The Crowdmakers

Jamie Crane-Mauzy, a/k/a Jamie MoCrazy, had the world on a string. As an Extreme slopestyle and halfpipe skier, she had won the Junior World Championships at age 18, and was the first woman in the world to ever land a double back flip at X-Games. While touring with the X-Games, she suffered a horrific accident in April of 2015, paralyzing half of her body and knocking her into a coma. In this extraordinary interview, Jamie shares how she had to learn how to do everything again, including walking and learning the English language, and how her message of personal resilience and "climbing an alternative peak" is inspiring audiences worldwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an up-and-coming voice in sports & entertainment, Laura Waters-Brown grew up in a family of achievers; her mother, Judge Janice Rogers Brown, achieved many firsts as a woman of color. She was confirmed to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2005, and Laura got to know many powerful women of color as guests in their home on a regular basis. She was unaware of the idea of a "glass ceiling" until she attended college, and in this candid interview, Laura reveals how that background has prepared her for her role as Senior Manager of The Collective, the Four Pillars upon which she operates, those mentors who have influenced her along the way, and the five key priorities brands MUST act on if they are to capture the attention of Gen Z and Millennial women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you succeed as an independent fight event producer and promoter for over 40 years? No one else comes close to the success that Roy Englebrecht has experienced in the business of live small-venue fighting events. In this positive, spirited conversation, Roy reveals how he got started in the business, what Minor League Baseball taught him about succeeding in the fight business, the elements to how he continually sells out 6 fight events a year at the Orange County Events Center, how the audiences and promotion of fighting events has changed and how he smartly uses “influencers” to draw big crowds, the value of limiting the number of sponsors you have, and how anyone can apply his combination of timing, positive action and persistence to whatever it is they do in business and in life. A fascinating visit with a true southern California legend!      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first woman to break the glass ceiling of the NHL's C-suite, Amy Latimer stopped by the ISBI 360 booth at the ALSD Conference to share a few moments of insight. In this refreshing, transparent interview, Amy shares a few personal stories of the turning points in her career as one of the first female executives in the NHL, why she's on a personal quest to eliminate the "badge of honor" of overworking, and her advice for women who aspire to a position in leadership. A jam-packed 15 minutes with a true professional in sports! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Within the sea change of sports and entertainment, many positive innovations have taken place out of necessity. Dan Migala has been one of the key catalysts for many of the best ideas in sports marketing and promotion, and in this one-to-one conversation, Dan shares how he and his group evaluates a potential great idea, how organizations can use the disruption of the pandemic to create new and even more effective programs, and the #1 thing he looks for in an intern applying for a position with 4FRONT.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Wakeman is an expert on current trends in sales and marketing, an in-demand speaker, trainer and popular podcaster. In this insightful LIVE session on the trade show floor of the ALSD Conference in Las Vegas, Dave dishes on how the way people BUY has changed post-pandemic, why Segmenting, Targeting and Positioning have become more important than ever, how sales reps can individually overcome a flat marketing campaign, how to smartly listen and apply what people ask for vs. what they really want, the value of sales preparation vs. scripting, and how to apply a strategic focus to your sales effort going forward.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PBR has skyrocketed in popularity in the past 18 months, and much of it is because of the action taken by Kosha Irby and his team. They didn't wait for someone to tell them what to do when COVID-19 became a national crisis in March of 2020; they took extraordinary steps to do whatever it took to stop the spread AND get back to action as soon as possible. In this candid, positive interview, Kosha (pronounced ko-SHAY) reveals the specific steps they took to be the first sport to come back from lockdown, and how PBR has taken “The Cowboy Way” to new heights for their fans, their athletes, and all their other stakeholders.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Shearer has been with the "silver and black" for 22 years, and is in charge of sponsorship revenue, tickets, suites, merchandise, revenue planning and analytics for the team as they start their new legacy at brand-new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. In this insightful session recorded LIVE from the floor of the ALSD trade show, Mark shares his insights on how they were able to sell out the Raiders' PSL inventory and season tickets 8 months earlier than projected, the Raiders' relationships with ticket brokers as they made the move to Vegas, the roundtable conversations he had with the major casino executives prior to coming to town, the meaning of “the velvet rope behind the velvet rope”, and an audio tour of what people are most excited about when they first walk into Allegiant Stadium.