Tommy Geraci had a chance to visit GBK’s Oscars luxury, gifting lounge and speak to GBK CEO Gavin Keilly
Tommy Geraci: I’m here with Gavin Keilly from the GBK gifting lounge for the Oscars. I wanted to know from you, what was the motivation behind starting the first one that you ever did?
Gavin Keilly : The first one actually we were producing charity events and we did a big event with the Osborne family for colon cancer and Bomb RCA gave us watches to give out to the celebrities and Ozzy Osborne put a watch in his mouth. And then we got that photo placed in US Weekly, In touch, People Magazine, and a little light bulb went off. I said, I could be helping brands grow and really take their business to the next level. And so that’s how we created all these gift lounges and really giving the brands the opportunity to be here, get photos with celebrities and meet great press like you.
Tommy Geraci: I’m here with POP Style TV, so I am on the entertainment end of it. So it’s kind of a way that you honor the actors that were nominated or performers that were nominated, it’s a way of giving them their kudos.
Gavin Keilly: Yeah. I mean, really at the end of the day, you know, they worked so hard, you know, some of these films take 2, 3, 4 years to make and people think, oh, it just happened overnight. You know? So it really is a matter of honoring them today with over a hundred thousand dollars in gifts, you know, but also, you know, helping the brands, if you think the process and there’s always a charity aspect. So, you know, we have Red Cross here today. Um, and then we also have Save the Children, you know, there’s great need right now in the Ukraine. So we’re really focusing on that right now.
Tommy Geraci: And how did it feel those few years that we had the pause where we weren’t able to do live events? Was that difficult for you to deal with? Or did you pivot a little bit?
Gavin Keilly: I went to The Bahamas for two years and took a break. No, no, no, no, no. Yeah. I mean, of course it was difficult. Yeah. It was difficult. You know, we opened up GBK Brand Bar, which is a store over at The Kimpton hotel. Uh, really giving not only the travelers the opportunity to see all these great products, but celebrities on a one-on-one basis to come to our store and get some great things, too.
Tommy Geraci: What’s your favorite part about these gifting suites for you personally?
Gavin Keilly: Seeing the smiles on everyones faces. You know, and, and frankly, a lot of the celebrities coming by. Seeing their friends, giving them a hug, you know, and saying, oh, it’s so good to see you. I haven’t seen you in the last year. You know? So that’s really great.
Tommy Geraci: It’s an amazing event, it is my first time being here, and I’m really impressed with it. And I give you much kudos as well for that. And I noticed that everybody coming in is smiling and happy and that’s because of you. So we have to give you your props, right?
Gavin Keilly: Well, they’re very excited to see eBay luxury as well. You know, I mean, when you’re, when you’re giving out luxury handbags and watches, not a bad thing.
Tommy Geraci: Thank you. I thank you so much for taking time with us. Thank you for having us here. Hope to see you again in the future.
Gavin Keilly: Thank you so much.
More about the event
