The Sports PR Huddle

Episode 16: "Developing Emotional Intelligence for Better PR Leadership"

Episode 16:"Developing Emotional Intelligence for Better PR Leadership"     Guest:Mark Mohammadpour, APR, Fellow PRSA, Founder of Chasing the Sun Health Coaching   In this episode of "The Sports PR Huddle," Mark Mohammadpour discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in sports public relations. The show explores Mark's journey from a PR professional to the founder of “Chasingthe Sun,” a health coaching initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of PR professionals. The conversation then delves into the unique stressors faced by sports PR pros, the significance of understanding stakeholders and thenecessity of emotional intelligence in crisis management. Mark introduces the CHASE model for wellbeing and shares practical tips for reducing stress and modeling healthy behavior as a leader. The episode concludes with insights on the impact of tailored communication and resourcesfor further engagement. Five (5) listener takeaways, should you tune in: 1) Emotional intelligence is crucial for success in PR. 2) Understanding stakeholders helps navigate uniquepressures. 3) Setting boundaries is essential to prevent burnout. 4) Empathy fosters better relationships in high-stressenvironments. 5) Regular wellness check-ins are vital during crises. Timestamps 00:00   Introduction to Sports PR Huddle 00:31   The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in PR 01:19   Mark's Journey and Chasing the Sun 03:03   The Evolution of PR and Employee Wellbeing 08:30   Understanding Stress in PR and Sports PR 10:32   Unique Pressures in Sports PR 12:34   Navigating Stakeholder Pressures 15:43   The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Crisis Management 19:42   Building Relationships in High-Stakes Environments 21:51   Curiosity and Empathy in PR 25:24   Crisis Management Techniques for PR Leaders 28:17   Wellness in Crisis Planning 32:06   The CHASE Model for Wellbeing 36:34   Meeting Hacks and Stress Reduction Techniques 38:49   Modeling Healthy Behavior as a Leader 41:28   Tailoring Keynotes for Impact 43:01   Connecting with Chasing the Sun

Episode 15: How sports PR pros leverage measurement to move from "we think" to "we know"

Episode 15: How sports PR pros leveragemeasurement to move from "we think" to "we know" Guest: Amber Daugherty, Value andImpact Consultant at Big Valley Marketing Episode Summary: This episode we’re joined by AmberDaugherty (Value and Impact Consultant at Big Valley Marketing). Amber’s a consultant specializing in communications measurement and evaluation who serveson the IPR's Measurement Commission. This episode is a deep dive into shifting the PR mindset from tactical outputs to strategic, measurable outcomes that align with core business goals like reputation, fan behavior, and revenue. PR pros can stop relying on "vanity metrics" and start using web analytics, social listening, and relationship-building to prove their value. Five (5) listener takeaways should you choose to tune-in:   1.         Your professional value comes from aligning your communications plan with the organization's overarching business goals.   2.         Move beyond outputs: Learn the foundational framework of Outputs, Outtakes, and Outcomes to demonstrate genuine impact (changes in audience behavior) rather than just activity (press releases sent).   3.         Use AI, ButOwn the "So What": AI can draft reports, but you must be able to articulate the story behind the data, read the room, and simplify complex insights for the C-suite.   4.         Embrace Accessible Data: Start your measurement journey right now by leveraging free or readily available tools like web analytics and basic social listening to establish a data baseline.   5.         Be a better internal storyteller: Approach your internal reporting by asking, "Why does this matter?" to the executive who is receiving the information, framing your metrics in terms of revenue, retention or even risk mitigation. Time & Topic (01:11) Guest Intro & Journey to value and impact consulting. (04:44)Biggest Measurement Mistake PR pros make. (05:59)PR as a Strategic Function driving business. (08:20)O-O-O Framework (Outputs, Outtakes, Outcomes) explained with a sports example. (13:48)How to find your organization's True Business Goals. (15:17)Storytelling Data: Translating complex metrics for public narrative. (18:05)Job Security & AI: Why measurement skills are essential now. (22:53)Accessible Data Points: Web analytics and social listening tips. (26:32)Setting SMART Objectives and establishing baselines. (30:54)Quantifying Team Reputation (why media sentiment is not enough). (34:07)Language that Resonates with the C-suite in reporting. (35:17)Overcoming the "Fear of Math" and embracing analytics. (41:01)Weaning off Vanity Metrics and showing business contribution. (45:21)Fighting Misinformation and shaping public perception. (47:44)The danger of saying, "It's hard to measure comms." Big Valley Marketing [https://bigvalley.co/] is a consulting firm that helps technology companies grow, win and lead through effective marketing and communications. Their team of experts is steeped in brand strategy, marketing strategy, content marketing, corporate communications, digital and social marketing, and market intelligence. They work with leaders and change agents in high-growth markets, including software, AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, supply chain, and digital health. Follow them via LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-valley-marketing/posts/?feedView=all].

