Sports Career Spotlight | John Coulter

Posted on WorkInSports.com: 8/23/2005
By: Brandon McClung

John Coulter has more than 25 years of experience in media, spending much of his career with AMFM Inc. before starting his own company. As the new executive vice president of sales for Sporting News Radio, Coulter is responsible for all radio sales for both the network and stations in Los Angeles, Boston and New York. Coulter spoke to staff writer Brandon McClung about his new position.

What will be the biggest challenge in your new position?
Finding and recruiting top talent (companies) for the company and having the support and tools that are needed to utilize them.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Leaving a safe and traditional job and starting my own company. This experience turned out to be a very rewarding risk.

What is your biggest professional accomplishment?
Being executive vice president and director of sales for the industry’s largest-billing radio corp. (AMFM Inc.). I was able to help manage and set up 450 advertisers in 150 markets.

What is your biggest professional disappointment?
When AMFM was sold to Clear Channel. We had gotten to an enormous size in marketing and making alliances with advertisers that had never been seen before.

What career advice do you have for people wanting into this industry?
You have to have as much passion for your customers as you have for your company. You also need to make sure the philosophy and direction of the company are in alignment with your own.

What is one element that you would like to change about the sports industry?
I would like to help reduce the clutter there is in sports marketing today. We need to find more innovative and intriguing ways to reach out to advertisers.

This Career spotlight is courtesy of the Sports Business Journal. CLICK HERE to visit their official website.