The latest in Tanner Simkins q and a’s is with industry veteran Michael Neuman.
Michael Neuman is the Managing Partner of Scout Sports and Entertainment. We recently caught up with the Amplify Sports and Entertainment for a discussion on career advice and developing trends. Neuman’s brief bio is provided after the Q&A
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Full Court Press: For those who may be unfamiliar, tell us about yourself and your work?
Michael Neuman: I launched Scout Sports and Entertainment in 2010 as the in-house sports and entertainment consultancy at Horizon Media. Horizon is the largest independently owned media agency in the world. Our role is to provide strategic counsel to our clients who invest heavily in sports and entertainment content to develop deep, emotional bonds with their target audiences. We sit at the intersection of sports media and sports marketing, a powerful and pivotal point where brand and consumers come together with frequent momentum
FCP: Why sports?
MN: The passion is unrivaled, people WANT to see and feel it live. It’s the ultimate “must see” TV and live event programming.
FCP: Describe your leadership style?
MN: Empowering, inclusive, incorporating, passionate, caring and invested
FCP:What are some industry trends or developments that you are closely following?
MN: Brand curated content and the use of social media to flame the fires of good work. AB’s Up for Whatever campaign around the Super Bowl was simply brilliant
FCP: Who is someone you learned the most from? What did they teach you?
MN: Doug Verb my first boss, hired me out of college. Treat all people with upmost respect and understand what motivates them. John Floegel when I worked on the McDonald’s business for teaching me the art of politics and Jonah Kaufman (McDonald’s owner operator) for teaching me the importance of metrics and speaking the language of your audience
FCP: What is your biggest regret?
MN: I wouldn’t change my life at all, I’m doing exactly what I set out to do and have worked with some of the industry’s greatest people.
FCP: If you go back, what would you tell you?
MN: In athletics, the mental edge is the differentiator between good and great. In business, start earlier. Once you zero in a career, start building experience and a network base. The industry is super competitive and amassing relevant experiences earlier will be the differentiator
FCP: What was the last book you read?
MN: I’m reading “Leaders Eat Last” now
FCP: Any tips for aspiring sports professionals who may be reading this?
MN: If you truly want to work in the business of sports, you must be 130% committed to do whatever it takes to catch your first break. The hardest part is getting the shot, it’s no different than the career minor leaguer getting called up in September. Most fans don’t know this player probably spent the last 10 years in the minors. There must be an irreversible commitment to succeed and on your own team, you need everyone on board including family, friends and your entire network. Persistence and determination are omnipotent
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Neuman is the Managing Partner of Scout Sports and Entertainment, a Division of Horizon Media, Inc. Prior to joining Horizon, he was cofounder and president of Amplify Sports and Entertainment, LLC, a marketing consulting agency created to help brands harness the power of strategic sponsorship and maximize the impact of athlete and celebrity driven campaigns. Prior to launching Amplify, Neuman was Senior Vice President, Group Account Director with STRATEGIC (formerly Strategic Sports Group), where he provided strategic consulting services for sports and entertainment partnerships. Neuman previously held senior positions with Paragon Marketing Group (HALO Sports), Arnold Communications, and Global Television Sports, Inc.
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