How to Jimmy Vegas is our television show streaming on WWDBTV, thanks to founder and partner John Stiles. We are on the air because of him, and we want to wish him a Happy Birthday on Sept. 2.
John founded the station as a passion project after retiring from construction management. He first moved to Las Vegas with his family in 1959, when his stepfather worked at the test site. Born in Long Island, New York, his family moved first to California, and after living in Las Vegas, his family moved back to California when he was six.
John attended Hollywood High School, joined the Marine Corps, served in Vietnam, returned to the United States, got married, and moved back to Las Vegas to work in construction. He admits to moving frequently, following the work, and finally settled back in Las Vegas in 2000.
“I had always been interested in photography, always had a camera with me, and I thought, well, I’m going to get a video camera and see what I can do. You know, play around with it. I had some friends who were performers, and they were performing out in one of the lounges at Mandalay Bay. I asked them if I could come out and shoot some of their shows to get a feel for the camera and play with it,” says John.
“They said yes, and the head of the group, Bill Deloach, who was with Frankie Valli in the Four Seasons for 20 years, calls me. They were broadcasting at 1230 AM (KLAV) and were looking for somebody to videotape their show and upload it to YouTube. He asked if I could do it, and I said yes.”
“I thought I might as well make a few bucks while learning and playing around with it. So I went over there and met them, and it was the Sandy Costell Show. I met Sandy and Mike and started 11 years ago on July 11.”
John started an internet TV station in a small office on Sahara Avenue between Maryland Parkway and Eastern Avenue. He watched YouTube videos, purchased another camera and a switcher, and grew the station. He moved into his new studio three years ago, expanding the space.
“This has turned into a real passion for me. I love what I do. It’s not a job,” says John. “Last year, I found some partners to help me with marketing.
John wants to make it affordable for people so that if they have a message or something that they want to get out there, they’ve got a platform.
“I’ve just met some awesome people. In some of the shows that we have here, there are very dedicated, giving individuals. And we feel like we’re giving back to the community. And it’s fun.”
John hosts his own show, Doing It With Styles, where he interviews locals, whether entertainers or just people who do things differently.
His business model is that people buy airtime because they have content and a message they want to get out there. All they have to do is bring their message, which will be filmed and edited. He also uploads to different platforms, including social media, website, Roku, and YouTube. WWDBTV offers a worldwide audience.
It must be emphasized that people are responsible for securing their sponsorship. For example, if a client brings in their own sponsor, a pizza place, they keep all that money, and nothing is given to WWDBTV. However, if John knows of a pizza place that wants to advertise on a particular client’s show, revenue is split.
WWDBTV also offers video production, sizzle reels, and creating commercials.
For more info, visit wwdbtv.com and be certain to keep watching How To Jimmy Vegas.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN.
