PODCAST · sports
The Crowdmakers
by Bill Guertin
Fascinating conversations with the "insiders" of the live event businesss! Hosted by award-winning sports sales expert Bill Guertin, "The Crowdmakers" features leading sports and entertainment industry executives giving their unique insights on the decisions being made today in their boardrooms, from current COVID-19 concerns to what the future of live sports and entertainment will look like. Guests include CEOs, Chief Sales Officers, and respected high-level thought leaders whose decisions are shaping the new landscape of live events. From their fascinating personal stories to the behind-the-scenes narratives, you’ll hear insights you won't find anywhere else.
Episodes
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"Climb an Alternative Peak": Jamie MoCrazy, Former Pro Freestyle Skier and Resilience Advocate
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...
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"Inform, Inspire, Support and Solve": Laura Waters-Brown, Senior Manager, The Collective at Wasserman
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…
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Lessons from "The King of Minor League Fighting" – Roy Englebrecht, Englebrecht Promotions & Events
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...
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Leadership Defined in Boston: Amy Latimer, President, TD Garden
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...
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The Science of a Great Idea: Dan Migala, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, 4FRONT
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…
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More Sales with Smart Marketing: Dave Wakeman, Principal, Wakeman Consulting Group
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,...
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The Cowboy Way: Kosha Irby, CMO/SVP of Business Development and Consumer Events, Professional Bull Riders (PBR)
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...
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A Look Behind the Velvet Rope: Mark Shearer, SVP/Chief Revenue Officer, Las Vegas Raiders (NFL)
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...
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The "Price Whisperer": Per Sjöfors, Founder of Sjöfors Partners and Thought Leader on Product Pricing
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...
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The Premium Space Comeback: Amanda Verhoff, Executive Director and Jared Frank, Head of Content, Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD)
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…
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Stadium Tours that are Rallying the Valley: Matt Salata, VP/Business Dev't & Premium Sales, Phoenix Suns (NBA)
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...
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On The Rise: Will Wilson, CEO and Secretary General, US Soccer Federation (USSF)
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...
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"The Story Makes the Sale": Dr. Bill Sutton, Director Emeritus, Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program, University of South Florida
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…
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Blazing a Trail in Black and Silver: Qiava Martinez, Vice President, Premium Services & Guest Experience, Las Vegas Raiders (NFL)
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...
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Making Her Mark With "Precision": Eva Gardner, Touring Bass Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter
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…
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"His Road Goes On Forever": Robert Earl Keen, Singer/Songwriter/Entertainer/Producer/Businessman
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…
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How Leaders Can Best Navigate a Crisis: Kon Apostolopoulos, Award-Winning Coach and Thought Leader
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…
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Winning the Stanley Cup During COVID: Jarrod Dillon, Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer, Vinik Sports Group
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...
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Listen Carefully, Respond Creatively: Jesse Cole, Owner, Savannah Bananas & Author, "Find Your Yellow Tux"
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...
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The Human Side of Selling Premium: Michele Kajiwara, SVP, Premium Seating & Service, STAPLES Center at AEG
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...
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Selling the Olympics : Kathy Carter, CEO, US Olympic and Paralympic Properties and CRO, LA28
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...
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The REAL Role of the Sales Department: Steve Chapman, EVP/CRO, St, Louis Blues (NHL)
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"...
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Bold Group Sales Ideas for RIGHT NOW: Denise Sicheneder, VP/Sales & Service, Spinzo
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…
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Madame President: Danita Johnson, President of Business Operations, DC United (MLS)
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,...
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The Value of Listening: David Burke, Pittsburgh Pirates
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...
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An Entrepreneurial Vision of Sports in DC: Jim Van Stone, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
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…
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How to Gain More "Sales Cred" in 2021: C. Lee Smith, President/CEO, SalesFuel
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...
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Attracting the Affluent Customer: Chris Ramey, President, The Home Trust International
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...
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Group Sales in 2021, NBA-Style: Mike Taylor, Senior Director of Team Marketing & Business Operations, NBA
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…
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A Formula for Gaining Valuable Experience: Sean Ream, SVP of Ticket Sales, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
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…
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"Live Events, Start Your Engines": Rick Abbott, COO, Circuit of the Americas
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…
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A Symphony of Sales: Jake Bye's Magnum Opus at Learfield IMG College
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...
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A Dynamo Indeed! Dionna Widder, CRO, Houston Dynamo (MLS)/Houston Dash (NWSL)/BBVA Stadium
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…
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"Do Good and You Will Do Well": Brandon Steiner on Sports, Life and a Legacy in Collectibles
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...
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Bobcats, Jordan and Hornets: Oh My! 15 Years of Charlotte Basketball with CRO Jacob Gallagher
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...
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Navigating Hockey in a Pandemic - Tom Garrity, Commissioner & President, USHL
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...
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Live Nation: 'A Business of Relationships" - Bryan Dockett, SVP/Premium Seat Sales, Live Nation Entertainment
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…
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Accelerating 'Business As Usual' - Shawn Doss, EVP/Sales & Marketing, Elevate Sports Ventures
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...
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A Leadership Juggling Act: Managing Sports Teams, Theme Parks, Concert Halls and Hotels All At Once
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…
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Bringing Top-Tier Soccer to Life in the Twin Cities
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...
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Minor League Baseball: Long-Term Future, Short-Term Distress.
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…
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Show Promo - The Crowdmakers
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Fascinating conversations with the "insiders" of the live event businesss! Hosted by award-winning sports sales expert Bill Guertin, "The Crowdmakers" features leading sports and entertainment industry executives giving their unique insights on the decisions being made today in their boardrooms, from current COVID-19 concerns to what the future of live sports and entertainment will look like. Guests include CEOs, Chief Sales Officers, and respected high-level thought leaders whose decisions are shaping the new landscape of live events. From their fascinating personal stories to the behind-the-scenes narratives, you’ll hear insights you won't find anywhere else.
HOSTED BY
Bill Guertin
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Crowdmakers have?
The Crowdmakers currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Crowdmakers about?
Fascinating conversations with the "insiders" of the live event businesss! Hosted by award-winning sports sales expert Bill Guertin, "The Crowdmakers" features leading sports and entertainment industry executives giving their unique insights on the decisions being made today in their boardrooms,...
How often does The Crowdmakers release new episodes?
The Crowdmakers has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Crowdmakers?
You can listen to The Crowdmakers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Crowdmakers?
The Crowdmakers is created and hosted by Bill Guertin.
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