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What I Like: Mark King, CEO and President, TaylorMade-Adidas Golf


TAYLORMADE-ADIDAS GOLF
MARK KING

CEO and President,
TaylorMade Adidas Golf

Where I’m from: Green Bay. (Yes, I am a huge Packers fan.)

Where I went to school: Attended Northern Illinois University for two years on a golf scholarship, then transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

My first job: After graduating, joined TaylorMade Golf, then a startup company, as a territory sales representative. Named president in 1999; added title of CEO in 2002.

PROFESSIONAL

What I Like …

An insight: The only secret to life: Get up early, work hard, take responsibility.

An influential person in my career: Former boss Chuck Yash. He challenged me to do more!

An out-of-the-box idea: Painting a driver white.

A timeless idea: Treat people fairly.

A business deal: Any that is done on the golf course.

A sports facility: Lambeau Field.

A sports event: Watching my daughters play softball.

A strategy: Speed. I’d rather be fast and wrong than slow and right.

A hire: My assistant that I hired 11 years ago.

A trend: The way people consume information.

An innovation: Original r7 driver, the first to incorporate movable weight technology.

A pro league or team business initiative: MLB: my favorite pastime.

A story that bears watching: “Lombardi” … so inspiring!

An idea or invention I wish I had thought of: The remote control.

A fantasy job: A cabdriver in Chicago or New York City.


What I Like About …

My job: Being surrounded by talented and passionate people from all over the world.

Sports: I like everything about sports: entertainment, excitement, competition, fun!

Sports business: I get to work in an industry I love.

Sports fans: How crazy they are!

Sports media: I love the storytelling and how they can romanticize. Especially golf and baseball.

Sports technology: The impact that advancements in technology have had on performance.

Competing: Someone wins, someone loses.

The future of sports business: Incredible growth fueled by new media.


What I’d Like To …

Change: Airline service. I just want someone to care!

Change in what I do: Relax a little bit.

See: Fenway Park.

See more of in sports: More selfless athletes who use their fame for a positive influence.

See less of in sports: Annoying commentators. Let the moment happen!

Eliminate: The goalie in soccer.

See more of in sports business: Authenticity.

See less of in sports business: Dishonesty.


What I Don’t Like ...

In general: People who are late.
 
Pet peeve: People chomping on food.

In sports: Instant replay.

In business: Marketing spin. I hate when brands mislead the consumer.

About sports fans: How inconsistent they are. Love your team, win or lose.  


PERSONAL

What I Like …

People: My employees.

Above all else: My daughters.

That would surprise those who know me: I go to bed at 8:30 p.m.

GETTY IMAGES
About myself: Still passionate about my job and industry I started in 25 years ago.

Heroes: Vince Lombardi, my mom, my daughters.

Players: Wayne Gretzky, Brett Favre, Magic Johnson.

Team: Green Bay Packers.

GETTY IMAGES

City: Chicago.

Possession: Baseball glove.

Memento: Favre jersey.

Time of year (because): Fall. Football.

Music: Country.

Book: “Golf in the Kingdom,” by Michael Murphy.

Author: James Patterson.


Magazine: Sports Illustrated.

Website: Amazon.

Gadget: Wine opener.

IPad app: ITunes.

Chores: Doing laundry. Hey, I don’t mind it.

Hobbies: Jogging, watching ESPN and (of course) golf.

Trip: Augusta.

Movie: “Tommy Boy.”

TV: Fox News.

Concert: John Denver.

Food: Pizza, hamburgers.

Dessert: Ice cream.

Drink: Coffee, and lots of it.

GETTY IMAGES
Scent: Bratwursts grilling on football Sundays.

Vacation spot: Pebble Beach.

Car: BMW.

Singer: Zac Brown.

Quote: “Don’t confuse activity with achievement.” — John Wooden

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