverage to move your brand with personality and professionalism.

Does one media appearance make a business impact?

Yes. While it won’t create outright conversions as a pay-per-post would, a profile such as Ben’s is a long-term goldmine for marketing. The content can be syndicated to the social channels, reused as blog posts, used for reference in email newsletters, and incorporated into proposals or media kits. The more individuals who view your feature, the more they tie success and credibility with your firm.

That third-party seal of approval is its value in B2B and B2C worlds. It causes people to believe that your brand design agency exists, is present, and is significant. In competitive industries, trust is the game-changer in whether somebody buys off your site or returns that phone call.

Where does that fit within your overall brand strategy?

Branding isn’t about appearance. Branding agency is about reputation. If a person Googles your company and discovers a meaty, thoughtful interview of your founder, that’s to establish your values and tone. That’s why something like Ben’s isn’t an isolated incident—no, it’s part of your brand’s story.

The narrative puts Branding Los Angeles as a business leader that it’s a marketing firm. It places it as a continuation of the company owner’s passion and requirements. When your marketing extends your culture, the rest follows naturally. That positioning translates to simpler client relationships, more genuine messaging, and more long-term sustainable growth.

What do other business owners learn from this case?

If you’re a small business owner or founder wondering how to grow your brand, take a note from Ben Behrooz’s playbook. Focus first on doing excellent work, building real relationships, and investing in your community. Those things don’t always make headlines—but they create the kind of impact that publications like ShoutOut LA love to highlight.

You don’t need an enormous ad budget to be heard. You will have something you’d prefer the world to know—and a way of trumpeting it loudly. Ben’s case again reminded us of the reality that biting press coverage tends to arrive a couple of decades later from working in the trenches of sweat equity. Marketing balances the work when push comes to shove so that no one underestimates it.

How do you leverage media moments with effective marketing?

This is where a digital campaign comes in. Your job isn’t finished after a post like this one—it’s only beginning. Repost the post with your own comments on social media. Split out sections of the interview into Instagram quotes or carousels. Utilize it as the foundation of a LinkedIn post regarding leadership or entrepreneurship. Feature it in your next newsletter or client pitch.

Most importantly, loop back the article to what you think you stand for. If whatever occurred in the story is included in what your company stands for, as a reminder to everyone, utilize it. Make people feel as though your press is gossiping, but a highly natural outgrowth of who you are.

Is being public more attractive to consumers?

Yes—and not only because it looks good. It tells customers you’re credible, up-to-date, and authoritative in your business. That you have something to say. It also tells customers that your company has something to say—and stories are remembered.”.

Individuals do not buy services. They buy relationships. They need to understand who they are working with. A media spotlight like Ben’s is a backstage pass. It opens the doors to clients and introduces them to the narrative. That level of intimacy instills trust and deepens relationships before one has had a chance to meet.

Why should media coverage be included in your long-term strategy?

While search advertising and search engine optimization are useful, media relations provide another level to your mix. It lends credibility. It unlocks new networks. It continues solidifying your role as an authority brand in ways that performance marketing simply can’t.

When platforms like ShoutOut LA take an interest in your story, you’re no longer just marketing your business—you’re participating in the cultural and entrepreneurial dialogue of your city. That’s a powerful place to be.

It also gets you ready for more. One opening door can ready others to open. Podcast interviews, panel spots, guest blogging visits, and collaboration tend to follow a single carefully written article. Ben’s is also a reminder that you never know who is reading—and where that exposure will lead them.

Conclusion

Done well, marketing is not publicity—it’s a boost. The Ben Behrooz piece in ShoutOut LA shows that old-school stories told simply, can get your brand rising to the top in the ways that matter. Founder, freelancer, or would-be CEO: Pay attention to the fact that good public relations are the foundation. Great marketing will make it one for the books.