Hello, world.
It’s been awhile since I last wrote a blog post. My college days, actually. (I’ll get to that down below.)
But after several years, it's time to do it again.
This blog will focus on Digital and Sports -- with some other things mixed in, I’m sure. I can’t promise anything.
In a series of posts, I will talk about the 'up and coming' in our digital world. We’re on a mission to learn what fans really want from their favorite teams, brands, etc. and what we can do to capitalize.
In addition, I would like to offer tips and strategies in the always-growing digital space, while also highlighting other brands who do it exceptionally well.
If you’re reading this first post (thank you!) -- you probably know a bit about me. But if not, you could always use a refresher. I currently serve as the Digital Strategy and Creative Lead with Michigan Athletics, living life with my beautiful wife, Annie, in Ann Arbor.
I was born in Midland/Odessa, Texas (yes - the birthplace of Friday Night Lights!) and then moved to Los Angeles when I was 10. After competing in sports seemingly every day (mostly basketball, swimming and water polo), I attended the University of Southern California -- and became a student manager with the football program for four years. It was, without a doubt, the greatest experience I’ve had in my life and a dream come true.
Beyond that, I began blogging and tweeting behind-the-scenes content in 2008 -- long before it became commonplace for programs to do it regularly. I developed some serious self-discipline in creating at least one blog post per day during that 2008 season and quickly gained a consistent following and realized combining sports with digital could be a potential career. I was right -- and couldn’t be happier.
After school, I went to work with a company founded by Pete Carroll, Win Forever, where I led their web and social strategy. It was a great opportunity for me to learn what digital can provide in the ‘real-world’ environment.
After a couple successful years in Los Angeles, I received an opportunity to head to Seattle to lead digital at the University of Washington. There, I served under one of the great humans of all time, Carter Henderson. During those years, I continued to learn not only how digital works in our world but also how college athletic departments work in the modern age.
That takes me to my current position at Michigan -- where I arrived in July 2015.
It is a privilege and honor to represent the Block M and to serve some incredible student-athletes while delivering a product to millions of passionate fans.
I will hope to provide some value here for you.
I’m not sure about the exact cadence yet, but we’ll work on that.
I love to get in touch with all kinds of people, so never hesitate to drop me a line.
Until next time,
Brian
