Principals for the Dallas, TX-based executive search firm
Eastman & Beaudine, Inc. (E&B) see a growing trend of colleges
and universities hiring executive search firms for sports-related
activities. E&B Chair & CEO Frank Beaudine and President & COO
Robert Beaudine told THE DAILY as sponsorships and licensing
agreements continue to grow in importance for schools, more
professional marketers will be needed to facilitate these
transactions. While ADs typically have overseen such duties in
the past, Frank Beaudine notes they increasingly have neither the
time nor the expertise to properly manage such activities. Thus,
schools now need professional marketers with practical business
experience. As ADs spend more time on the road attending events
and meeting with alumni, Frank Beaudine says schools may also
soon become reliant on search firms for other positions,
including coaches. E&B have conducted searches for MLB ('94
commissioner search), NBA, CBA, Arena Football League, and the
USOC. The firm has also done work for SMU, Virginia and
Vanderbilt, merchandisers Champion and Wilson, and retailers
Athlete's Foot and Sears (THE DAILY).
CASE IN POINT: Strategic Merchandising Associates (SMA)
yesterday was named the marketing partner for Brown University's
Athletic Department. SMA will provide strategic guidance,
implementation of marketing initiatives and retail licensing
counsel to the school's Athletic Department. SMA will also hire
a full-time Athletic Marketing Dir for the Brown assignment.
This individual will reside in Providence and report directly to
Brown AD David Roach (SMA).
