gretchen mathis
When Bill Fagan discusses prospective new business with a university athletics executive, he has not one business plan to draw from but more than 30.
Fagan, chief operating officer of The Aspire Group, oversees operations for the company’s fan relationship management centers, which are outsourced ticket sales groups that make up the largest share of the company’s business. Fagan, who was the Atlanta-based company’s first hire when it signed Georgia Tech, also oversees business development and sits on the company’s executive committee.
HASHTAG YOUR LIFE
|
| #neverstoplearning |
He says the key to growing the group has been analyzing market data and understanding a school’s strengths and weaknesses to tailor the company’s approach.
“We really pride ourselves in not being a one size fits all; you won’t find a traditional standard business model that we use, and there’s a reason for that,” Fagan said. “The business model we created on day one at Georgia Tech simply doesn’t work everywhere else when it comes to fan relationship management centers.”
If a school already has a strong marketing or sales arm, Aspire may just look to support that with additional technology as opposed to a more significant overhaul. “We consider ourselves swiss cheese hole-fillers,” he added.
Fagan has capitalized on stints throughout stick and ball sports to get him to his current role. He worked in sales with the Phoenix Suns and its sister hockey club, the Phoenix RoadRunners, and then with the Charlotte Bobcats before heading to Aspire.
While he was with the Suns, his colleague Jeff Ianello, now with SeatGeek and a fellow 2017 Forty Under 40 honoree, had Fagan run ticket sales training classes for recent hires. It was through that experience that Fagan found his calling helping others improve their sales.
“I walked away so energized by those training sessions,” Fagan said. “I realized my path was perhaps better served helping other people grow their careers.”
— Adam Stern
bill fagan
the aspire group | Chief Operating Officer
Age: 34
Where born: New Britain, Conn.
Education: University of Miami (Bachelor’s, business administration); Goizueta Business School, Emory University (Master’s, business administration).
What do you know now that you wish you’d known at age 20: If you are doing the right things, opportunities will find you.
Profession other than your own you’d most like to attempt: Teaching.
Cause supported: The Homeless World Cup.
Guilty pleasure: Gummy bears.
Person in the industry you’d most like to meet: Theo Epstein.
I’m one of the best I know at … : Asking interview questions.
The sports industry needs to do a better job of … : Storytelling how sport creates positive change in the world. The Sport at the Service of Humanity initiative is a great example of how sport (and faith) can work together to promote positive values, inspire youth and better serve humanity.
Most thrilling/adventurous thing I’ve ever done is … : Zip lining in Costa Rica.
You’d be surprised to know that I … : Am the baby of eight children and became an uncle at age 7.
