Azure for Sports Podcast

Jon and Susanne discuss tech trends and innovations that they believe will have a significant impact on sports tech for 2022.

The first podcast episode of 2022! Jon and Susanne talk with Scott Bounds on how cloud technologies are transforming M&E areas like sports betting, video production, and fan engagement, and how these innovations can offer unique opportunities to professional sports teams and leagues.

Scott Bounds is a Sr. Director of Customer Success at Microsoft, guiding customers on their business transformation to the cloud.  Bounds focuses on content creation and production workflows, asset management, and using Microsoft AI and Cognitive Services for Media and Sports.  He is a 27-year veteran of Microsoft, spending over 10 years in the Media and Sports industries in a variety of management and technical roles.

Jon and Susanne talk with Mike Pell (Envisioneer and the Director of The Microsoft Garage NYC) on one of the most emerging technology areas for 2021, the "Metaverse", and its broader implications to traditional sports organizations.

More about Mike Pell:

Bold, insightful, and uncompromising, Mike Pell is recognized as a world-class designer and industry thought leader in the fields of next gen visualization and smart information.  Pell’s evolution from intrepid entrepreneur, to VC-backed startup veteran, to corporate man for Adobe and Microsoft has given him a unique perspective on how to combine business, experience, and technology to create breakthrough experience. Pell currently leads The Microsoft Garage in New York City, part of the company’s worldwide innovation program for moving ideas forward quickly to foster a culture of experimentation. Pell’s first book, “Envisioning Holograms” is considered a must-have for tomorrow’s most influential storytellers and explorers. His second book “The Age of Smart Information” details how the fundamental nature of communication is transforming with the combination of AI and Spatial technologies. More on M. Pell at futuristicdesign.com.

We talk with Mike Downey, Sr. Principal Product Manager at Microsoft. Mike talks about his extensive sports technology work at Microsoft, with leagues like the NBA and PGA to name a few. Mike also offers his insights on the technology trends that will shape and impact the sports industry in 2022.

Hosts Jon Flynn and Susanne Tedrick are joined by Emily Hallinan, Business Applications Sales Executive, for a focused discussion on how professional sports organizations use data to connect with their fans.

Members of the Azure for Sports team at Microsoft discuss their work in digital fan engagement and cloud security.

Guests: