Meet Mike Goff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Goff.

Mike, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I had planned to be a sportswriter given my education at the Journalism School at the University of Kansas. And while that may have been a satisfying career, I had an epiphany when driving back to Kansas City from a job interview at a small daily newspaper in western Kansas that “no- I think I need something broader in order to be fulfilled in my career.” So, my planned entry into news writing shifted to one in marketing and advertising, where I realized that I could solve business problems on behalf of client partners.

After several years of advertising agency life, I took a job at Sprint that led me into a 21-year journey there where I worked for three different iterations of the company- long-distance, wireless, and merged (with Nextel.) During that time, I took a leap into starting the sports and entertainment marketing practice with Sprint’s involvement with World Cup, and that led to sponsorships with the NFL, PGA, Rolling Stones, and several other national and local partners. I left Sprint in 2012, having learned so much and applied that into my journey over the past nine years, which has included higher education, leading a small sports marketing firm, stewarding fundraising and marketing at a non-profit, and now managing my own marketing consulting firm. Those adventures opened new doors of opportunity, learning and impact on the local region. My current consulting practice is focused on driving results for brands and organizations that I admire while working with colleagues that I respect. My volunteer work is focused on education, regional economic development and mentoring and networking.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had the great opportunity to guest lecture and, inevitably, the question gets asked about my career and “how to get a job.” I emphasize – and even use a corresponding visual in my presentation – that life and career are a winding road that you can’t control but can work to guide. I could’ve easily taken that job in western Kansas, been a sportswriter and my life would be very, very different today. That illustrates the decisions that one makes that impact that journey of left turns, right turns and proceeding straight ahead. There are also the uncontrollable situations that come along- business factors, environmental issues (such as the pandemic of the past 20 months); family situations that may require attention, such as an aging parent; and other things that one just can’t control. I’ve achieved much and have also lost a job and had my position eliminated. It’s how we handle that adversity that is a testament to who we are- not how we act when all is going well.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The easiest way to explain what I do is to say that I’m a fractional Chief Marketing Officer. I offer CMO experience and expertise to companies and brands and organizations who may not be large enough to have that strategic prowess within their organization. Or it may be a case where I can complement the existing staff with objective thinking on a specific business challenge.

I have had the opportunity to do major things professionally – negotiating a sponsorship deal with the NFL, negotiating the naming rights agreement for Sprint Center (now T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO), overseeing the development of an integrated marketing campaign that won a Cannes Gold Lion (the advertising equivalent of an Academy Award), playing an integral role in the launch of the College Football Playoff, leading the fundraising effort to raise $18 million in COVID 19 relief and recovery support in Kansas City and on and on. It’s that level of experience that I now can bring into a discussion with a colleague, or colleagues who are facing a business challenge for which they need my help.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In 1992, I was at Sprint and was approached by my boss, who asked “The company made a sponsorship deal with the World Cup and US Soccer. We need someone to manage these partnerships and our investment. What do you think?” One, I knew next to nothing about soccer. Two, I also knew that World Cup was in the U.S. in summer 1994 which meant I faced the possibility of having no job once that event, and sponsorship, was over. I said “yes” to the opportunity and that decision was the stepping stone to a successful career in sports and entertainment marketing with brands such as the NFL, Rolling Stones, PGA, US Ski & Snowboard Association, NCAA and regional partnerships such as the Chiefs and Royals. Risks are part of life. One may be risk-averse but that does not mean that someone is risk avoidant. I don’t know anyone who has had success in any endeavor where there wasn’t some sort of risk involved in helping them achieve that success.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: goffmarketing.com
• Instagram: @rmgoff
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rmichaelgoff/
• Twitter: @rmgoff