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TAYLORMADE-ADIDAS GOLF
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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.
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■ 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.
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■ 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.
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■ Scent: Bratwursts grilling on football Sundays.
■ Vacation spot: Pebble Beach.
■ Car: BMW.
■ Singer: Zac Brown.
■ Quote: “Don’t confuse activity with achievement.” — John Wooden
