Today we’d like to introduce you to C.f.. Jackson

Hi C.F.., we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

In a nutshell, I set my sights on discovering my purpose in 2003. I’d been in the telecom industry for five years at the time. I’ve worked with companies such as BellSouth, AT&T, GTE Wireless, Cypress Communications, and several others for 10-plus years.

However, in 2003, I’d awaken from a nap with a title and synopsis. I thought it would be a great film being, a movie buff. I mentioned this to a friend who encouraged me to write a book. After much back and forth, I did just that. Within 4 to 5 months, I’d completed my first novel titled Won’t Be Denied. I enjoyed every minute of it.

I had to step outside of my comfort zone. After six months of submitting query letters and synopses to obtain a literary agent, I decided to publish my work. In 2004 I published Won’t Be Denied through the publishing company I started Organized Thoughts Publishing, LLC. It was a process. Publishing on demand wasn’t available back then.

With this new venture and investment, I had to learn about web development and online marketing. This also included doing what I didn’t like too much back then, speaking and reading in front of people. This leads me to embody the title of my book and turn it into a mantra. Won’t Be Denied. During the first year or so, I was interviewed on V-103 (WVEE) three times, had several pieces published in the Creative Loafing, spoke at the Georgia Perimeter College, and was featured on several radio and podcasts locally and nationally. I’ve also been published in the 2009 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine.

I began to help fellow authors and writers with what I’d learned and was coached on by developing websites and online marketing. Many just wanted to focus on what they did best, writing. I did this for many years.

Fast forward to 2013, I learned about the #1 streaming TV platform, Roku. I had no idea what it was. I came home, Googled it, and saw that there was a Sony version. I ordered it and was content. Six months later, a friend mentioned this Roku to me again, but he added a twist. He said you can get on TV with it.

I decided to order one. My mind was blown away by all the options and content, compared to the Sony. There I stood wondering how can I help my fellow entrepreneurs who like me desire more exposure on a national and global scale.

There it came. iDefine TV. It’s more than the name of a company. It’s a mantra, an affirmation. It’s an affirmation for every soul who ever dreamt of being on television. It’s the place for the dreamer, visionary, and doer. Say it aloud… iDefine TV! Yes, you do.

Since launching in 2013 iDefine TV has hosted a live masterclass and has been the media partner for, such events as the Atlanta Film Festival, Black Enterprise Summit, Miller Lite Tap the Future, Bombay Sapphire, HOPE Global Forum, and several others.

As Roku continues to grow, so does iDefine TV in its mission to help 5,000 entrepreneurs redefine TV using Roku. Today, I have helped many entrepreneurs turn their great ideas into a reality. Many only dreamed of being on TV let alone having a talk show, but now it’s a reality with iDefine TV.

I’m striving to assist as many dreamers, doers, and visionaries take their message and passions to global television audiences in the most simplistic way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

This is one of the most asked questions. As an entrepreneur, the struggle along the way has been getting out of my way. If there is an idea or an opportunity, go for it. This is why I share with fellow entrepreneurs the importance of creating video, and how it doesn’t have to be Sony or Lionsgate quality. Just get started.

For the longest time, I didn’t want to be in front of the camera because I didn’t like my voice. Catch 22 my first big client came from the footage I captured on camera. I was nowhere to be seen or heard on the video. LOL!!!

It’s been something I’ve worked through and I’ve since launched my series on my Roku Channel titled iDefine TV Business Spotlight Series, where I interview authors, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the world thanks to Zoom.

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?

When iDefine TV launched in October 2013, its target market was independent music artists. “I understood the plight of indie music artists who wanted or needed exposure for their music,” says Founder and CEO C.F. Jackson.

Imagine completing a music project, and it never airs on television or reaches an international audience. This happens not only with indie music artists, but also with entrepreneurs, authors, industry experts, and the like.

