The Profluence Pod ๐ŸŒ

Andrew Petcash
  • 4.7 (21)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Insightful convos with the founders, operators, and investors transforming the future of sports.

  1. #310: Ricardo Briceno, GameFam - Building the Future of Sports Fandom on Roblox

    13H AGO

    #310: Ricardo Briceno, GameFam - Building the Future of Sports Fandom on Roblox

    Ricardo Briceno is the CEO of GameFam, a leading metaverse gaming company helping global brands and sports properties connect with younger audiences through immersive digital experiences. With a career rooted in brand building at Procter & Gamble and Mattel, Ricardo has spent years mastering how to create meaningful engagement with consumers. At GameFam, he brings that expertise into the world of gaming, specifically Roblox, where heโ€™s helping redefine how IP, entertainment, and sports intersect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Ricardo breaks down how platforms like Roblox are reshaping fan engagement, why authenticity and scale are critical for brands entering the space, and how GameFam is working with major organizations like FIFA to build the future of sports fandom ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He shares insights into bridging digital and real-world experiences, the evolution of gaming as a social platform, and why the biggest opportunity isnโ€™t immediate monetization, but long-term fan development. This episode is a deep dive into the next generation of sports consumption and the platforms defining it. Podcast Chapters: 01:07 Ricardo's Journey and GameFam's Mission 04:05 Understanding Roblox: The Gaming Community Platform 07:52 Authenticity in Sports Engagement on Roblox 12:04 Bridging Digital and Real-Life Experiences 15:44 Monetization vs. Fandom: The Roblox Opportunity 19:23 Media Rights and Engagement in Roblox 21:24 The Evolution of Athletes and Creators on Roblox 24:00 The Human Experience on Roblox 25:22 GameFam's Plans for the World Cup 27:43 Engagement Strategies for Leagues and Clubs 29:08 How to Collaborate with GameFam

    31 min
  2. #309: Joseph Graziano III, Li-Shen Lee, and Eric Herd, Fieldhouse Media Network - Unlocking 75M Fans

    4D AGO

    #309: Joseph Graziano III, Li-Shen Lee, and Eric Herd, Fieldhouse Media Network - Unlocking 75M Fans

    Joseph Graziano III, Li-Shen Lee, and Eric Herd are leaders at the intersection of sports, technology, and data, working together to redefine how teams, brands, and fans connect in a modern, global ecosystem. Joseph serves as Chief Commercial Officer at Pacers Sports & Entertainment, bringing experience from the NBA and WNBA in building global partnerships. Li-Shen is a Partner at Deloitte and leads Converge for Sports, focusing on data-driven solutions across industries. Eric is the Global Head of Sports and Emerging Products at Yieldmo, specializing in AI-powered advertising and fan engagement at scale. At the center of this conversation is the launch of the Fieldhouse Media Network, a new platform designed to unlock Pacers Sports & Entertainmentโ€™s 75 million global fans. Announced in collaboration with Deloitte and Yieldmo, the platform combines Convergeโ„ข by Deloitteโ€™s predictive fan intelligence, PS&Eโ€™s first-party data, and Yieldmoโ€™s Ymax.ai ad engine to deliver targeted brand content across sports blogs, streaming platforms, and news sites meeting fans where they already are. Taking this conversation beyond the podcast, the initiative represents a major shift in how teams think about media, allowing PS&E to monetize fans outside Indiana, sell multiple brands per category, and prove measurable ROI at scale, effectively bridging the gap between national reach and team-level intimacy for the first time. Together, they break down how this model transforms traditional sponsorships into data-driven, performance-based media opportunities. The discussion explores how teams can better understand and monetize the full fan ecosystem, not just those attending games, but the vast majority engaging digitally. From AI-powered personalization and global fan expansion to the rise of womenโ€™s and youth sports, this episode highlights how technology is reshaping the commercial future of sports and turning teams into true media platforms. Podcast Chapters: 08:47 Innovative Partnerships and Market Expansion 12:41 Rethinking Sponsorship and Monetization Models 17:46 The Power of Fandom and Data-Driven Engagement 26:44 Future Trends in Sports and Youth Engagement 32:11 Connected TV and the Next Era of Fan Engagement