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every venue is undergoing some form of conversation about re-evaluating their pricing strategy in light of the world's reopening from COVID-19. What data should teams be looking at to properly price and package their inventory? Per Sjöfors is one of the world's leading experts on pricing and positioning products for maximum profitability, and in this fascinating session, he reveals the mechanics of price anchoring, bundling, and the Decision Landscape that must be factored into every pricing decision. He also offers a FREE downloadable guide at the end of the program to those interested in getting pricing RIGHT as well as keeping customers happy. A very timely podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's being discussed in premium and luxury seating in sports & entertainment? Amanda Verhoff and Jared Frank are in the middle of it all, as two of the key executives of the Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD). In this candid discussion, Amanda and Jared reveal the new technologies being discussed, how the landscape has changed, some of the hot new business categories for premium that have emerged from the pandemic, and what attendees can expect to learn in-depth at the ALSD's 31st annual Conference and Trade Show, which is being presented LIVE in Las Vegas on Aug. 15-17. Learn more about the conference at www.alsd.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Salata has his premium team at the Phoenix Suns adopting a "One Revenue" full-menu selling philosophy. In this candid interview, Matt reveals the details of that selling model, as well as the "WOW" elements of the Suns' revamped stadium tour and why collaboration among the many departments within the Suns is key to pulling it off. Matt also discusses what the "right" number of salespeople might look like at the Suns post-COVID, what he learned managing an Inside Sales team of 18 at the Jew Jersey Devils, and what he looks for in a sales applicant today vs. just a few years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the world plummeted into quarantine in March 2020, Will Wilson assumed the highest position within the US Soccer Federation, the official governing body of soccer in the United States. In this candid interview, Wilson shares the challenges of stepping into such a high-level position at the beginning of a pandemic, his vision for US soccer, including the current challenges and opportunities within the Men's and Women's National teams, the creation of a comprehensive DEI initiative, the enormity of hosting the 2026 World Cup, and the value of being bilingual in representing the most popular sport in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With nearly 40 years in sports education and executive leadership, Dr. Bill Sutton consults the best of the best in the industry. In this honest, revealing conversation, Dr. Sutton shares his take on the current state of sports business, including how to create a compelling, creative story for our prospects, the inventive use of video to open the sale, repurposing the Group Sales effort from pods to neighborhoods, the definition of "meaningful" diversity hiring, and what new leaders should be focused on going forward, A program worthy of taking notes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She has become a role model for many others in sports, rising to a Vice President position through grit, dedication and heart. Sports was always in her blood, but Qiava Martinez didn't initially move into the business after college. Even though her father played pro football and several of her brothers were in the industry, she had several passionate pursuits before a job fair in Sacramento led her to an amazing career with the Raiders of 14 years and counting. In this candid, transparent interview, Qiava details the challenges of moving with the team from Oakland to Las Vegas and dealing with the trials of the pandemic. She also reveals how she went from activist to acting on purpose, from starting her own difference-making youth magazine to lighting the way by example as a woman executive of color in the sports industry.   A "can't-miss" episode!      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eva Gardner is one of the busiest and most highly regarded female bass players on the music circuit, playing hundreds of shows in tours backing up such iconic performers as Cher, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Moby and Tim Burgess. In this behind-the-scenes conversation, Eva talks about the business of music during a pandemic and the skills she learned while in quarantine in Los Angeles. She also reveals how she got her own Fender Precision Signature bass named after her, her brand-new solo work, and what's next on the horizon for music including the future of non-fungible tokens (NFT's) of iconic performances in the music industry. Enjoy her work as you learn about her personally at www.evagardner.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Earl Keen is an amazing multi-award winning artist, songwriter, producer and businessman who is perhaps best-known in the sports world for the song "The Road Goes On Forever", the sing-along song after every Texas A&M football game. He has written songs for George Strait, Montgomery Gentry, Lyle Lovett and many more, but as the owner and manager of a touring band, he saw everything vanish in the spring of 2020.  