Posted on WorkInSports.com: 7/12/2006
By: SportsBusiness Journal Staff
Work with Hawks allowed Smallwood to spread her wings
After five years with Atlanta Spirit, the parent company of the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers and Philips Arena, Terese Smallwood has joined the law firm of Williams & Connolly as a sports marketing specialist. She will focus on marketing partnerships for the firm’s clientele, which includes Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Ray Allen and Tamika Catchings. She will also oversee community investment projects for the athletes.
Age: 28
New title: Sports marketing specialist, Williams & Connolly
Previous job title: Manager of advertising and promotions, Atlanta Spirit
First job: Cashier at the Children’s Museum of Denver
College education: Bachelor of arts, organizational studies with an emphasis in sports management and communications, University of Michigan (1999)
Resides: Washington, D.C.
Grew up: Denver
Executive most admired: Howard Schultz
Brand most admired: Apple
Favorite vacation spot: Bermuda and Destin, Fla.
Last book read: “Fab Five” by Mitch Albom
Favorite movie: “A Bronx Tale”
Favorite musician: Jill Scott
What will be the biggest challenge in your new position?
The market itself and the companies that I will be reaching out to. So much depends on perfect timing. You have to stay ahead of the game and strike while the iron is hot. I am pretty confident that if companies are seeking athletes, there are no better people in the marketplace than the athletes that we have here.
What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Following the path of opportunities that have come up and facing the associated risks following that path. Moving from a comfortable environment into one that is unknown is always a risk because you don’t really know what the outcome is going to be. However, I am proud to say that taking those leads has put me in a position to grow and be a part of an excellent organization.
What is your biggest professional accomplishment?
My development over the five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks and being able to develop some really innovative and unique marketing programs. Working with the Hawks, one the youngest teams in the league, really allowed me to stretch my creativity and enhance the overall fan experience by putting some great programs together.
What was your favorite program?
I have two: No. 1 would be the Chick-fil-A Family Night and next would be the Fanatical Fan Program, my first promotion that I put together. With that promotion we allowed the first fans through the door to get their faces painted for free, gave away T-shirts and noisemakers and upgraded their seats to 100-level seats.
This career spotlight is courtesy of the SportsBusiness Journal. CLICK HERE to visit their official website.
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