The CUSP Show

Jeff Volk and Deepen Parikh join Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on NYVC Sports. Jeff is the Senior Vice President of Business Development at MLB (Major League Baseball) Advanced Media. Previously, he headed major web developments as the head of USTA's  Digital Media team, shaping interactive and promotional campaigns. is also the founding member of New York Venture Community  and a member of the executive committee at NextGen Angels NYC. Deepen is a Partner at Courtside Ventures, which invest in early-stage companies that are transforming the intersection of sports technology, media and gaming. Courtside has invested in companies like LiveLike VR and The Atlantic. Before that, Deepen was a partner at Interplay Ventures.

NYVC Sports seeks to integrate New York City's vast entrepreneurial, enterprise, and investing communities through a curated network of executives -- all at the intersection of the digital and sports marketplaces. Through monthly panels, debates, breakfast series, business pitches, and other unique events, NYVC Sports integrates New York’s vast entrepreneurial, enterprise, and investing communities.

In this episode, Deepen and Jeff talk about the story behind NYVC Sports and how they have managed to grow and expand it. They also talk about some of the key aspects of running a successful sports conference and creating a community.  Be sure to check out NYVC Sports’ website at http://www.nyvcsports.com/ and follow Deepen on Twitter @deepenparikh and Jeff @javolk

The Facts

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Deepen Parikh joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on investing in sports tech. Deepen is a Partner at Courtside Ventures, which invest in early-stage companies that are transforming the intersection of sports technology, media and gaming. Courtside has invested in companies like LiveLike VR and The Atlantic. Before that, Deepen was a partner at Interplay Ventures.

In this episode, Deepen talks about the rapidly growing sports tech industry and the opportunities it brings for young entrepreneurs. Deepen also shares some of his best practices for people that are trying to make it in the sports industry.  Be sure to check out Courtside’s website at Courtside.vc and follow Deepen on Twitter @deepenparikh

The Facts

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Gary Kleinman joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on OTT television and gaming. Gary is the CEO is the CEO of a WHAM a truly unique and engaging platform that is all things gaming. Gary has created, managed and activated sound experiential marketing campaigns for Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros, PBS/WGBH, MLB, AEG Sports and others. Whether it was connecting college students to Seinfeld, or re-creating the Freedom Ride, Gary understood and created story based activations that drove tune-in, purchase intent, or content consumption for some of the world ‘s most important brands. About 14 months, by coincidence, Gary tripped across an article detailing the world of esports and gaming. Fascinated by the absolute commitment by the audience to live esports events, Gary embarked on a journey to understand the passion points and connective tissue between gamers and games. Gary understood the core reasons why gaming is such an integral part of the lifestyle and cultural fabric of society. Since no one was speaking to the lifestyle and culture of gaming, Gary created WHAM, an independent and agnostic digital media platform that covers the news, information of gaming while producing engaging original entertainment programming to this global phenomenon.

In this episode, Gary talks about the genesis of WHAM and the road he has been on since. Gary also talks about the changing landscape of television, and he shares some stories of his career in experiential marketing. Be sure to check out WHAM Network’s website http://whamnetworkinc.com/

The Facts

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Welcome to the first Cusp Show Minicast! In this bite-sized episode, Joe, Tom and our producer Maurice talk about the current changes in the job industry. With the layoffs at ESPN and Fox, Joe and Tom discuss the best ways for job seekers young and old to find their way in the job market. They touch on the gig economy, branding and diversification of skills. Maurice also shares his viewpoints from the perspective of someone entering the sports industry.

The Facts

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Leslie Gittess joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on sports tech and sports entrepreneurship. Leslie is the CEO of Blue Sky Media NYC, a media advisory boutique firm, which she founded in 2010.  Her clients have included SnappyTV (acquired by Twitter), Ubersense (acquired by Hudl), PrePlay Sports (acquired by Fanvision), FanDuel (merged with DraftKings), TuneIn, ThePostGame, Thuuz Sports, Marlo Thomas and Narrative Science. She is also a contributor/advisor at the Columbia University Start-up Lab in Soho. Before founding Blue Sky Media NYC, Ms. Gittess spent over 16 years at Major League Baseball Advanced Media and the National Hockey League specializing in all aspects of sports media and digital rights management. Her previous positions include vice president of business development at Major League Baseball Advanced Media and vice president of TV and business affairs at the National Hockey League. Prior to her career in sports, she was an associate at the law firm Hughes Hubbard and Reed in New York City.

