HOW THE FOUNDERS OF @LANKYBOX ROSE TO INSTAGRAM SUPERSTARDOM ARTICLE JORDAN BLAINE | PHOTOGRAPHY LIFE N LIGHT
WHAT EXACTLY IS INFLUENCING? According to Merriam-Webster, the definition is "one that exerts influence." Adam McArthur and Justin Kroma, founders of LankyBox, are influencing millions from our very own backyard. The name LankyBox refers to both influencers' height—Adam and Justin are both over 6 feet tall—as well as the way they view videos as lanky boxes. After spending several minutes watching their YouTube channel, it was hard not to adore the humorous and talented duo. Producing, directing and editing their own content, LankyBox’s videos are one-of-a-kind. Recreating famous K-Pop music videos, Adam and Justin make zero-budget remakes full of creativity and humor—the duo can't help but laugh themselves at times. Although they have a loyal band of followers and fans, Adam and Justin haven’t always been the success story they are today. The two met three years ago at an international film festival. “We had liked each other’s films. We both found them funny, and we just got along and connected that way,” Justin says. In the beginning of their career as LankyBox, Justin and Adam launched a commercial video and production house. “We started to succeed in that, but after clients work we would make random videos and start posting them on the Internet. It started just as fun, and some of them really took off,” Justin says. The duo launched their YouTube channel and Instagram account in July 2016. With two years of social media stardom under their belts, the duo shows no signs of slowing down. “We just want to continue to entertain our fans. We want to give more to the community and more to our following,” they say. With multiple viral videos plus their millions of social media followers, Adam and Justin are now recognized by the public in their everyday lives. “It’s been an odd blend between personal life and professional life. Managing personal life and public life has been an interesting transition. It’s been awesome. We love having people say hi,” Adam says. No one ever reaches success without first going through trials and tribulations. The LankyBox team was no exception. “We’ve been rained out during shooting, had a car break down and countless things go wrong on set. But overall, it’s all been really positive,” Justin says. So, what's next for the young stars? “We just want to expand what we are doing currently. At some point, we might tap into directing on a larger stage than the Internet. Maybe one day we’ll transition to TV, but we are really enjoying what we are doing right now,” Adam says. Not only are the two influencers focused on the growth of their business and following, they’re also focused on bettering themselves personally. “We want to start getting involved with charity work and giving away some of our proceeds. When we reach that point it will be quiet,” Justin says.
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August 2018 | Bellevue Lifestyle
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