Making the Fan

This week's guest is Mike Farrell, Assistant AD for Broadcasting and Video Production at University of Maryland.  As part of Maryland's 75-year Terrapin Club "Reinvented" campaign, Mike and his team created Terrapin Club +.  Often referred to as "Netflix for Terps", the subscription service is the first of its kind in college athletics and features five shows to create additional value for Terrapin Club members and share the stories of Maryland current and former student-athletes. We go in-depth on content strategies and deepening ties with your tribes in this episode.6:30  Terrapin Club “Reinvented” and Terrapin Club +8:17 Creating Membership Value Over Donor Programs11:10 Biggest Production Surprises and Challenges14:56 The Student-Athlete Perspective16:30 Content Strategy and Distribution Strategy25:06 Authenticity vs. Production Quality28:08 Diving in on the Terrapin Club + Five Series38:11 The NIL Impact43:30 Measuring Success47:46 Maryland’s Sources of Inspiration50:24 Rapid Fire Questions     Books Inspiring Mike     A Life-Changing Perspective     Mike’s Billboard*SLIGHT CORRECTION* - Since the launch of Terrapin Club +, the Terrapin Club has seen a 100% year-over-year growth, rather than the 100% growth mentioned in the show.----Check out  Terrapin Club+   |  YouTubeFollow MikeTwitter  |  InstagramAdditional ReferencesErrol Morris DocumentariesMichael’s Favorite BooksThis is Not a T-Shirt by Bobby HundredsWinning theConnect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

Today’s guest is Jason Fox.  After 6 years in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins, Jason launched EarBuds in 2018.  What started as a platform to facilitate consumers and fans being able to listen to the same playlists as their favorite athletes in real-time has morphed into a new social listening experience through EarBuds’ partnerships with Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora and Spotify.This episode covers everything from sports tech, data, exclusive fan experiences, entrepreneurship and digital social engagement.  ------Show Notes5:26   The Genesis of EarBuds7:23   Personalizing the Listening Experience in Real Time9:07   Expanding Fandoms and Creating Community through Music12:25   What’s Best for the End User? Uniting the Major Music Players 16:27   Greatest Lessons in Launching EarBuds 19:17   Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Entrepreneurship23:26   EarBuds’ Partnership with Fan Controlled Football25:13   Digging Deep into Data and Unexpected Audiences 35:47   What’s Next for EarBuds39:08   Digital Engagement and Social Tokens46:12   Jason’s Billboard------Find out more about EarBuds MusicFacebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  Connect with JasonTwitter  |  Instagram  |  LinkedIn-----Today’s episode was sponsored by CheckdIn.  Know exactly who’s working in your venue.Want more from EngageMint? Subscribe to our newsletters at https://engagemintpartners.com/newslettersConnect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

Joining the show this week is Brittany Hodak.  Recently named Chief Experience Officer at Experience.com, Brittany shares her frameworks that organizations can adopt to cultivate super fans and experiences.  Prior to joining Experience.com, Brittany co-founded a marketing and collectibles company ZinePak (later named The Superfan Company), which was featured on Shark Tank and earned one of the highest valuations in show history.   She exited in 2019 to focus full-time on speaking and consulting with organizations to harness the passion within fans.David and Brittany set their rivalry aside to dive in to Brittany's SUPER strategy and focusing on real-time data to perfect customer and employee experience.------6:03    MGo(Baby)Blue - Coach Harbaugh Converts a Razorback13:22  The ZinePak/Superfan Company Takeaways19:02  The Future of Collectibles22:32  Brittany’s SUPER strategy26:39  What is special about your story?28:10  Fostering Future Fans & Connecting to Kids31:08  Tailoring Campaigns to Niche Audiences33:47  Overcoming Apathetic Fans42:53  Personalizing Customer and Employee Experiences with Experience.com46:53  The Uber Way - Data in Real TimeAdditional ResourcesBrittanyHodak.comExperience.comBeach Boys’ 50th Anniversary Collectible | Dolly Parton’s Pure & Simple Album Dolly's Imagination LibraryMore from BrittanyThe ABCs of Creating SuperfansThe Superfans SystemThe Superfan W.A.V.E. eBookConnect with BrittanyBrittany@experience.comFacebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn------Today’s episode was sponsored by CheckdIn.  Know exactly who’s working in your venue.Want more from EngageMint? Subscribe to our newsletters at https://engagemintpartners.com/newslettersConnect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