Rather than let everyone go, however, he chose to bite the bullet and keep everyone employed. In this fascinating “show biz” episode from a true music gentleman, Robert Earl shares a glimpse of what it's been like as an independent artist and business owner in the entertainment industry, how he has kept the music alive in very creative ways, and what he sees as the future of the entertainment business going forward, including why the comeback of the vinyl record may take a little longer than anticipated.  Enjoy his work at www.robertearlkeen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports and entertainment leaders can employ specific techniques to achieve meaningful and lasting progress through any crisis, including the pandemic. So says "Coach Kon", award-winning coach, speaker and thought leader on navigating change. In this thought-provoking interview, Kon reveals several of his "7 Keys" for navigating a crisis and how they can benefit leaders, the four responses to danger and fear to be aware of, how the Leadership Paradox has played out and will continue to be of primary importance going forward, and how to deal with people who resist change. A "must-listen" in the age of the pandemic-adjusted world! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the 2020 Stanley Cup behind closed doors in Edmonton under the most unusual conditions in the sport's history. Learn how Jarrod Dillon and his team at the Lightning made the most of the unprecedented situation, how Jeffrey Vinik's ownership philosophy factors into everything the organization does, the value of his career mentors including Rob Sullivan, Tom Garfinkel and Steve Griggs, and the two specific things his business development group is doubling down on going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did the Savannah Bananas, a small minor league baseball team in southern Georgia, find a way to turn a PROFIT in 2020? Every leader in the industry could learn a thing or two from Jesse Cole, one of the most creative and innovative owners in all of sports. You'll discover Jesse's story, his "Five E's" of "Fans First" Moments, his thoughts on what successful sports teams will look like in the post-pandemic future, and ideas on how any organization can innovate no matter how big or small. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leaders (and future leaders), take note: Michele Kajiwara is not out to change how you lead. She just has a model that flat-out works, especially in a post-COVID era. Listen in as Michele dishes on her 17 years with STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, one of the busiest event facilities in the world with over 250 individual events each year, how different it has been since the pandemic, how premium seating will come back (and how different it may be!), and the philosophy she has used to lead her premium sales and service staff to stellar success in the City of the Angels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the outlook for the Olympics to be held in Japan in 2021, and what does it ultimately mean for Paris in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028? In this episode, we explore those questions and more with the person in charge of bringing more than $5 billion in the door between sponsorships, consumer products, hospitality and ticket sales for LA28. Kathy Carter candidly reveals the sales trends to date, how her 15-year role at Soccer United Marketing prepared her for this enormous dual role, how different she wants these '28 Games to be, and how they're already shaping up to be different than anything the US or the world has ever seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's the secret to success in sports? Steve Chapman learned many of those lessons as a bartender in Alabama and transferred them to the world of hockey. In this candid discussion, Steve reveals what has fueled his drive to excel in sports, the joy of winning a Stanley Cup in a "Midwest values" community, the necessity of "escape hatches", the details of how the Enterprise Center sponsorship deal took place, the value of networks of people you can rely on, and the net result of loving what you do every day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What has happened to Group Sales departments in sports & entertainment in light of the pandemic, and what's being discussed right now to bring them back? Denise Sicheneder has been a pioneer in growing Group Sales numbers for more than 13 years, as a member of successful sales teams in the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball as well as with Spinzo, a popular group sales growth and management tool. In this candid discussion, Denise reveals what new and innovative ideas are being brought forward in sports & entertainment venues around the country to reinvent Group Sales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History was made when Danita Johnson became the first Black woman (or man) to become President of an MLS franchise, and only the third woman to hold such a position within MLS. In this candid conversation, Danita reveals her thoughts on the opportunities she sees within her new club and with MLS, her responsibility as a groundbreaking Black female in the sports industry, the value of her strong belief in (and equal compensation for) women's professional athletics, and the opportunities she sees for young people looking for internships in a COVID-affected world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listening to every