    36 min
  3. #309: Joseph Graziano III, Li-Shen Lee, and Eric Heard, Fieldhouse Media Network

    MAY 4

    #309: Joseph Graziano III, Li-Shen Lee, and Eric Heard, Fieldhouse Media Network

    Jared Kleinstein is an entrepreneur, founder, and creative operator best known for building Fresh Tape Media and Gondola, two companies at the intersection of sports storytelling, digital media, and creator infrastructure. As the Founder of Fresh Tape Media, he leads a full-service creative production company working with major leagues, teams, and global brands to solve large-scale storytelling and content challenges across sports and entertainment. He is also the founder of the Gondola Sports Summit, a flagship industry event now entering its third year of bringing together sports social, creative, and production professionals to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of sports media. The 2026 edition takes place May 18โ€“20 at the Denver Art Museum in Denver, Colorado, and features a growing lineup of 2026 speakers and industry leaders shaping the future of sports media and creativity. The Summit is designed for social media managers, directors of creative, videographers, photographers, graphic designers, producers, copywriters, and strategists, offering hands-on opportunities to level up skills, collaborate with peers, and engage directly with leaders driving innovation in sports. It blends panels, networking, and immersive IRL experiences to strengthen the creative ecosystem across the industry. Across both his companies, he explores how teams and brands are rethinking influencer strategy, building on-demand creative networks, and adapting to a fragmented but opportunity-rich media landscape. He also shares insights on how sports, technology, and real-world experiences are converging to reshape how content is made and consumed. Podcast Chapters: 01:31 The Evolution of Fresh Tape and Gondola 03:57 Trends in Sports Content Creation 08:22 Expanding Influence in Collegiate and Youth Sports 10:36 The Rise of Live Shopping and Community Engagement 12:38 The Gondola Summit: Bringing Creatives Together 19:15 Balancing Multiple Ventures as an Entrepreneur 22:54 Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Market 25:05 Future Trends in Creator Empowerment and Storytelling

    36 min
  4. #308: Jared Kleinstein, Gondola - The Creator Economy Behind Sports:

    APR 29

    #308: Jared Kleinstein, Gondola - The Creator Economy Behind Sports:

    Jared Kleinstein is an entrepreneur, founder, and creative operator best known for building Fresh Tape Media and Gondola, two companies at the intersection of sports storytelling, digital media, and creator infrastructure. As the Founder of Fresh Tape Media, he leads a full-service creative production company working with major leagues, teams, and global brands to solve large-scale storytelling and content challenges across sports and entertainment.He is also the founder of the Gondola Sports Summit, a flagship industry event now entering its third year of bringing together sports social, creative, and production professionals to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of sports media. The 2026 edition takes place May 18โ€“20 at the Denver Art Museum in Denver, Colorado, and features a growing lineup of 2026 speakers and industry leaders shaping the future of sports media and creativity. The Summit is designed for social media managers, directors of creative, videographers, photographers, graphic designers, producers, copywriters, and strategists, offering hands-on opportunities to level up skills, collaborate with peers, and engage directly with leaders driving innovation in sports. It blends panels, networking, and immersive IRL experiences to strengthen the creative ecosystem across the industry.Across both his companies, he explores how teams and brands are rethinking influencer strategy, building on-demand creative networks, and adapting to a fragmented but opportunity-rich media landscape. He also shares insights on how sports, technology, and real-world experiences are converging to reshape how content is made and consumed.Podcast Chapters:01:31 The Evolution of Fresh Tape and Gondola03:57 Trends in Sports Content Creation08:22 Expanding Influence in Collegiate and Youth Sports10:36 The Rise of Live Shopping and Community Engagement12:38 The Gondola Summit: Bringing Creatives Together19:15 Balancing Multiple Ventures as an Entrepreneur22:54 Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Market25:05 Future Trends in Creator Empowerment and Storytelling Jared Kleinstein: Get Gondola Sports Summit Tickets: https://sportssummit.gondola.cc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-kleinstein/ Scott Garber: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://profluence.com ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

