SFA marketing class teams up with sports promotion pro
January 27, 2011 - Traneka Southwell
Marc Williams
Sports marketing professional Marc Williams will lend his expertise to a new course at Stephen F. Austin State University this spring.
The Marketing 362: Sports Promotion class in the Nelson Rusche College of Business will be taught by Williams and Dr. Marlene Kahla, associate professor of marketing.
Williams, widely regarded as one of the nation's foremost experts on branding, has worked in the entertainment and sports industry for the past 10 years. Working for three of the largest sports brands in the world-Champs, Footaction and Reebok-he has developed national partnerships with the entertainment and sports-retail industries.
The joint teaching partnership between Kahla and Williams marks not only the first time the course has been taught at SFA, but also the first time the College of Business has had two instructors for a single course.
Kahla, who has worked for SFA for more than 30 years, said she understands that having two instructors in the classroom presents a unique opportunity not only for students but for her as well.
"This is a rare opportunity to bring someone from the industry here and to teach this course on a regular basis. I think the students will be excited," she said.
According to Kahla, the class offers students the opportunity to become knowledgeable about the terms and concepts commonly used in sports promotions. Furthermore, the students will be able to participate in assignments that will allow them to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-life situations.
Williams received his undergraduate degree from William Paterson University and his master's degree in sports management at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Outside of the classroom Williams operates his award-winning brand management consulting firm company Williams Communications.
Developing partnerships with the sports retail and music industries has proven successful allowing Williams to work with musical artists and sports figures such as Cornell "Nelly" Haynes, Shawn "Jay Z" Carter, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Beyonce Knowles, Christina Aguilera, NBA champion Dewayne Wade and five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams.
Williams currently has two clients who are in top-rated shows on television, including Marion "Pooch" Hall who plays Derwin Davis on BET's "The Game" and Jason George from ABC's show "Off the Map."
"I was responsible for getting Pooch his first commercial," Williams said. "He was very excited, but when we were negotiating for him to be a part of 'The Game' he was ecstatic and now the show is No. 1 on BET," Williams said. "I'm very proud of him."
Although he has worked with some of the top names in the industry, Williams says his proudest accomplishment was a 40-college empowerment tour that he participated in last year.
"I spoke at 40 different colleges, 40 different high schools and 40 different elementary schools," he said. "I loved speaking directly to the young people and teaching them that the sky is the limit and to follow their dreams."
Some may remember Williams from last year when he and his client, TV personality Fonzworth Bentley, gave a speech in the Grand Ballroom at SFA.
"Since stepping foot into this town I noticed how humble and great the people of Nacogdoches are," Williams said. "I felt good about this place. Then when I stepped foot on campus and I knew that I wanted to teach."
Williams said he wants to be as accessible to students as possible. He also encourages students to contact him anytime they have questions.
"I'm a firm believer in keeping up with the times," Williams said. " I ask my students to follow me on Twitter or find me on Facebook. I want to be able to help students in any way possible."
For more information about Williams follow him on twitter at wpuumass or e-mail him at marc.williamscommunications@gmail.com. Williams also will speak about careers in the sports, music and entertainment industries from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Room 3.201 of the Baker Pattillo Student Center.