People and Pop Culture
Spotlight: Jamey Sunshine, LeadDog Sports
Sunshine the new top dog at LeadDog Sports
Having spent the majority of his career in experiential and sports marketing with stops at the ATP, Red Bull and Lagardère Unlimited, Jamey Sunshine is now the head of LeadDog Sports. Sunshine has been at LeadDog for just less than a year and a half, first as vice president of client partnerships, and now will focus on building client partnerships and brand relationships. He recently spoke with staff writer Brandon McClung.
■ Age: 36
■ New title: Managing director, LeadDog Sports
■ Previous title: Vice president of client partnerships, LeadDog Marketing Group
■ First job: In the tennis shop at the Concord Resort Hotel
■ College education: Bachelor’s degree in business economics; minor in sports management, SUNY Oneonta (2000)
■ Resides: Arlington, Va., with wife Abby and English Bulldog Lola
■ Grew up: Swan Lake, N.Y.
■ Executive most admired: Adam Silver, NBA commissioner
■ Brand most admired: Red Bull
■ Favorite vacation spot: Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico; taking a trip to Italy in June
■ Last book read: “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies,” by Jim Collins
■ Last movie seen: “American Sniper”
■ Favorite movies: “The Departed” and “Old School”
■ Favorite musician/band: Linkin Park. I would also say most hip-hop from 1993 to 2000
■ What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Leaving Red Bull to accept a position at Lagardère. I was excited about the transition and having the opportunity to focus more of my time on sports, but it was a difficult decision to leave a role that I loved and people that I enjoyed working with.
■ What is your biggest professional accomplishment?
Working with Caroline Wozniacki when I first made the transition to Lagardère. She was No. 3 in the world and soon after became No. 1 in the world.
■ What is your biggest professional disappointment?
For the pitches that we walk into, we put a lot of preparation and time into those and we are proud of the ones that go well, and for some of the ones that don’t, we try not to focus on the past and instead use it as a learning lesson. There is one in particular last year that was a large sports marketing pitch that we didn’t win and that one still stings — but I would love to have another shot.
■ What career advice do you have for people wanting into the sports industry?
My recommendation for anyone looking to get into sports is to be persistent and look to create their own opportunities by networking and volunteering.
■ What is one story you are continuing to watch in the sports world today?
The consolidation of agencies. This has been happening for some time and I feel like it ebbs and flows, but as an independent shop I like our position and where we are in the market.
■ What is the one element you would like to see changed about the sports industry?
We see a lot of proposals that come through with gold, silver and bronze packages. To me it’s an old-school mentality.