    29 min
  5. #307: Thomas Archer Bata, Triple B International - Inside a Global Family Office

    APR 20

    #307: Thomas Archer Bata, Triple B International - Inside a Global Family Office

    Thomas Archer Bata is an entrepreneur, investor, and fourth-generation member of the Bata family. As a Director at Triple B International, he focuses on venture, growth, and real estate investments, partnering with founders and operators to build enduring businesses. His work spans capital allocation and strategic guidance, with a long-term lens rooted in generational value creation. Beyond Triple B, Thomas is the Co-Founder and Chairman of INTENNSE, founder of MGG, and co-founder of Friends of Bata, platforms designed to connect business, community, and culture. Prior to his investing career, he gained hands-on experience at global brands like Nike and ALDO Group, developing a deep understanding of retail, brand building, and operations that now informs his investment approach. Thomas shares how family offices are thinking about emerging opportunities in sports, media, and technology. He breaks down how to evaluate early-stage investments, where the biggest opportunities are across the evolving sports ecosystem, and why community and brand matter more than ever. This conversation offers a unique perspective on long-term investing, the future of sports as an asset class, and how capital can be used to build meaningful, lasting impact. Podcast Chapters: 01:50 Investing in Emerging Sports and Brands 05:09 Family Office Investment Strategies 08:38 Evaluating Sports Opportunities 12:55 The Future of Sports and Technology 16:37 Media and Entertainment Evolution 24:47 Vision for Triple B and Intense Thomas Archer Bata: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://www.triple-b.co/ ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasabata/ Andrew Petcash:  ๐Ÿ  Website: https://profluence.com ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

    29 min
  6. #306: Christian Muche, POSSIBLE -Why Sports Is the Ultimate Marketing Platform Right Now

    APR 14

    #306: Christian Muche, POSSIBLE -Why Sports Is the Ultimate Marketing Platform Right Now

    Christian Muche is the CEO and Co-Founder of POSSIBLE, a premier global event platform bringing together leaders across marketing, media, technology, and sports. With a background that spans building one of Europeโ€™s largest marketing events and working with digital giants like AOL and Yahoo, Christian has spent decades at the forefront of industry transformation. Today, heโ€™s focused on redefining how brands, creators, and innovators connect in a rapidly evolving landscape. POSSIBLE has quickly become a tentpole event in the marketing world, hosted in Miami and designed to bring the entire ecosystem together, from global brands and agencies to athletes, creators, and emerging startups. By blending culture, commerce, and community, POSSIBLE creates a unique environment where partnerships are formed, ideas are tested, and the future of marketing is actively shaped, especially as sports continues to emerge as one of the most powerful platforms for storytelling and engagement. Held annually in Miami, the event brings together thousands of industry leaders for immersive programming, networking, and deal-making at the intersection of business and culture. In this episode, Christian breaks down the evolution of sports as a marketing engine, the rise of athletes as media companies, and the convergence of creators, technology, and commerce. He shares insights on how brands are shifting from sponsorships to true partnerships, why in-person experiences matter more than ever, and what trends are shaping the next generation of marketing.  Podcast Chapters: 02:33 Christian's Journey in Marketing and Sports 05:32 The Concept and Vision Behind Possible 08:06 The Evolving Role of Athletes in Marketing 10:39 Youth Sports and the Next Generation of Marketers 13:35 The Importance of In-Person Experiences 16:09 AI and Technology's Impact on Marketing 19:01 Case Study: Formula One's Marketing Success 21:38 Maximizing Value at Possible 24:05 Future Trends in Sports Marketing Christian Muche: Get POSSIBLE Tickets: https://possibleevent.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianmuche/ Scott Garber: ๐Ÿ  Website: https://profluence.com ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