single employee, from the Chief Executive to the hourly custodial staff, can bring incredibly creative solutions to light. So says David Burke, the brand-new EVP of Sales and Business Development at the Pittsburgh Pirates. Coming from his previous position as EVP and Chief Strategy Officer for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment in Denver, Burke reveals the Pirates' new top-to-bottom listening philosophy, the potential Group Sales and seating options being discussed, the Pirates' plan to honor black slugger Josh Gibson in light of MLB's recognition of the Negro Leagues, and his concern for mental health for everyone in sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What has the pandemic ALLOWED sports to become? Monumental Sports & Entertainment's Jim Van Stone shares a glimpse inside the boardroom of one of the most entrepreneurial enterprises in all of sports. He discusses the sales impact of the Wizards' John Wall trade, the challenges of overwhelming fan support for Japanese draft pick Rui Hachimura and Irsaeli Deni Avdija, the Capitals' Stanley Cup experience, the bright future of gambling and of Esports, the importance of employee talent development, and social justice and diversity/inclusion in one of the most highly scrutinized cities in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone in sales has a "credibility factor", and in this episode, you'll hear from the man who literally wrote the book on how to develop more of it! C. Lee Smith is the President and CEO of SalesFuel, and also the author of the new book SalesCred: How Buyers Qualify Sellers, Smith reveals his Five-Layer Framework for developing deeper credibility in sports and entertainment sales, as well as his extensive research on which industries have the most credibility, and how individual sales reps can ride the wave of the "Shop Small" movement within their own personal account lists. A "must-listen" episode for any sales professional! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

High net worth individuals are often difficult to reach and challenging to sell - until you know what motivates them to buy! Christopher P. Ramey is one of the most highly regarded and most often quoted authorities on best business practices to attract and serve the affluent. In this rare interview, Chris reveals how the sports and entertainment industry can better attract this highly coveted market segment, including a portion of his "8 Laws for Marketing to High Net Worth Individuals." A must-listen for anyone with luxury suites and skyboxes to sell! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How are teams and leagues looking at structuring Group Sales in the post-COVID era? Mike Taylor's success in leading group sales teams has led him to a Senior Director position within the elite TMBO corps of the NBA, having led the Detroit Pistons from #29 in group sales to #5 in the NBA in just 3 years. You'll hear the options the NBA is exploring right now to "re-invent" the group experience, how Mike's experience playing pro basketball in Europe helped him in his journey to the business side of sports; why details matter on the road to success; and how new graduates should best position themselves for a career without the benefit of a live internship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not everyone at the highest levels of sports has spent their entire career in the industry! In this candid and insightful session, Sean Ream details how his fascination with forensic science and psychology led him to explore a few non-sports jobs along the way, and how that knowledge factored into his growth in his current position as SVP of Ticket Sales for Kroenke S&E's 4 properties in the Denver market, including the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), and the Colorado Mammoth (NLL). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine being in charge of a 3.5-mile world-class motorsports facility, a 13,000-seat amphitheatre and a 5,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in the middle of a pandemic. Rick Abbott is "that guy". As Chief Operating Officer of Circuit of the Americas, the Austin, TX megaplex, Rick describes how they dealt with cancelling 32 concerts, postponing or cancelling multiple race events, and dancing around limited soccer opportunities in 2020. Rick also shares how his background as VP of Global Operations for ESPN and VP of Facilities Operations for NBC Universal Media prepared him for the current challenges he and his staff are facing, and COTA's plans for a robust 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No one arrives in sports in quite the same way, and Jake Bye's successful path to a key position in sports business started in the music business. You'll hear Jake's story of earning his music business degree in Nashville, hearing the call of the Predators after graduating, and what led to his climb to the position of EVP of Sales and Service overseeing one of the largest groups of ticket sales professionals in the US. You'll also learn what's ahead for LIMGC's 50+ partner universities across the country, and Jake's plans for sustained company growth going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Driven, confident and positive, Dionna Widder's rise to Chief Revenue Officer was no accident. In this high-energy, entertaining episode, Dionna reveals her secrets to succeeding in the sales departments of both low-performing and high-performing teams, the power of being exposed to several teams' cultures within her work at the