Jim Smith begins the 2012 National Football League season as the club’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing following his promotion to the post on June 1, 2012.
Smith, who spent six seasons as the club’s Vice President of Marketing (2004-09) before being promoted to Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer in 2010, heads up one of the most creative and talented marketing and sales teams found anywhere in professional sports.
He recently worked with the NFL Office in New York City on a comprehensive brand review that created a new standard for the Falcons brand and put in place innovative brand policies to enhance and expand the club’s overall image both in the Atlanta market and nationally. In conjunction with this study, Smith developed the award winning “Rise Up” campaign which includes an inspiring television commercial featuring Hollywood star and “A-list” actor Samuel L. Jackson.
The campaign, which focuses on a team, an organization, a fan base, and a community rising up together to try win a championship, was unveiled in the spring of 2010 to impressive reviews and culminated with a television spot featuring Jackson’s impassioned speech for Atlanta and the Falcons to “Rise Up” together. Jackson’s motivating, emotional words also became a pre-game rallying cry and popular fixture for Falcons fans on the team’s Jumbotron when it was shown just before kickoff at each home game. It became an instant hit for fans and Falcons players alike as the club posted a 7-1 record at the Georgia Dome.
The new “Rise Up” ad was so successful that it captured a prestigious bronze Effie Award in the entertainment category. The Effie Awards is a 43-year old marketing recognition program designed to distinguish between the most effective advertising campaigns across the country each year.
In addition to the widely successful “Rise Up” campaign, Smith led the negotiations for new radio and television partnerships in 2011. Smith’s diligent and resourceful work translated into multi-year deals with Lincoln Financial Media, owner of STAR 94 FM and Sports Radio 790 The Zone, and CBS Atlanta.
In his new role as the club’s chief’s ticket sales and service officer, Smith is responsible for the sales and service of all Falcons tickets which include season tickets, group tickets, and hospitality programs. Smith also oversees ticket operations, ticket services, and the Falcons fan services department that work closely with the club’s critically important season-ticket holders.
Smith and his sales team are also responsible for selling Falcons premium seat inventories at the Georgia Dome which includes suites, club seats, super suites, and the Falcons Owner’s Club.
Over the past 10 seasons, the Falcons have sold out 98 of 100 games in the Georgia Dome which at one point included a franchise-record 55 games in-a-row sold out streak. The current streak stands at 40 consecutive games heading into the 2012 season.
Some of Smith’s other critical day-to-day responsibilities entail maximizing local and national revenue opportunities by managing all brand affinity, inventory, including stadium assets, broadcast rights, team marketing rights, new media, and event marketing. Smith and his partnership sales teams have increased the Falcons’ local sponsorship and broadcast revenues by more than 300% since 2003, and his impressive work in the Atlanta marketplace has resulted in several new partnerships with companies like Ford Motor Company, Verizon, NAPA, Russell, Quikrete, and SunTrust. Smith’s new media team has received national acclaim for its use of emerging technology and social media to provide fans unprecedented access to the Falcons organization.
Prior to joining the Falcons, Smith spent five successful seasons as General Manager and then President/General Manager of the Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. During his stint with The Crew, Smith captured 2001 MLS Executive of the Year honors by his peers and followed-up that award by overseeing the organization’s first-ever championship the following season winning the 2002 U.S. Open Cup title.
Before his positions with The Crew, Smith was a member of the athletic department at Ohio State University, serving as Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications. At OSU, Smith was responsible for the direction and coordination of eight department heads in the areas of marketing, athletic communications, publications, external relations, merchandise sales, premium seat services, video services and concessions.
Smith was the Director of Live Event Marketing for the World Wrestling Federation before his move to OSU. He also worked as the Coliseum Director at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Born Dec. 5, 1965, the Milford, Conn. native earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Radio, TV, and Film at Northwestern University and a Masters of Arts in Sports Management at Ohio State. He and his wife, Polly, live in Suwanee, Georgia with their three daughters, Rachel, Courtney, and Emily, and son, Daniel.
