The Best Boss Ever

Fenway Sports Group owns the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, Liverpool FC, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the brand new Boston Common Golf team. Tomorrow Golf is the new league established by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and Mark Lev is at the heart of it. This is a great success story, Listen Up!

Every NO!, is one step closer to yes! Says Ted Yeschin, SVP Wasserman, and he's right! Ask any successful Sales Exec and she'll tell you the same thing. A Sports Marketing expert, Ted has covered all aspects of revenue generation from athlete endorsements and appearances to sponsorship, ticketing and and game day events. Listen Up!

Chutzpah, persistence, vision, execution. Plus capital! And Voila"

chargeFUZE is born and scaling across the Universe. Ryan Levy has a veritable tiger by the tail. Listen Up!

This is my 4th mini keynote, a quick 10 minute monologue about the importance of teamwork, and how the individuals in any team environment; Business, Sports, Marriage, Family, Community need to blend their collective strengths to achieve success. Here are 5 things everyone has but which can't be taught. Character. Attitude. Drive. Energy. Talent.

Listen Up!!

Best known for his work creating brand experiences for some of the world’s most successful companies, organizations and entertainment franchises including Harry Potter, Cars, Frozen, Avatar and Game of Thrones, Eddie brings a rare combination of visionary creative ideas, executional excellence, and a practical view as to how things truly get done! As Vice President of Universal Studios Creative he contributed to the development of blockbuster attractions such as Jurassic Park, Terminator 2-3D, Twister, Waterworld, Jaws and King Kong.  His story blends best-in-class creativity with the "get it done" sensibility every executive should aspire to. Listen Up! This is a good one!

How does a boutique sponsorship agency in LA land FC Barcelona as a major client? Listen to Jeff Marks, Founder and CEO of the Innovative Partnerships Group tell the story, and yes, they are exactly what the name implies! Based in Los Angeles, IPG has brand clients, rights holder clients and is one of the leaders in brand, sponsor, client, rights holder integration. Their best know client? FC Barcelona in Spain. Listen Up!

SUSTAINABILITY! We hear the word daily, and most often tie it to recycling and the environment. Good for us, but it's a much larger conversation. And that 's where Lindsay shines! She not only explains it in simple, easy to understand terms, but more importantly, she executes strategies, actions, behaviors, that work......because her methods are measurable! HUGE! A famous guy once said, You can't Manage what your don't Measure. Listen Up! Here's How!

Stephen Glicken has never really had a boss.  So why is he my guest today?  Simple, he's one of the most engaging , smart, talented and persistent entrepreneurs I've ever met.  You love music?  You'll love Stephen.  You love tech.  You'll love Stephen.  You love energy?  You'll love Stephen.  You love Nashville?  You'll love Stephen.  And you'll love this episode, so listen up!!

Ryan Berman is Courageous!  That's the name of his book, the name of his agency and the framework he uses for his electric Keynote talks.  You want to know the difference between Courage and Bravery?  Listen up!  His story is a great one and like many of us it took getting fired from his dream job to unlock the immense talent he deploys every day in the most unselfish way.

A wife, a mom with three kids and a co-founding entrepreneur, Jacqueline Leamer has blended all that with a stellar academic pedigree to forge new ground in business leadership with her partners at The Venn Collective.  With 20 years. give or take, in the agency and publishing world, she's learned what matters and typically knows way more about her clients than they know about themselves.  This one is a doozey!!  Listen Up!

David Grundlingh is now co-founder and CEO of carbon management start-up AQ Green TeC.  Now 2 years old, David and his team have pioneered tools for institutions and individuals where everyone now has a window into what daily choices actually mean is the relentless march to sustainability.  Regardless of which side of the debate one is on, the facts are even the smallest choice matters.  This is a good one!  Listen Up!!

Susan anchored the evening news at NBC 7 in San Diego for 16 years.  Why she left and where she is now as Director of External Affairs at Scripps Health is a textbook case in taking one's gift and applying that gift in a meaningful way well beyond the ratings wars of local news.  Full of compassion, Susan takes her role well beyond the guardrails of what most in her position would even think of doing.  Listen Up!

Arguably the global leader in the business of sport, Laura McQueen leads Leaders in Sport with vision, passion, and an understanding of the value of people in the organization.  An event and conference company mainly focused in Europe and the Middle East, she works closely with her USA colleagues at the Sports Business Journal as both entities are owned by the same holding company.  This is a good one as Laura is in the vanguard of women rising to prominent leadership roles across the global sporting landscape.  Listen Up! 

Tyrrell Schmidt is responsible for the company's brand and corporate positioning, product and customer marketing, digital marketing strategy, public relations, customer insights and analytics, social media, and field and retail marketing programs.  A huge job!  She’s also an avid runner and through her Board role with the Achilles International Group, Tyrrell uses her passion for running to guide athletes of all ages and ability levels through endurance events, including the Boston, New York, Chicago and Philadelphia marathons, having received the Achilles Volunteer of the Year Award in 2019.  She’s an inspirational leader and has learned from the best.  Listen Up!

From her early days at ABC Sport, to Oxygen Media, then Cablevision and the MSG Networks and finally as the first President of the PAC 12 Network, which she built from scratch, Lydia Murphy-Stephans has had a stellar career spanning 30+ years of increasingly responsible executive Leadership posts.

For most of us that would be plenty…….but not for Lydia.  3 years ago she launched her own company, Sports Bubble an Internet-based company that owns and manages the WatchSports app…..a fascinatingly simple way to connect and watch sports regardless of platform, device, channel or Streaming Service.  A total Game Changer.  Listen Up!

Now 12 years old, Boost Oxygen delivers portable oxygen bottles in three sizes over the counter.  Founder and CEO Rob Neuner is also a Shark Tank winner.  The story is a great entrepreneurial venture, and he has self funded the company.  You've gotta hear this one.  Listen Up!!

Cindy Sisson is a Go Getter.  Simply put, she gets the job done.  At the 1984 LA Olympics, at the LPGA, at Gatorade as the first woman in sports at the brand, and the list goes on.  Through all of that experience she fell in love with Motor Sports and it's been a long standing passion of hers.  In the heart of the pandemic she launched an events company focused on all things Women and fast, good looking cars.  GSEvents is just one year old and already profitable and growing.  Listen Up!

Our audience.....that's you.......have been fully engaged in the launch of Season 2.  Bravo!  I've gotten a bunch of feedback which has been spot on and I'm sharing 2 items which have and will keep me focused going forward.  It's 3 minutes long, so Listen Up!  

In 2018, Mike Rabil Co-Founded and  became the Chief Executive Officer of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).  And while the COVID pandemic wreaked havoc with the fledgling League, Mike took charge and with his financial partners, consolidated the sport by merging with the much older Major League Lacrosse (MLL) entity and brought all subsequent season operations and activities to formally exist under the PLL brand and org structure.  Determination and perseverance are terms we hear all to often...they're easy to say but hard to do.  Listen Up!

Whether you play golf, watch golf, wanna play golf, hate golf or don't even know what golf is, this is a "must listen".  40 years of humor, integrity, fairness and making complex things simple, Mark Russell is a legend in the sport of professional golf.  Listen Up!

With well over ten years of leadership in Retained Executive Search, Chad Biagini has represented  a wide range of sports and entertainment clients.  These include all 5 major sports leagues in the US…... the NBA, the NFL, Major League Soccer, the National Hockey League, and Major League Baseball, as well as International properties like the Olympics and the Premier League in the UK.  How to find talent, how to hire talent, and most importantly, how to keep talent is a refined blend of art and science.  Separating great from good is not easy, but you wouldn't know that from this episode.  Listen Up!

Early in his career Robin Thurston, founded MapMyFitness including MapMyRun which he then sold to Under Armour.  Now as the CEO of Outside, the world’s leading creator of active lifestyle content and experiences, he and his leadership team are reinventing how athletes consume content, participate and engage, increase knowledge, find gear, and ultimately perform in their sport.  His story of innovation, leadership, and vision together with an insatiable appetite for Entrepreneurship is a Master Class in gritty determination.  Listen Up!!

Now operating in 37 states and nearly 100 markets nationwide, the Cardinal Group has been on an annual growth track that is astounding……..and they are not slowing down.  Alex has adopted the core tenants of leadership and management, accountability, excellence, and across-the- board buy-in…….and He is passionate about bringing the Cardinal vision, culture, and playbook to life with all team members and all communities.

After being drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2008 NFL draft by the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick, Kevin O'Connell played Quarterback for 5 years in the NFL with 5 different teams.  It was then decision time:  Pursue a blossoming Broadcast career with CBS or get back on the field as a coach where he had already shown brilliance.  Kevin's story is really good and he learned some amazing lessons.  Listen Up!

