The idea that somebody is launching a podcast hardly seems like news these days, especially in the sports arena.
But when I heard that a top executive with one of the leading sports agencies launched one a few weeks ago, my interest was piqued. David Schwab, an executive vice president with Octagon, unveiled his podcast series the week before the Super Bowl. He interviews Miami University graduates (the Miami in Ohio, not Florida) who have made names for themselves in sports, entertainment and business.
Schwab says he has no commercial goals for the pod, which is called “Beyond High Street,” referencing a campus street in Oxford, Ohio. Schwab said he is devoting time and energy to it to help current students and professors more than finding a sponsor.
“I don’t care how many people click on it,” Schwab said. “I have no revenue desire out of this. It is to help the current students and faculty so they can hear real-life, best practices case studies and apply it. Hopefully it helps future kids, parents and guidance counselors.”
Schwab is a 1994 graduate of the school, which is where he met his wife, Erika Trost, a 1993 graduate. In college, Trost was editor-in-chief of a campus newspaper and hired Schwab to be the sports editor. “That’s how our relationship started,” Schwab said.
As you would expect given Schwab’s position at Octagon, most of his podcasts so far have had sports connections.
His first podcast was with Michael Mizanin, a professional wrestler better known as The Miz. Mizanin talks about leaving Miami U. to get cast on reality shows such as “Real World” on MTV and “Fear Factor” on NBC before hitting it big in the WWE.
David Schwab’s new podcast series focuses on graduates of Miami (Ohio) University and is named after a campus street.
Schwab interviewed college friend Rebecca Messina, who is the global chief marketing officer of Jim Beam. The podcast was taped the day after the Super Bowl, and Schwab had Messina analyze Super Bowl ads from the previous day. Other pod guests include Kyle Schlegel, who is the global marketing director of Wilson Sporting Goods; John Walton, who is the radio play-by-play voice for the Washington Capitals; and, of course, his boss Rick Dudley, CEO of Octagon — all Miami U. grads.
Schwab is targeting other Miami grads like Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, NBC Sports Programming President Jon Miller, Aston Villa chief executive Tom Fox, LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan and Jim Steeg, the former sports executive credited with turning the Super Bowl into a de facto national holiday.
“Everyone I asked so far has said yes,” Schwab said.
Schwab keeps his podcasts to about 20 minutes, generally opening with a conversation about where they are now before bringing it back to Miami. During his pod, Caps announcer Walton talked about a professor who helped him get an internship in the public-address department of the Cincinnati Reds — a position that propelled his career.
Schwab has no set schedule for his pods, but hopes to have a new one out about once a week. He has a list of more than 100 Miami grads already. He created a website, Twitter handle and Facebook and Linked-In pages where people can listen.
“I close my pod every time with, ‘See you at Skipper’s,’ which was our favorite burger-fries-beer joint in Oxford,” Schwab said. “I sent a pod to the owner, Andy Amarantos, and said something to the effect of, ‘Not even asking for a penny.’ Andy wrote back, ‘Don’t worry. You’re still paying full price when you come back.’”
John Ourand can be reached at jourand@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ourand_SBJ.