Episode 14: Training Your Team - Key Skills Every Sports PR Professional Should Have

Episode 14 is titled "Training Your Team: Key Skills Every Sports PR Professional Should Have.”We’re joined by Adriene Bueno, a sports and entertainment executive with over adozen years of experience at organizations like the NBA, LinkedIn, and Adidas. Adriene, now co-founder of thehiring platform Arena Talent, shares her holistic view on what it takes tosucceed in sports PR, from the perspective of a former job seeker, talentmanager, and hiring innovator. This episode focuses on the keytechnical and soft skills hiring managers are prioritizing today, offeringstrategic advice for both early-career professionals looking to advance andhiring managers struggling to find the right talent. Five (5) listener takeawaysshould you tune in. 1.      The Biggest Misunderstandings in Sports PR Hiring: The WorkDoesn't Always Speak for Itself. One of the most important skills --Adaptability: The industry is constantly evolving. Professionals must be ableto put themselves in new situations to see how they show up and be flexiblewhen yesterday's strategy doesn't work today.   2.      Passion is the Floor, Not the Ceiling: Being a sports fan is"table stakes." Hiring managers assume passion; they prioritizebusiness acumen and transferable skills that differentiate a candidate.   3.      Packaging Early-Career Experience: When your resume is"lean," focus on transferable skills from unrelated jobs (e.g.,customer service, organizing events) that translate to PR tasks like draftingmessaging or organizing programming. Extract and highlight what's most relevantto the specific job you're applying for.   4.      The "Grunt Work" is the Doorway: Look where no oneelse is looking (outside the big-name teams/leagues) and be willing to do thegrunt work that nobody wants to do, as this can lead to networking and lateropportunities.   5.      Finding Joy in the Work: To avoid a transactional feeling,align your work with your core values (e.g., helping people, learning newskills). This helps sustain motivation and growth throughout your career.   Time          Topic (00:58)      Introducing Adriene Bueno and her unique career path across theNBA, LinkedIn, Adidas, and more. (02:20)      The Single Biggest Misunderstanding a sports PR pro has abouthiring managers. (03:30)      Passion vs. Business Acumen: Why being a fan is the"floor," not the qualification. (05:10)      The top 3 Non-Negotiable Technical Skills hiring managersprioritize today. (05:45)      The role of AI Literacy for PR professionals and the risk ofsounding like an "echo chamber." (07:48)      The value of Great Writing in the age of AI and howorganizations should screen for it. (11:20)      Packaging Early-Career Experience: How to brand yourself whenyour resume is "lean." (17:46)      Building a Career Methodically: Why you should look where noone else is looking and the value of "grunt work." (22:16)      Finding Joy and Avoiding Transactional Work by aligning yourcareer with core values. (27:18)      The two crucial Soft Skills that differentiate a rising starfrom an average performer. (29:57)      Adaptability and Emotional Intelligence as core skills formodern PR. (35:11)      How to frame a Mid-Career Sports PR History to resonate withoutside recruiters. (39:15)      The common (and easily fixed) Resume Mistakes that stop prosfrom getting interviews. (46:42)      The importance of Reverse Mentorship and how networking buildsskills beyond formal training. (51:35)      How Arena Talent is Disrupting Hiring by focusing onrelationships and equitable access.

