Diane Ferranti, Detroit Pistons
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
Release Date: 05/07/2020
The Decisions That Define Events
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
Behind every great event are decisions most people never see. Don is joined by Frank Supovitz, one of the most respected leaders in live sports and event production, to explore how those unseen decisions define successful events. Drawing from more than 35 years of experience with the NFL and NHL, including work on the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, Pro Bowl, Stanley Cup Finals, and NHL All-Star Weekends, Frank shares how decisions made early, under pressure, and behind the scenes shape the audience experience. Together, they break down eight critical decision areas that separate good events from great...
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Behind the Gameday Experience at Auburn University
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
In this episode, Don sits down with Paris Buchanan, Senior Associate AD for Fan Experience and Creative Strategy at Auburn University, to take listeners behind the Tigers gameday experience. Paris shares his career journey, the philosophy guiding Auburn’s approach to event presentation, and how he structures and leads teams to deliver seamless, high-impact fan experiences. He also discusses the planning process, creative strategy, and evolving technologies shaping gameday in college athletics, and offers valuable advice for the next generation of sports professionals.
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Building Momentum: 5 Strategies for Transitioning into a New Role
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
Transitions are part of every sports career — joining a new organization, stepping into a different role, or adapting to a new culture. In this episode, Darius Smith, Senior Director of Game Presentation and Entertainment for the Washington Commanders, shares five strategies for approaching new opportunities with confidence, clarity, and creativity. Drawing from his experience with both the Commanders and the Minnesota Vikings, Darius offers practical insights for building momentum, earning trust, and making an immediate impact in a new environment.
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Behind the Scenes: 5 Lessons from Producing League Championships
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
When a team reaches the championship stage, everything changes. Event presentation shifts from team-driven to league-driven, bringing new challenges and added pressure. In this episode, Joe Legaz, Director of Game Operations and Live Experience for the Seattle Sounders FC, shares five key lessons from producing league championships. These behind-the-scenes insights won’t appear on a highlight reel, but they’re what truly make championship events successful.
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Beyond the Scoreboard: The Story Behind the Book
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
In this special episode of The Rundown, the table is turned as host Don Costante takes the hot seat to share the story behind his new book, Beyond the Scoreboard: The Ultimate Guide to Sports Event Presentation. Hear how three decades of experience turned into Sports Business Journal Publishing’s first book, and why it’s a game-changer in the sports industry.
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Set the Tone: The Impact of Team Introductions
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
Season 3 kicks off with Jason Lodato joining Don for a conversation on the strategy and creativity behind unforgettable fan experiences. From his early days in the industry to leading game presentation for top teams and iconic venues, Jason shares how his journey shaped his event presentation philosophy and approach to gamedays. The episode takes a deep dive into one of the most climactic moments in sports—the team introduction. Hear how Jason brings this high-energy moment to life to ignite the crowd, set the tone for the game, and elevate the overall fan experience.
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Interview with Sharon delPilar
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
In this episode, Don interviews Sharon delPilar who shares her path to becoming the Production Stage Manager for Magic Mike Live. Listen as Sharon illustrates the differences between stage management and production stage management and provides a behind-the-scenes look at what she does for the show. Also, she identifies the skillset required to be successful in this field, outlines her self-development strategy, offers some resources for anyone looking to become more marketable, and much more!
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Interview with Chad Folkestad
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
In this episode, Don has a conversation with Chad Folkestad who shares his career path, event presentation philosophy, and talks candidly about storytelling and the creative process he utilizes to generate award-winning content. Listen as Chad illustrates his methods for creating an organic environment that relies heavily on spontaneity. They touch on a variety of topics including… keys to great storytelling, getting players to “buy in” to projects, tactics for generating content ideas, facilitating meaningful ideation sessions, getting ideas approved through leadership, and...
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Interview with Andrew Johnson
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
In this episode, Don interviews Andrew Johnson who shares his path to becoming the mascot performer for the Houston Texans. Listen as Andrew breaks down the three areas every great mascot should focus on. Also, he provides advice to those who manage mascots, identifies the ideal skillset for performers, points out some of the biggest mistakes made by mascots today and much more! If you’re a mascot, someone who oversees a mascot program, or you enjoy a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the sports industry… you’re going to love this discussion!
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Interview with Ahmaad Crump
The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
In this episode, Don has a conversation with 16-year NBA in-arena host veteran, Ahmaad Crump. Listen as Ahmaad shares his experience and talks openly about his path to becoming an emcee for the Cleveland Cavaliers. During their conversation, they touch on several topics including communication between Game Director and Emcee, handling situations with multiple hosts, advice on becoming a successful emcee, common mistakes, and much more!
info_outlineThis episode features Emmy Award Winning Producer and 2019 Information Display & Entertainment Association (IDEA) Hall of Fame member, Diane Ferranti. During this interview with Don, Diane details her event presentation philosophy, provides insight into managing staff, outlines her formula for creating impactful team introductions, gives the secret to developing successful contests, discusses digital production, highlights the latest technology she’s most excited about and more!