As we sign off on Season One, I thought it appropriate to take a quick look back.  When I started The Best Boss Ever podcast series in July 2020, we were all Deep in the Heart of Covid.  What was a burgeoning Keynote Speaking and Advisory practice just getting started, went completely dark in March of last year, just like millions of businesses around the world.  So now what??!!  Listen Up!!

Seb Coe.  Double Olympic Gold medalist, 1500 Meters, Moscow and Los Angeles.  Jazz collector.  Astute politician in his 2nd term as President, World Athletics.  Businessman as Non-Executive Chairman, CSM Sport and Entertainment.  Renaissance Man extraordinaire.  This is MUST LISTEN, Right Now!

At $130M in global top line revenue, Craft Sportswear, is a pioneering company of functional apparel for world champions and everyday heroes.  For North America, Eric Schenker, CEO of Craft is leading an aggressive 5 year strategic plan focused profitable growth as opposed to a market entry "revenue at any cost" strategy.  This approach is the heart and soul of the "Know When to Say No" for any entrepreneur who wants to Thrive, not just Survive.  Listen Up!

Andrew Messick has been the President & CEO of The IRONMAN Group since 2011, overseeing dramatic global growth in all facets of the enterprise.  And amazingly, he's been through several acquisitions which always come with new ownership and new bosses!  This is a breakout episode from one of the very best CEO's in sport.  Listen Up!

E 41 Rob Urbach, CEO of the Iditarod has been driving relevance, thought leadership and innovation in leading the “Last Great Race on Earth" for the past two years. 

The Idtiarod is 50 years old and steeped in folklore and history.  A 1000+ mile dog sled race across the Alaska wilderness is an endurance event like no other on the planet. For woman and man, "the mushers", each driving a 14 member team of very serious athletes, sled dogs, the obstacles are dizzying.

Only a long diverse career prepared Rob Urbach for this role, and his story is littered with a who's who of sport and entertainment posts.  Listen Up!  You will absolutely learn something new! 

Rob DeMartini joined USA Cycling in February 2019, after spending 12 years as President and CEO of New Balance where, under his leadership, the company doubled its global annual sales to $4.2B, achieving one of the highest growth rates in the athletic footwear and apparel industry.

A passionate athlete and cycling enthusiast, Rob was drawn to the opportunity to lead USA Cycling after recognizing the potential for the organization to take on a larger leadership role in the cycling industry.  Prior to New Balance, he spent 20 years at Procter & Gamble where his collective experiences, humility, and work ethic launched him to where he is today.  A great listen!!

Scott O’Neil is one of the most recognized, connected and dynamic executives in the sports and entertainment industry today as recognized by Sports Business Journal, the NBA, and countless media outlets.  So the question is why? How did he get to this pinnacle station in the work place?

With more than 25 years of experience leading NBA, NHL and NFL teams and leagues, including the  Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, he is also a first time author.  His story of ups, downs, tragedy and remarkable family values is just the starting point.  This episode and his forthcoming book, "Be Where Your Feet Are" dive much deeper.  You'll love this one.  Listen Up!

From the Junior Ski Team in Great Britain to 20 years as the Secretary General of the International Ski Federation, Sarah literally served winter sport in every capacity.  Olympian, coach, team manager, ski shop manager, appointed to 3 IOC Winter Games Coordination Commissions, and two Youth Olympic Games Commissions, she oversaw  the FIS activities at 5 Olympic Winter Games.  She served as Secretary General of the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federation (not once but twice), and chaired the World Anti-Doping Agency Independent Observers at the Beijing 2008 Games.  It's an amazing story of strength, courage, perseverance, and intelligence with a distinctly global viewpoint.  Listen Up!

Throughout his childhood, Koko's academic and athletic gifts were obvious, and they were NOT wasted.  Good enough for a Division 1 NCAA basketball scholarship, he chose instead,  the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school where scholarships don’t exist.

After graduating from Penn, His basketball story went on for 10 years  including a starting role on the 2012 Nigerian Olympic Team in London.  Now a husband, father, volunteer and fast rising businessman, what happened next is much better told by our guest himself.  Listen Up!

David Michaels describes himself as born in Brooklyn, raised in LA, and a graduate of the University of Denver.  He was the Editor of a small town newspaper in Idaho Springs, CO, Press secretary for a US Senator in DC, and a fledgling artist.  What he leaves out is an extraordinarily successful 30+ year career at the highest levels of Sports Television with both CBS and NBC, including the Olympic Games, the Tour de France, the NFL, NHL, The Triple Crown of Horse Racing and the Breeders Cup and dozens of Documentaries.  Listen up to one of the very best Television pros ever!

