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Keenan, Chief information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread Inc: Advize Career Interview
A dynamic career journey at Sports Thread Inc., starting as an early employee and progressing to Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing, is highlighted in this interview.
The interviewee's unique path involved mastering diverse roles, from social media director to VP of UX and Marketing.
A dual role demands active listening, creative problem-solving, and adaptability, balancing intricate software development with cohesive brand management across various platforms.
A love of sports and a willingness to work unconventional hours are key to success in this fast-paced field.
The interviewee stresses the importance of patience, persistent effort, and a dedication to continuous learning, highlighting a sales engineer role as a valuable entry point.
A marketing major and athletic background provided crucial skills, revealing the lasting impact of dedication and teamwork.
This interview provides invaluable insight into a fulfilling and challenging career in sports technology, emphasizing the rewards of tackling complex problems and contributing to a company's growth.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Keenan
Chief information Officer and Vice President of Marketing
Sports Thread Inc
University of Northern Colorado
University of Northern Colorado
Marketing
Sports
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
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Career Path of a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread
Keenan's career path is unique, beginning as one of the first employees at Sports Thread Inc., a company founded by their brother, where they "did pretty much every single job." This experience, starting as a college freshman and progressing through roles such as social media director, VP of UX and Marketing, and finally CIO and VP of Marketing, showcases remarkable growth and versatility within a single organization.
Main Responsibilities of a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread Inc
Keenan's dual role as Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread Inc. involves a unique blend of responsibilities; the CIO work centers on "work[ing] with each department, listen[ing] to the problems," and finding data-driven solutions, while the marketing role ensures "a cohesive brand across all properties," encompassing digital and physical branding.
A Day in the Life of a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread Inc
Keenan's day-to-day responsibilities as Chief Information Officer and VP of Marketing at Sports Thread Inc. are highly variable depending on the season and client needs, ranging from "working with customer service or the data team" to participating in "sales calls" and product development. A typical day includes morning check-ins with customer service, reviewing developer notes, attending multiple team meetings, addressing escalated customer cases, and collaborating with the night shift development team on ongoing projects.
Most Important Skills For A Chief Information Officer And Vice President Of Marketing At Sports Thread Inc
Keenan, a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing, emphasizes the importance of active listening, noting the need to understand "what people are saying," even when problems are described differently. This strong listening skill, combined with creative problem-solving—whether finding "a really creative solution" for software issues or pivoting marketing strategies—is crucial for success in their dual role.
Favorite Parts of Being a Chief Information Officer and Vice President Marketing at Sports Thread Inc
Keenan, Sports Thread Inc.'s Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing, most enjoys the "a lot of different things" their role entails, finding the variety and problem-solving aspects—"fun solutions to things"—particularly engaging and rewarding.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread
Keenan's biggest challenge as Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread Inc. is developing user-friendly software for hundreds of thousands of people with varying needs, balancing "complicated things" like event support and ticketing with intuitive design to minimize user frustration and support requests. The dual responsibility of product development and customer experience management presents a significant hurdle in ensuring widespread accessibility and usability of the software.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Sports Industry as a Chief Information Officer
Keenan's passion for sports, stating "I love sports. I played sports my entire life," fuels Keenan's enjoyment of the industry, combined with the diverse range of business sizes Keenan works with—from "professional sports teams" to "a single entrepreneur"—making the work "really interesting."
What type of person thrives in Sports and Technology, according to a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread Inc
Keenan, a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing, highlights the need for flexibility, stating that "you have to be able to, or willing to work some weird hours," due to the nature of the sports and technology industries' demands. Success also hinges on "being creative and passionate about what you're doing," whether it's a love for the product or a deep care for the team and company.
What A Chief Information Officer And Vice President Of Marketing At Sports Thread Inc Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Technology Industry
Keenan, a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing, learned that "you're never going to be perfectly right your first time," a crucial lesson in both product development and marketing. This involves accepting that some highly anticipated projects might underperform while unexpectedly successful campaigns defy initial predictions, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the industry and the importance of adapting to unforeseen outcomes.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Information Technology Leaders and Marketing Leaders
Keenan, a CIO and VP of Marketing, suggests that a "sales engineer" role offers a valuable understanding of a company's components, bridging the gap between technical expertise and sales—a crucial aspect of management. The interviewee also emphasizes the importance of a willingness to learn and adapt, stating that "you're never gonna start off knowing all the skills you need," advocating for continuous growth and exploration within a company.
Significant Career Lesson from a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread Inc
Keenan's most significant career lesson is that "it takes a lot more time to do stuff than you think," using the example of companies perceived as overnight successes, which are often the result of decades of work, highlighting the importance of patience and consistent effort in building something lasting. This underscores Keenan's own approach of showing up every day and working hard to contribute to Sports Thread Inc.'s growth.
College Experiences That Helped a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing at Sports Thread Succeed
Keenan's marketing major provided valuable creative and critical thinking skills, but the most impactful preparation for their career as Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing involved "being willing to focus on something for four years and try your hardest," coupled with the discipline learned from playing football during undergraduate and graduate school. This combination developed a strong ability to learn and work efficiently.
How Identity Has Influenced A Chief Information Officer And Vice President Of Marketing At Sports Thread Inc's Career
Keenan, a Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Marketing, credits their athletic identity as the most impactful aspect of their career trajectory, stating that "the identity of being an athlete is what has taught me more than anything else." This experience instilled discipline, teamwork, and a willingness to sacrifice, skills directly applicable to navigating a demanding professional life, and overcoming challenges like learning disabilities and financial limitations.
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