The Sports Entrepreneurs Podcast by Marcus Luer
Episodes
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Maurizio Barbieri, "Maurizio's Digital Journey to Twitter"
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Maurizio's story has been all about digital for 20+ years of his career, from the early days of sports websites, to streaming content, to other digital ventures, some worked, some were too early. His journey lead him to Twitter. And he is loving it. Enjoy his stories.
Key Highlights
His early days in Basketball Coaching, always with an eye on technology and data
Working with Ricardo D’Silva and launching the first Basketball portal in Europe (MP Web)
Breaking ground, first to produce content for Mobile phones in early 2000 and starting live streaming on websites
Venture with Thomas Martens, early days of social media . First deal with YouTube
Branded content on Social media, too early
Samsung time - #1 Consumer brand in the world
His views on streaming, content delivery and monetization for rights holders and platform owners
Twitter – maybe the largest sports Venue in the world
His role in Twitter, helping global content owners and local publishers leverage the platform
NBA in the Philippines, how Twitter supports the League
His learning, don’t bust people’s balls…..
The future, DAZN, ESPN+….. who will be the new dominant player
Twitter’s role in E-Gaming
About
Maurizio leads Sports Partnerships across Southeast Asia for Twitter. In this role, Maurizio is responsible for developing and driving innovative sports partnerships, creating new revenue opportunities for Twitter and its sports partners in the region, and bringing exciting sports content onto Twitter to reach fans around the world.
Prior to Twitter, Maurizio founded and raised capital for two sports startups. With more than 18 years of experience in sports content, Maurizio has worked across Europe and Asia and was Head of Sports for Samsung Asia between 2013 and 2016.
After a successful career as a basketball coach, Maurizio started working in the digital field in 1999 at MP Web, the digital media arm of the Mediapartners Group (now Infront Italy). Maurizio has always been interested in technology, sports, and media, while movies and movie making are where his true passion lies.
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Joe de Sena, "Spartan Tough"
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Spartan Tough - Amazing insights and awesome “raw” sharing by Mr Spartan himself, Joe de Sena. His mindset and philosophies for business and life are perfect for the current climate and global challenges.
You have to be “Spartan Tough” to make it through all the obstacles which are currently out there. Business is a “Combat sport” (surprised he didn’t say “Spartan Race”) and he prepares for it with that in mind.
When I asked him after the interview about the Corona Virus and the impact on his events, he just said “what Virus”. “Where your focus goes, energy flows”, famous words by my mentor Tony Robbins.
Hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I do.
Key Highlights
Joe’s very early days (pre-teen), growing up in a crime infested neighbourhood and his tough life lessons (be indispensable, be early and don’t ask for money)
From his Pool cleaning business to Wall Street
His mum’s impact on his life from Yoga to running
In his mid-20s, transition from running his Pool cleaning business to working on Wall Street
How life style changes also changed his business, Vermont and family
The first races started from his farm in Vermont
Tough love – “no one cares, work harder”
Spartan Races, big ambitions, burning money for 15 years to get where the business is now
Business is a “combat sport”
Challenges for Spartan (being an analog business) is “digital”, promoting something which makes people “uncomfortable”
Brand building in the digital age
Tough Mudder vs Spartan Race – competition made both stronger
Purchase of Tough Mudder a week ago – his vision for both brands and how to fix Tough Mudder’s problems
Spartan’s future and current state
His time in Asia and Spartan’s growth here
At the core human beings are all “Spartans”
His Ultimate goal “change 100 million lives”
Olympic dream
His advise to young entrepreneurs
A day in Joe’s life
About
Joe De Sena – Founder and CEO of Spartan, the world’s largest obstacle race and endurance brand – has demonstrated his entrepreneurial drive since his pre-teens. Following a successful career on Wall Street De Sena set his sights on ripping people off their couches by creating the Spartan lifestyle.
With more than one million annual global participants at more than 250 events across more than 40 countries, Spartan offers heats for all fitness levels and ages, from beginner to elite and Kids as young as four-years-old. The brand has transformed more than seven million lives since it was founded in 2010.
De Sena is also the host of the Spartan Up! podcast and is a New York Times Best Selling Author having written three books: “Spartan Up,” “Spartan Fit” and “The Spartan Way.”