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Come inside the minds of the world's greatest leaders of live experience brands with the Fandom Unpacked podcast series. Featuring conversations with the leaders on the front lines of brands who shape our culture, join us as we dive into the powers and forces that drive audience connection, loyalty, and lasting fandom.
Hosted by Damian Bazadona (Situation), Peter Yagecic (A Mind at Work Consulting), and Maureen Andersen (INTIX).
Fandom Unpacked is powered by Situation – the world’s leading marketing agency for live experience brands.
23 Episodes
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What makes a show truly “worth it” when wallets feel tight and the pace of change won’t slow down? We sat down on the floor at INTIX to unpack new survey data from leaders across live entertainment and paired it with insights from 100,000+ patron responses. The result is a clear map of where price perception meets real value, how C‑suite and frontline teams see the same problem from different seats, and what it takes to turn AI from a buzzword into a daily workflow advantage. We start by ref...
If you care about how fandom really grows, this year-end review is your field guide. We pulled threads from dozens of candid conversations across sports, Broadway, music, family entertainment, and venue operations to reveal seven clear themes that separate fleeting hype from durable community. We start with growing audiences: the U.S. Open’s free Fan Week proves sampling converts, while the Formula 1 Exhibition shows how taking the show to the city unlocks new audiences. That same logic chal...
What if a sports team stopped selling your attention and started earning your trust? We sit down with Emily Cole, whose company, Fans First Entertainment, owns the Savannah Bananas, to unpack how putting fans first can flip an entire industry. From all-in ticket pricing and ad-free outfields to a face-value resale platform that prioritizes local families, Emily shows how clear principles lead to bold choices and unforgettable nights. We explore what “partnership” means when logos aren’t plas...
What happens when a show stops asking you to watch and starts inviting you to be seen? We sit down with impresario Randy Weiner, the creative force behind Sleep No More, Queen of the Night, The Box, and the new Phantom Masquerade, to explore how human touch, story clarity, and radical hospitality can transform a night out into a memory that won’t let go. Randy traces his spark back to the balcony at Cats, where performers spilled into the aisles and changed his idea of what theater could be....
Want to see how a loyalty program actually moves behavior without feeling transactional? We sit down with Katie Dalton, president of Audience Rewards, to unpack the mechanics that turn a thrilling night out into a habit fans can’t wait to repeat. From the first “wow” perk to AI-powered recommendations, we explore the playbook that keeps people choosing live entertainment over another night on the couch. We start by nailing what success looks like: delight for the fan and measurable value for...
What makes someone stick with a team through losing seasons, changing conferences, and shifting media deals? We dig into the core of modern fandom with Clinical Assistant Professor of Sport Management at the University of Michigan and co-owner of AFC Ann Arbor, Mike Lorenc, tracing how identity, access, and economics shape the way people fall in love with sports—and stay there. From the evergreen pull of a never‑ending story to the way leagues actually make money, we break down what sets spor...
How can physical spaces enhance rather than simply contain fan experiences? Kristina Heney, EVP of Marketing at Oak View Group, takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolution of fan-venue relationships, drawing from her remarkable career spanning the NBA, Madison Square Garden, Cirque du Soleil, and now the leader in global venue development. Heney reveals how next-level fan experiences begin with understanding audience demographics - recognizing that teens camping overnight for the...
What does it take to create extraordinary family entertainment that spans generations? Jim Moseley, VP of Event Marketing and Sales, Northeast, for Feld Entertainment, pulls back the curtain on how iconic brands like Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey continue captivating millions of fans yearly. The numbers alone are staggering—10 million people attend Feld shows annually in North America, with up to 400,000 fans filling venues every weekend. But the true...
Ever felt like sports media wasn't speaking your language? Jacie deHoop, co-founder of The Gist, is changing that conversation by creating content for "GISTers" – predominantly female, millennial and Gen Z sports fans who love the game but haven't felt fully welcomed by traditional coverage. When deHoop and her co-founders launched The Gist, they faced significant skepticism. Critics claimed women weren't interested in sports and there wasn't a viable business model. Fast forward to today, w...
The electric energy of the US Open Tennis Championships goes far beyond the baseline. In this illuminating conversation, Nicole Kankam, Managing Director of Pro Tennis Marketing & Entertainment at the USTA, reveals how America's premier tennis event has become a cultural phenomenon by masterfully balancing tradition with innovation. Kankam offers a fascinating glimpse into the tournament's diverse audience, increasingly representative of America's demographics, with an even male-female s...
