This week, Justin Kan’s new startup EXEC is pulling off this awesome PR stunt: Rent a startup founder!
I will briefly try to explain in 5 minutes, 5 bullet points, why I find it so brilliant.
Disclaimer: I wrote this post while having breakfast. Didn’t get the time to proof-read it. I’ll do it later. Please excuse typos and other silly mistakes. I promise to get it right during the long weekend 
1. Reaching your audience
They are targeting busy business people.
Perfect
I would say busy business people would be interested and actually benefit of an hour of mentoring with Tikhon Bernstam (Parse, Scribd) and Steve Huffman (Reddit, Hipmunk), right?
I guess Alexis Ohanian (Reddit, Breadpig) will also attract a lot of potential EXECs offering his tips to Y Combinator applicants.
2. Building your brand
Offering such a high-class selection of EXECs for this task, the company shows what kind of service they are planning to offer. They already have a ‘regular’ EXEC profile in their website, just to make sure everyone is getting the message.
“We’ve only hired people that we would personally want as our own executive assistants”
Totally could be me!
3. Counting on your allies
Not all of us can count on Y Combinator Alumni network, but you gotta have something.
This is a reminder for you, working alone and scared to share your ideas. People actually help each other. Be part of a group and you will make wonderful things together.
Can't say no to this face... (sigh)
4. Delivering your experience
You signup and you have the full experience before handling them your credit card info or anything. Showing everyone how quick and easy is getting your tasks done with an EXEC is the main goal here.
Get your task done. Quick & Easy
5. Not spending a buck
Mentoring sessions will happen on Skype or by phone. Costs near zero.
Summarizing…
PR stunts are not meant for profit.
The money is going to DonorsChoose.org.
Read more at:
Well done Justin Kan!