On this episode of Lessons from Sports, Wayne Partello from CUENTO Marketing sits down with Nick Kelly, former sports marketing leader at Anheuser-Busch and Verizon. He was also the former President of Charlotte FC, and now the founder of his own consultancy.

Nick shares stories from behind some of the biggest sports activations in the industry, including shifting iconic sponsorship strategies, launching an MLS expansion club during the pandemic, building alignment inside billion-dollar organizations, and why the best partnerships are built on trust. They also dive into what happens after reaching the top: leaving a dream job, starting over, learning to say no, and redefining success on your own terms.

From stakeholder management to leadership lessons and the freedom that comes with building something of your own, this episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating growth, business, and the next chapter of their career.

On this episode of Lessons from Sports, Wayne Partello, CEO of CUENTO Marketing, sits down with Tyree Dillingham to discuss her incredible journey from California politics and working for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to partnering with Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk and leading financial literacy education for athletes.

The conversation dives into the realities of NIL, sudden wealth, mental health, and the financial challenges facing today’s student-athletes. Tyree shares how her work is helping athletes better understand money, avoid predatory situations, and build long-term success both on and off the field.

Wayne and Tyree also discuss leadership, mentorship, discipline, and the small decisions that ultimately shape careers, finances, and life after sports.

In this episode of Lessons from Sports, Wayne Partello, CEO of CUENTO Marketing, sits down with Dr. Don Davis Jr. to discuss his incredible journey from NFL linebacker to NFLPA executive to leadership consultant.

Together, they explore the lessons sports teach about leadership, accountability, preparation, and personal growth; and how those same principles apply in business and life. Don shares insights on championship culture, career transitions, identity beyond job titles, and why awareness, alignment, and accountability are the foundation of sustained success.

From locker room stories to leadership philosophy, this conversation is packed with perspective on purpose, resilience, mentorship, and building the confidence to embrace your next chapter.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT CUENTO MARKETING:

cuentomarketing.com

In this episode of Lessons from Sports, we go fully on the go from the National Sports Forum in St. Louis for a spontaneous conversation.

Wayne Partello, CEO of CUENTO Marketing, sits down with Chris from CUE Audio to unpack the company’s journey, from humble beginnings as a cell phone light show startup to a global, fan engagement platform working with over 350 teams across college and professional sports.

This episode dives into how innovation is reshaping the way fans connect with the game.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT CUENTO MARKETING:

⁠cuentomarketing.com⁠

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, Wayne Partello, CEO of CUENTO Marketing, sits down with longtime friend and CEO and Co-founder of C3 Risk & Insurance, Jamie Reid. What started as a chance connection in San Diego eventually grew into a powerful partnership and a front-row seat to building one of the most culture-driven companies in the insurance industry.

Jamie shares the unlikely path that led him from safety management and early struggles as an insurance broker to co-founding C3 and scaling it into a fast-growing firm with more than 150 team members. Along the way, he and Wayne discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, and why culture is the real engine behind long-term growth.

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Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/cuentomarketing/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/cuentomarketing⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT CUENTO MARKETING:

⁠cuentomarketing.com⁠

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, CEO of CUENTO Marketing Wayne Partello sits down with Sunjay Mathews, a former corporate lawyer who broke into sports and went on to help build FanDuel during its early days. 

Sunjay shares what it was like operating inside a startup, navigating the sports betting landscape, and later stepping into leadership roles at DAZN and FTX.

This episode dives into betting on yourself, taking career risks, and building a path in sports business. 

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, host and CEO at CUENTO Marketing, Wayne Partello sits down with Steve Shanks, co-founder of Drive Influence, to break down an unconventional entrepreneurial journey shaped by sports, repetition, and resilience.

From launching one of the earliest fantasy sports businesses to leaving corporate America, building and selling a multi-million-dollar media agency, and now helping brands, creators, and talent win through Drive Influence, Steve shares real lessons on entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, and scaling businesses.

This episode is packed with insights for founders, marketers, and anyone navigating career pivots, growth, and leadership in today’s evolving business and media landscape.

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Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/cuentomarketing/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/cuentomarketing⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT CUENTO MARKETING:

⁠cuentomarketing.com⁠

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, host and CEO of CUENTO Marketing, Wayne Partello talks with Ayo Taylor-Dixon of San Diego State University Athletics about building a career in college sports and sports marketing.

From his start as a student-athlete and graduate assistant to leadership roles across multiple Division I programs, Ayo shares lessons on adaptability and navigating the evolving world of college athletics.Wayne and Ayo also discuss what it truly means to “be a student of the game,” the importance of learning every side of the business, from ticket sales and event operations to digital content and NIL storytelling, and why mastering the details separates good professionals from great ones in sports leadership.

This episode is packed with lessons for anyone pursuing a career in college athletics, sports marketing, athletic administration, or brand strategy, including insights on career growth, mentorship, innovation, and building programs that scale in today’s rapidly evolving sports industry.

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Instagram: ⁠@lessonsfromsportspodcast⁠ & ⁠@cuentomarketing⁠

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/cuentomarketing/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/cuentomarketing⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT CUENTO MARKETING:

⁠cuentomarketing.com⁠

In this episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, host and CEO of CUENTO Marketing, Wayne Partello, sits down with Mark Fine, Chief Marketing Officer of the Baltimore Orioles. From interning with the Orioles as a college student to returning decades later as the CMO of his childhood team, Mark’s story is a powerful example of how passion, persistence, and relationships can shape a career in sports marketing.

Mark shares his path through Major League Baseball, the NBA, Minor League Baseball, the Harlem Globetrotters, the National Lacrosse League, Professional Bull Riders, and major sports and entertainment organizations like Comcast Spectacor, the New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, and UFC. Along the way, he breaks down the lessons he learned about leadership, brand building, ticket sales, fan engagement, and navigating career growth across leagues and levels.

This conversation dives into what it really takes to build a long-term career in sports, how early internships can open unexpected doors, and why relationships and reputation matter just as much as results.

In this episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, host and CEO of CUENTO Marketing, Wayne Partello, sits down with Bill Hudock for an inspiring conversation about career growth, leadership, and the power of building a path through sports and business. From his early days working in public relations in the NFL to playing a role in some of the biggest moments and organizations in professional sports, Bill shares behind-the-scenes insights and the lessons he learned along the way.

Wayne and Bill dive into how to navigate unexpected career turns, develop resilience, and apply the mindset of elite athletes and executives to everyday business challenges. This episode explores themes of mentorship, personal branding, strategic communication, and how experiences in the sports industry can shape success in any field.

Whether you’re a sports professional, marketer, business leader, or aspiring executive, this conversation offers practical takeaways on finding your path and turning opportunities into long-term career momentum.

FOLLOW US

Instagram: ⁠@lessonsfromsportspodcast⁠ & ⁠@cuentomarketing⁠

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/cuentomarketing/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/cuentomarketing⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT CUENTO MARKETING:

⁠cuentomarketing.com⁠