The Golden State Warriors have achieved some remarkable ticket sales goals in 2012-13, and one of the members of the team responsible is Account Executive Andrew Rossi. The NBA team was highlighted in the Wall Street Journal for their efforts to win in sales despite the product on the court. Rossi talks about engaging customer service, trying to seek out what the customer really wants through a conversation, and doing whatever it takes to ensure quality for each customer down the road.
Sr. Director of Tickets for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Zach Brockman talks about engaging fans and customers long term. Brockman speaks about the methodology behind training his new hires, how as a student of both GameFace, Inc., and Jon Spoelstra’s books, in the world of ticket sales & professional sports.
Preston Shytle comes from the third party ticket sales model at the Aspire Group into his current position as director of development at the University of Maryland. Shytle talks about the current annual giving model, and developing a sales mentality of customer service.
Andrew Doeschot has risen through the St. Louis University Athletic Department ranks from his start at the ticket office to his current role as an associate athletic director. Doeschot talks about the ticket sales impact of hiring the late head men’s basketball coach Rick Majerius had on the Billikens. Doeschot also discusses the role of the athletic department within the university’s mission and maintaining expectations while keeping within a budget.
Fan Development Manager Ryan McKee is making every attempt to show Australian Rules Football’s Essendon Club some of the newest promotions to engage fans. McKee talks about his time with the club, the adjustment to the AFL and the country of Australia, as well as discusses his native Canada, detailing his time with the Vancouver Canucks and MLS WhiteCaps.
Jerry Seltzer’s father Leo created the sport of roller derby in 1935, but Jerry has carried the legacy as the World Skating League’s Commissioner since Leo’s death in 1978. Jerry talks about some of the different situations in which roller derby managed to draw upwards of 20,000 to 30,000 people to a single event. Jerry also talks about his industry influential decision found BASS Ticketing Systems, eventual working with both Ticketmaster and Brown Paper Tickets. Seltzer discusses how Ticketmaster's issues with Pearl Jam created a backlash in ticketing, resulting in Brown Paper Tickets, which allowed standup comedians like Louis CK and Doug Stanhope to control their own customer base in exchange for smaller service fees. Twitter: @jeryseltzer
Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling deals with a 1980s hit movie, a historical minor league club and a new ballpark. Birling talks about promotions within the ballpark, refusing to provide giveaways or heavy discounts to single game customers, in order to protect the valuable price point. Birling also talks about the misconceptions of the duties of a minor league general manager and some of the new revenue streams that are just being realized by each club in the MiLB.
George Stieren oversees communications for the final three races in the NASCAR series at Miami-Homestead Speedway. Stieren talks about NASCAR’s involvement with social media, its acceptance of new media, and how to innovate in a world where communication changes daily. Stieren also talks about his involvement with the San Diego Padres organization.