Rachel Jacobson is the President of the Drone Racing League.  After 21 years in the NBA, her last role being VP of Global Business Development, and a brief stint in the private sector, Rachel was named president of DRL just one year ago.  DRL is a technology company first and the decisions they make from a business, employee and customer experience standpoint are all from a technology perspective, because of the outreach it enables with both traditional and non-traditional sports fans who have embraced their organization.  We touch on everything from leadership and culture, to making decisions that serve the holistic customer and bringing new fans into their ecosystem. Show Notes6:34     Lessons from a 21-Year NBA Career9:57     It’s All About YOUR People12:44   Encouraging a Culture of High Performance 14:58   Accountability and Transparency in Leadership15:40   Hustle in Sports vs. Hustle in Entrepreneurship20:36  What is the Drone Racing League?25:14   Appealing to Younger Fans through STEM28:35   Bringing Multigenerational Fans into the DRL Ecosystem36:26   DRL’s Player-to-Pilot Training Program40:42   Aligning Mentality and Markets in Corporate Partnerships46:49   Rapid Fire Questions----Additional NotesDrone Racing LeagueDRL AcademyT-Mobile 5G DronePlaystation Drone Racing Simulator Follow DRL:  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedInConnect with Rachel:  Connect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

Jim Cavale is the Founder and CEO of INFLCR.  With NIL legislation set to go into effect this summer, college athletic departments face so many unknowns. Jim and his team recently launched INFLCR Verified and INFLCR Plus, initiatives to help athletic departments and student-athletes proactively prepare for this change and provide them the tools to capitalize on their brand power and voice.This episode covers everything from leadership and building a company, to NIL legislation and empowering student-athletes to better build their brands.  Jim Cavale Show Notes4:20     Giving Athletes a Better Brand and Voice - Genesis of INFLCR6:32     Leveraging Relationships and Forging Connections10:37   Evolution of INFLCR and Partnership with Teamworks21:31   Inception of INFLCR Verified27:43   Building an Internal Creative Agency30:44   From “Athlete Brand Building” to “Name Image Likeness”33:10   Performers, Producers and Players37:36   Combating Legislation Paralysis40:25   Four Domains of Personal Balance----Additional ReferencesINFLCR |  INFLCR Verified  |  INFLCR Plus Wake Up WarriorConnect with Jim Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  LinkedInConnect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

Today's episode is all about turning fans into customers and customers into fans.  David sits down with internationally-known author, advisor, educator and speaker David Meerman Scott.  Scott co-wrote his latest book, Fanocracy: Turning Fans Into Customers and Customers into Fans, with his daughter Reiko Scott.  Fanocracy unearths the science behind building emotional connections in your tribe and marketing lessons learned from fandoms outside of sports, including the Grateful Dead.  The show takes a deep dive on applying those lessons to cultivating stronger experiences and relationships with your fanbase.Show Notes3:16      Defining Fandom6:15      A Family Affair - co-authoring “Fanocracy: Turning Customers into Fans and Fans into Customers” with Reiko Scott9:47      The Individualization of Fandom13:56    Combatting the Polarization of Social Media15:23    What Else is There? Building Fandoms Outside of Social Media21:45    Implementation of Fan Engagement in “Social Spaces”24:25    Lessons from K-Pop and Growing Rabid Fans26:41    The Power of K-Pop Fan Bases29:36    Making Fans Feel Like Insiders31:40    The Original Social Network37:04    The Mentality and Psyche of MLS Support Groups39:29    Utilizing Fandom to Create Emotional Connections43:25    Rapid Fire QuestionsBad AdviceSharing success storiesDavid’s billboard: “Educate and inform, instead of interrupt and sell.”----Additional ResourcesFanocracy.com |  Fanocracy: Turning Fans Into Customers and Customers Into FansDavidMeermanScott.comOther Books by David Meerman ScottThe New Rules of Marketing and PRStandout Virtual EventsThe New Rules of Sales and ServiceMarketing the MoonMarketing Lessons from the Grateful DeadReal-Time Marketing and PREyeball WarsWorld Wide RaveConnect with David and ReikoConnect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

In today's episode, David is joined by Luka Garza, starting center for the Iowa Hawkeyes,  AP College Basketball Player of the Year, and winner of the 2021 Naismith Trophy. They discuss name, image, and likeness, the launch of Luka's new NFT company LukaGarzaNFTGroup.io and how Luka hopes to provide opportunities for college athletes to monetize their brand, and the importance of college athletes being able to control their own brand.Show Notes:5:11 Digital Engagement Fan Support during 2020-216:56 Breaking into the NFT game10:11  The Experiential Component of NFTs11:02  The Role of NFTs in NIL13:38  Launch of LukaGarzaNFT.io15:10 Takeaways from Luka’s first NFT17:44  Future partners of LukaGarzaNFTgroup.io 19:16  Leveraging partnerships to boost student-athlete brands20:45 The student-athlete perspective on NIL22:54  Turning NIL from a Zero-Sum game to a Win-Win situation Additional Notes:Follow Luka Garza - LukaGarzaNFTGroup.io |  Instagram  |  TwitterFor More Great Iowa Sports related content, follow these guys:@davecreagh@ChiPeoplesChampToday’s episode was sponsored by CheckdIn.  Know exactly who’s working in your venue.Want more from EngageMint? Subscribe to our newsletters at https://engagemintpartners.com/newslettersShoutout to these single episode Executive Producers:Dave CreaghJerry ScherwinDave JohnsonZach GattonConnect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