Jim Smith begins the 2012 National Football League season as the club’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing following his promotion to the post on June 1, 2012.
Smith, who spent six seasons as the club’s Vice President of Marketing (2004-09) before being promoted to Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer in 2010, heads up one of the most creative and talented marketing and sales teams found anywhere in professional sports.
He recently worked with the NFL Office in New York City on a comprehensive brand review that created a new standard for the Falcons brand and put in place innovative brand policies to enhance and expand the club’s overall image both in the Atlanta market and nationally. In conjunction with this study, Smith developed the award winning “Rise Up” campaign which includes an inspiring television commercial featuring Hollywood star and “A-list” actor Samuel L. Jackson.
The campaign, which focuses on a team, an organization, a fan base, and a community rising up together to try win a championship, was unveiled in the spring of 2010 to impressive reviews and culminated with a television spot featuring Jackson’s impassioned speech for Atlanta and the Falcons to “Rise Up” together. Jackson’s motivating, emotional words also became a pre-game rallying cry and popular fixture for Falcons fans on the team’s Jumbotron when it was shown just before kickoff at each home game. It became an instant hit for fans and Falcons players alike as the club posted a 7-1 record at the Georgia Dome.
The new “Rise Up” ad was so successful that it captured a prestigious bronze Effie Award in the entertainment category. The Effie Awards is a 43-year old marketing recognition program designed to distinguish between the most effective advertising campaigns across the country each year.
In addition to the widely successful “Rise Up” campaign, Smith led the negotiations for new radio and television partnerships in 2011. Smith’s diligent and resourceful work translated into multi-year deals with Lincoln Financial Media, owner of STAR 94 FM and Sports Radio 790 The Zone, and CBS Atlanta.
In his new role as the club’s chief’s ticket sales and service officer, Smith is responsible for the sales and service of all Falcons tickets which include season tickets, group tickets, and hospitality programs. Smith also oversees ticket operations, ticket services, and the Falcons fan services department that work closely with the club’s critically important season-ticket holders.
Smith and his sales team are also responsible for selling Falcons premium seat inventories at the Georgia Dome which includes suites, club seats, super suites, and the Falcons Owner’s Club.
Over the past 10 seasons, the Falcons have sold out 98 of 100 games in the Georgia Dome which at one point included a franchise-record 55 games in-a-row sold out streak. The current streak stands at 40 consecutive games heading into the 2012 season.
Some of Smith’s other critical day-to-day responsibilities entail maximizing local and national revenue opportunities by managing all brand affinity, inventory, including stadium assets, broadcast rights, team marketing rights, new media, and event marketing. Smith and his partnership sales teams have increased the Falcons’ local sponsorship and broadcast revenues by more than 300% since 2003, and his impressive work in the Atlanta marketplace has resulted in several new partnerships with companies like Ford Motor Company, Verizon, NAPA, Russell, Quikrete, and SunTrust. Smith’s new media team has received national acclaim for its use of emerging technology and social media to provide fans unprecedented access to the Falcons organization.
Prior to joining the Falcons, Smith spent five successful seasons as General Manager and then President/General Manager of the Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. During his stint with The Crew, Smith captured 2001 MLS Executive of the Year honors by his peers and followed-up that award by overseeing the organization’s first-ever championship the following season winning the 2002 U.S. Open Cup title.
Before his positions with The Crew, Smith was a member of the athletic department at Ohio State University, serving as Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications. At OSU, Smith was responsible for the direction and coordination of eight department heads in the areas of marketing, athletic communications, publications, external relations, merchandise sales, premium seat services, video services and concessions.
Smith was the Director of Live Event Marketing for the World Wrestling Federation before his move to OSU. He also worked as the Coliseum Director at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Born Dec. 5, 1965, the Milford, Conn. native earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Radio, TV, and Film at Northwestern University and a Masters of Arts in Sports Management at Ohio State. He and his wife, Polly, live in Suwanee, Georgia with their three daughters, Rachel, Courtney, and Emily, and son, Daniel.