    26 min
  7. #305: Tom Porricelli, Citrin Cooperman - Why Founders Get Finance Wrong (And How to Fix It)

    APR 14

    #305: Tom Porricelli, Citrin Cooperman - Why Founders Get Finance Wrong (And How to Fix It)

    Tom Porricelli is a Partner and Head of Technology and Sports at Citrin Cooperman, where he has spent over 15 years helping founders, operators, and middle-market companies navigate growth, financial strategy, and long-term value creation. With a background as a collegiate athlete, Tom brings a unique blend of competitive mindset and technical expertise, bridging the gap between traditional accounting and the evolving sports business landscape. His work focuses on supporting founders at every stage, from early formation to exit; while helping them avoid common financial pitfalls and build sustainable businesses. Citrin Cooperman is a leading advisory and accounting firm that has evolved far beyond traditional audit and tax services. The firm specializes in working with high-growth companies across industries, with a strong focus on the sports, media, and technology ecosystem. By taking a tailored, relationship-first approach, Citrin supports founders with strategic guidance around capital, tax optimization (including QSBS and R&D credits), and long-term planning, positioning itself as a true partner rather than just a service provider. In this episode, Tom shares how sports has emerged as a powerful and under-institutionalized asset class, and why founders need more than a one-size-fits-all approach when building in this space. The conversation dives into the importance of community-driven growth, non-transactional relationship building, and how firms like Citrin are leveraging ecosystems like Profluence to better support innovators. Tom also breaks down key financial strategies every founder should understand, offering practical insights on capital decisions, tax advantages, and how to build with the right partners from day one. Podcast Chapters: 02:40 The Evolution of Sports as an Asset Class 05:50 Building Relationships in the Sports Ecosystem 08:33 Leveraging Community for Growth 11:20 Innovative Approaches to Client Engagement 14:15 Advice for Founders on Financial Strategies 17:09 Looking Ahead: The Future of Sports and Accounting

    25 min
  8. #304: Kevin McReynolds, Overnght - The Future of Olympic Sports Media

    APR 8

    #304: Kevin McReynolds, Overnght - The Future of Olympic Sports Media

    Kevin McReynolds is the Founder & CEO of Overnght, a global streaming platform redefining how Olympic and underrepresented sports are distributed, consumed, and monetized. After seeing firsthand how elite athletes struggled with visibility and support outside of the Olympic spotlight, Kevin set out to build a solution that gives these sportsโ€”and their athletesโ€”the attention they deserve year-round. Through Overnght, Kevin is aggregating fragmented media rights across sports like water polo, rowing, and more, creating a centralized destination for fans, families, and communities worldwide. By combining innovative distribution, data-driven strategy, and a deep focus on athlete storytelling, Overnght is unlocking new revenue streams and building a more sustainable future for Olympic sportsโ€”especially as momentum builds toward the 2028 Summer Olympics. In this episode, Kevin joins to break down the opportunity in overlooked sports, how heโ€™s navigating complex rights landscapes, and why community, storytelling, and accessibility are at the core of his strategy. He also shares insights on athlete-driven growth, the role of emerging media models, and what it will take to elevate Olympic sports on a global scale. Podcast Chapters: 01:02 The Inspiration Behind Overnght 03:11 Understanding the Overnght Platform 04:43 Challenges in the Olympic Sports Space 07:52 Acquisition Strategy for Sports Rights 10:06 Impact of the 2028 Olympics on Business 12:01 Leveraging the Sporting Ecosystem 14:32 Engaging Younger Audiences and Future Stars 20:04 Exploring Prediction Markets and Advertising 21:45 Content Strategy for Youth and Junior Sports 24:19 The Future of Sports as Media Brands 27:10 Aha Moments in Building Overnght 31:13 Looking Ahead to the 2028 Olympics

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
21 Ratings

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Insightful convos with the founders, operators, and investors transforming the future of sports.

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