Episode 13: Managing Sponsor Communications and a New Stadium Opening

In this episode of the Sports PR Huddle, we’re joined by guest Carey Marin discuss the intricacies of managing communications for major sports projects, particularly stadium openings.  Some of the projects Carey (President and CEO of Purpose Media Group) has worked on: SoFI Stadium (LA Rams and LA Chargers) Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco 49ers) AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys) American Airlines Center (Dallas Mavericks) Lenovo Center (Carolina Hurricanes) We discuss the importance of storytelling, building trust with ownership groups, and simplifying complex narratives for media and fans. The conversation delves into the challenges of financing, public perception, and the role of community engagement in shaping successful PR strategies.  Top 5 listener takeaways should you tune-in  1. Trust is essential in high-stakes communications as every stadium project has unique challenges. 2. Simplifying complex narratives is crucial for media coverage. Financing complexities require clear communication strategies. 3. Engaging fans through storytelling enhances connection, but community engagement is vital for project success. 4. Listening to both ownership and fans shapes effective communication. 5. Innovative PR strategies can leverage technology but buy-in critical; public perception can shift with effective PR efforts. Notable Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Sports PR and Stadium Communications 02:43 The Complexity of Stadium Projects 05:37 Building Trust with Ownership Groups 08:12 Navigating Media Coverage and Financing 10:35 Simplifying Complex Narratives for Fans 13:08 Establishing Early Wins in PR 15:59 Shifting Narratives Beyond Team Performance 18:24 Community Engagement and Public Sentiment 21:05 Managing Public Relations During Controversial Projects 23:40 Mini Campaigns for Diverse Audiences 26:17 Creative Storytelling in Stadium Projects 26:58 Connecting Fans to Projects 31:06 Navigating Public Opinion and PR Strategies 35:55 Combating Misinformation and Fan Engagement 40:38 Managing Corporate Partnerships and Fan Experience 43:15 Trends in Mixed-Use Developments 45:16 Challenges in Stadium Projects 47:04 Key Advice for Sports PR Professionals

Episode 12: Creating a Winning PR Strategy for Your Sports Team or Organization

In this episode of the Sports PR Huddle, we’re joined by Adelyn Biedenbach, VP of Communications and Broadcasting for the Florida Panthers. The discussion begins with a look at Adelyn's journey in sports PR, the importance of community engagement, and the strategies that have led to the Panthers' success both on and off the ice.  That’s the focus of this episode (episode 12): “Creating a Winning PR Strategy for Your Sports Team or Organization” The conversation covers the challenges of balancing local and national media demands, the significance of consistency in media relations, and how data-driven strategies can enhance fan engagement. Adelyn shares insights on maintaining a service mindset, navigating increased media demands during playoff seasons, and fostering a team-first culture within the organization. Five (5) listener takeaways: 1. A service mindset helps PR professionals build strong relationships with players and media. 2. Balancing local and national media demands is essential during playoff seasons. 3. Understanding player preferences for media interactions can enhance communication. 4. Benchmarking against other teams can provide valuable insights for PR strategies. 5. Creating a team-first culture resonates with fans and enhances brand loyalty. Notable timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Sports PR and Career Growth 03:03 Adeline's Journey in Sports PR 05:35 Building a Winning PR Strategy 08:19 Media Relations and Community Engagement 11:19 Innovative Media Distribution Strategies 14:09 Measuring PR Success and Media Impact 16:35 Navigating Playoff Media Dynamics 19:22 Maintaining Local Media Relationships 22:36 Adapting to Increased Media Attention 25:20 Conclusion and Future Outlook 26:37 Navigating PR in a Winning Culture 29:51 Balancing Humility and Responsibility 33:37 Understanding Player Dynamics and Media Requests 36:55 Managing Expectations and Building Relationships 40:52 Leveraging Data for Fan Engagement 43:43 Authenticity in Team Culture and Communication 45:51 Broadcasting and Community Engagement 48:43 Sustaining Momentum Beyond Championships