The first music artists we helped were in Sweden. Here we are in Atlanta, and they were an international world husband and wife duet. Having a media vehicle to help many indie artists reach a global TV audience on Roku felt awesome.

Was it a simple market to support? “iDefine TV was new, which meant no one had heard of it. If it was a recognized brand and company name at the time, many things we wanted to do back then would have been accomplished,” says Ms. Jackson.

Many of the artists were content with their position. Then some didn’t understand marketing and promotion required an investment. The music artists would rattle off, “I don’t pay to play.” They didn’t want to invest to have their music aired and distributed on television.

But to grow iDefine TV I had to look at other target markets that could benefit from what it offered: brand building, credibility building, major distribution channels, and capitalize on a mass media platform.

We’ve had to position ourselves as an advertising engine for entrepreneurs, authors, experts, small businesses, consultants, and the like.

The growth comes from not being married to the initial idea. Being able to pivot when it’s necessary makes a difference.

iDefine TV decided to pivot by adding more ways to help our target audience reach Roku TV viewers.

We recognized a demographic of people in business who were timid when it came to getting in front of the camera, but not so much when they didn’t have to go at it alone. Hence, the iDefine TV Business Spotlight Series (iDefine TV BSS) was born.

Launching of this series allows iDefine TV to interview entrepreneurs from around the world. As the host, C.F. Jackson has interviewed experts and authors from Sweden, Australia, India, Canada, and the United States.

Currently, social media is saturated, and many are getting lost in all the noise. What is a way to help a brand break through the noise? Have your show or series on television. There are so many podcast shows online that they are a blur. It’s about standing out and demanding everyone’s attention.

iDefine TV provides a media vehicle where entrepreneurs can have a show or series while providing marketing support.

Imagine how taking a web or podcast show and adding TV can be a game-changer for any business.

One of the pivots iDefine TV was slow to bring into the fold: Roku Channel Developers and Designers for those who want their own Roku Channel or Network.

Why was iDefine TV slow to add this as a service? “We customize the designs of each channel we create, so we needed the team to help make this feasible,” says Ms. Jackson.

The best part about having your own Roku Channel, in addition to all the online media platforms like YouTube and Facebook, is ownership. Become the owner of your network and monetize it in multiple ways.

Wow! We can go on for days on the ways iDefine TV scaled up. Adding ad spots and the iDefine TV Spotlight Channel are other ways entrepreneurs can leverage iDefine TV to scale and grow.

Over the years, iDefine TV has positioned itself with partnerships with local events such as the Atlanta Film Festival, Black Enterprise Summit, Tap The Miller Lite Experience, and others. It helped to have had sponsors over the years: Earthlink, AT&T, and small businesses.

Is there more for iDefine TV to accomplish?

“Most definitely! We haven’t scratched the service. We’re seeking to redefine TV. It can be done. I’m talking about entrepreneurs, authors, experts, and small business owners. The goal is 5,000,” C.F. Jackson shared.

We’re still scaling. We are doing it in a way by using partners and ambassadors.

One last thing. To scale easier, use partnerships. Leveraging other people’s communities or networks is a game-changer. To compensate those who participate in iDefine TV’s growth is a win-win. It’s one of those feel-good moments.

Feel free to apply to become an iDefine TV Ambassador: https://iDefineTelevision.com/cash

Who else deserves credit in your story?

In 2022, the iDefine TV Business Spotlight Series launched. It streams on the iDefine TV Roku Channel. There have been some extraordinary entrepreneurs we have interviewed. Let’s shout out everyone, as far as Australia, India, Canada, and the United States. Each of these individuals helped make this series a success on iDefine TV.

Can we acknowledge our subscribers? iDefine TV has reached over 16.2 thousand subscribers as of today. It’s a humbling feeling to have such growth. Think how it all stemmed from my struggle to gain subscribers on YouTube. Imagine that!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Smile.iDefineTV.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDefineTV

Image Credits

Johnathan Craft (feature photo)
iDefine TV (additional photos)