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As we approach the end of the first working week of MSBA 2014, this year’s group has already been exposed to so many valuable experiences. The caliber of the speakers, along with the introduction of the mentors at the Yankees game has set the tone for the rest of the summer. Being from South Africa and knowing very little about baseball, my mentor Peter Aiello, Business Development Specialist at MLB, was the perfect man to explain both the business strategy and on field strategy of baseball.
On a personal level my internship at GlideSlope is off to a flying start. GlideSlope uses sport as a vehicle to help brands achieve business objectives. Within a few days I had been assigned several interesting projects to manage. GlideSlope has a great culture and being exposed to such an intellectual and strategic approach to sport sponsorship can only have a positive effect on my career moving forward.
Although I am only their Marketing Operations Intern, they have already involved me in other areas of the business such as business development projects and writing thought-leadership blog posts. I will also be partnering with their two other interns to work on a group project to be delivered to the GlideSlope team at the end of our internships. The international outlook of the team and their Olympic expertise is their “secret sauce” which enables them to provide their clients with unique insights and strategic input.
Although I’ve only been with MSBA for a short period of time, there are several lessons that have resonated with me already. Most of the high-level industry professionals we have met have had such varying career paths and experiences, often ending up working in sports thanks to an unforeseen opportunity. The industry has changed and there is no doubt that the MSBA experience will position myself and my peers favorably to thrive as it continues to evolve. It’s up to us to take advantage of this opportunity and remember as Ben Sturner puts it that “relationships are all you have”. The group has taken this to heart and we are all actively networking through the MSBA network and our internships.
Every speaker has also stressed the “ancestral” nature of the industry and how in the future, MSBA graduates will be hiring each other. When that happens, it’s safe to say that the sport industry will be shaped by an innovative and highly motivated group.
A special thanks to the MSBA team for the effort and enthusiasm they are bringing to the program, the energy and togetherness of the group has been awesome. Looking forward to weekend of exploration and relaxation (Life moves fast in New York!!!).