Rappin’ Ryan Parton is at it again.
After raising more than $1,000 for YANA (You Are Not Alone) by promising to release a ridiculous homemade rap video on YouTube, local copywriter Ryan Parton is aiming to raise another $1,000. And you can support the cause just by watching the video.
“I uploaded the video after we achieved our initial $1,000 goal, but then I found myself with this embarrassing video out there and no real motivation to promote it,” says Parton, who was recently honoured as one of the Comox Valley’s Top 40 Under 40. “So I decided to get local businesses to pledge a dime every time the video is viewed.”
Atlas Café, Campbell Duke Personal Branding, Carmie’s Café & Catering Co., Sure Copy Centre and Van Isle Veterinary Hospital have each pledged a $100 donation when the video reaches 1,000 views on YouTube. As of press time, it’s been viewed more than 400 times.
“We’ve got $500 pledged, so we’re halfway to our goal,” says Parton. “I’m looking for five more local businesses that will step up to help families with sick children if we’re to achieve our goal.”
Of course, he adds, businesses can obviously choose to pledge more — or less for that matter.
All donations are 100 per cent tax-deductible and go directly to YANA, a local charity that helps Comox Valley families who need to travel to access medical treatment for their children.
Parton’s unlikely ascent to rap stardom began as an inside joke at a business networking group in September, when he created a mock rap video in which he spits out lyrics about copywriting, bad spelling and other topics about as far from “gangsta” as one can get.
Less than a month after promising to release the video if $1,000 could be raised for YANA, the goal was reached and the video was posted to YouTube.
Though Parton says he’s received good feedback from the video, it’s nonetheless been described by viewers as “utterly embarrassing,” “undeniable proof that he’s a white boy from rural Manitoba” and somewhere between “the worst thing ever and the best thing ever.”
To support YANA, simply by watching this ridiculous video, visit www.BCcopywriter.com or search for Rappin’ Ryan Parton on Facebook. If your business would like to make a pledge toward the goal of 1,000 views, contact Ryan at 250-702-1103 or ryan@ryanparton.ca.
To learn more about Parton’s more serious side, visit www.ryanparton.ca.
— Ryan Parton