In this episode, Leslie talks about how she helps sports entrepreneurs succeed and what she looks for in a successful company. Leslie also shares some great career stories, and she talks about her work for the Columbia Start-up Lab. You can find Leslie on Twitter @LGBlueSky and be sure to check out Blue Sky’s website http://blueskymedianyc.com/

The Facts

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Seth Everett joins Joe this week for a conversation on sports broadcasting and sports media. Seth has over a decade of experience in nationally syndicated radio, having worked for FOX Sports Radio & ESPN Radio. He’s covered or worked for 4 baseball teams, 2 NHL teams, 4 NFL Teams, and 3 in the NBA. Seth also worked for MLBAM for 8 years, ESPN for 2, & FOX Sports Radio for 13 years. Most recently, he worked as the Pre & Post Game host for the New York Mets in 2014, and has been featured on MLB Network, SNY, YES Network, Bloomberg TV. He currently owns/hosts 2 original podcasts, & also consults with the Sportsblog Media Group. In addition to Sports, he’s a comic book/sci fi enthusiast, and an eclectic music fan. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife & 2 daughters.

In this episode, Seth talks about the fast-changing landscape of sports broadcasting and how he manages to stay relevant by reinventing himself. Seth also shares some fascinating career stories, including how he worked with the legendary Prince. You can find Seth on Twitter @Seth_Everett

The Facts

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Keith Green joins Joe this week for a conversation on breaking world records. Keith Green is the vice president of marketing and commercial sales at Guinness World Records. Green oversees three key areas out of the company’s New York City office: consumer marketing for the best-selling, annual book; commercial sales surrounding the company’s adjudication and licensing products, and B2B marketing to companies of all types and sizes that want to harness the power of record breaking to advance their business objectives.

In this episode, Keith talks about the intricacies of the world of record breaking. Keith talks about how Guinness World Records works with brands in the sports industry and beyond to help them break their records create brand awareness. Keith also talks about how Guinness World Records has reinvented itself in the era of social media. You can find Keith on Twitter @ @KeithsTweets and Guinness World Records @GWR

The Facts

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

This week we have Columbia Business School students TJ Winfrey, Joaquin Berral and Tunde Oguntimein  joining Tom and Joe to talk give their perspectives on the changing landscape of the sports industry.

T.J. Winfrey is a current first-year MBA student at Columbia Business School in New York, NY. He is also a graduate intern at Madison Square Garden. Prior to business school, T.J. was a strategic retail planner at Nike in Atlanta, GA and Indianapolis, IN. At Nike, T.J. collaborated with buyers to develop strategic initiatives and create footwear assortments for top Nike retail partners. T.J. also worked at Target Corporation in Minneapolis, MN where he received the Senior Vice President award in 2012. Tunde Oguntimein is a first-year MBA student at Columbia Business School. Prior to Business School, Tunde was an Associate Research Analyst at Independent Project Analysis (IPA), a consulting company that focuses on capital project improvement. He is currently a Strategy and Analytics intern at the New Jersey Devils/Prudential Center and at Global Sports Analytics. This summer he will be interning at the NBA League Office within their Team Marketing and Business Operations Group. Joaquin Berrall is a first-year MBA student who has worked for a successful startup company in Vietnam and for McKinsey and Deloitte in Spain.

Joaquin, T.J. and Tunde talk about the biggest opportunities in the sports industry. They also share some tips for people attending trying to learn more about the sports industry and touch on the learning environment at Columbia. You can find T.J. on Twitter @TJ_WINNING, Tunde @ tdoto728 and Joaquin @ J_Berral

The Facts

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Bill Ganon, joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on presentations. Bill is passionate about helping executives sell with confidence, conviction and connection. His track record includes 30 years of sales and managerial expertise with ad agencies, Sunset and Newsweek Magazines, telecom tech giant QUALCOMM and range of mobile ad tech start ups. He has delivered and received thousands of sales/business development presentations to and from a wide range of companies from Fortune 500 companies to fast growing startups. In addition to working with sales organizations, Connect2Sell performs pro bono work. Bill Ganon is a trainer / coach for “Raising my Voice”. RMV is privately funded by Circles of Support, part of the JCFlowers Foundation in NYC, and is designed to help returning citizens tell their stories to various audiences as they re-enter society. Bill is a Story Slam winner at The Moth ("True Stories Told Live") and frequent presenter at The Moth in both New York and New Orleans.

In this episode, Bill talks about the what makes a good presentation and how we can all improve our presentation skills. He shares some great stories and insights of his work and gives tips that will be helpful for anyone in (sports) business. You can find Bill on Twitter @ @BGanon and be sure to check out his website https://www.connect2sell.com/

 

The Facts

 

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Liz Soutter joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on the world of Olympic sports. Liz is the national team athlete services director and the manager for the Paralympic team at USRowing.  Liz oversees the management and distribution of all athlete services for all National Team and Olympic athletes, she acts at the main point of contact for all USRowing Training Center athletes and aspiring National Team athletes and she provides on-site assistance at international competition to athletes, coaches, and staff.

In this episode, Liz talks about the intricacies of Olympic sports. She shares some great stories and insights on how to run a successful team. Liz also talks about her work managing a Paralympics team and the opportunities and challenges that come with that. You can find Liz on Twitter @sports4rookies

 

The Facts

 

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com