Fandom Unpacked
Fandom Unpacked
Situation
Fandom has long been the heartbeat of in-person sports, music, and entertainment experiences, with modern fans organizing and sharing their love (or despair) across hundreds of different platforms. Fandom Unpacked is a 30-minute ask-me-anything style series where we aim to understand the power of modern fandom by engaging with some of the brightest minds in sports and entertainment. We pose a series of questions to our guests to gain insight into the shape of fandom in their industry, inviting our audience to join in on the fun by participating in our bi-monthly livestreams. Register at https://situationlive.com/fan.
How Feld Entertainment Keeps Audiences Coming Back, Generation After Generation
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...
Sep 12, 2025
33 min
Rewriting the Playbook: What the Rise of The Gist Says About the Future of Fandom
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...
Aug 6, 2025
31 min
Serving the Future: How the US Open Became a Culture-First Sports Brand
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...
Jul 25, 2025
27 min
Broadway’s Press Corps on the Fans Who Keep It Going
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...
Jun 25, 2025
44 min
From Club to Kingdom: The Power of the Disney Fanbase with D23
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...
Jun 12, 2025
33 min
Fueling Resilience: As Arts Funding Tightens, Building Connection & Community with Tessitura
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...
May 21, 2025
33 min
The Heart of Travel Fandom: A Digital Journey with Southwest Airlines
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...
May 8, 2025
35 min
AI’s Impact on Live Entertainment:  Unpacking the Business Effects on Sports, Arts, and Ticketed Events
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 ...
Apr 23, 2025
36 min
Fandom at Sea: Building Passionate Communities with Sixthman
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...
Mar 28, 2025
31 min
Turning Audiences into a Multigenerational Fanbase at PBS
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...
Feb 27, 2025
26 min
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