Summary: <br> Hey Everybody I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning at <a href="https://www.workinsports.com/">WorkinSports.com</a> and this is the WorkInSports podcast…<br> <br> <br> <br> The idea of a sports startup isn’t exactly new, there a fledgling agencies, marketing companies, tech companies all popping up throughout the year. <br> <br> <br> <br> But what about a professional sports team that functions like a startup?<br> <br> <br> <br> The Seattle Kraken -- and yes, I’ll be saying that name as often as possible over the next 45 minutes because I love it -- are the latest darling of the NHL and the entire Pacific Northwest. <br> <br> <br> <br> But let’s digest that for a second. <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> December 2018, the NHL approves a proposal to grant Seattle an expansion NHL franchise<br> <br> <br> <br> In any normal situation, it’s a mad dash to the start of the first season. There are stadium renovations to complete, staffs to hire, teams to draft - and that is barely scratching the surface of all the needs to be done. <br> <br> <br> <br> It is the beginning of a franchise story. A startup business. Brand new, everyone figuring out through some levels of trial and error what will work and what doesn’t.<br> <br> <br> <br> Now, for an NHL franchise like the Kraken, they are gathering the best, most experienced talent from around the world as part of their spunky little startup, so it is a little different than a new tech company like say last week’s guest Eric Stark began with Slate. <br> <br> <br> <br> But, beginning something new is a huge challenge, and now layer in doing that during a pandemic. <br> <br> <br> <br> Today’s guest Allison Bickford, Director of Corporate Partnership Activation has been with the Kraken since August 2019...but has yet to meet many if not most of her fellow co-workers outside of zoom. Is operating in a new city, without the ability to really go look around and see the area. <br> <br> <br> <br> These are the challenges we deal with right now, and, at least in theory, make us stronger. <br> <br> <br> <br> So buckle up -- we’re talking Corporate Partnerships, #Startup mentality, Pacific Northwest excitement, and more with Allison Bickford!<br> <br> <br> <br> Prefer to watch? Here is the full Work In Sports VODCAST episode with Allison Bickford, Seattle Kraken<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> https://youtu.be/zfZr4Qzbm-o<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Questions for Allison Bickford, Seattle Kraken Director of Corporate Partnership Activation<br> <br> <br> <br> 1: A few weeks back a fan of the show wrote in saying, “you need to have a guest on from the Seattle Kraken” …Allison Bickford, you are that guest! Welcome!<br> <br> <br> <br> I lived in Seattle for 10 years and it was during the time the Sonics left town. Seattle is a great sports town, and the people were heartbroken then. Now, there is a palpable excitement people are thrilled to have hockey coming to the Northwest – what has the energy and excitement been like for you?<br> <br> <br> <br> 2: Let’s talk about your role – Director of Corporate Partnership Activation – sounds fancy, tell us a little more about what it means to be in your role, your primary focuses and what you love…<br> <br> <br> <br> 3: Would you consider Corporate Partnership Activation more of a sales type role? More customer service? Marketing? How do you identify yourself when you explain it to people outside of sports?<br> <br> <br> <br> 4: How did you land here, in this career path? I think so many in our audience struggle to identify their proper fit, or path, so how did you land in this area of focus in the sports industry?<br> <br> <br> <br> 5: You are working with a bevy of corporations as they come on as new partners and make sure ...
