Exploring Life & Business with Ivan Thomas of Intrigue Media Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivan Thomas.

Hi Ivan , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am an entrepreneur, publicist, published author and content creator born in Washington, D.C. and raised predominantly in the Chicago area. I attended Howard University (in Washington, D.C.), where I majored in Broadcast Journalism with a minor is Spanish. During my studies, and after graduating, I interned and worked at different companies including C-SPAN, GMMB and Stateline.org before joining my dad’s PR company full time in 2008. After working with him for about 6 years, I started my own PR and brand management agency, Intrigue Media Group in 2014 and have been in business as one of the top agencies in the southeast ever since.

Over the course of my nearly two-decade career, I have represented national leaders, major corporations, celebrities, athletes, colleges and universities, and everyday entrepreneurs.

Having such a diverse range of experience working with different individuals and organizations has prepared me to do a multitude of things. I’ve always desired to give back to society, particularly to youth and entrepreneurs, so I started a motivational / educational platform called Defy Gravity International, which helps people to tap into their gifts, identify their purpose, and launch into their ultimate level of personal and professional greatness. It started when I wrote my first book “Defy Gravity: Unleashing Your Greatness Within” during the pandemic, which has garnered rave reviews. I’ve spoken before thousands of people at schools, empowerment events, and entrepreneur conferences; led projects from Colombia and Paris to Ghana and Bulgaria, and appeared on numerous platforms for interviews. My work led me to receiving the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C, among other amazing figures.

I’ve been married for almost 11 years and I have 4 beautiful children.

In 2024 my wife, Autumn, and I ventured into content creation together to further the Defy Gravity platform and to showcase positive couple’s lifestyle and travel content. Known as “Mr. and Mrs. Defy Gravity”, we have since partnered with numerous brands both domestic and international – from hotels, restaurants and theme parks, to magazines, fitness brands and clothing lines. We have appeared on a number of podcasts and interviews, and will be expanding the brand to tackle other initiatives. This has been an extraordinary journey that has allowed us to travel consistently and to spend time with each other. My life has consisted of great lessons, self-actualization and personal growth that has led me to recognize that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. I want to inspire others to see what is possible when you believe in yourself and you put the work in! Given today’s toxic relationship / dating landscape, I also want to show people the power of a happy and healthy marriage – and what can be achieved through teamwork.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course this has not been smooth road. Building your own business from scratch is never easy. There have been a number of hard lessons and losses. However, I don’t regret any of it, because those challenges have armed me with everything I need to succeed. I have been scammed before and I have helped people when they had nothing, only for them to switch up when they got what they needed and achieved a certain level of success. I have dealt with the fakeness and pretentiousness of the entertainment industry, where egos and opportunists abound. PR is essential to the growth of any business or personal brand. It makes people look good! But, it can be very thankless and under appreciated. You must have tough skin.

Still, I needed those lessons to learn how to navigate the various levels of success. They helped me to mature as an individual and as a professional. It also underscored the importance of investing in myself and using my gifts, knowledge and expertise not only to elevate others, but to accomplish my own goals and the goals of my family.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Through my agency, I specialize in media and strategic partnerships. I have built a career on taking people and organizations from obscurity into the spotlight – helping them to secure press coverage, establish valuable relationships and strategic partnerships, and position themselves at events and on platforms to position them before their target audiences and elevate their brands / businesses. I have also worked with establish brands to help them to take their work to the next level.

I am proud of my work with my clients. However, I am most proud of the work that I have done through my Defy Gravity platform…writing my book, speaking to youth and professionals, and being able to work with my wife and kids. There is nothing more gratifying than having people tell me how much my book shaped their thinking, or how they purchased it for one of their kids. Or, when they come up to me after a speaking engagement to tell me how I sparked something within them and convinced them to start their business or launch an idea they’ve been holding off on due to self-doubt.

What sets me apart from others is that I am not someone that can be placed into a box. I’m bi-lingual, I’m a world traveler, a husband, family man, an entrepreneur, creative, and an individual that can navigate all kinds of spaces. Most importantly, I’m a man of integrity, and I truly care about people.

As far as my brand and my services, my focus is helping clients to reach their maximum potential. If they need press coverage, writing, strategic counsel, partnerships, media training, or content creation / social media support, Intrigue Media Group can do it all. I also run a credit repair business and an empowerment platform.

I’m a writer and social media influencer as well, who excels at storytelling. Whether you are a restaurant, a hotel, cabin retreat, or any other type of brand or business in the travel and lifestyle arena, I can create engaging content and images that support marketing goals.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was very imaginative and a dreamer. However, I stayed in my head a lot and was not as outspoken as I probably should have been. Still, I was person with friends from all different background and ethnicities. I was a three sport athlete, I played instruments (violin, piano, tuba, drums) and was a person who loved animals, space, and different cultures.

I was very smart, but much more passive than I am now. I did not always take charge of my circumstances, and that often led to my detriment because I would find myself being frustrated and disappointed about things I could have changed. There was one thing that was apparent, though. When my back was against the wall, or when a fire was somehow lit within me – from a coach, a teacher, or even one of my parents, I could do some amazing things.

In my mid 20s is when I truly decided that I hated the word POTENTIAL – because it meant that you COULD do something, but you DIDN’T. I did not want to be average. Therefore, I would take full accountability and blame for everything, regardless of if it was my fault or not. I would not make excuses, I would be the captain of my life, and I would not procrastinate on ideas. If I wanted to do it, I WOULD do it, regardless of what anyone else thought. I dove into books on entrepreneurship and personal growth, watched podcasts and motivational videos, and forced myself into public speaking. That is when my life completely changed and took off to an entirely different level. I convinced myself that nothing or no one could stop me, but me. I would leave a powerful legacy, and I would inspire those who desired to do the same thing – to Defy Gravity. I have accomplished many things I never thought I would, but the best is still yet to come!

Pricing:

• PR / Brand Management – Starts at $2,000 / month
• Social Media Content Management – Starts at $1,500 / month
• Speaking – Starts at $1,000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.intriguemediagroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrdefygravity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/defygravity365
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-thomas-1965b115/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mrdefygravity