Eric Gazin
Eric Gazin is President of Auction Cause, which produces eBay auctions for high-profile brands and cause marketing. His campaign with Kevin Bacon’s Six Degrees charity website won a viral marketing award from Marketing Sherpa in 2007. He has also worked on eBay projects with such notables as Kim Kardashian, Matthew McConaughey, Gene Simmons, Garry Kasparov, Ludacris, Stephen Hawking, and companies such as BMW, Diet Pepsi, Nike, GQ Magazine, Miller Lite, Dairy Queen, Ford, and L’Oreal Paris. His auctions have generated over 1 billion media impressions via online, print, radio, and broadcast. OK, that is really impressive!
With a background in law, Eric had a successful career in international licensing in Asia for brands including Kate Spade, Mossimo, and Little Caesar’s Pizza. He’s also previously worked as an economic researcher for the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and as Director of Sales and Marketing for International Business Law Services (IBLS), a global Internet law company. And to think, Eric’s entrepreneurial spirit all started with selling lemonade to Michael Jackson at his stand set up outside his family home in Encino. Nice!
Eric’s family has been in Los Angeles for just about 100 years – wow, amazing!! He is obsessed with the LA Kings and his all-time favorite thing to do is watch hockey! Eric is a huge believer in businesses doing good. Me too, Eric!!!
Your favorite place in LA to have a cocktail?
Any of the open bars inside Farmer's Market. A great mix of locals and tourists, sharing drinks, food, and fun.
Your favorite LA place for bargain shopping?
eBay and Craigslist are my favorites for almost any bargain, but the 99 Cents Store is my favorite local retail spot. I like the changing selection and there is always some really nice produce at 1/3 the cost of any supermarket.
You could change one thing about LA - what would it be?
Lower taxes for small businesses. Too many companies are leaving Los Angeles now for lower costs in other cities and states.
You’ve always wanted to go to this LA spot – but just haven’t made it there yet?
Toughest question here…I have gone to almost every place I have wanted but would have to say the Watts Towers. Many people have told me it is amazing and worth a visit.
Your favorite LA extravagance?
I love collecting antique postcards, so hitting the Melrose Trading Post at Fairfax High School on a Sunday is one of my favorite extravagances. I sit for hours going through the cards, friendly people selling and buying unique things, and great prices with a little negotiation!
Your favorite neighborhood haunt?
Urth Cafe in West Hollywood - great vibe and people watching, tea and coffee drinks are the best, and food is delicious too. Parking is the challenge, of course.
Your favorite local getaway?
Sycamore Springs at Avila Beach, just before San Luis Obispo. I think a 3-hour drive is still local!
Your favorite place for cheap eats?
In N' Out, of course. I’m sure you get that a lot, but it is cheap and consistently delicious -- been going there since high school.
You always take out of town guests to this spot?
Top of Runyon Canyon via the hiking trails. Fun to point out landmarks, see celebrities out on their own hikes, and showcase the geographic vastness of the town.
You're most connected to this charity or your last volunteer experience?
Very impressed with Starlight Children's Foundation and City of Hope. Both are focused on healthcare -- Starlight with very sick children and their families, and City of Hope with innovation, hospitals, and research. I find they are efficient with donations, too. We help them both with their eBay charity auctions.