Today’s guest is Ed Vincent, Founder and CEO of FestivalPass.  Ed and his team are trying to reinvent the model for accessing live events and how we go about deciding what events to go to as consumers.  FestivalPass is the first festival and live event subscription marketplace that provides access to music, film, food and wine, tech and innovation, sports and entertainment and more.  His data-driven background is trying to help shape the future of the live events industry.------Show Notes4:32         The Building of FestivalPass7:50          Lessons Learned from MoviePass9:24          Utilizing Credit Systems for Dynamic Pricing\13:55     The Vision for FestivalPass15:08        Bringing Sports onto the FestivalPass platform - Brokering Deals with Ticket Providers20:25       Creating Value and Understanding Behaviors in Subscription Models26:35       Future Outlook on Live Events28:33       Understanding Consumer Confidence in Getting Back to “Normal”30:28       The Strategy of FestivalPass Post-Pandemic35:41    Criteria for Analyzing Failed Ideas38:13       Evaluating Core Principles for Implementing Ideas in New Industries40:43       New Trends in the Live Events Space44:30       Importance of Building the Infrastructure to Meet the Business Demand46:42       Applying Design Thinking to Your BusinessAdditional ReferencesClassPassDesign Sprint by Jake KnappJake Knapp: Design Thinking ExplainedIDEO Design ThinkingContact EdFestivalPass  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  SnapChatLinkedInConnect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

Today’s episode is all about Guest Service vs. Guest Experience and Designing Customer Experiences in New VenuesOn this episode, David sits down with Kameron Durham, Vice President of Guest Experience for the entire entertainment footprint of Hollywood Park, including SoFi Stadium, the brand new home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.  Prior to this role, he was the Director of Guest Services for the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres.  In its first year, SoFi Stadium did not host any fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In lieu of guests, they re-thought customer experience and service as stakeholder experience and service, focusing on the employees and players and those who are expected to deliver magical moments for fans.  Show Notes6:34     Transactional Guest Services vs. Proactive Guest Experiences 9:58     Mindsets and Skill Sets Changes 11:52  Evolution of Staffing - Investing In and Empowering Employees with the San Diego Padres15:42  Hiring Authentic People for Your Mission22:25  SoFi Stadium / Hollywood Park - Bringing a $5 Billion Project to Life27:30  Creating the Strategy, Knowledge, Tools and Rewards for Enhancing the Employee Experience 33:31  Measuring Success of Guest Experience 38:20  Incorporating Third-Party Partners into the Family41:46  Building an Employee Incentive/Reward Program44:20 Impactful Technology Enhancements for Guest Experience47:45  Putting the Customer at the Center of Decision Making50:48  Connecting Work, Live and Play in Hollywood Park53:41  Rapid Fire Questions-------Connect with Kameron on LinkedIn.Today’s episode was sponsored by CheckdIn.  Know exactly who’s working in your venue.Connect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay

In today's episode, David sits down with two industry legends Rob Temple, Chief Executive Officer at FishBait Solutions, LLC and Rick Jones, Captain, Creative Director and Shareholder at FishBait Solutions, LLC. When combining Rick's creative mind for amazing corporate sponsorship ideas and insights and Rob's previous 20-year experience as ESPN's Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing the two bring a powerhouse of knowledge into this episode. The three get into sponsorships and how to find the right corporate partners to connect with your unique fans. Show Notes6:30  The Evolution and New Vision of FishBait Solutions 13:35  Appealing to the Next Generation of Fans 15:44  Looking Backward vs. Looking Forward for Solutions17:20  Takeaways from the NFL’s new TV agreement20:00  The 7Cs of Relationships21:51  Aligning and Future Proofing Contracts 25:56  What Does Success Look Like? - Solving Problems and Creating Partnerships31:03  Who Do Your Fans Trust Now?32:16  Creating Joy That Unites 34:30  Favorite Brand Activation and Partnership Stories             (Rob) Fearless Pursuit of New Activations              (Rick) Knowing Your Brand and Your Community 41:39  Understanding the Macro of the Customer43:01  Most Challenging Project & Key Lessons Learned - NASCAR - Rob47:53  Creating Derivative & Niche Programming Content 52:25 5-Year-Plans to 5-Month-Plans and Planning for First to Market54:39  Most Challenging Project & Key Lessons Learned - Mascot Hall of Fame - Rick57:26  The Tallest Pygmy 58:46  Rapid Fire Questions---------Additional NotesBook Recommendations“Grant” by Ron Chernow“The Pursuit of Wow” by Tom Peters“Leadershift” by John MaxwellConnect with Host, David Millay:Connect w/ David Millay on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmillay/Follow David on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/david.millay/Follow David Millay on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DavidMillay