Client services, UFC and me.
When I started as an Account Director at Odopod, my first client was Zuffa, the company behind UFC. I train service dogs, I weave and knit, I cry at Pixar movies, I’m a girl. It didn’t make immediate sense. But my friend Shamus taught me the lingo, pointed me to some good books* and I started learning. If you don’t like the clients you’re working on, you’re not trying hard enough to discover what makes them tick. I grew to love working on UFC.
Despite what you might think, they’re a progressive brand and always explored the latest technology (connected TVs, mobile apps for fans, etc). One of my favorite memories from working with them was flying down to Las Vegas and presenting to the owners, the Fertitta brothers, as they drank their protein smoothies and looked hella tough.
So it’s interesting to learn that after Dana White said “We’re not for sale…but, if somebody shows up with $4 billion, we can talk,” UFC sold itself for $4 billion. I expect some interesting changes soon…
*Highly recommended reading: A Fighter’s Heart and A Fighter’s Mind, both by Sam Sheridan
Also, more of my 100 Days Project on Medium: medium.com/@tiboutoo
Owner at Oak Barrel Winecraft
8 年Such a good points, about UFC and Account work.
So so true. Both about the UFC and also about learning to find the passion that exists around all brands or products. As a brand they were light years ahead of social marketing and consumer engagement. Was watching the piece on the verge this weekend about the sale (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYKEcK4MRI8) that really compliments your comments. Fave quote from the video is "The UFC’s success is much a matter of necessity as strategy. When it was banned from television the UFC has to find new avenues for distribution beyond traditional television. " Very true.
A plug-and-play strategist for brands and agencies
8 年CC Shamus Scott Grubb, Katey Martin