Kevin Brown: Detroit Red Wings Director of Community Relations The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp VP of Content and Engaged learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast…







Community relations is food for the soul of an organization. 







Still one of my favorite quotes. It’s from an anonymous CEO, I’d give credit if I could.







And it’s a true statement. When most departments of an organization are focused on internally beneficial revenue creation, it is the community relations department that is focused on more outwardly impactful projects. 















They are literally giving, with no intention to receive anything but joy and fulfillment. 







But, even though the quote hits the mark on the spirit of community relations, it’s purpose and mission, it doesn’t take into account the actual scope of the job. 







What we see from the outside are hundreds of events each year utilizing the reach and power of a team brand and its athletes to make a difference in the local community. Support for education, the military, cancer survivors, blood drives, coaching -- that what we see, and are moved by as human beings.







But when we talk about the job, when we talk about Community Relations as a career, yes it starts with caring about the people and the causes -- but it also requires elite skills. Event management, marketing, promotions, budgeting, staffing, leadership skills, and more are required to impact and change the local community. 







It starts with heart, but it requires skill.  







Today’s guest is a shining example of that mix, a combination of elite skill and unrivaled passion and enthusiasm for making a positive change the world. 







Kevin Brown is the Director of Community Relations for the Detroit Red Wings and the Director of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation -- it’s my pleasure to have him as our guest 







Here we go -- let’s dive into the world of community relations with Kevin Brown…















Questions for Kevin Brown, Detroit Red Wings Director of Community Relations and Director of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation







1: Let’s start with an easy one – in your opinion why is community relations such an important part of the sports industry?







2: Early in your career you worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and like most sports focused people, you filled various early career roles – Game Day Supervisor, Training Camp Assistant, Team Services Assistant – how did you eventually figure out Community Relations was your path?







3: You earned your degree in marketing, and now find yourself in community relations – do you find there to be valuable links between the two fields?







4: Most people understand what community relations is, but I don’t think they full appreciate the depth of the role – how would you describe the main skill sets necessary to thrive in community relations? 







5: During your years with the Bucs, you were also the Super Bowl Community Relations rep from 2010- 2016. Every player I’ve interviewed over my career just shakes their head when they talk about the playoffs or super bowl, as if to say “it’s a whole different world”







Did you feel the same about your super bowl experience, like this just ramped everything up?







6: What do you remember most about your first Super Bowl event? 







7: After 14 years with the Bucs and the NFL you jumped to the NHL in a newly developed Director...