Dave's Blog - Wakeman Consulting Group

My approach to strategy

Hi! For the last few weeks, I’ve been playing with a model. What kind of model? A model that explains what I’m teaching around strategy. It is the marriage of two models that work together. One is my framework of 5 questions: Two is a strategic triangle that turns this into something you can use […]

The BIG Ticket: Ligue 1 in a “Financial Crisis”

Ligue 1 has hit a “financial crisis”. The league’s deal with broadcast partner DAZN collapsed, leaving the league scrambling to find a new broadcast deal for the second time in five years. Ligue 1 is a top 5 European league, generating $2.53 B in revenue in 2023-24. Mostly from broadcast rights and player transfer fees. […]

The BIG Ticket: Beyonce Feeds #PaysToWait?

Hi! #PaysToWait is a real phenomenon. You can look at this recent story about Beyonce’s ticket sales and fans talking about paying crazy pre-sale prices for nosebleeds. Yield management matters. But so does your brand. There is a balance that needs to be struck between maximizing revenue and preserving your brand. Beyonce’s tour is just another in […]

The BIG Ticket: Washington Spirit Mentorship Program

Hi! I was going to share a model I’ve created around strategy that includes how I look at: You’ll probably get that tomorrow. Instead, I received an email today from the Ministry of Sport that shared some information about the club I’m on the board of in DC. Jane Dawber works for my club. She’s a […]

The BIG Ticket: The Masters “Crackdown”

I’ve been following this for a week. Scott Friedman and Darren Rovell have covered this the best. I grew up in the shadow of Augusta National and remember Masters Week from my childhood. But it isn’t something I spend much time thinking about. Then, I realized it perfectly explains sports business now. I ask myself, “Does […]

The BIG Ticket: Hard Times for Nightclubs

Hi! You may not know about my start in nightclubs. For 3 years, I was involved in nightclubs around the country. I did almost every job you could imagine. I say that this is where I learned how to really be a marketer. I’ve told the story at conferences about how nightclubs taught me pricing: […]

The BIG Ticket: The Masters

Hi! I kept my head down about The Masters and the ticket story that Darren Rovell and Scott Friedman seem to have been on top of all week. Then, I read a piece about personalities from Ted Gioia this morning. The Honest Broker Is This the Dominant Personality Type of Our Time? Filmmaker Sergio Leone […]