What does it mean to be a Broadway fan in today's digital world? In this illuminating conversation with top industry leaders from Playbill, Broadway News, and BroadwayWorld, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of theater fandom and how Broadway is adapting to connect with audiences in new ways. The misconception that Broadway is niche takes center stage as our guests passionately dismantle this outdated notion. "It is the greatest myth of all time that Broadway is niche," asserts Ruthie...
What happens when you gather Disney's most passionate fans in one community? Michael Vargo, Senior Vice President of D23, Corporate Events & Walt Disney Archives, reveals the magic behind Disney's official fan club in this captivating conversation. From its humble beginnings in 2009, D23 has evolved into a global phenomenon connecting Disney's most devoted fans—passionate enthusiasts who visit theme parks regularly, watch films multiple times, and build lasting friendships through shared...
Arts and Culture organizations are navigating unprecedented challenges with remarkable resilience. This powerful conversation with Andrew Recinos, President and CEO of Tessitura, reveals how arts leaders are responding to uncertainty with both anxiety and determination. "I'm seeing a lot of anxiety," Recinos acknowledges, "but right alongside it, I'm seeing grit and tenacity." Rather than freezing or fleeing when faced with funding cuts and political shifts, arts organizations are fighting—n...
What makes an airline inspire true fandom in an industry often reduced to price comparisons and schedule convenience? In this fascinating conversation with Andrew Harvell, Manager of Digital Strategy and Optimization at Southwest Airlines, we uncover the unique approach that has earned Southwest loyal customers and industry accolades spanning decades. "Our secret sauce is our people," Harvell explains, echoing Southwest's co-founder Colleen Barrett. "We are in the hospitality business here a...
The intersection of artificial intelligence and modern fandom is transforming how we discover, experience, and connect with live events. In this enlightening conversation, Janette Roush, Chief AI Officer and SVP of Innovation at Brand USA, shares a treasure trove of insights on the evolving relationship between AI and the live experience economy. Most marketers approach AI with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety – an understandable response to technology evolving at breathtaking speed. Roush ...
What happens when you give passionate fans five uninterrupted days with their favorite artists, chefs, comedians, or creators in the middle of the ocean? Pure magic, according to Jeff Cuellar, CEO of Sixthman. For nearly 25 years, Sixthman has been perfecting the art of creating immersive fan experiences at sea – essentially floating festivals where passionate communities can fully disconnect from everyday life and connect deeply with both their favorite artists and fellow enthusiasts. As Je...
Ever wonder why people proudly wear PBS merchandise as a badge of identity when nobody's sporting ABC t-shirts? Amy Wigler, Vice President of Multiplatform Marketing and Content for PBS, reveals the secret sauce behind one of America's most beloved media brands. "Your memories of PBS take you back to a time... it's visceral," explains Wigler, describing how the network creates powerful emotional connections that transcend generations. This nostalgic bond serves as both a blessing and a chall...
What truly separates an ordinary gameday from an unforgettable sports experience? For the New York Red Bulls, it all comes down to their meticulously crafted "street to seat" philosophy that transforms every matchday into a celebration of community, passion, and soccer culture. Elisa Padilla, CMO of the New York Red Bulls, takes us behind the scenes of creating the most fan-friendly sports experience in one of the world's most competitive entertainment markets. From the moment supporters arr...
The passionate world of opera fandom might surprise you. Forget polite, hushed appreciation – opera enthusiasts are more like sports fans than theater patrons, tracking their favorite performers across venues, possessing encyclopedic knowledge of past productions, and vocally expressing their approval (or disappointment) during performances. Joining us for this fascinating exploration are voices from LA Opera and Situation, who reveal how modern opera companies balance centuries of tradition...
What happens when passionate fans decide to create the events they've always wanted to attend? Melissa Anelli, CEO and Founder of Mischief Management takes us on her journey from Harry Potter superfan to convention entrepreneur running some of the most beloved fan gatherings in entertainment. The spark began in 2007 when Anelli and fellow staff members from The Leaky Cauldron (a major Harry Potter fan site) decided they could create better fan events themselves. Their first convention drew 7...
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