TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Laid-Off Lightning Executive Praised By Son On YouTube

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: March 14, 2009

TAMPA - A sentimental video on YouTube posted by the son of the marketing director of the Tampa Bay Lightning who was laid off Thursday already is generating job leads.

Mark Gullett, spending his first day out of work at home, said in a telephone interview Friday morning that he had worked with the Lightning for nine years and was a victim of restructuring.

His 14-year-old son, Ben, came up with the self-marketing idea a week or so ago when it appeared his dad was going to get the ax, Mark Gullett said.

"A week ago, when we sort of saw this might be happening, we were driving through downtown and we saw an executive on the street corner with a sign asking for work," Gullett said. "We were talking, and Ben said, 'Instead of standing on the street corner, when you get laid off, you should make a video.'"

His son makes videos of himself drumming, the proud father said.

The video has no words. It shows the teen holding handwritten cue cards.

"Hi, My name is Ben. I am 14. I live in Tampa," the first few cards say. "This is a story about Mark. Mark got me a new set of drums. I drum every day. Mark has a Stanley Cup ring."

The video changes sets from outside to inside to a campfire.

"Mark likes to make fires," the cards say. "We make Smores."

Then, the crux of the message:

"Mark works a lot. ... Well, he used to. 'Restructuring.'"

He asks people to help find work for his dad.

"He's smart. Creative. Hardworking. But most importantly, he's my dad.

"I love you, dad."

The video was posted late Thursday, Mark Gullett said.

"The last time I checked, it had been viewed 500 times, and my phone has been ringing off the hook about it," he said.

He got one job lead Friday morning, he said.

Ben was at school Friday morning and couldn't be reached for comment.

He attends Nativity Catholic School in Brandon. He loves to drum, play hockey and work out, his dad said.

"We're trying to raise him right," he said.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT