THE PRODIGY REPORT
OUR SPRING REVIEW & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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A LETTER FROM OUR LEADERS
We often get calls and emails asking us about the pulse of the industry, what are we hearing, or what is next and on the horizon. At first blush, you would think those questions become exhausting to answer repeatedly but we do take pride in the fact that key executives in the industry trust our perspective. They want to know what we know, they want to know what people are telling us, and they want to understand our outlook on trends and future outcomes.
Yes, some inquiries are coming from job seekers who are conducting due diligence for their own career and professional goals. But these are also questions we get from our clients, prospective clients, media members, and other industry insiders. While not an exhaustive list, here are our inferences to pertinent issues occurring now and worth keeping an eye on for the future:
- The sports and entertainment labor markets are strong; we are very busy as are a few of the other boutique executive search firms in our space;
- Hiring is being done in non-traditional areas outside of traditional stick-and-ball sports. From technology to esports to sports nonprofits; beyond the “big five”, many opportunities exist that have growth potential;
- Hybrid work structures are still in place; flexible work schedules remain important to employees and job seekers; completely remote roles are becoming less the norm;
- The Great Resignation has not truly applied to the mid- and senior-level executives in our industry – nor do we anticipate that occurring beyond the entry- and junior-levels;
- DEI roles are finally becoming more prevalent, but it will take time for those roles to have more developed departments, larger budgets, and a seat at the table;
- The competition for talent is indescribable; many of our candidates for roles are being contacted or are otherwise finalists for multiple roles simultaneously; employers need to act decisively and aggressively or they’ll lose out on great people.
Scott Carmichael, CEO & Founder
Mark Gress Jr., Partner
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IN THIS ISSUE
A Letter from our Leaders
D&I Educational Initiative: Newest Advisors
Back in Action: On the Map
In the Spotlight: 2022 Special Olympics USA Games
Up & Coming: Highlighted Openings
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PRODIGY SEARCH: SPRING 2022 |
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DIVERSITY & INCLUSION EDUCATIONAL INITATIVE |
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WECLOME OUR NEWEST ADVISORS |
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Prodigy Search is excited to welcome Natalie Rogers, Kyle Ellington, Regina Ford, and Tim Wise to our Diversity & Inclusion Board of Advisors! In addition to our five returning Advisors, this new group of amazing leaders will challenge us, teach us, and guide us in our efforts to make real and tangible improvements in our industry.
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Currently the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Well-Being at American University, Natalie Rogers oversees the contributions made to the mental and physical well-being of student-athletes and all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for the athletic department. She serves as the department’s well-known National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletics diversity and inclusion designee (ADID).
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Having 10+ years of HR experience in several well-known sports and entertainment groups, Kyle Ellington has been a major part of the DEI programs in most; including the Oakland A’s and Sacramento Kings. Being the first Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging for the Oakland A's, Kyle has since strengthened the comprehension of the programs across the sport.
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With strategic initiatives as an HR leader and a certified PROSCI change management professional, Regina Ford helps organizations of all types to improve operational productivity by building diverse, inclusive, and equitable work cultures with highly engaged team members. She has more than 20 years of human resources experience and 15 years of DEI experience working across a number of industries.
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As the Senior Associate Athletic Director, Facilities, Events and Revenue at the University of Notre Dame, Tim Wise oversees facilities, game operations, capital projects and revenue generation. Having served on several boards, including the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association Board of Directors, Tim has been engaged in the NCAA Leadership Institute Continuing Education Series, the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males, the NACDA Mentoring Institute, the NCAA Diversity Education Training and the NCAA Achieving Communications Success Workshop.
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To learn more about our Advisors and our Educational Initiative, visit our D&I webpage.
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PRODIGY SEARCH: SPRING 2022 |
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After two long years, our team is excited to be back on the road, traveling, visiting clients, attending conferences and events, and seeing those industry friends we've missed.
Here are some places our team has visited so far this year and some upcoming places we are heading to in the coming weeks.
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Just a few days away from the 2022 SBJ Sports Business Awards!
Mark Gress Jr, Kevin Carmichael, Megan Meisse, and Aaron Tyson look forward to celebrating and honoring the nominees and award winners, including many of our loyal clients and dear friends. We wish the best of luck to all nominated, including a few of our clients like Legends; AEG Global Partnerships; 160over90; Ultimate Fighting Championship; MKTG; Atlanta Braves; and Oak View Group.
More about the 2022 SBJ Sports Business Awards can be found here.
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DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY |
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As we continue to identify ways to increase our diversity efforts, a member of our team, Aaron Tyson, presented to his alma mater Delaware State University during their annual Sports Management Alumni Conference. Aaron shared with over 50 aspiring sport industry professionals an inside look into the executive search business and its benefits when clients are searching for qualified diverse candidates. We aim to proactively build relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and continue to educate sports management students on the executive search business.
Stay tuned for further information on our initiatives across the HBCU landscape.
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PRODIGY SEARCH: SPRING 2022 |
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DAVID ZIMMERMAN:
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,
2022 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES
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Since joining the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in January 2020, Prodigy Search D&I Board of Advisors member David Zimmerman has been working around the clock on logistics, planning, and operations. Utilizing the varied skill set and deep tool box he developed through a lengthy military career and his advanced degrees at the University of Central Florida, Zimmerman’s leadership style and meticulous approach will undoubtedly result in a successful Games this summer.
We spoke with David to get an update, less than 30 days out as seen below:
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What is expected from a size, scope, number of athletes, and number of attendees perspective for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games?
For the Games this year, we are expecting approximately 125,000 spectators; 12,000 volunteers; and 5,500 delegation members (4,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches). This year, the Opening Ceremony is at Exploria Stadium. We have 10 Competition Venues and 20 sports.
Less than 30 days out from the Games - what are you specifically focused on accomplishing?
While there is plenty to prepare for in the coming weeks, two main items are on our radar right now:
- Change Management
- Keeping All-Volunteer Team focused and motivated
We know this is a job, but can you talk about the intrinsic satisfaction you get/will get from preparing for and ultimately executing this event?
Generating awareness that people with disabilities have abilities. We are all different - we all have unique skills and talents that allow us to Shine As One. I will be excited to see how much the 2022 USA Games will accelerate society’s understanding of Special Olympics and acceptance of individuals with intellectual disabilities in communities, schools, and workplaces across the country. It is our mission for the 2022 USA Games to be a catalyst for engagement and collaborative public and private partnerships that drive authentic inclusion and acceptance of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
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More about the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games can be found here.
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PRODIGY SEARCH: SPRING 2022 |
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HIGHLIGHTED OPENINGS
Below are a few of our new opportunities; hyperlinked to their respective job descriptions.
Feel free to apply directly or share with your network for those that are looking to get back into a growing workforce.
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Head of Business Development
Confidential
Organization: Confidential
Location: Western India
Category: Event Booking
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Chief Executive Officer
USA Nordic Sport
Organization: USA Nordic Sport
Location: Park City, UT
Category: C-Level
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Head of Operations
Confidential
Organization: Confidential
Location: Western India
Category: Facility/Event Management
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Head of Commercial Partnerships
USA Lacrosse
Organization: USA Lacrosse
Location: Sparks, MD
Category: Partnerships
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General Manager
Sodexo Live!
Organization: Sodexo Live!
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Category: Food Service
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Business Development - esports
SPORTFIVE
Organization: SPORTFIVE
Location: New York, NY
Category: Business Development
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PRODIGY SEARCH: SPRING 2022 |
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IMPACTS AROUND THE INDUSTRY |
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In this ALSD Member Highlight, Scott Carmichael, Founder and CEO for Prodigy Search, provides solutions to current challenges in the talent acquisition and sports business leadership marketplace.
Carmichael recognizes that hired sports leaders who understand revenue generation often prosper. His firm also asserts that creating a diverse and culturally warm workforce should be goal number one.
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Two years into the pandemic and executive search firms are overflowing with assignments in a work world they never could have predicted pre-COVID-19.
In this article speaking to creating DE&I--specific roles, “We believe there is a real potential to bring in candidates from outside of our sector (sports and entertainment) to address critical DEI roles,” said Scott Carmichael, founder of Prodigy Search.
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PRODIGY SEARCH: SPRING 2022 |
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