Jenn Brown - 2x Emmy Winner, NCAA Walk-On to Captain, Who YOU Know In Sports | The Playbook #015

TL;DR

Jenn Brown shares her journey from athlete to sports broadcaster.

Transcript

• You've all heard the whole it's who you know, right? It's who you know in the business. - Right. - It's who you know here or there. That's not actually accurate. It's who knows you, because you-- - [Dave] And what they think of you, right? - Yeah, it's who knows you and what they think of you. - [Dave] Champions are made and cash always follows, ... Read More

Key Insights

• Jenn Brown emphasizes the importance of who knows you and what they think of you, rather than just who you know, as a key to success.
• Her career in broadcasting was largely built on relationships and reputation, having only auditioned for one job in her entire career.
• Jenn's athletic background, including walking onto the University of Florida's softball team, taught her valuable lessons about hard work and perseverance.
• She believes in going the extra mile, which she describes as a lonely place but one where people take notice of your efforts.
• Jenn's upbringing in a sports-centric family, with her mother as an Olympic gymnastics coach, instilled in her a strong work ethic and passion for sports.
• She values the emotional and human elements of sports, aiming to bring these stories to life in her broadcasting career.
• Jenn plans to give back to the broadcasting community through a project called 'The Art of Broadcasting,' aimed at helping aspiring broadcasters.
• Her mother, Rita, played a significant role in her development, teaching her that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Jenn Brown's philosophy on networking in the industry?

Jenn Brown believes that it's not just about who you know, but who knows you and what they think of you. She emphasizes the importance of building a reputation where people want to work with you again. This approach has led to most of her job opportunities coming through word of mouth and relationships rather than auditions.

Q: How did Jenn Brown's athletic background influence her career?

Jenn Brown's experience as a college athlete taught her valuable lessons about hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. Walking onto the University of Florida's softball team, she learned the importance of going the extra mile and making the most of every opportunity. These lessons have been crucial in her successful transition to a career in sports broadcasting.

Q: What role did Jenn Brown's family play in her career development?

Jenn Brown grew up in a sports-centric family, with her mother, Rita, being an Olympic gymnastics coach. This environment instilled in her a strong work ethic and passion for sports. Her mother's dedication to her career and the athletes she coached inspired Jenn to pursue her own dreams with the belief that anything is possible with hard work.

Q: What is Jenn Brown's approach to storytelling in sports broadcasting?

Jenn Brown focuses on the human and emotional elements of sports, aiming to bring these stories to life in her broadcasting work. She believes that fans are interested in more than just statistics and game analysis; they want to know the personal stories and motivations of the athletes. This approach sets her apart and adds depth to her reporting.

Q: How does Jenn Brown plan to give back to the broadcasting community?

Jenn Brown is developing a project called 'The Art of Broadcasting,' which aims to be a resource and tool for aspiring sports broadcasters. The project will connect young professionals with industry experts and provide guidance on navigating the challenges of the broadcasting world. Jenn hopes to help others avoid the mistakes she made and achieve even greater success.

Q: What is Jenn Brown's view on going the extra mile?

Jenn Brown believes that going the extra mile is crucial for success. She describes it as a lonely place because not many people are willing to put in the extra effort. However, she notes that this is where people take notice of your work ethic and dedication, which can lead to greater opportunities and success in your career.

Q: How did Jenn Brown's mother influence her understanding of success?

Jenn Brown's mother, Rita, taught her that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. As an Olympic gymnastics coach and successful businesswoman, Rita demonstrated the importance of following one's passion and putting in the effort to achieve one's dreams. This lesson has been a guiding principle in Jenn's career and personal life.

Q: What legacy does Jenn Brown hope to leave behind?

Jenn Brown hopes to leave a legacy of giving back and helping others succeed. Through her project, 'The Art of Broadcasting,' she aims to support aspiring broadcasters in navigating their careers. Jenn believes in the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences to help others achieve their goals and make a positive impact in the industry.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jenn Brown discusses her journey from being a college athlete to a successful sports broadcaster, highlighting the importance of reputation and relationships in her career. She shares how her athletic background taught her perseverance and the value of going the extra mile.

• Growing up in a sports-oriented family, with her mother as an Olympic gymnastics coach, Jenn was inspired to pursue her dreams. Her mother's work ethic and dedication to her passion left a lasting impression on Jenn, influencing her own career path.

• Jenn emphasizes the human element of sports in her broadcasting work, aiming to tell the stories behind the athletes. She plans to give back to the industry with a project designed to help aspiring broadcasters navigate their careers.