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Title: Senior Director of Communications, Cleveland Indians
Education: Bachelor's in sport management and marketing, Bowling Green State University
Career: Public relations intern, Buffalo Bills, 1996
Interview conducted by Jim Kadlecek, associate professor and chair of the Department of Human Performance and Sport Business at the University of Mount Union and Vice President for Industry Relations of the Sport Marketing Association.
Curtis Danburg is in his 16th season with the Cleveland Indians. In his current role as Senior Director of Communications, he oversees Corporate Communications, Baseball Information, Broadcasting, Digital Media, and Digital Assets (historical archiving, photography, digital signage). He initiated his career as an intern with the Indians' Media Relations Department for three years before becoming a full-time member of the department in 1998. He was promoted in 2005 to lead Corporate Communications and Digital Media, areas still under his direction. Danburg also spent seven seasons (2005-2011) providing oversight for the Indians' Creative Services operation before being promoted to a leadership role as the Senior Director for the entire Communications division in 2011.
Q: What is your definition of social media?
Danburg: Utilizing technology as a tool for realtime, direct and interactive communication.
Q: Why do sport organizations need to be a part of this digital media conversation?
Danburg: It's a grassroots marketing tool unlike anything our industry has ever seen. We're able to instantly interact with our fans to not only create a deeper connection but also to solicit fan reaction.
Q: Social media has evolved so quickly. What are some current social media trends? Where do you see it going in the immediate future?
Danburg: I think a lot of it relies on giving access and empowering fans to create their own experiences, both with...