The Inspired Unemployed: How ‘Hammock Man’ prankster plans to help others using newfound fame
A Gold Coast entreprenuer behind a hilarious campaign aimed at social media stars The Inspired Unemployed is taking his newfound fame in stride. HIS BIG PLANS
Entertainment
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THE Gold Coast entreprenuer behind a hilarious campaign aimed at social media stars The Inspired Unemployed during a recent stint in hotel quarantine is taking his newfound fame in stride.
Co-founder of Nakie hammocks Jaryd ‘Hammock Man’ Leibbrandt didn’t expect his antics to create such a stir among the community but says business has been thriving ever since.
Mr Leibbrandt told the Bulletin about three days of planning took place before the first of several parcels arrived to Matt Ford and Jack Steele’s room at Surfers Paradise Voco Hotel.
Behind the antics, however, was a well-laid plan to not only promote the small business but also support mental health services – with the help of The Inspired Unemployed.
“We hoped (the campaign) would go the way we planned but it went even better. The guys, they kept going along with the story and really made it happen,” Mr Leibbrandt said.
The duo were required to paint a portrait during one task and have since donated their creations to an auction hosted by Nakie. Funds raised will be donated to RUOK?
Each mural is up for auction, though it appears Mr Ford’s is proving more popular of the two after fetching the highest bid of $1100. The auction will end on Wednesday.
“We love the guys and we just wanted to give back in some way. Our whole brand is about giving back,” Mr Leibbrandt said.
Mr Leibbrandt said he became the face of the antics by default as his co-founders did not live on the Coast: “It was very full on,” he laughed.
“We were hesitant at first but the public’s response was incredible, especially after I chatted to the guys on their podcast and explained we were doing it for mental health reasons.”
While the social media stars are now out of quarantine – they’ve been spotted a handful of times at Burleigh Pavillion – Hammock Man may soon return to the public eye.
“We’re trying to come up with a few more ideas to see if we keep can the story going. We got a message saying Angry Dad was in quarantine so we may do something with that,” he said.
Revealed: Identity of mysterious ‘Hammock Man’
October 6, 2021
THE CHARACTER whose antics have amused social media sensations The Inspired Unemployed during a stint in hotel quarantine has been revealed as a Gold Coast entrepreneur.
While Jack Steele and Matt Ford – who make up The Inspired Unemployed – were completing 14 days quarantine at the Voco in Surfers Paradise after returning from New Zealand, a figure known as the Hammock Man played numerous pranks on them.
The pair’s online audience, including over a million Instagram followers, witnessed Hammock Man’s antics that included sending the men a hammock, walkie-talkie to communicate and slippers and nightgowns to watch a film rigged up to a big screen on the street below.
The men, who rose to fame with spoof videos satirising stereotypes, have started a new podcast and on Wednesday had Hammock Man as their first guest.
During their podcast, Steele and Ford rang the Hammock Man, who revealed himself to be Jaryd Leibbrandt, owner of hammock brand Nakie.
“We love you guys and you always put a smile on our face and we wanted to put a smile on yours,” Leibbrandt told them on the podcast.
Talking to the Bulletin after the podcast aired, Leibbrandt said the four days of fun wasn’t about marketing but rather to help the social media sensations’ mental health.
“We saw the guys post out ‘somebody entertain us’ and the past four or five days we have been sending parcels and instructions with what to do,” he said.
“They didn’t know if it was a creep or a love story but actually it was a brand behind it all.
“We’re a brand who gives back in a lot of different ways and saw they were stuck in lockdown and wanted to give them some entertainment.
“We thought with lots of their followers also in lockdown across the country we could provide a laugh for them too.”
Leibbrandt is one of three owners of the Brisbane-based Nakie and the Miami resident said he and his team spent days at Pac Fair coming up with ideas and plans for The Inspired Unemployed.
“There was a lot of love coming in on Instagram and we ended up setting up our own Hammock Man page,” he said.
“There was a lot of support, there were a few people confused but we received a lot of messages from people really enjoying it.
“I caught up with them (The Inspired Unemployed) today for the podcast … I’m excited to catch up with them for a beer when they get out of quarantine.”
Leibbrandt set up Nakie two years ago after travelling the world for five years.
The business looks to make a difference by planting a tree for every item they sell and do work with the homeless.
Leibbrandt said people can expect to see more of Hammock Man in the future.
Social media larrikins tormented by mystery man
October 3, 2021
THE impromptu street party outside a Gold Coast quarantine hotel – entertaining a pair of holed-up social media stars – is being fuelled by a mystery member of the public.
Jack Steele and Matt Ford – known as The Inspired Unemployed online with over a million Instagram followers – are completing 14 days quarantine at the Voco in Surfers Paradise after returning from New Zealand.
Within days, they received a box full of presents from someone known only as ‘Hammock Man’ with instructions on what day and time to open them on as well as a walkie-talkie to communicate.
On day three, the pair were gifted slippers and nightgowns to watch a film with Hammock Man who rigged up a big screen on the street below.
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“Jack you sure know how to move. You really caught my eye this morning,” a Hammock Man note said. “Don’t worry Falcon (Matt), you’re still my favourite.”
The pair were given popcorn and instructions to close their blinds and only open them when Hammock Man said. While unsettled, both went along with the plan.
“I’ve been listening to your podcasts and you said your favourite movie was Notting Hill,” The Hammock Man said as they proceeded to watch it from the Gold Coast Highway screen.
The Inspired Unemployed rose to fame with spoof videos satirising stereotypes. Since hitting the Voco, people have turned out on the footpath below in droves to dance for them – one tradie stopped in the middle of the highway to do some moves on his ute deck.
Social media larrikins inspire Surfers street party
A PAIR of popular social media stars undertaking hotel quarantine on the Gold Coast are enlisting the help of their 1.2 million followers to pass away the time.
Best mates Jack Steele and Matt Ford – widely known as The Inspired Unemployed – have been camped out in a Surfers Paradise hotel for a mandatory 14-day quarantine after returning from New Zealand.
The pair, who reside in New South Wales, arrived quietly to the Glitter Strip this week but have since been causing a stir among locals, as street parties and hilarious antics take over a busy Surfers Paradise intersection.
It’s been a rapid rise to fame for the two best mates – modelling for The Iconic and landing magazine covers such as GQ – since launching their social media page about two years ago.
In footage posted to their social media earlier this week, the pair called upon the public to attend the corner of Clifford St and Gold Coast Highway for a Thursday afternoon shindig.
It would seem when the boys want something, it comes in droves.
The teams behind Mr Consistent and Surf Stitch – both local brands beloved by Gold Coasters – joined the mission, bringing along a pop-up bar and lounge area to entertain attendees.
Brisbane Heat’s mascot also joined the party, documenting the surprise appearance and hour-long journey from the River City on the basketball team’s social media.
Members of the public have also shown up; some clad in Speedos with their own hammock in tow, others popping by for a quick dance, and one tradie who stopped his vehicle along the busy highway to greet the hilarious duo.
The pair, who recently launched their own self-titled podcast, will reportedly remain in hotel quarantine for nine more days before they are let loose to cause more mischief across the city.
The Bulletin has reached out to the pair for comment.
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