Starting at Syracuse University back in 2004, I knew I wanted to work in sports media. Little did I know that I would go from ticket sales to media technology in a span of 13 years.
In 2008, I started my career in ticket sales and operations with Sky Blue FC and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. One thing I learned from Professor Pat Ryan’s sales class was that having a sales background was key to long-term growth in the sports industry. He was right.
Around 2010, I noticed the future of the industry was shifting toward going fully digital. I spent just over six years at IOMEDIA, working in project management and partnerships for 3D ticketing technology. I also worked for Omnigon (now InfrontX) in digital consulting and account management, and then at Grabyo, a cloud video production platform, leading the Customer Success team. I finally found myself in the sports content and technology space I always wanted to be in. At Grabyo, I built the U.S. Customer Success Team and led strategic partnerships and business development globally. Just over two years later, I left Grabyo for Portland, Oregon, to join Tagboard, doubling down on working on the content side of the media landscape.
Tagboard is an intuitive storytelling cloud production platform that creates interactive live programming, for any connected screen. At Tagboard, I lead global partnerships, channel sales and platform product team working closely with partners such as Twitter, TikTok, Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, Snap, and others. You have likely seen Tagboard in action via on-air Tweets during NBA on TNT or while watching the NFL on Fox on Sundays.
I have been lucky enough to offer internships to SPM students during my time at Grabyo and Tagboard and it has been great to see the growth of the program. My advice to current students is to network, take risks and expect the unexpected. I wouldn’t be where I am today if the SPM program hadn’t helped me build the foundation needed to work in this industry.