NBA's TMBO, juggling career and family, and her mission to give women and minorities a voice in the business of sports, including starting her own podcast called Women Blazers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colorful, charismatic and kind, Brandon Steiner epitomizes the self-made man who gives far more credit for his success to those around him. As founder of Steiner Sports Memorabilia, one of the largest sports collectibles companies in the world, he was an innovator in the space, and continues to innovate with two new companies (The Steiner Agency and Collectible Xchange) that bring the excitement of sports directly to fans. In this refreshingly candid interview, Steiner discusses his deals with Derek Jeter, George Steinbrenner, Joe Torre and many others in the sports industry, and how he bought the rights to sell every single piece of the old Yankee Stadium -- and what it took to make it happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Charlotte Bobcats were virtually brand new to the NBA when Jacob Gallagher joined the organization in 2006. You'll hear the fascinating story of Jacob's start in ticket sales, the culture change internally when Michael Jordan became the new owner of the team, the marketing strategy behind bringing the original Hornets name back to Charlotte, and his plans for the Hornets' front office both now and beyond this extraordinary year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does a collegiate player-based hockey league need to install more robust precautions in a pandemic? How will hockey come back post-COVID, and what plans are the USHL making to bring fans back into their dozens of arenas? Listen in as Tom Garrity, USHL Commissioner and President, reveals what's being discussed, as well as how his involvement in minor league baseball and sports marketing have prepared him for this moment in time. You'll hear about Tom's background and experience, his predictions about Group Sales in sports, and how his college experience at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville shaped his desire to begin a career in sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Live Nation discussing in their Zoom boardrooms? The concert and live event industry is, at its core, "a business of relationships", says SVP of Premium Seat Sales Bryan Dockett. In this candid interview, Bryan brings you behind the scenes of their "Drive-Thru" Concert Series featuring Brad Paisley, the valuable lessons they learned, and how Live Nation is re-inventing the premium seat buyer's experience during the pandemic with their "Banding At Home" initiative. You'll also learn how Live Nation is planning to recharge their service initiative through the 30,000+ part-time day-of-event staff using techniques inspired by Bryan's background at Disney. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn Doss of Elevate Sports Ventures shares his insights on growing up in Saskatchewan, the importance of his career path roadmap of following key people to work for, and being present and intentional in this new era of business, From his start in sports at the Phoenix (now Arizona) Coyotes to working overseas in sports, Shawn shares the insights he's learned and the philosophy he lives in his career and at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When COVID-19 hit, every type of business had its own set of concerns, restrictions, and game plans. Brian Bucciarelli had to deal with MULTIPLE priorities simultaneously as the Managing Director of Entertainment & Partner Sales for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. His responsibilities include the theme park, children's wildlife park, a 7,000-seat multi-use arena, a 15,000 seat soccer and football stadium, an 8,000-seat outdoor music pavilion, a 2,000-seat INDOOR theatre for Broadway-style shows, AND a 10,000-plus seat arena which is the home ice for the AAA Hershey Bears hockey team -- PLUS responsibilities for sales and partnerships for the Hotel Hershey, which is an official Historical Landmark, the Hershey Lodge, Hershey Country Club, a camping resort, and several restaurants and retail stores within all these properties.  How has he managed ALL of these through the pandemic? Listen in and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get an "inside look" at the decisions and the planning that led to one of the most successful franchise startups in MLS history! In this frank interview with the Executive Vice President and CRO of Minnesota United FC, you'll discover how and why they set the odd goal of 11,842 season tickets for their opening match at Allianz Field, how they reached that goal, and how Bryant Pfeiffer has made his mark throughout his career in sports with unorthodox creative ideas and solutions, including the MLS National Sales Center in Blaine, MN, and the "cockroach" that sold hundreds of group tickets for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this candid interview with long-time Commissioner Pat O'Conner, you'll learn how their 160 teams are weathering the storm of COVID-19, the uncertain future of ongoing negotiations with Major League Baseball, the impact of MiLB teams in the communities they serve, and the opportunities that come from the many in-person internships in MiLB, including Pat's own experience at Dodgertown in Vero Beach that led to a long-term baseball career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about the podcast for the inside scoop on the business of sports and entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices