Robert Krasemann, a senior Sport and Entertainment Management student, knows that taking risks and showing initiative can be some of the best career-building skills to have. After finishing his spring classes in 2008, he stepped out of his comfort zone and moved to Los Angeles for an exciting internship with IMG Licensing.
Despite his current passion for his major, Robert did not start out in the SPTE program. After seeing firsthand how much students loved the courses, he knew he wanted to be a part of it.
“I wanted to learn more about the Sport and Entertainment Management degree after some of my friends were talking about the classes they were taking for the major,” said Robert. “Their excitement prompted me to speak with someone in the Sport and Entertainment Management department so I could find out more about the program.”
After finishing his SPTE courses, Robert applied for an internship at IMG Licensing that he heard about from a friend. After contacting and interviewing with the IMG internship program, Robert landed a position with IMG’s Los Angeles office. Even though it meant moving across the country, Robert was eager to take the opportunity.
“I wanted to get involved with IMG due to the wide range of sport, entertainment and media they represent,” he said. “As a Sport and Entertainment Management major, IMG has been the perfect
fit for me.”
When he began working in an office of 40 full-time employees and 6 interns, Robert made it a point to distinguish himself from his coworkers to prove his worth in the office. He put maximum effort into his assignments, which included working on sales pitches for new products, helping out with licensees and researching possible products for current brands.
“The most important thing to remember is that you are not a college student anymore,” said Robert. “You need to show people you work with that you are capable.”
Robert used the quality of his work to make a name for himself within the office. After being known as “intern number two” for a month, he won the approval of the vice president of IMG Retail Licensing with an exceptional PowerPoint presentation – and got the VP to remember his name.
Robert also made the most of his experience by showing initiative and taking on new projects. After overhearing someone talking about SlamBall, a new sport that IMG recently purchased, Robert introduced himself to JJ Hadley, who was running IMG Media.
“I went into his office and started describing how much I loved SlamBall and asked if there was any way I could help out,” said Robert. “JJ loved my initiative and it just so happened that SlamBall had two games that night at Universal Studios. I was invited and given a press pass.”
Not only did Robert go to the games, but he also took the opportunity to show off his work ethic. After the game, he compiled a list of potential SlamBall players and handed it off to Hadley.
In addition to the work experience, Robert says that one of the best parts of the internship in LA was getting to work under Tim Rothwell, executive vice president of IMG Licensing and also a 1982 University of South Carolina graduate. Not only did Robert bond with his boss as a fellow Gamecock, but he looked up to him as an inspiring and successful role model.
“I could not imagine looking up to someone more than I look up to him,” said Robert. “It’s pretty exciting for me to see how far his University of South Carolina education has taken him.”
After Robert completed his IMG internship in Los Angeles, he returned to USC to complete his classes. In January 2009, he moved to the IMG office in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. The Florida office was much smaller than the office in Los Angeles, but gave Robert the chance to see the business from another perspective.
“In LA there were a lot of big deals with one licensee, but the Florida office has been successful by having many licensees,” said Robert. “In Ponte Vedra Beach I have been able to do a lot of things I didn’t do in LA, like cold-calling and daily interaction e-mails.”
Although Robert’s internships were demanding and sometimes stressful, he maintains that the most difficult part of his experience was just packing up and moving across the country.
“The hardest part was leaving my comfort zone and going to a place where I knew nobody,” said Robert. “I still remember the drive to the airport thinking to myself, what am I getting into?”
Robert will be the first to say the journey was completely worth it. Not only did he get the chance to live in Los Angeles and work at one of the premiere licensing companies in the country, but he also experienced the industry in two vastly different environments.
“I think the combination of both internships has helped me understand licensing from angles most people wouldn’t get to see,” said Robert. “I have seen the amazing LA style of entertainment licensing and now I have seen the brand building side of sports licensing.”
After two exciting internships with a globally recognized licensing company, Robert feels that he is fully prepared to start his career. Not only did he gain essential work experience, but he also got the chance to live in a professional setting. His entire experience with IMG, from moving to new cities, to living with career-oriented people, to working in a hectic office, has left him feeling confident and ready to enter the business world.