Bob Haro is the Tony Hawk of BMX Freestyle, a gold medal event for the first time at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.  From literally inventing the sport as a premier athlete to launching Haro Bikes then creating his own design shop, Bob has been at the forefront of design, innovation, and entrepreneurship.  A Cardiff-by-the-Sea resident in North County San Diego, his lifestyle and work-life balance are a reflection of a lifetime living and working in San Diego.  He's simply cool!  Listen Up!!

Jessica's challenge was to reposition the Skullcandy brand as bold, innovative and youthful while maintaining the "Born on a Chairlift" brand essence the original founders had when they launched.  Through hyper growth at the outset, an IPO, a sales slump, then bought by Private Equity, Skullcandy has been through the gamut of business cycles.  And then COVID hit.  Her path to the CMO post is as compelling as the return to growth.  Listen Up!!

As CEO of USA Triathlon, Rocky Harris is leading the world's largest National Governing Body in the sport.  With the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics on the near horizon, the challenges of getting the US team ready have been daunting.  But once you here his background with NFL teams, MLS clubs and Arizona State Athletics, it's not surprising.  The lessons learned along the way are invaluable.  Listen Up !!

Don Meek is an accomplished multi-media content, brand, and sponsorship executive.  As President/GM of FUEL TV North America and Global Content Officer he and his partners are revitalizing the Action Sports focused channel on every conceivable platform, including the Samsung+ streaming App.  While decidedly New School, his story starts in the old school world when regional sports networks were brand new.  It's a fun and exciting ride with a super bright future.  Listen Up !!

When Zak Brown figured out that he was more gifted in selling and packaging sponsorship than he was racing cars, his career took a fork in the road when he started JMI, one of the most successful auto racing sponsorship agencies.  From there, investments from private equity, mergers, acquisitions and ultimately back to the racing grid, Zak's career has spanned oceans, continents, and continues to travel the world as CEO of McLaren Formula 1 racing.  Listen up!

After nearly 20 years at ESPN and a long career securing nearly $10 Billion in sponsorships, advertising and marketing contracts, Rob left the high profile role at the Walt Disney Company and joined long time friend and colleague, Rick Jones.  The fast growing and amazingly creative Fishbait Solutions is on the cutting edge of integrating Brand partnerships with programming aligned with passionate audiences.  But there is way more to Rob's fascinating story.  Listen up and learn!

A transplanted South African, Matt Vandrau is Group CEO of London-based CSM Sport and Entertainment.  His career path from professional Cricket to launching his own agency which ultimately rolled up in to Chime Communications is a great story of grit, intelligence, focus and as always, a bit of luck.  CSM competes globally with the likes of Endeavour, IMG, CAA, and Octagon and continues its ascension under Matt's leadership.  This is a good one, so listen up!

In addition to his academic prowess, Rick's career path includes Brand Management, Agencies, Sports Leagues, the USOC and the University of Oregon.  Listen Up!!

Mark Sisson publishes the wildly popular blog, Mark's Daily Apple.  His passion for healthy, nutritious food started in his childhood.  A world class Marathon runner and Triathlete, his own body was his test tube.  Primal Kitchen, the food company he started and then sold to Kraft/Heinz now has over 80 products and growing.  His story is a great one with invaluable lessons.  And a healthy dose of Humor along the way.  Listen Up!

As President of CSM Sport and Entertainment North America, Christa leads the fast growing agency with clients like the PGA, NFL, NASCAR, WTA, Formula E, MLB, Cirque du Soleil; and brands, including Citi, Verizon, Unilever and Coca-Cola, along with many others.  Her story of experience, ascendance, and leadership is super inspiring.  Listen up and Learn!!

From helping bust up the Five Families in the NYC Mafia, to leading the effort in San Diego against the Mexican Drug Cartels, Bill O'Connell's nearly 25 years in the FBI is real truth at its core.  Lifelong lessons in leadership stemming from decades on the front lines and "In Harms Way".  Listen Up!

Now in her 3rd CEO role in 15+ years, Mary Wittenberg is one of the leading business Women in Sports.  Her team first leadership style has proven successful for nearly two decades, and there is a lot to learn from her.  Listen Up!

This week Carl and Armen Keteyian get together for some intense conversations.

Carl talks to Nick Meacham in this episode of The Best Boss Ever

In this episode Carl and Caitlin Landesberg, founder of Sufferfest Beer Company discuss the difficulties of company management.